NOTE! The article was revised on 10.06.24. "Mental stimulation" has been removed! Read why at the bottom of the post.
Slowfeeders have become increasingly popular among dog owners, and we want to help spread the word about this brilliant invention! In this article, we will tell you a little about the benefits of slowfeeders, but first:
What exactly is a slow feeder?
A slow feeder is a food bowl that is uniquely designed to make it harder for your dog to eat all of their food in one gulp. Some dogs (and you are probably fully aware of this if you have one) tend to gobble down their food too quickly, almost inhaling it. This is where slow feeders come in. The ones we sell come in a variety of designs, full of spaces, patterns, nooks and crannies, making mealtime a fun and enriching experience. A slow feeder can be a great investment for your dog, with benefits ranging from improved digestion to mental enrichment and a reduced risk of health problems.
Why buy a slow feeder?
- Reduce anxiety and stress. A dog that is stressed or anxious in various situations, such as storms, showers, fireworks, nail clipping or visitors, can benefit from a slow feeder/licking mat. The fact that it takes longer to eat/lick makes the dog busy and distracted, and licking releases endorphins, which give a feeling of goodness. This can help to reduces stress in the dog in situations that trigger stress as mentioned above!
- Stimulate natural instincts. A slow feeder allows your dog to eat in a way that mimics how they would have to work for food in the wild, which can provide a sense of satisfaction.
- Prevent overeating. Slowing down your dog's eating pace will give your dog's stomach time to signal to their brain that no more food is needed. When a dog gobbles down food at full speed, their stomach can easily become full, as it can't signal to their brain quickly enough to prevent overeating.
- Better digestion . Because slow feeders have different designs, it will be more difficult for the dog to swallow all the food in a few mouthfuls. This will lead to a more conscious approach to eating, which will ease the strain on the digestive system. Over time, it will also change the dog's relationship with food, giving the dog the idea that those who wait for something good will not wait in vain. Slowly but surely, eating slowly will become a natural behavior.
- Reduce the risk of choking and vomiting . A dog that practically inhales food and does not chew the food (given that it is dry food) can easily get something stuck in its throat, which can lead to choking or vomiting.
- Less gastrointestinal discomfort . When the stomach is filled with poorly chewed food, it can take a long time for it to be properly digested. This can lead to a heavy stomach, excessive gas, or constipation, which can make the dog feel generally unwell.
- Reduce the risk of bloat and gastrin. A dog that sucks up food like a vacuum cleaner may be at risk for a condition known as gastrin. A dog that eats too quickly can become bloated from taking in huge amounts of air, which can put too much pressure on the stomach, intestines and even the circulatory system. Gastrin is a rapidly progressive, life-threatening condition in dogs that requires immediate medical attention. Dogs that are more prone to gastrin can benefit greatly from eating from a slow feeder versus a bowl!
So... are there really any disadvantages to feeding with a slow feeder? Well, not really... unless you:
- Use a plastic slow feeder. Then every time the dog bites/gnaws on the plastic, he will ingest microplastics. We have therefore deliberately chosen to avoid plastic slow feeders/licking mats.
- Use a ceramic or steel slow feeder. If your dog is too aggressive about eating from the bowl, there is a risk of dental damage. That is why we only sell slow feeders and lick mats made of food-safe silicone and are BPA-free. All of these are also dishwasher safe, which is recommended to reduce bacterial growth in the bowls.
If you want to treat your dog to their very own slow feeder (and not one that he/she has to share with the muffins or eggs) then you can find all the ones we sell HERE .
Why have we revised the post?
We've had a chat with a dog behavior consultant, and learned even more about the slow feeder concept. We've previously written that slow feeders provide dogs with mental stimulation, and we want to correct that, so that as many dog owners as possible understand this correctly!
As mentioned, we have previously marketed slow feeders as mental activation/stimuli - we have now learned that this is not entirely true. Slow feeders and licking mats do NOT fall under the group "mental activation", but under the group "stress-reducing activity". This is because it is known that licking, sniffing and chewing reduce stress in dogs and release endorphins, which give a feeling of goodness, but it does not release dopamine (the hormone associated with coping and learning). It is possible, however, that the dog/puppy experiences a degree of mental stimulation the first few times, but as soon as it is just a licking/eating activity, it is no longer something that provides brain exercise/mental activation.
The reason we have advertised it as mental stimuli is simply a poor translation from English, where it is called "mental enrichment", so the more correct translation into Norwegian is mental ENRICHEMENT.
We heard that people have ONLY used this as the daily mental activity for the dog, and we feel that is completely wrong. Therefore, we will no longer advertise slow feeders as something mentally stimulating, as it involves activities where the dog has to challenge the brain, use its senses and think, e.g. puzzles, treat searches, etc.
We apologize for the mismarketing, but with that said, there are still an incredible number of benefits to feeding in a slow feeder, as the points above show!
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