If you are a pet parent and often worry about your dog’s digestive health, you might have heard of a slow feeder bowl for dogs. These are designed in a way your pet cannot rush to eat and have hurdles in between. As the name suggests, it forces your dog to eat slowly and can help them in many ways. Let us look at the pros and cons.
Pros of Slow feeder bowls:
Less choking: One of the major benefits of these slow feeder bowls for dogs is that because of their pattern, your dog is less likely to choke on their food. They will not gobble food and will slowly chew it instead. It can be useful if your pet tends to gulp food and often chokes on it.
Improved digestion: Another benefit that these bowls can provide is that it allows the dog to eat slowly, gives them time to chew which in-turn improves their digestion as well. This will result in them absorbing the required nutrients and improving their overall health.
Portions: Obesity is one of the major problems when it comes to Pets in the US, however, with slow feeder bowls your pets will not be able to gulp all their food in one go, making it harder for them to overeat. When they get to chew food and eat it slowly, it is more possible for them to feel full with an adequate amount. If you notice your pet putting on excess weight and moving towards obesity, it can be a good idea to provide them with these bowls.
Eating habits: When you are trying to make sure that your puppy or even your dog adapts new eating habits, you can use these to change them and incorporate new habits. If you have also adopted a dog recently or feed the dogs on your street, this can help you change their eating habits as well.
Prevents vomiting: Just like choking, a slow feeder bowl for dogs can also prevent vomiting because your pet will be required to take smaller portions and also gives them the time to digest the food properly.
Bloating: Bloating is a common problem with humans as well as pets. While it is not harmful, it can create a lot of discomfort for your pet. Bloating usually results in farting. This usually happens when they are eating too fast and often consume air along with the food. This can be avoided when portions and the speed can be controlled.
However, there are a few cons that come with slow feeder bowls.
Dental damage: It has been observed that several feeder bowls can cause dental damage. Especially if your pet is hungry and eager to eat, it may cause trouble. Avoid giving them these when they are hungry.
Frustration: As mentioned above, if your pet is hungry and excited to eat, they might get frustrated with the time taken to eat the food. They might also get hurt because of the hurdles in the bowl.
Quality: It is important to make sure you get a quality slow feeder bowl for dogs, this will prevent plastic ingestion which can harm your pet’s health. They will also tend to create a mess when eating from these bowls, which is why it is important to make sure it is sturdy.
Cleaning: When you get slow feeder bowls, it might be a hassle to clean them because of the curves and crevices present in them. It is harder to clean it as compared to a regular feeder bowl for your dog.
You can incorporate these slow-feeder bowls along with regular bowls. If you are looking to improve your pet’s digestive health or even need merely portion control for them - it is a good idea to buy quality slow feeder bowls.
