Whether you’re looking for a slow feeder dog bowl for your itty bitty Chihuahua, your Great Dane who is the size of a small planet, your flat-faced pug, or your long-snouted Borzoi, this list has something for everyone.
We’ve included everything from stainless steel bowls to plastic bowls, from bowls with raised feeders to bowls with no-spill mats, and of course, color options galore! You can even get your very own slow-feeder bowl as an add-on with your monthly BARK Food delivery.
What’s Below:
- What is a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?
- What are the Benefits of a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?
- The best slow feeder dog bowls:
- Best All-Around Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
- Best Budget-Friendly Slow Feeder
- Best Slow Feed Dog Food Bowl for Large Dogs
- Best Slow Feeder for Short Snouts
- Best Slow Feed Bowl With Multiple Size Options
- Best Slow Feeder with Splash Guard
- Best Convertible Slow Feeder
- Best Elevated Slow Feed Dog Bowls
- Best Stainless Steel Slow Feed Dog Bowl
- Most Innovative Slow Feeder Bowl
What Is A Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?
Slow feeder dog bowls and snuffle mats are types of dog food bowls with uniquely raised edges and bumps within the food bowl itself to help slow down your dog’s eating habits. These bowls help stop your pup from scarfing down their food like they’ve been lost in the wilderness without food for months (when, in reality, they were just snoozing in bed like a lazy potato since breakfast). These bowls can come in tons of different designs and difficulty ranges—everything from a basic bowl with one raised platform in the middle to intricate maze-like designs for a real challenge.
What Are The Benefits Of A Slow Feeder Dog Bowl?
There are a plethora of reasons why your dog may benefit from a slow feeder dog bowl, and even medical reasons that your vet may suggest using one for you dog:
- Alleviate Gassiness Or Hiccups – When dogs eat too fast, they increase the chance of swallowing air as they gulp down their food. This air gets trapped in their digestive system, until it comes back out in the form of stinky dog farts, a hellacious burp fest, or even as hiccups. Slowing down the eating process can help improve these symptoms1.
- Prevent Choking – Just like with people who eat too fast, it’s easy for food to “go down the wrong pipe” and cause choking. Slow feeder dog bowls help slow down eating, so that your dog actually chews their food, lessening the chances of it being inhaled1. (Hmm, we know some humans who could use one of these!)
- Lessen Chances Of Stomach Upset – Fast eaters often tend to have stomach-upset, resulting in diarrhea or vomiting. Slow feeder bowls can help reduce these symptoms1 before your pup blows chunks across the room in front of house guests (again).
- Promote A Healthy Body Weight – Slow feeders help your dog to slow down when they’re eating and actually chew their food, rather than swallowing it whole. This can improve digestion and help your pup feel fuller sooner, lessening the chances of obesity1.
- Decrease Risk Of Gastric Dilatation And Volvulus (a.k.a GDV or “bloat”) – Certain dog breeds and large/giant breeds have an increased risk of GDV or bloat for a multitude of reasons. Eating fast can increase the risk of this deadly condition occurring. Slow feeder bowls can help prevent this from happening by promoting slower eating habits1.
- Mental Stimulation – Slow feeder bowls, snuffle mats, and treat puzzles can be just plain old entertaining for some dogs who tend to get bored more easily and need more mental stimulation. Slow feeder bowls make them work for their food and navigate around the bowl to reach the kibble1. Challenge accepted!
Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls This Year (2022 Edition)
We’ve included the top-rated slow feeder dog bowls from around the web, and weeded out any bowls that didn’t specifically state that they are BPA free or non-toxic. We aimed for the highest quality plastic or stainless steel bowls that will be less likely to grow bacteria compared to ceramic or stoneware bowls2.
This list includes slow feeder dog bowl options for all size dog breeds, along with choices for dogs who benefit from raised feeders, bowls made for flat-faced breeds as well as bowls for dogs with long snouts, and included a wide range of colors and slow-feed difficulty levels. Lastly, for those pet parents who are concerned about where their pet’s products are being manufactured or which companies they’re supporting, we did our best to track down some dog bowls manufactured in the USA or Europe—as well as other countries—and included multiple sites for purchase when possible.
1. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl
Best All-Around Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
BUY HERE, $11.99 from Chewy
BUY HERE, $10.99-$21.99 from Outward Hound
These Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowls come in a wide variety of fun, colorful designs—each made with a different level of difficulty for slow feeding. We’re honestly obsessed with how cute these are! Your pup will never get bored with the search for food in these bowls.
Material: Plastic
Food Capacity: 2-cup or 4-cup option
Best For: Medium Breeds
Colors: Blue, Orange, Purple, Turquoise, Pink, Mint
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Manufacturing Country: China
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Each design is a different difficulty level ✅ Non-slip base ✅ Tip-resistant ✅ Dishwasher safe (top rack) ✅ Food-safe material that is free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, or lead |
2. Frisco Bone Shaped Ridges Slow Feed Bowl
Best Budget-Friendly Slow Feeder
BUY HERE, $5.08 from Chewy
Frisco Bone Shaped Ridges Slow Feed Bowls are a budget-friendly option for pet parents looking to slow down their dog’s eating habits. We’re mostly bummed that they only come in one size that’s better suited for medium or large dog breeds. Another downfall is that there is no information on whether or not these bowls are PVC, phthalates, or lead free, although they are labeled as BPA free.
Material: Plastic
Food Capacity: 3 cups
Best For: Medium/Large Breeds
Colors: Blue, Pink
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Manufacturing Country: China
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Dishwasher safe (top rack) ✅ BPA free ✅ Non-skid bottom ✅ Easy-grip sides ✅ Budget-friendly |
3. Frisco Non-Skid Slow Feeder Dog & Small Pet Bowl
Best Slow Feed Dog Food Bowl for Large Dogs
BUY HERE, $11.48 from Chewy
Frisco Non-Skid Slow Feeder Dog & Small Pet Bowl are a great option for pet parents looking for neutral-colored slow feeder dog bowls. Do these look like giant pig snouts to anyone else?! Too cute! However, they only come in one size that’s more suitable for large or giant dog breeds. There is no information on whether or not these bowls are PVC, phthalates, or lead free.
Material: Plastic, Polypropylene
Food Capacity: 4 cups
Best For: Large/Giant Breeds
Colors: Black, White
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Manufacturing Country: Belgium
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Dishwasher safe (top rack) ✅ 100% BPA-free, food-safe, premium plastic ✅ Non-slip rubber bottom ✅ Easy-grip sides ✅ Made in Belgium |
4. IRIS Slow Feeding Dog & Cat Bowl (Long Snout Or Short Snout Options)
Best Slow Feeder for Short Snouts
BUY HERE, $9.89-$20.40 from Chewy
IRIS Slow Feeding Dog & Cat Bowls come in options of two neutral colors. We are obsessed with the fact that they offer a short-snout or long-snout option, as well as a 2-cup or 4-cup option. Smart thinkin’! Unfortunately, these are the only bowls on our list that are not dishwasher safe.
Material: Plastic, Polypropylene
Food Capacity: 2-cup or 4-cup option
Best For: Medium/Large/Giant Breeds
Colors: Beige/Black or White/Gray
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: No
Manufacturing Country: China
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Short snout or long snout option ✅ BPA, PVC and phthalate free ✅ Non-slip rubber bottom |
5. Frisco Melamine Slow Feed Dog & Cat Bowl With Gold Trim
Best Slow Feed Bowl With Multiple Size Options
BUY HERE, $8.98 from Chewy
This Frisco Melamine Slow Feed Dog & Cat Bowl With Gold Trim is a no-frills slow-feeder dog bowl that’s budget-friendly, and comes in a wide variety of sizes that would be suitable for almost any sized dog breed. We’d like to note that this bowl specifies that it’s made of melamine plastic (melamine itself has been found to be nontoxic to dogs, but earlier concerns of melamine in dog food have found that the combination of melamine with cyanuric acid together are highly toxic3) and there is no information on whether or not these bowls are PVC, phthalates, or lead free.
Material: Melamine, Plastic
Food Capacity: 0.5-cup, 1.5-cup, 3-cup options
Best For: Toy/Small/Medium/Large Breeds
Colors: Cream with gold trim
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Manufacturing Country: China
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ BPA free ✅ Non-slip rubber bottom ✅ Suitable for most sized dog breeds ✅ Budget-friendly |
6. Neater Pet Brands Stainless Steel Slow Feed Bowl (Fits Elevated Feeder)
Best Slow Feeder with Splash Guard
BUY HERE, Bowl Alone – $12.99-$14.99 from Amazon
BUY HERE, With Raised Feeder – $38.99-$71.99 from Amazon
BUY HERE, Bowl Or Raised Feeder – $12.99-$71.99 from Neater Pets
These Neater Pet Brands Stainless Steel Slow Feed Bowl are one of our favorites on this list. They can be purchased as a stand-alone slow feeder bowl, or the stainless steel bowls can be paired to fit with the raised water/food feeder with optional expandable legs. The splash guard makes the perfect protection for our messy friends – wet food, dry dog food, water bowl – you’re covered. The raised feeder comes in SO many colors! The customization of these dogs bowls, along with the fact that the raised feeders are made in the USA, make these a winner!
Material: Stainless Steel Bowl. Plastic Raised Feeder
Food Capacity: 1-cup or 3-cup options
Best For: Small/Medium/Large Breeds
Colors: Bowl itself is only stainless steel. Raised feeder comes in gunmetal, aquamarine, dark blue, midnight black, cappuccino, bronze, or cranberry
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes (both bowl and raised feeder)
Manufacturing Country: Raised Feeder made in USA. Stainless Steel bowl made in India.
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Can buy bowl by itself or with raised feeder ✅ Can purchase add-on leg extensions for raised feeder ✅ Splash guard on raised feeder ✅ Stainless steel ✅ Raised feeder has non-skid rubber feet |
7. OurPets Spiral Slow Feeder Insert Slow Feeder Dog Bowls (*Insert ONLY*)
Best Convertible Slow Feeder
BUY HERE, $15.95 from Amazon
OurPets Spiral Slow Feeder Insert Slow Feeder Dog Bowls are perfect if you already love your dog’s food bowl, but want an insert to help slow down their eating. This wheel-shaped insert fits most dog bowls, but it states that it fits best in dog bowls made to fit 4-11 cups of food. We’re not sure what kind of horse-dog is eating 11 cups of food at once, but it’s safe to say that this insert probably isn’t suitable for teeny tiny dog bowls.
Material: Food-safe silicone
Food Capacity: Ideal for inserting into your own 4-cup to 11-cup sized dog bowls
Colors: Blue
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Manufacturing Country: No information for spiral insert, other products from this company are made in India.
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Spiral insert can be used with your dog’s own bowl ✅ BPA, PVC, and phthalate free ✅ Suction cup to stay put in bowl ✅ Fits most sized dog bowls ✅Dishwasher safe |
8. Neater Pet Brands Raised Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
Best Elevated Slow Feed Dog Bowls
BUY HERE, $24.99-$39.99 from Amazon
BUY HERE, $14.99-$24.99 from Neater Pets
Another favorite from the Neater Pets company, this raised slow feeder bowl comes in an option food-only bowl that fits up to 6 cups of food, or a food/water combo suitable for 2.5 cups of food. We’re lovin’ that they’re manufactured in the U.S., have a selection of colors to choose from, and are comfortable for most flat-faced dog breeds.
Material: Non-toxic, durable ABS plastic
Food Capacity: 2.5 cup or 6-cup options
Best For: Small/Medium/Large Breeds
Colors: Aquamarine, gunmetal, vanilla bean, silver
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes (recommended to move rubber feet first)
Manufacturing Country: USA
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Non-skid feet ✅ Dishwasher safe ✅ BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free ✅ Comfortable for flat-faced breeds ✅ Removable leg extensions |
9. Mr. Peanut’s Stainless Steel Interactive Slow Feed Dog Bowl with a Silicone Base
Best Stainless Steel Slow Feed Dog Bowl
BUY HERE, $13.99-$16.99 from Amazon
BUY HERE, $15.99-$18.99 from Mr. Peanut’s Pet Carriers
First, can we just say how much we love the name “Mr. Peanut’s” for a pet company?! Anyway, this stainless steel interactive slow feed dog bowl with a silicone base is a simplified version of a slow-feed dog bowl, and is a great option for dogs who need to slow down while eating without being forced to basically solve a Rubik’s Cube in order to fill their bellies.
Material: Type 200 Stainless Steel with Food Grade Silicone Base
Food Capacity: 1.25-cup, 2-cup, 3-cup options
Best For: Small/Medium/Large Breeds
Colors: Stainless steel with indigo blue bottom
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Manufacturing Country: India
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Dishwasher safe ✅ Non-toxic materials, BPA free ✅ Shatterproof ✅ No-skid silicone bottom |
10. COMING SOON – Trot Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Bowl With Silicone Mat
Most Innovative Slow Feeder Bowl
PRE-ORDER HERE, $44-$148 from Trot
Ok, ok, so these Trot Stainless Steel Slow Feeder Bowls With Silicone Mats aren’t reviewed by customers yet, because they’re a new company in the pre-order stage, but we had to include this original bowl design in our list. Not only do these bowls come in some of the coolest colors, but they use a magnetic technology to cling to their no-spill mat that keep your dog from knocking them over! What’s even better is that these bowls come with air-tight lids for travel, and the company offers optional sustainably-grown bamboo raised stands! (*This is not an ad, and we have no connection with this company, we just really like these bowls!!)
Material: High-Grade Stainless Steel with food grade silicone mat
Food Capacity: 1-cup, 3-cup, 5-cup options
Best For: Small/Medium/Large/Giant Breeds
Colors: Sky, Coral, Canary, Cobalt, Black, Slate, & Bone
Microwave Safe: No
Dishwasher Safe: Yes
Manufacturing Country: China (inspected by hand in USA)
| Why We Like It: |
| ✅ Magnetically secured no-spill, no-slip bowls ✅ Air-tight lids for travel ✅ Silicone no-spill mat ✅ Optional add-on raised sustainably grown bamboo stand ✅ Insulated bowls |
Sources:
1 Veterinarians.org Team. “The Best 6 Slow Feeder Dog Bowls: Pros, Cons, and Reviews.” Edited by Ivana Crnec, DVM, Veterinarians.org, 21 Apr. 2022, https://www.veterinarians.org/slow-feeder-dog-bowl/.
2 Nowak, Shannon. “Nutrition Notes: Counseling Clients on Food Bowl Selection: What’s the Dish?” Today’s Veterinary Nurse, 2022, https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/03/TVN-2022-02_Pet_Bowls.pdf.
3 ACVP. “Melamine Factsheet .” American College of Veterinary Pathologists, https://www.acvp.org/?page=Melamine.
