If your pet eats faster than you can fill their food bowl, it can end up causing some issues for them and you. Not only can it lead to a huge mess on your floor, but eating too quickly can also lead to certain health problems for your pet. Slow feed bowls provide the perfect solution for furry friends that wolf down their food.
What Problems Can Your Pet Have From Eating Too Fast?
It's not unusual for animals to eat fast. Often it stems from instinct, making sure they eat everything before another animal can steal their food. Or, perhaps your pal simply loves food and adores eating.
No matter the reason, if your dog or cat eats too fast, you can end up dealing with several issues. Some common problems are intestinal discomfort, choking, gas, and feeling sluggish.
Some cats frequently eat so fast they throw up, better known as scarf and barf, leaving more food on your floor than in your cat's dish or stomach. After all, a cat's stomach isn't very large and in nature they're used to eating several small meals over the course of the day. So put a bowl brimming with kitty kibble in front of them and, well, you know the saying — their eyes are bigger than their stomach.
If your pup gobbles up their food too quickly, it can lead to a particularly dangerous condition called gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) or canine bloat. GDV occurs when your dog swallows lots of air, food, or liquid and can lead to severe consequences, including death.
Plus, just like when humans eat too fast, your pet might not even have a chance to recognize they’re full, leading to an increased risk of overeating and obesity. If these aren't enough reasons to consider a slow-feed bowl, think about this — eating fast might even contribute to your pet's bad breath.
How? The act of chewing dry food often helps clean teeth, but when your pal just swallows food in mouthfuls, no chewing is taking place. Since oral hygiene plays a significant role in your pet's overall health, it's definitely worth keeping this point in mind.
How Slow-Feed Bowls Help Your Pet
Slow feed bowls feature a special design geared toward making your cat or dog's meal times a bit more challenging. Unlike a standard pet dish that has only one open space for food, most slow-feed bowls consist of a single or various raised areas. These areas create channels for your pet's food, making them work a bit harder to get their dinner.
Thanks to their innovative design, slow-feed bowls can help reduce your pet’s risk for the previously mentioned issues. Because the bowl encourages slower eating, your pet isn't as likely to choke, vomit, aspirate food, or have other intestinal discomfort. Plus, your furry friend feels more satisfied after their meal, which means they're less likely to overeat.
Additionally, not gorging on a bowl of food within seconds improves digestion, which helps your dog or cat have more energy. As an added bonus to the physical benefits, slow-feed bowls also provide mental stimulation as they entice your pet to work around various obstacles.
Increased engagement and mental stimulation lead to an overall healthier pet. Your pal won't feel as bored, stressed, or anxious. In fact, you might even notice improvement in other areas, such as a more focused and calmer pet.
Neater Pets: Slow Feed Solutions
Since there are all different types of pets, Neater Pets features an array of slow-feed options. Here's a quick peek so you can choose the one that's best for your fur baby.
Metal Slow Feed Bowl (Fits inside Neater Feeder)
This stainless steel bowl is durable, easy to clean, and encourages slow eating with its raised center. Plus it's compatible with the Neater Feeder Deluxe large and Express medium to large size and most elevated pet diners that hold 2-quart bowls. It comes in a medium and large size.
Non-Tip Slow Feed Bowl
If your pal tends to knock their dish around while eating, but you don't want an elevated feeder, then you need the non-tip slow-feed bowl. It features a spill-proof design and non-skid rubber ring. It's available in medium or large sizes.
Neater Slow Feeder
This unique feeder divides your pet's food into small portions to help decrease gulping and gobbling. It comes in a 2.5 Cup Size or 6 Cup Size. It's also available in a raised version for taller dogs or for pets that prefer an elevated feeder.
On top of these features, it also has rubber feet to prevent sliding and it is designed to be comfortable for pets of all sizes — even those with flat faces!
Double Diner
The Double Diner works in a similar way to the Neater Slow Feeder but features two compartments. On one side you'll find the 2.5 cup food dish with ergonomic, 3-inch spaces for your pal's kibble. The other side is a built-in 8.5 cup water dish. The Double Diner is also available in a raised version.
Neat-Lik Mat
If your pet could use some extra help in the stress and boredom arena, the Neat-Lik Mat is a great choice for wet food. You simply spread the food onto the mat so it gets into the different crevices and let your pal lick away. It will help slow down eating while also releasing endorphins that help calm your pet.
The Niner
And all of our bowls are top-rack dishwasher safe, making cleaning a breeze. Alternatively you can hand wash them in warm, soapy water.
Does your pet gobble and gulp their food like there's no tomorrow? Don't let your pal's bad table manners lead to severe health issues. If you think your pet could benefit from using a slow-feed bowl, we've got you covered. Plus, you'll find all sorts of other helpful info in our blog, so you can be the best pet parent you can be.