For fast eaters
For the dog or cat that empties a bowl in thirty seconds. Eating fast means swallowed air, and in deep-chested dogs it is one of the risk factors associated with bloat. Pick by how fast, and how big. A maze bowl slows...
How to choose
For the dog or cat that empties a bowl in thirty seconds. Eating fast means swallowed air, and in deep-chested dogs it is one of the risk factors associated with bloat.
Pick by how fast, and how big. A maze bowl slows a moderate gulper. A puzzle feeder suits a dog that finishes in under thirty seconds and gets bored fast. A lick mat works best for wet or raw food and calms at the same time. Match the bowl width to your pet's muzzle — a maze too narrow for the face just gets pushed around the floor.
Count it as food, not extra. Fill puzzles and mats from the daily ration rather than adding treats on top; enrichment is one of the quietest ways to overfeed a dog.
If your dog retches, drools heavily, or has a swollen, tight belly after eating, that is an emergency vet visit rather than a bowl problem.
Also see: Dog feeding & hydration, Cat feeding & hydration, and Cat & Dog Feeding and Hydration.
