When you think of a slow feeders, perhaps you think of them as a solution for fast eaters? True, but they also provide mental enrichment and can help reduce mealtime stress.
The benefits? Improving your pet’s enjoyment of their meal and their digestion. Using a slow feeder correctly can reduce anxiety around feeding and support long-term well-being. Read on to find out how to use a slow feeder safely, when it’s most effective, and to get specific tips for your pet.
What Is a Slow Feeder?
A slow feeder is a specially designed bowl or feeding tool with ridges, mazes or other obstacles that force your pet to work around them and, consequently, eat more slowly.
Benefits:
- Reduced risk of your pet gulping down their food and choking
- Improved digestion and absorption of nutrients
- Reduced food-related stress or resource guaßrding
- Meals become an occasion for mental stimulation
Slow feeders come in various designs for small dogs, large dogs and even cats. The design of our Slow Feeder makes it a better option for dogs. The Lick Mat makes an excellent Slow Feeder for cats (see below for additional details).
Why Use a Slow Feeder?
Many pets eat their meals too quickly, which can cause:
- Vomiting
- Gas or bloating
- Poor digestion
- Behavioral issues like resource guarding
A slow feeder allows your pet to eat at a natural pace while stimulating their mind.
How to Use a Slow Feeder: Step-by-Step
1. Choose the Right Slow Feeder
Select a feeder based on your pet’s size, the way they eat and the type of food you give them:
- Cats: Shallow mazes or puzzle-style feeders
- Small dogs: Shallow grooves or puzzle-style feeders
- Medium & large dogs: Deeper grooves, larger obstacles
- Foods: Most feeders work for dry kibble, and many work for soft or mixed meals—just make sure the grooves aren’t so large that your pet can easily lap up softer foods
2. Introduce the Slow Feeder Gradually
- Start by placing your pet’s regular food in the slow feeder
- Let your pet explore and get used to the new texture and layout
- Supervise the first few meals to prevent frustration
- Over time, try introducing new ingredients or treats to the mix, to make meals more enjoyable and add nutrients
- Cooked chicken and turkey without seasonings, green beans and blueberries are all good options (see “Foods That Most Cats and Dogs Can Eat” for more suggestions).
3. Use Appropriate Meal Portions
- Measure your pet’s daily calories (as recommended by your vet or based on your regular routine)
- Divide that into the number of meals you feed per day
- Adjust food quantity as needed to allow for using additional ingredients or treats
- Avoid overloading the feeder, which can defeat its purpose
4. Observe Eating Behavior
- Watch how your pet interacts with the feeder
- Some pets need additional guidance at first
- If your pet is reluctant to engage with the slow feeder, try using a high-value treat to encourage them
- Remove the feeder if your pet starts to chew on it; replace damaged feeders to prevent choking hazard
- If your pet did start to chew the slow feeder (as long as it’s not damaged), try again with easier-to-access foods and shorter sessions to create a positive associated; increase the duration of each successful session
5. Keep Feeder Clean
- Clean the slow feeder after each use
- Run it through the dishwasher or handwash with warm, soapy water according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Washing prevents bacteria buildup and keeps meals safe
Slow Feeder Tips for Dogs
- Large dogs may benefit from a weighted or non-slip feeder to prevent tipping
- High-energy dogs may require short, supervised mealtime sessions to prevent chewing or damage
- Try more than one slow feeder or lick mat for enrichment: scatter kibble across multiple feeders for additional mental stimulation—a great activity for high-energy dogs
Slow Feeder Tips for Cats
Choose the Right Feeder
- Some cats eat too quickly from traditional bowls
- Use a shallow maze feeder or a puzzle feeder designed for cats; our Lick Mat is a good option, since cats do best with small, shallower grooves
- Make sure the mat doesn’t slide around, which a cat won’t tolerate; our Duo gives the Lick Mat a fixed place and puts food in a position that’s comfortable for cats
Choose the Right Food
- Wet cat food (pâté works best)
- Lickable treats like Churu also work well on slow feeders and lick mats
- Plain canned pumpkin in very small amounts
- Plain, unsweetened yogurt—only if your cat tolerates dairy
- Bone broth made for cats—no onion/garlic/salt included
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the slow feeder with extremely small kibble—it’s too easy to lap up and pets can still gulp it down quickly
- Using only liquid food—again, your pet can easily lap this up, missing the benefits and enrichment the feeder can offer
- Overloading the feeder and increasing frustration—this also makes it too easy to consume the highest food in the feeder, so make sure you stick to a portion that tucks into the grooves and ridges
- Leaving the pet unattended during the first few uses—you need to understand how your pet interacts with the feeder to know how much independence they can have, and it’s always safest to be nearby when your pet is using a feeder
- Using it for anxious pets during highly stressful meals—a feeder can add difficulty and frustration for a pet who is already stressed if you introduce it at the wrong time, so make sure they are mentally calm and ready to engage
When a Slow Feeder Is Most Effective
- For pets that eat meals too quickly
- With dogs prone to bloating or digestive issues
- In multi-pet households to help reduce food competition, by keeping them engaged and slowing down greedier eaters
- To enhance mental stimulation during daily feeding
- For indoor cats who need slow-paced feeding to help with rapid food consumption and enrichment to help with boredom
What is the Right Slow Feeder for Your Pet?
- Minimal Animal Slow Feeder – chambers that slow down fast-eating dogs (up to 30 pounds) to improve meals; dishwasher-safe, BPA-free
- Minimal Animal Lick Mat – works as a Slow Feeder for cats, dishwasher-safe, BPA-free
Final Thoughts on Enrichment
A slow feeder is more than a feeding tool. When incorporated into your pet’s feeding routine it:
- Helps pets eat slower and digest better
- Makes meals mentally stimulating
- Reduces food-related stress
- Promotes overall well-being
Pair your slow feeder with a lick mat and other mental enrichment activities for a balanced approach to enrichment.
