Is Eating Too Fast Bad for My Dog? And Can Slow Feeder Bowls Help?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “wolfing down your food”, and that’s not just some random expression. It actually comes from the way wolves, the original ancestors of our beloved pups, eat in the wild. When food was scarce and competition was fierce, wolves had to eat quickly or risk losing their share. And that instinct to gobble up a meal in seconds is still alive and well in many of our dogs today.

And honestly, I can relate. If you put a crispy-based margherita pizza in front of me after a long day, I’m going to struggle not to inhale it too. So I’m not judging! But just like us humans, eating too fast isn’t always great for our furry friends.

Dogs that race through their meals can end up with issues like bloating, choking, or upset stomachs and while we’ll get into more of the nitty-gritty later, it’s safe to say that a slower-paced dinner is generally a healthier one for us all.

Luckily, there are several ways you can help your dog chill out at chow time, one being the slow feeder bowl. These handy enrichment bowls are not just about slowing down their eating but also help to turn mealtime into a mini brain workout, so your dog gets a happier belly and a happier brain. Also available at WOOOF are the Zee.Bowls - adjustable, elevated dog bowls designed to improve your dog’s posture and encourage slower eating for better nutrient absorption.

While some dogs are picky eaters and may even slowly nibble at their food throughout the day, some of them think of dinner time as some sort of Olympic event. As soon as their food hits the bowl, it’s almost instantly gone. And while it might seem funny and harmless at first, over time speed eating can actually be bad news for your dog’s health. Here’s why…

Choking & Vomiting

When dogs gulp down their food without actually chewing, they’re not just swallowing their dinner but also a lot of air. This increases the risk of choking and can lead to your pup vomiting up their entire meal which isn’t nice for anyone. Worse still, pieces of unchewed food can get lodged in the throat, creating a serious choking hazard.

Gas, Burping & Diarrhoea

That extra air also makes its way into the digestive system, and the results aren’t pretty. We’re talking burping, bloating, gassy tummies, and even diarrhoea. It’s not exactly the cosy post-dinner vibe you were hoping for, right?

Bloat (aka GDV)

Eating too fast can also increase your dog’s risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus, commonly known as bloat. This life-threatening condition occurs when the stomach fills with air and twists on itself. It's most common in deep-chested breeds like Great Danes or Boxers, but it can happen to any dog. Without emergency treatment, it can be fatal.

Even if it’s not full-on GDV, your dog can experience something called food bloat, where a massive amount of food sits undigested in their stomach, leading to discomfort and swelling. This is less life threatening but still not ideal. If at any point you think your pup might be suffering from bloat, take them to your vet immediately.

It’s not always just because they love dinner, though of course that could definitely be a factor. For many dogs, the habit of speed-eating is hardwired into their instincts. Their wild ancestors, aka wolves and early domesticated dogs, lived in competitive environments where food wasn’t a guarantee. If you didn’t eat quickly, you might not eat at all. That survival-driven mindset hasn’t completely disappeared.

Now don’t get us wrong, we know not all dogs eat like it’s a race. Some are naturally more relaxed at mealtime. That might come down to personality, breed, environment, or even past experiences. Rescue dogs, for example, who may have had limited access to food early on, often develop fast-eating habits out of necessity. Meanwhile, dogs in calm, consistent homes may feel no urgency and take their sweet time nibbling every last bite. But equally, even the most pampered pups eat quickly simply because food is life.

Now while you can train your dog to eat slower with consistency, patience, and a fair bit of effort, we know not everyone has time to be a doggy dinner coach every night. That’s why it’s important to make the most out of enrichment tools like slow feeder bowls to help slow your dogs eating down. They work with your dog’s instincts, not against them, making it easier for both of you to turn mealtime into a calmer, healthier experience.

If you’ve never heard of a slow feeder bowl before, you’re probably wondering what that could possibly be and why we keep mentioning them. It’s basically a dog feeding bowl but one with a little more to it.

Instead, a slow feeder bowl is a specially designed pet bowl that makes your dog work a little harder to get their food. Instead of a wide-open space to gobble up every bite in five seconds flat, these bowls feature built-in ridges, spirals, or raised patterns that break up the surface area. That way, your dog has to navigate around the obstacles to reach their food, kind of like solving a little puzzle to reach every last bit.

Some are shaped like mazes, others have flower-like patterns or wavy channels, but they all serve the same purpose: to slow your dog down at mealtime. They come in all kinds of sizes, shapes, and materials, from colorful BPA-free plastics to stainless steel or even silicone mats like lick mats so it doesn’t matter whether you have a dainty dachshund or a giant golden retriever, there is a slow feeder bowl that fits your pup’s personality and eating style.

SodaPup has a fantastic range of slow feeder bowls for dogs that need help slowing down their eating. They have bowls in every colour and style imaginable so you can find something that suits your home or your dog’s unique personality.

Lickimat also offer an incredible variety of slow feeder tools for dogs, from silicone lick mats that stick to the ground to wobbly bowls for more experienced doggos. We highly recommend exploring our full range of slow feeder bowls to really appreciate the variety of styles on offer!

Slow feeder bowls for dogs don’t only look cool in your home, but they’re incredibly beneficial for your dog’s health. As we’ve already detailed, eating too fast can cause a whole range of issues in our pups, from tummy troubles and choking hazards to more serious concerns like bloat.

Slows Down Eating (Duh)

Yes, we know this is obvious but we’ve got to mention it anyway; slow feeder bowls slow down your dog’s eating and by making them navigate around barriers to get to their food, it naturally spreads out their mealtime. This means there’s a reduced chance of gulping air, choking, and general food-related chaos.

Reduces Air Intake 

When dogs eat quickly, they swallow a lot of air along with their food. This can lead to gassiness, burping, and bloating, none of which are fun for them or for anyone stuck in a small room with them. In severe cases, fast eating increases the risk of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists. A slow feeder bowl helps cut down the risk by encouraging smaller, slower bites and less air swallowing.

Helps Prevent Vomiting & Regurgitation

If your dog eats too quickly, then you might have experienced them throwing up shortly after licking their bowl clean. That’s often because it went down too fast for the stomach to handle. So by slowing things down, you give your pup’s digestive system a head start, reducing the risk of vomiting or regurgitating right after meals.

Aids Digestion & Reduces Diarrhoea

Fast eating doesn’t just affect the top half of the digestive system. It can also mess with the other end, if you catch our drift. By slowing down chewing and swallowing, your dog’s body has more time to prepare and process food, which can help reduce diarrhoea, loose stools, and other digestive discomfort.

Mental Stimulation

Slow feeder bowls don’t just benefit the stomach, they also give your dog’s brain a little workout too. The act of working through the bowl’s maze-like design taps into your dog’s natural foraging instincts and encourages problem-solving. It’s like a puzzle toy that also serves dinner. For high-energy or easily bored dogs, this added enrichment can make a huge difference in their daily routine.

Encourages Healthier Eating Habits

In the same way humans benefit from mindful eating, our dogs do too. Slowing down allows them to actually taste and experience their food, leading to a calmer, more satisfying mealtime. It also gives their brain time to register fullness, which may help prevent overeating.

Calms Their Environment

Some dogs speed-eat because they’re in a multi-dog household and fear their food might disappear. A slow feeder bowl can level the playing field, helping reduce competition and reinforcing calmer, more respectful eating.

No Training Required

And finally, adding a slow feeder bowl to your dog’s routine requires little to no training. The bowl does it all for you. There’s no need for any special commands, no complicated feeding rituals, just swap out their regular bowl for a slow feeder, and you’re good to go. It’s a simple, low-effort switch that can have a big impact on your dog’s health and wellbeing.

While slow feeder bowls are a great go-to, they’re not the only trick in the book. There are plenty of other fun and easy ways to hit the brakes on your pup’s speedy eating habits.

Feed Smaller Portions More Often

Instead of one or two big meals a day, try splitting your dog’s food into three or four smaller meals. Eating smaller portions more frequently helps your dog feel fuller throughout the day and gives their tummy a break from larger, all-in-one portions.

Use Puzzle Toys or Food Dispensers

Interactive puzzle toys are another fun way to encourage problem solving and slow down your pups eating. Often with flaps, buttons and other clever hiding places, your dog has to figure out how to release the food inside, which naturally slows down their eating while keeping them mentally stimulated.

Try a Cupcake Tin

You can create your own slow feeder bowl at home using a cupcake tin or baking tray. Just scatter your dog’s food across the tin so they have to work a little harder for the food and thus giving them smaller bites for better digestion.

Add an Obstacle into their Bowl

Pop a tennis ball or two into your dog’s bowl so they have to eat around it. It’s a simple hack that makes food less accessible and slows the pace.

Hand Feed

We know this one’s not always practical, but hand feeding during training or quiet moments can reinforce good behaviour and naturally pace out meals. Plus, it’s a great bonding opportunity.

Hide and Seek 

Another neat trick is to turn mealtime into a scavenger hunt by hiding small piles of their food around the house or garden. We don’t suggest this one with wet food (for obvious reasons) but if your dog eats dry biscuits, then you can get your dog to forage around their home for their meal and burn off some energy in the process. Snuffle toys for dogs are also perfect for this!

While it’s not unusual for dogs to eat their food quickly, that doesn’t mean it’s ideal for their health. Eating too fast can lead to a range of issues, from minor discomfort to serious conditions like bloat. Thankfully, there are plenty of simple, effective ways to help your pup slow down at mealtimes.

Whether it’s introducing more frequent meals, using puzzle toys, or switching to a slow feeder bowl, a few small changes can make a big difference. Not only will it benefit your dog’s digestion, but it can also turn dinner into a more enriching, stimulating experience.

Here at WOOOF, we’ve got everything you need to help from stylish slow feeder bowls to lick mats, treat dispensers, and puzzle toys. That way, you can keep their tummies and their tails happy.

All information sourced from American Kennel Club and Purina

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