Slow down – don’t you know that feeding is also fun? Dogs who eat way too fast need to take meals slow with this adjustable and challenging food bowl.
Does your dog wolf down his dinner as soon as you put it in front of him? Does he act like he’s never eaten before – he’s starving, begging you for food just minutes after you’ve given him his dinner? Many dog owners know that their dogs inhale their food, but they’re not aware that this can turn into a health hazard. To keep your dog from eating too fast, consider switching to a slow feeder like the Outward Hound Slo-Bowl, part of the company’s Fun Feeder line of products.
Dangers of Eating Too Fast
When your dog eats too quickly it doesn’t give his body time to catch up – he wolfs down his dinner but still feels hungry so he begs you for more food. If you give in to his begging, it could result in overfeeding, which puts your dog at risk for weight gain and obesity. A more serious risk correlated to fast feeding is the potential for bloat, or gastric dilation volvulus. If your dog eats too quickly he could end up swallowing a lot of air while he eats. This air can accumulate in your dog’s abdomen, causing distension and bloating. In severe cases, your dog’s stomach could actually twist on its axis, cutting off the blood supply to the stomach and other vital organs. If not treated promptly, this condition can actually become fatal. Bloat is most common in large, deep-chested breeds but it is a risk for all dogs.
Related:What is Dog Bloat?
Interactive Feeding That’s Bold and Beautiful
If you find that your dog eats too quickly there are several tricks you can try to slow him down. For one thing, you can choose to only feed your dog small portions at a time, spacing his meals throughout the day instead of feeding him all at once. If you don’t have time to feed your dog multiple meals throughout the day, you might want to consider another option – a food bowl that forces your dog to eat more slowly. That’s the idea behind Outward Hound’s Slo-Bowl, from its Fun Feeder line.
Related:Dogs Can Rock Out With The Rock ’N Bowl Feeder
The Slo-Bowl is designed to extend your dog’s feeding period by as much as 10 times. Featuring myriad maze-like dips and ridges, your dog needs to put some thought into eating, by navigating to consume the food. By forcing your dog to slow down when he eats, this slow feeder can significantly reduce your dog’s risk for bloat, as well as improving his digestion (which means less stinky dog farts!). The Fun Feeder features a slip-resistant base to keep it from sliding across the floor as your dog eats (less food spillage), and it is made from heavy-duty BPA-free materials that are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. This slow bowl comes in three different colors and two sizes – the mini bowl with a 2-cup capacity, and the regular bowl with a 4-cup capacity. Bowls range in price from $14.99 to $29.99.
Remember when your mom told you not to play with your food? Well, forget that piece of advice! Let your dog have tons of fun while he tries to clean his plate – the Outward Hound Slo-Bowl is a dish best served slow.
