Slow Feeder Dog Bowls: The Complete Guide
Biscuit, a beagle in Burnaby, used to finish dinner before his owner Noah had put the scoop away. Then Noah tried a slow feeder bowl, and dinner turned into a calm, five-minute puzzle.
What a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Does
A slow feeder dog bowl has a maze of ridges, pegs or patterns across the base. Your dog has to nose around the obstacles to reach each piece of kibble, so the meal takes longer and fewer pieces land on the floor.
Many owners also notice a calmer mealtime. Instead of a sprint, eating becomes a small activity for your dog's nose and brain.
How to Choose a Slow Feeder Bowl
Three things matter most: size, depth and pattern. Pick a size that matches your dog's muzzle, a depth that holds a full meal, and a maze that slows your dog without frustrating them.
Start with an easier pattern if your dog is new to slow feeders, and check that the base stays put on your floor. The Square Slow Feeder Bowl has a non-slip base for that reason.
Our how to pick a puzzle slow feeder guide goes deeper on matching a feeder to your dog.
| Bowl | Medium | Large | Large Deep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunset, Cedar Night, Maple Leaf, Leaves | 15 cm, 2 cm deep | 24 cm, 2 cm deep | 24 cm, 4 cm deep |
| Paw Design (with a name) | 15 x 15 cm, 3 cm deep | 24 x 24 cm, 3 cm deep | 24 x 24 cm, 5 cm deep |
| Dog Shaped (with a name) | 15 x 15 cm, 2 cm deep | 24 x 24 cm, 3 cm deep | 24 x 24 cm, 5 cm deep |
| Square (non-slip base) | 150 x 150 mm | 240 x 240 mm | not offered |
The Petsun Slow Feeder Range
I designed the Premium range so a slow feeder looks good in your kitchen. The Sunset, Cedar Night, Maple Leaf and Leaves bowls have patterned mazes. The Personalized Paw Design and Dog Shaped bowls carry your dog's name.
Our Premium bowls are designed and engineered by Petsun and made from PLA, a plant-based bioplastic. Sizes run from Medium to Large Deep, so one fits a small dog and another fits a Labrador.
Making the Switch
Put the bowl on a non-slip floor, serve a normal portion and let your dog work it out. Praise the first slow meal, and rinse the bowl after each use.
If your dog loves a challenge, you can move up to a 2 Layer Rotating Treat Cases Puzzle Feeder later. Not sure which type to buy? Read puzzle feeder vs slow feeder bowl.
Care and Everyday Use
Rinse the bowl after each meal and use a soft brush for the maze grooves. Keep it on a steady, dry spot on the floor, and replace it with a new size if your dog grows.
If you have more than one pet, give each their own bowl and feeding spot. Slow feeders take a little longer, so separate spaces keep mealtimes relaxed.
Where to Go Next
Big dog? See slow feeder bowls for large dogs. Want the pros and cons? Read interactive slow feeder bowls: pros and cons. Curious about the details of mealtime? See why slow feeder bowls support healthier eating.
What size slow feeder bowl should I buy? Match it to your dog's muzzle. Medium suits small dogs, Large suits medium dogs and Large Deep suits big dogs or bigger meals.
Will my dog get frustrated by a maze? Start with a simpler pattern, and let your dog learn at their own pace. Most dogs figure it out within a few meals.
Can I use a slow feeder for wet food? Yes, as long as the food is not too runny. Spread it into the maze and rinse the bowl after use.
A slower mealtime is a small change that you will notice every day. Browse our Slow Feeder Dog Bowls collection and pick a size.
Let customers speak for us
Willow loves eating out of this leaf feeder! The construction is very good quality and feels solid/ not like it’s going to break. She is a picky eater and doesn’t normally eat full meals but will eat full meals out of this! Love the grippy bottom so it doesn’t slip. Nothing to complain about :)
Golden Luca is pretty and it has my name and phone number on the flip side.
I bought it for Bao Bei to help him eat slower, also have a unique feeding bowl
He is busy with it for hours and also I can fetch the toy when we want to spend time together
It made Sabar’s meal time more than double and I enjoy watching him eating from his unique bowl
My paw was eating too fast and this bowl helped me to fix this problem
It can keep my cat's busy for a long time, but it should be under supervised I think. Long time playing with it can make them tired!
Maki playing with her ball. 😀
I'm using this stuff to keep my puppy busy and happy everyday.
It keeps my puppy busy for more than 30 mins every time for a meal. and even after that she plays with it around as long as She get tired!
Fun "beginner level" toy. Works for cats too:)
Durable plastic, feels nice.
it is a bit hard on the walls but the cat just watches it. Does not interact with it. The ball works really well for what it is supposed to do.
If it was a bit softer the cat might enjoy it more.
I gave one to a neighbour who's dog loves it. She has a small dog so the size is just right.
Great bowl and such fun. Amazing the difference in time it now takes for my puppy to finish her meals. Much healthier for her! And she loves to play with it once it’s empty
Got this toy for my girl Archie and she absolutely loves it! It’s super durable, keeps her entertained for hours, and the treat dispenser is a fun bonus. Totally worth it
As soon as this ball comes out he gets very excited. The ball allows him to play by himself with the ball. His favourite toy by far.
