11 Best Slow Feeder Cat Bowl Selections For Cats

Did you know that obesity in cats is in part due to cats who eat too fast? Cats who gulp their food can have a whole bunch of problems, including bloating, vomiting, and indigestion. Finding ways to help your cat eat slowly at mealtimes can have many health benefits and may even be required if your cat is overweight or suffers from serious digestive issues. You should always speak to your vet to ensure that you address any underlying causes, but one way to help slow down your cat's eating habits is to get a slow-feeder cat bowl for its food.

Slow feeder bowls are designed to slow your pet down, with grooves, raised columns, and bumps that spread out the food and make it more challenging to eat. These designs force your feline friend to slow down when it eats and can also be quite mentally stimulating, serving a second purpose of being entertaining.

Let's take a look at some of the most popular brands as well as some of the best slow feeders that serve specific purposes so you can find what works best for you.

11 Best Slow-Feeder Cat Bowls

Each cat should have its own slow feeder bowl for a multi-cat household to avoid any competition and greed.

The various plates are interlocking, so you can decide for yourself which plates to use, where, and in what formation. The mat is made of thermoplastic rubber, a non-toxic, durable material.

Types Of Slower Feeders

Cat Wet Food Slow Feeder

Wet cat food slow feeder bowls can work for both wet and dry food. Unlike dry food slow feeders, wet food slow feeders have shallow bottoms like a lickable slow feeder mat.

Dry Food slow Feeder

Dry cat food can work with any of the slower feeders. However, some slow feeders like the food maze are designed for dry kibble only.

Food mazes are designed with kibble added in between the multiple ridges and will require cats to get them out with their paws.

Interactive Slow Feeder

Interactive slow feeders encourage cats to eat slower and reduce boredom and anxiety in cats while challenging them mentally, almost like an interactive game. Some interactive slow feeders include food puzzle toys or toys filled with treats.

How To Choose The Best Slow Feeder Cat Bowls

Dry or wet food

Slow feeder cat bowls are a great way to slow down your cat's eating. The consistency of food you are feeding your cat plays an important factor when choosing the best slow-feeder cat bowls.

Material

As your cat will be eating food in direct contact with the slow feed bowl, as a pet parent, it's important to ensure the slow cat feeder bowls are made from non-toxic, BPA-free, food-grade, and safe material. This way, you can put your mind at ease, knowing it's safe for your cat. For aggressive cats, avoid plastic, rubber, or silicon bowls as they may end up chewing and digesting them.

Plastic food bowls are the most budget-friendly materials. However, they can be the most easily scratched material, and a sharp scratched bowl's sharp edges can potentially hurt your cat's tongue. When looking at the plastic option, choose BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free ones.

Ceramic and stainless steel are great durable and long-lasting materials that are totally safe for cats. Ceramic is one of the best materials as its heavier weight gives them more advantage over the others.

Easy To Clean

Slow feed cat bowls require regular cleaning to avoid picking up any infections and bacteria from poor hygiene. If you are not interested in hand washing cat slow feeders by hand regularly, look for dishwasher-safe and dishwasher-friendly options.

Entertaining and stimulating

Cats are predatory species, and they have a natural instinct to hunt for their food. Pick a slow feeder design that can provide positive and much-needed mental stimulation for your domesticated cat. Let your cat work for its food, as in the wild, cats need to hunt their prey to secure the next meal.

Weight

The weight of a slow-feeding bowl plays an important factor, and it is best to look for heavy material options to prevent the bowl potentially from tipping over and spreading cat food everywhere. A bowl should weigh at least one pound for it to be heavy enough to be stable. Features like the anti-skid feet, anti-skid pads, rubber base, and soft rubber bottom can help prevent slipping and sliding.

Size

Whichever feeder cat bowl you use, make sure it can hold an entire meal. Otherwise, you will have to feed your cat multiple times or multiple small meals. Some interactive slow feeders can make feeding time fun but can only hold a small portion of cat food.

For kittens or small cats, a 5-inch bowl is sufficient enough. For larger cats, look for bigger ones.

What Are the Benefits Of A Slow Feeder Bowl

Better Digestive Health

Cats that inhale their food could have poor digestive health. As they inhale their food, they also ingest a lot of air, which can cause severe bloating.

With dry food, it will swell in the cat's stomach when it absorbs any liquid and causes digestive stress. This can cause a cat to feel uncomfortable and even vomit.

A slow feeder cat bowl is an easy solution to encourage your cat to slow down while eating. It will encourage a cat to eat slower and at a healthy pace and prevent bloating, vomiting, and digestion-related issues.

Healthy Weight

Cats that eat quickly are prone to overeating, which leads to weight gain and obesity. Obese cats are prone to major health problems such as heart disease, joint issues, diabetes, and other health issues.

Slow feeding bowls will help cats eat slower and allow their brains to register when they are full. This will encourage the cat only to eat what they need and reduce the risks of overeating and even help with weight loss.

Enjoyment

Slow feed bowls not only are good for your cat physically and mentally, but they also allow them to be natural-born hunters. Cats enjoy working for their food. A slow feeder will provide exactly that with the stimulation they need instead of taking it on your furniture, as happy cats are less likely to exhibit disruptive behavior.

FAQs

Why Does Your Cat Eat So Fast?

If you have more than one cat in your household, competition and greed can come into play during feeding times and cause your cat eats fast. Feeding in separate rooms and smaller portions may help prevent overeating and stealing by other cats.

Are Slow Feeders Good For Cats?

Yes! A slow feeder is specifically designed to help your cat eat slower and decrease the amount your cat eats. While you can feed your cat in small portions in multiple meals, which can be very time-consuming or use an automatic cat feeder, a slow feeder can provide mental and physical stimulation. It can help make mealtime feel like hunting, overeating, or eating food quickly. A slow feeder cat bowl is a great mental enrichment for a domesticated cat.

How To DIY A Slow Feeder Cat Bowl?

You can DIY a slow feeder cat bowl yourself by placing a golf ball, ping pong ball, or other items in a regular bowl. The objects will encourage a cat to eat at a healthier speed and prevent it from eating quickly.