If your dog empties the bowl in seconds, you are not alone. Plenty of dogs treat every meal like a race. The simplest way to stop a dog eating too fast is to make the food harder to gulp: spread it out, make it a game, or use a bowl with raised shapes. This guide covers five ways to do that, with things you can try at home today.
Why some dogs eat so fast
Nobody can say for certain why a particular dog wolfs its food. Some dogs just love dinner. Some grew up sharing a bowl with other dogs and learned to eat quickly. Some are simply excited. Whatever the reason, a bowl that is empty in ten seconds also leaves your dog with nothing to do for the rest of the evening.
If your dog often brings food back up after eating, or you are worried about its eating habits, talk to your vet. The ideas below are about making mealtime slower and more interesting, not about treating a health problem.
1. Use a slow feeder bowl
A slow feeder has raised shapes inside the bowl, so your dog has to work around them to reach the food. It is the easiest change on this list because you still feed in the same place at the same time. Only the bowl changes.
The Anti-Gulp Slow Feeder Bowl has a raised, fun-shaped design that is made to slow down fast eaters. It is made of PP plastic and comes in green, orange or pink.
2. Turn kibble into a game
A treat-dispensing ball hands out food a little at a time while your dog pushes it around. Your dog has to move, nudge and chase to get a meal, which takes far longer than a bowl does.
The Treat-Dispensing Ball dispenses kibble as your dog plays with it. It is made of ABS and comes in blue and orange. Supervise play and replace the ball if it gets damaged.
3. Hide the food in a snuffle mat
Dogs find the world with their noses. A snuffle mat lets your dog use that skill at dinner time. You push treats or kibble into the folds, and your dog sniffs them out one at a time.
The Dog Snuffle Mat is made for hiding treats and small toys in its folds. It comes in brown, green, orange or pink. Supervise play, and replace the mat if it gets chewed.
4. Try a puzzle feeder
A puzzle feeder asks your dog to think as well as eat. The Puzzle Feeder Brain Game has a slow-feeding column in the middle and a rotating top with holes for the food. Food slides down as the box turns. It measures 250 mm by 250 mm, stands 58 mm high and has four non-slip rubber pads to help keep it from being knocked over.
Start by feeding only a small amount in it, so your dog learns how it works without getting frustrated.
5. Use things you already have
You do not need to buy anything to try this. A few free ideas:
- Spread the meal across a baking tray instead of piling it in a bowl.
- Scatter kibble on a clean patch of lawn and let your dog sniff it out.
- Put a small, heavy object in the middle of the bowl so your dog has to eat around it. Pick one that is too big to swallow, and watch the first few meals.
- Feed in a quiet room away from other pets, so there is no race.
Which one should you start with?
| If your dog... | Try |
|---|---|
| just needs a slower bowl | Slow feeder bowl |
| has lots of energy | Treat-dispensing ball |
| loves to sniff | Snuffle mat |
| likes problems to solve | Puzzle feeder |
Whatever you pick, watch the first few meals. Every dog takes to a new feeder differently, and some need a day or two to understand the game.
Frequently asked questions
Is it bad if my dog eats fast?
Many dogs eat quickly and are perfectly fine. If your dog coughs, gags or brings food up after meals, ask your vet to look at it.
How long should a meal take?
There is no set number. The aim is for the meal to last longer than a few seconds and for your dog to have to work a little for it. Ask your vet how much and how often to feed your dog.
Can I use more than one of these?
Yes. Many owners use a slow feeder bowl for breakfast and a treat ball or snuffle mat for an evening snack.
More to explore
Browse the Play & Calm collection for more feeders, toys and mats. Delivery times depend on where you live, so check the delivery questions on our FAQ before you order. New customers can use code LAUNCH15 for 15% off at checkout.
Related guide: How to keep a dog busy while you work from home.