If your furry pal is like most dogs, they’ll probably gobble down their just to regurgitate it afterward. This is common in dogs and sort of normal but a bad habit that could lead to more serious problems. This is because too fast requires breathing in a lot of air and leads to bloating, especially in a that eats a large meal.
You may not know it but bloating could be highly detrimental to your , and this is why you must try to get them to slow down when they eat. The simplest way to do it is to find a . It won’t only slow them down and promote better digestion, but it’s also a great way to engage the rest of their senses. There are many to choose from in the market.
Continue reading for some thorough descriptions of the top favorite that evaluate design features, materials, durability, and effectiveness.
What Exactly Is a ?
This type of has built-in obstructions to slowly keep your from gulping down their meals. The slow feeders come in all sorts of ranging from brightly colored plastic to stainless steel. The purpose of placing obstacles in them is to make your work for their , just like they would in their natural environment.
The obstacles can be ridges, lumps, or bumps, and your must work around them in order to eat. Some designs are similar to a labyrinth while others include games and puzzles. Whatever the design, the main reason for using these bowls is to prevent serious digestive conditions.
Gulping down isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, some breeds are more prone to certain serious health conditions. These go beyond choking and vomiting, some dogs could bloat badly and even develop Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), a combination of stomach twisting and gas buildup that’s lethal. Pay close attention to a with a distended abdomen who’s also dry heaving, whimpering, panting, and drooling excessively as you probably have to take them to the vet ASAP.
Preventing bloating and other digestive problems is the actual benefit of a for dogs. As we said above, these feeders come with raised centers, pockets, ridges, and other built-in elements that differentiate them from regular open bowls. These elements, often crafted into fun shapes that also make fun, force the animal to take smaller bites.
These products come in various depths, and deeper grooves to make it harder to get to the dry or . Most dogs will work to get to the last bit of , but you might want to get a shallower if yours becomes frustrated by the challenge.
Pros and Cons of a for Your
The Advantages
The main benefit of is to slow down your while . Regular bowls are great for those who take their time, but the obstructions in the slow kind make more challenging and slower. It keeps them from gulping down air and being at risk of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus.
Furthermore, this device makes it harder for a to choke. This is because slowing down the process gives them time to chew the before they swallow it, which leads to better digestion. Your has probably vomited right after at some point, this is caused by too fast. prevents this and thus, helps them digest properly and obtain the nutrients they need.
Portion control is important and also allows the animal to feel satisfied when they finish . Did you know that the faster you eat, the more hungry you’ll feel when you finish your meal? This is because your stomach hasn’t had time to catch up with the .
One of the reasons why dogs eat fast is the presence of other animals. If you have multiple dogs, you know they tend to eat from each other’s bowls. Or, perhaps they do it out of habit. For example, many rescue dogs have been neglected and famished and got used to as much as they could because they didn’t know when they would get their next meal. force them to change their habits whatever the reason for their fast.
Another advantage of these bowls is they stimulate the animal and help keep their minds sharp. The activity depends on the design of the but most are designed to make the work for their .
The Drawbacks
Ok, so you just read about the many benefits of a , but there are a few possible disadvantages. For example, a who’s particularly enthusiastic while they eat could damage their teeth. The reason is some dogs become frustrated when they can’t get all the at once and might damage their teeth trying to destroy the , especially if it’s made of stainless steel or another hard material. This is an uncommon scenario but definitely could happen. Speaking of materials, a cheap softer could also pose a risk as the might eat it.
Furthermore, cleaning this kind of is more difficult due to the nooks and crannies. The harder the puzzle, the tougher it’ll be to clean them. Not only that, your will make more of a mess with this kind of while trying to get at the . Some animals even figure out that knocking it over makes it faster to get to the , so the may not be for you if you think this would be an issue. Of course, a heavier one or one with a stable base would solve this problem.
The
As we said above, fast- dogs are more likely to bloat and regurgitate, but they could also become obese. GDV happens when an animal gulps large amounts of and fluid while inhaling the air that fills their stomach, which can be very dangerous. aid digestion and engages dogs to reduce overeating. We also already mentioned that a may want to chew on the to get to the faster so keep up with it and replace it if it becomes damaged.
This product is intended for pets only and is dishwasher safe on a low heat setting and on the top rack. Keep in mind placing it in the microwave could ruin it. These are fun. The is available in many sizes and ridge patterns to suit your ‘s needs. Watch how their natural instincts kick in as they scavenge and hunt for .
Made from BPA and PVC, the is suitable for dry, wet, or raw and can considerably slow down the speed at which your animal eats. The unique design features meal-lengthening ridges to help slow down up to 10 times.
These fun feeders are great for dry, wet, or raw diets and the large one holds up to four cups of dry kibble while the Medium holds two cups. The one for a holds 3/4 cups. Unfortunately, the product is currently unavailable on Amazon but you can find some similar ones there for about $17.99 each.
Noyal
This nonslip puzzle keeps the and promotes your ‘s healthy habits. It comes in one size that’s perfect for puppies, as well as small, medium, and large dogs.
The features a swirl flower pattern design to slow down fast and keep your from choking. Also to control their weight and prevent digestion in a fun interactive manner.
Furthermore, there are four non-slip mats in the package to glue to the bottom of the and keep it from slipping. Also, the base is wider to prevent being knocked over. This is fun and works well with dry and diets. Check it out at Amazon, it’s only $9.59 there.
Outward Hound Fun
This comes in several sizes and maze patterns. The uniquely designed features meal-lengthening ridges to help slow down your ‘s time by 10 times. Thus, it prevents indigestion, regurgitation, and obesity. It can both challenge and engage your during mealtime all while controlling overeating.
The has a non-slip base and non-toxic materials like BPA and PVC and is phthalate-free. It’s available on Amazon for $14.99 in multiple sizes and ridge patterns and it can accommodate dry, wet, or raw diets. The Large one holds up to four cups of dry kibble, the medium holds two, and the small 3/4 cup. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Upsky No Choking
This is a with a fun pattern and a rather affordable option, only $8.59 on Amazon. You can select from five sizes and pick from black, blue, pink, and white. This has a raised interior and is appropriate for wet or . You can also use it as a if you’re trying to keep your from drinking too much water at once. Furthermore, the various size options make it a good choice for small or large dogs alike.
Experts advocate the concept and this slow-feed can help you act on it. The raised parts in the separate the when the animal is to effectively slow them down.
Stainless Steel
Have you ever looked at a and thought, how in the world will my eat from there? This product was designed to slow them, not to frustrate them. It holds up to three cups of dry or when filled to the top of the middle of the – without covering the paw print. Not only that, it fits most elevated feeders with 2-quart bowls and a hole opening between 7.25″ and 8″ so it’s great for medium to large-sized breeds.
Furthermore, the is dishwasher safe and made of stainless steel, the preferred material of many pet owners because it is durable, doesn’t hold odors, and doesn’t collect bacteria like some other materials. You can order it from Amazon for $14.99.
Digestion-Related Problems in Dogs
The digestive system comprises all organs involved in processing after you eat it: from the mouth to the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines, rectum, and anus. As you can see, your ‘s process of digestion begins when picking up the and begin to chew it.
The enzymes in the saliva break down the and then comes swallowing, followed by the additional breakdown of the in the stomach. Then, the intestines absorb the nutrients and discard the waste. The digestion process isn’t only critical for obtaining nutrients but also for attaining the right balance of fluid and salts known as electrolytes. A vet must first identify the part of the system where the digestive system problem might be to determine the specific cause and prescribe treatment.
Symptoms of Digestive System Disorders
The general symptoms may include vomiting, regurgitation, excessive drooling, bleeding, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, shock, and dehydration. The vet will determine the location and nature of the disease often based on any of these signs.
They’ll also look at things such as biting abnormalities as well as chewing and swallowing. This is because they are usually associated with diseases of the mouth, teeth, jaw, and esophagus. The most common cause of vomiting is inflammation of the lining of the stomach or intestines due to infection or irritation, but it could also be the result of a nondigestive condition like kidney disease.
Similarly, diarrhea usually signals a digestive system disorder although the causes can be many and varied. Excessive watery diarrhea could be due to a bacterial condition in which excess fluid is secreted into the intestines: hypersecretion.
Another cause could be the failure to properly absorb nutrients and this, in turn, is due to a defect in the intestinal cells responsible for absorption. Viruses like canine parvovirus, coronavirus, and rotavirus are often responsible for this condition. It could also be the result of a defect that limits the ability of the intestines to absorb liquids or defects in the pancreatic secretions needed for proper digestion.
Variations in the color, consistency, and frequency of bowel movements are also a sign of digestive problems. In fact, blackish ones could be a sign of internal bleeding. In addition, constipation or straining is usually the result of inflammation of the rectum and anus and, as we said above, bloating is due to the accumulation of gas, fluid, and/or ingested . Reduced activity of the muscles that move through the digestive system is usually the culprit here. Distention can also be the result of some kind of physical obstruction and of something as simple as overeating.
Abdominal pain is due to stretching or inflammation of abdominal membranes, and it can vary in severity. A may react to abdominal pain by whining, pacing, and abnormal postures (for example, the forelimbs outstretched, the chest on the floor, and the back legs raised).
Non-Infections Causes of Digestive Problems in Dogs
A large number of digestive problems are non-infectious. These include overeating or poor-quality or chemicals or obstruction caused by swallowing foreign objects or injury to the digestive system. They can also be the result of enzyme deficiencies, damage to the digestive tract, and birth defects.
Symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea may also be the consequence of other diseases of the liver, kidney, liver, or adrenal gland. The causes of gastric torsion aren’t clear, but some believe overeating is one of the reasons for it.
The various treatments include drugs and surgery to correct defects and the use of pharmaceuticals against diarrhea or constipation on a case-by-case basis. Keep in mind that drugs aren’t always beneficial, so don’t use them unless prescribed by a doctor. For instance, diarrhea is often a defense mechanism that helps eliminate toxins. In turn, the replacement of fluids and electrolytes is always necessary, especially if your is at risk of dehydration after bad episodes of diarrhea or vomiting.
Finally, a distended animal will need the kind of relief only an experienced vet can provide. It’ll either be the insertion of a stomach tube or even surgery if the digestive tract is obstructed, twisted, or bloated with gas, fluid, or . The physician will provide pain relief but keep an eye on the to make sure the drugs aren’t masking a progressing condition.
It’s good to have options for your dogs as they can’t help but gobble down ; it’s their instinct. Make your own if you can’t afford a new one. For instance, you could use a muffin tin or scatter small amounts of in various places. Bon appetit!
