The Best Slow Feeder Inserts for Dogs
When dogs love to eat, it can be challenging to slow them down for long enough to take a breath and chew. But with slow feeder inserts, you can create obstacles within your dog's food bowl, giving them a reason to slow down. From flexible spirals to raised ridges, there are plenty of designs to fix your pup's bad habits and challenge them during mealtimes. We've rounded up a few of our favorite slow feeder inserts to help you pick.
What to Look For
After researching slow feeder inserts, we found that the best ones are durable, secure, and easy to clean. Based on these requirements, one of our top picks is the OurPets spiral insert. The flexible silicone creates a unique shape in your dog’s food bowl to slow them down at mealtimes. And the single suction cup on the base can easily adhere to ceramic, metal, and plastic. Plus, it is safe to wash on the top rack of your dishwasher to make cleanup a breeze. We also love Eforlike’s slow feeder insert because the flat design can fit in large bowls for big breeds. The durable material can hold everything from raw meat to dry kibble to provide nourishment for your pup. Keep reading to discover your new favorite slow feeder insert.
Keegud Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Insert
Stay in place
Even the most active pups won’t be able to remove this slow feeder insert once set in place in a clean bowl. Keegud’s silicone insert has over 20 small suction cups on the base to keep it from shifting. They are designed to stick to metal, plastic, or ceramic, so you won’t have to buy a new food bowl to make it work. The food-grade silicone is flexible enough to help it fit your dog’s bowl. And you can use it with a variety of dry or wet ingredients without it releasing from the bowl.
Pros:
- You can easily cut the spiral sections if they need to be shorter to fit inside your dog’s food bowl.
- We found that the flower pattern will extend your dog’s eating time by up to five minutes.
Cons:
- It may be challenging for some breeds to reach into the crevices to grab the last few pieces of food.
OurPets Spiral Slow Feeder Insert
Fun and games
With this slow feeder insert from OurPets, you can turn a regular meal into a fun game for your playful pup. This flexible silicone insert creates a spiral design that can be looser or tighter depending on the size of your dog’s bowl. Designed to fit bowls that hold between four and 11 cups of food, you can use this insert in different bowls as your puppy grows. The single suction cup on the base sticks securely to glass, metal, plastic, and ceramic surfaces to give you plenty of feeding options.
Pros:
- This slow feeder insert is dishwasher-safe on the top rack.
- Your dog can use their nose and tongue to reach pieces of food under and between the spiral sections.
Cons:
- You can’t use this silicone insert in a bowl with a rounded base.
Fikz Craving Creativity Slow Feeder Insert
Fit for any bowl
Bright and bendy, Fikz Craving Creativity’s slow feeder insert for dogs is compatible with almost any food bowl. The durable silicone is food-grade and chemical-free to keep your pet safe while they munch. And the versatile insert is flexible, meaning it can fit in small, medium, or large bowls without overcrowding. The various nooks and crannies will slow down your dog’s eating habits. And the best part is that it’s dishwasher-safe on the top rack, so you won’t have to wash every crevice by hand.
Pros:
- Your dog won’t be able to remove the insert from their bowl thanks to the heavy-duty suction cups.
- The silicone is thick enough that it won’t get destroyed if your curious pup chews on it from time to time.
Cons:
- It may be too small for extra-large dog bowls, leaving too much space around the edge.
Eforlike Slow Feeder Insert for Dogs
Healthy habits
Finding a slow feeder insert that’s large enough to fit your dog’s bowl can be a challenge. But this one from Eforlike measures 7.5 inches across to fit perfectly inside a metal, plastic, or glass food bowl. The unique ridges are designed to slot dry and wet food between, so your pet has the challenge of slowly licking it up instead of gobbling it down in two bites. Plus, this design is ideal for dogs with short snouts that may have trouble reaching between the sections of a standard slow feeder.
Pros:
- The rubber mat is BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.
- You can add this insert to flat-bottomed bowls in an elevated stand.
Cons:
- While this insert generally stays put, there aren’t any suction cups on the base to make it extra secure.
Leashboss Slow Feeder for Raised Pet Bowls
Strong and sturdy
As far as slow feeder inserts go, this one from Leashboss is designed to last. The strong plastic insert is the perfect size and shape to fit into an elevated feeder, so you don’t have to fit it into your dog’s existing bowls. The star-shaped design offers a mental puzzle for your pup to prevent gulping, choking, and vomiting. And the non-toxic feeder is dishwasher-safe on the top rack to save you time after feeding your furry friend.
Pros:
- This plastic insert has a non-slip base that will keep the bowl from shifting if you place it directly on the floor.
- There are multiple sizes to choose from, so you can pick the perfect one for your pet’s raised feeder.
Cons:
- Short-snouted breeds like bulldogs and Boston terriers may not be able to reach every piece of food in this insert.
Does my dog need a slow feeder insert?
It is common for puppies and active dogs to eat too quickly at mealtimes, gulping large amounts of air that could make them choke or vomit. While this isn’t a problem if it happens every once in a while, it could become an issue if it continues long-term. Using a slow feeder insert will make it harder for your pup to rush their meals and force them to slow down, improving their digestion.
Why would I get a slow feeder insert instead of a slow feeder bowl?
Most slow-feeder bowls are made from hard plastic, which can make it challenging for some dogs to get every last piece of food. Instead, slow feeder inserts are generally molded from food-grade silicone. The flexible material is easier to maneuver, especially for short-snouted dogs. Plus, using a slow feeder insert means you only have to wash the insert after mealtimes instead of the entire bowl, cutting down on dishes.
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