Slow Feeder Selections for Short-Nosed Dogs

Are you a proud owner of a short-nosed dog? If so, you probably understand the unique challenges they face, especially when it comes to mealtime. Short-nosed breeds can struggle with eating too quickly, leading to various health issues. In a previous article, we discussed the benefits of slow feeders for short-nosed dogs, and now we explore the challenge of finding a suitable one.

Not all slow feeders are suitable for short nosed because, well, their nose are short. Some slow feeders are too deep for them to even reach the food and causes abrasions if they keep knocking their nose against the bowl. And some are too shallow for wet/raw food which is what we are on.

Before we start listing, we would like to share the thought process and some conditions for our selection.

1. Elevation – either the bowl is elevated and/or stable enough to be placed on an elevated area
2. Shallow depth – the bowls must be shallow enough for them to reach the food without hitting their nose all the time
3. Suitable for raw/wet food – some bowls are great for kibbles and dry food but a disaster for wet food.
4. Ease of cleaning – because we should be spending time playing with them instead of cleaning!

Now, we’re excited to present our top selections to help your furry friend enjoy mealtime at a healthier pace. (They are in no particular order of priority.)

Leashboss Slow Tilted Slow Feed Bowl for Flat Face Breeds

What’s great about it:

• It’s really cute! 😝
• The depth is enough for wet food.
• It also has a stable base with rubber grip so it can be placed on an elevated table/stand.
• Can be used for wet and dry food.
• It is made from food-safe plastic and is also dishwasher safe and BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.

Considerations:

• Measuring at 8″ (20cm), the “top” area might not be easy to access when placed on an elevated table if your dog is small or not tall enough. (Could be solved if you have a tilted elevation)

Get your Leashboss Slow Tilted Slow Feed Bowl here!

Fluff Trough Elevated Slow Feeder Dog Bowls Ideal for Flat Face Pets

What’s great about it:

• It is already elevated
• The design of it helps to contain the mess a little, preventing the food from flying all over.
• The insert is detachable so you can just remove and wash it instead of the entire bowl.
• BPA-free, non-toxic, food and dishwasher safe.
• There are a accessories such as licking mat, lift kit for extra height, as well as different inserts other than the slow feeder.

Considerations:

• It can be confusing to shop. They have two different sizes but it seems like only the smaller one has the slow feeding insert? (I cannot be sure about this.)
• Be sure to check again and again if you are purchasing additional accessories

Get your Fluff Trough Elevated Slow Feeder here!

Neater Raised Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

What’s great about it:

• The top rack is removable to wash
• There are different height to the base which can be purchase separately as your dog grows taller.
• There is also an option for neat lik – their version of licking mat.
• It is made of non-toxic, durable ABS plastic that is BPA, PVC, and Phthalate free.
• The top rack is dishwasher safe (do remove the rubber feet before washing).

Considerations:

• If your dog will still be growing in terms of height, it might not be a good idea because you might end up with multiple base which is not ideal if you care for consuming lesser and/or being kind to earth.
• There are many options and pairing, so if you have decision making issue like me, it might be a pain to just choose what you would like to get.

Get your Neater Raised Slow Feeder Dog Bowl here!

The Burly Brand Slow Feeder with Wide Grooves for Brachycephalic Dogs

What’s great about it:

• The wider gaps helps to slow down yet does not frustrates the dog.
• There’s suction on the bottom that works well with solid surface.
• It is slightly smaller than most bowls – 7.5″ instead of 8″, so if your dog is shorter, this could be possible if you are putting on an elevated dog table.
• It is dishwasher, freezer and microwave-ready.

Considerations:

• It is slightly smaller but still might be too big for smaller/shorter dogs, especially if it is placed on an elevated table. (Could be solved if you have a tilted elevation)
• Depending on what you feed, it could still be hard for your dog to get the food. eg, blueberries might be a challenge. (We have not tried it, but I can imagine it being hard for the dog to get it)

Get your Wide Grooves slow feeder here!

By incorporating small changes like one of these into your dog’s mealtime routine, you’ll help them enjoy their food at a healthier and more manageable pace. This will also ease off issues that comes with eating too fast. Read on the benefits of slow feeder bowl here.

Let us know which is/are your favourite from this list, or share with us what you are using!