Can slow feeders help with dog anxiety?

Yes! Licking and foraging are naturally calming behaviours for dogs. Using a slow feeder or a snuffle mat encourages these repetitive actions, which can help lower cortisol levels and keep a worried pup focused on a positive task during mealtime.

Are slow feeding bowls safe for flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds?

They certainly are, but you need to choose the right design. For breeds like Pugs or Bulldogs, look for bowls with wider, shallower ridges. Deep, narrow mazes can be frustrating and difficult for them to navigate with their shorter muzzles.

How do I clean a slow feeder bowl?

Because of the nooks and crannies, slow feeders can trap bacteria if not cleaned properly. Most high-quality plastic or silicone slow feeders are dishwasher safe (usually on the top rack), but always check the label. If hand-washing, a small bottle brush is perfect for getting into those tricky corners.

Can I use a slow feeder for wet or raw food?

Absolutely. Many slow feeders and "lick mats" are designed specifically for wet or raw diets. Spreading soft food across a textured surface is a fantastic way to keep your pet occupied for longer, and it can even be frozen for a refreshing, long-lasting treat on a hot Australian day.

Last Updated: 28/01/2026

Why Your Dog Needs a Slow Feeding Bowl: Benefits and Vet Picks

Does your dog inhale their dinner in seconds? Eating too fast can lead to serious health issues like bloat and choking. Learn the benefits of slow feeding bowls and food puzzles to help your pet eat safely, lose weight, and stay mentally sharp.

Author: Gemma Radcliffe

Reading Time: 6 minutes - short read

german shepherd cross eating from slow feeder bowl

We’ve all seen it: you put the bowl down, blink, and the food has vanished. While it might look like your dog is just a gold-medal food enthusiast, "inhaling" meals can be quite tough on their digestive system. From simple tummy upsets to the more serious risk of bloat, eating at lightning speed isn't ideal for our furry friends. Transitioning to a slow feeder is one of the easiest ways to turn mealtime into a safer, more engaging experience that supports their long-term health.

Benefits of slow feeder bowls

1. Preventing bloat and GDV in dogs

Bloat is a condition in which the stomach fills up with gas, fluid, or food, and becomes enlarged and dilated (also called Gastric Dilation).

Sometimes it can cause your pet's stomach to twist (called Gastric Dilation and Volvulus, or 'GDV') and this can cut off the blood flow to other organs, leading to shock and other very serious consequences.

Some breeds of dogs are even more predisposed to this due to them being deep-chested. This includes German Shepherds, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Weimaraners, Irish Setters, Gordon Setters, Standard Poodles, Basset Hounds, Doberman Pinschers, and Old English Sheepdogs. It must be noted that any dog can bloat, even Dachshunds and Chihuahuas so this condition is caused by eating habits rather than genetic.

A slow feeder does what it says on the label: slows up the ingestion of food. Slowing the ingestion of food also means that less air is swallowed in the process. With less air swallowed, and slower ingestion of food, there is less chance of bloating, and GDV.

Learn more in our article all about Bloat and GDV in Dogs.

2. Managing weight

Slowing down the pace naturally encourages your dog to chew their kibble rather than swallowing it whole. This extra time allows their brain to catch up with their stomach, helping them feel fuller for longer. By turning a thirty-second "inhale" into a mindful meal, your pet is less likely to beg for seconds, making weight management much easier for you both.

Learn more in our article How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight.

3. Improve digestion

Slowing the rate of ingestion helps to reduce vomiting immediately after, or during eating, by preventing the over-stimulation of the stretch receptors in the stomach.

Eating at lightning speed often leads to a "heavy" tummy, as a large volume of food hitting the stomach all at once causes physical discomfort and stretching. This rapid ingestion also results in excess air being swallowed, which can lead to flatulence. If your dog is a bit on the stinky side after dinner, slowing down their eating pace can help settle their digestion and keep the air in your home a little fresher.

How to choose the best slow feeder for your dog

jack russell sitting in front of 2 water bowls

Slow feeders come in a variety of designs, each catering to different levels of determination and dexterity.

1. Standard slow-feeding bowls

Ideal for: For deep-chested breeds like German Shepherds, Great Danes, or Labradors - who are most at risk of bloat.

These are often made of durable plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel, use internal ridges and "mazes" to create obstacles that pets must navigate with their tongues.

These designs effectively break up big mouthfuls and prevent your dog from inhaling their entire meal in seconds.

For dogs that enjoy a bit of a challenge, snuffle mats made of fabric strips mimic the natural instinct to forage, hiding kibble deep within the folds.If your pet is particularly high-energy, interactive treat dispensers and wobble toys turn mealtime into a game, releasing small amounts of food only when the toy is nudged, spun, or flipped. For wet food or "sticky" treats like peanut butter, lick mats are a fantastic option; their textured surfaces spread the food thin, forcing your pet to lick slowly, which also helps to promote a calming effect.

Shop Slow Feeder Bowls

2. Bowls with wider, shallower indentations

Ideal for: Flat-faced breeds

If you share your home with a flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed like a Pug, French Bulldog, or Boxer, you will need a slightly different approach. These dogs can find deep, narrow crevices frustrating or even painful to navigate. Instead, look for "bumpy" mats or bowls with wider, shallower indentations. These provide enough of a challenge to slow them down without making it impossible for their shorter muzzles to reach the kibble.

3. Snuffle mats

Ideal for: Anxious dogs, dogs requiring low-impact activity, older dogs with mobility issues, rainy days, dry food and treats

Snuffle mats are a fantastic way to tap into your dog’s most powerful sense: their nose. By hiding dry kibble or treats within the long fabric "grass" of the mat, you encourage your pet to sniff out their dinner, mimicking the natural foraging behaviour their ancestors used in the wild.

This "nose work" is incredibly rewarding and can be just as tiring for a dog as a walk around the block, making it an excellent option for rainy days or for pets recovering from surgery who need low-impact mental stimulation. The act of sniffing and foraging also helps lower their heart rate and promotes a sense of calm.

Snuffle mats are best suited for dry food only; if your pet is a "shredder" who likes to chew on fabric, you’ll want to supervise them closely during use to ensure they focus on the food rather than the mat itself.

Shop Snuffle Mats

4. Interactive, puzzle toys

Ideal for: High energy dogs, very intelligent dogs

If your pet is particularly high-energy, interactive treat dispensers and wobble toys turn mealtime into a game, releasing small amounts of food only when the toy is nudged, spun, or flipped. For particularly clever breeds like Border Collies or Poodles, switching to an interactive puzzle feeder can also provide the mental stimulation they crave alongside a slower pace.

Shop Interactive Puzzle Toys

5. Lick mats

Ideal for: Anxious dogs, wet food, lickable treats

For wet food or "sticky" treats like peanut butter, lick mats are a fantastic option; their textured surfaces spread the food thin, forcing your pet to lick slowly, which also helps to promote a calming effect.

Shop Lick Mats

Slow feeding solutions for cats

While any of the above options can be used for cats, too, we also have a range of cat-specific products.

Slow Feeders

Interactive Toys

Snuffle Mats

FAQs

Switching to a slow feeder is a small change that makes a massive difference in your pet's daily well-being. By simply adding a few obstacles to their meal, you’re protecting them from serious digestive risks while giving them a little extra mental workout. It’s a win-win for a happier, healthier, and less gassy household!