- This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
If you have a dog who scarfs down food as if their life depends on it, you’re not alone. Lots of pups race to the bottom of their bowl. For some, that can lead to health problems like choking, vomiting, bloating, and digestive issues. For others, especially high-energy pups, it’s a missed opportunity for enrichment and brainwork. Slow feeders are one easy way to take the tempo down and add interest to mealtime.
The market is full of options—so to help you find the right one for your speed eater’s needs, we’ve rounded up the best slow feeders for all kinds of pups. Bon appétit!
- Best Overall: Outward Hound Slow Feeder Maze Dog Bowl
- Best Stainless Steel: Neater Pets Stainless Steel Slow Eating Dog Bowl
- Best Elevated: Neater Pets Raised Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
- Best Ceramic: LE TAUCI Slow Feeder Dog Bowl for Fast Eaters
- Best Inserts: Keegud Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Inserts
- Best Puzzle Bowl: StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Feeder for Dogs
- Best Interactive: Fable The Game Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
- Best Lick Mat: HyperPet IQ Bowl
- Best Snuffle Mat: The PAW5 Snuffle Mat for Fast Eaters
- Best for Big Dogs: JASGOOD Large Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
- Best for Small Dogs: Dogit Dog Bowl Puppy & Small Dog Slow Feeder
- Best for Travel: Pecute Slow Feeder Dog Bowl, No-Spill No-Skid Silicone Mat
Best Overall: Outward Hound Slow Feeder Maze Dog Bowl
With over a million sold and 100,000 reviews on Amazon, the Outward Hound Slow Feeder Dog Bowl is one of the most popular (if not the most popular) slow-eating dog bowls on the market. Available in three different sizes and a selection of maze patterns, this dog bowl is versatile and a strong choice for a variety of pups—big, small, and even flat-faced.
Made of BPA-free plastic, the bowl is dishwasher safe and has a non-slip pad at the bottom to keep your pup’s dinner in place. The small holds 3/4 cup of dry dog food, the medium holds two cups, and the large holds four cups.
Key Features:
- Top-rated slow feeder bowl
- Comes in small, medium, and large sizes
- Available in a variety of patterns
- Great for dry or wet dog food
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
Best Stainless Steel: Neater Pets Stainless Steel Slow Eating Dog Bowl
Known for being durable, stainless steel slow feeder bowls are great if you have a super chewer. They’re also less likely to stain, hold odor, or collect bacteria—ideal if you feed your pup raw or cooked dog food.
This option by Neater Pets gets high marks for its simple design that slows down eating without being too difficult—great for dogs new to slow feeders or who have a low threshold for frustration. Available in two sizes (1.5-cup and three-cup), the stainless steel bowl is made to fit into elevated feeding stations. The depth is quite deep, however, which might make it hard for short-nosed breeds.
Key Features:
- Durable and doesn’t hold odor
- Less likely to collect bacteria
- Dishwasher safe
- Simple design for beginners
Best Elevated: Neater Pets Raised Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
If you have a senior dog or a pup with joint pain, this elevated slow feeder bowl—also by Neater Pets—can help them access their food without having to bend down as much. Adjustable legs extend from 3 inches to 7.5 inches, and the two-in-one configuration holds 2.5 cups of food and 8.5 cups of water.
Using bumps instead of ridges, this raised slow feeder dog bowl makes food easier to access for small dogs and flat-faced breeds.
Key Features:
- Includes built-in water bowl
- Made of non-toxic, durable plastic
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Measures 15.75″ L x 10.5″ W x 7.5″ H
Best Ceramic: LE TAUCI Slow Feeder Dog Bowl for Fast Eaters
Another pick in the durable department is this ceramic slow feeder dog bowl, which is great for pups that tend to chew through plastic or rubber bowls. It’s also heavier (3.2 pounds) than the typical slow feeder and has a non-slip base, making it harder to tip over and spill.
Made of food-grade material, this ceramic bowl offers a healthier design that’s less likely to breed bacteria. It’s also available in two sizes (8 inches and 9.5 inches) and comes in five colors, each with a different patterned maze.
Key Features:
- Clean, heavy, and durable design
- Dishwasher safe
- Comes in two sizes
- Available in five different patterns
Best Inserts: Keegud Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Inserts
Already have a bowl that your pup loves? No sweat! These inserts can quickly turn a regular bowl into a slow feeder. Just press the spiral blades into the bottom of your dog’s bowl and the octopus suction cups will securely hold them in place.
Two different inserts are available—the spiral pattern works well for medium and small dogs and has a standard difficulty level, while the flower pattern is suitable for medium to large dogs and for pups looking for more of a challenge. While the inserts can be cut down to size, both patterns work best for dog bowls with a diameter of 7 to 5.5 inches.
Key Features:
- Strong suctions hold inserts in place
- Inserts feature two different patterns
- Made of food-grade silicone
Best Puzzle Feeder: StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Feeder (Verified Review)
If you have a pup with a lot of energy or a dog that needs more exercise, the Starmark Bob-a-Lot can help keep them engaged during mealtime by channeling their natural hunting and foraging instincts. Highly popular for its durability, this puzzle toy has a high-quality rubber bottom that creates a fun wobble. (Just note that it can be noisy when batted against hard surfaces, as our product testers discovered.)
There are also adjustable openings, which can change the difficulty level for clever dogs. Easy to fill and clean, this puzzle feeder comes in two sizes. The small can hold up to 1.5 cups of dry dog food and the large can hold up to three cups.
Key Features:
- Open on top or bottom to fill
- Large size holds up to three cups
- Adjustable difficulty level
- Weighted rubber bottom
Best Interactive: Fable’s The Game (Verified Review)
For quieter play, The Game by Fable is similar to the Bob-a-lot but has a slightly softer silicone exterior. It also has grooves at the top to smear wet dog food or spreads like peanut butter and cream cheese. This additional feature provides a little more interaction to mealtime—your pup can bop it, spin it, and lick it. It’s also a great way to introduce puppies or novice puzzlers to interactive feeders.
Coming in a one-size-fits-all model, The Game can hold over 1.5 cups of dry food, and multiple settings change the complexity of the slow feeder. Our test pup found it significantly more challenging than the Bob-a-Lot but equally sturdy.
Key Features:
- Available in five colors
- Top fins for spreadable treats
- Silicone design for softer play
- Has multiple complexity settings
Best Lick Mat: HyperPet IQ Bowl
Combining the soothing qualities of a lick mat with the challenge of a puzzle toy, this slow feeder offers the best of both worlds. Ideal for chunkier foods, this dog food puzzle doesn’t sit flat, so pups have to work a bit more to get out all the goodies inside. We like that it’s dishwasher and freezer safe, which makes it a nice option for both meals and challenging snacks.
Key Features:
- Ideal for chunkier foods
- Combines a lick mat with a puzzle toy
- Made from safe, recyclable, natural rubber
- Dishwasher safe
Best Snuffle Mat: The PAW5 Snuffle Mat for Fast Eaters (Verified Review)
If you have a pup who loves to use their nose, then a snuffle mat is a great way to slow mealtime down by harnessing their natural hunting behaviors. Designed for your dog’s rifling pleasure, the shaggy surface of the Paw5 Snuffle Mat offers plenty of places to hide dry dog food.
In our Rover review, the Paw5 Snuffle Mat was a hit with both an energetic Dachshund and his 13-year-old companion pup. We like how long it keeps a dog engaged, making it perfect for slowing down speed eaters, keeping bored dogs entertained, and even encouraging hesitant eaters by calling on their foraging instincts.
Key Features:
- Size: 18 inches by 12 inches
- Machine washable
- Made of 100% pet-safe fibers
- Ethically and sustainably produced
Best for Big Dogs: JASGOOD Large Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
Made specifically for bigger breeds, this large slow feeder dog bowl has a diameter of almost 10 inches. Holding up to three cups of wet or dry dog food, the bowl has a fan blade pattern with sides that are 1.5 inches deep. (It can also be used as a water bowl for your large pup.)
Available in a variety of fun colors (that can even be bought in pairs), this slow feeder dog bowl can be washed on the top rack of a dishwasher.
Key Features:
- Has a diameter of 9.7 inches
- Holds up to three cups of food
- Sides are 1.5 inches high
- Can be purchased in pairs
Best for Small Dogs: Dogit Dog Bowl Puppy Slow Feeder
Got a smaller pup? This slow feeder dog bowl offers a single pattern in two smaller sizes. The extra small holds a half cup of dry food and has a diameter of 5.5 inches, while the small can be filled with 1 1/4 cups of food and has a diameter of 6.9 inches. While these sizes are great for smaller breeds, the sides are still quite deep (1.6 and 2.3 inches) and may not be suitable for short-nosed dogs.
Available in four different colors, this bowl features a non-slip base to keep it in place.
Key Features:
- Available in small and extra-small
- Comes in one single pattern
- Offers four different colors
- Includes non-slip base
Best for Travel: Pecute Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Mat
This three-in-one mat includes a slow feeder, a water bowl, and a non-slip silicone mat that keeps everything in place. And the best part? The sides and bowls fold into each other—making it a compact design that’s perfect for overnight trips and travel.
Available in two sizes, the slow feeder comes in a bowl with either a 7.1-inch or 8.2-inch diameter. Holding up to 1.5 cups of food, this slow feeder isn’t likely to suit bigger dogs’ needs, but it’s a great option for small and medium-sized pups.
Key Features:
- Includes slow feeder, water bowl, and mat
- Compact and foldable design
- Available in two sizes
- Larger size holds up to 1.5 cups of food
How We Chose Our Slow Feeder Dog Bowls
The slow feeder dog bowls featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing and a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms. We chose products based on size, capacity, and usability. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.
