Is Your Puppy Gulping Their Food Too Fast? My Slow Feeder Fix
When my puppy, Bud, first came home, he was the picture of excitement at mealtimes, tail wagging, eyes wide, and food inhaled at record speed. It was cute… until it wasn’t.
During his “hoovering” phase, it was as if his stomach and intestines were squeezing inward, trapping his meal higher up in his chest & oesophagus and showing his ribs in minute detail. He’d look uncomfortable and bloated, and strange gurgling noises would come from him for a few minutes after eating. I put up with it at first, thinking it was just “puppy enthusiasm,” until one day he vomited straight after his dinner. That’s when I realised it was more than a quirk — it was a problem.
I quickly learned this is common in puppies (and even some adult dogs). They get so excited about eating that they swallow their food without chewing properly, which can cause stomach upset and, in worse cases, put them at risk of a dangerous condition called bloat.
Since you came here for a puppy issue, you might also enjoy my post When Your Puppy Eats Your Socks (and Why It Might Actually Be a Good Thing).
Why gulping food can be a problem
When a dog eats too quickly, they swallow a lot of air along with their food. This can cause:
-
Regurgitation shortly after eating
-
Gas and bloating
-
Increased risk of serious digestive issues like bloat (especially in larger breeds)
-
Poor digestion, because the food isn’t chewed or broken down properly
I knew I had to slow Bud down before it became a bigger problem.
Affiliate links — I may earn a small commission if you buy through the Amazon links below, at no extra cost to you. I’ve added them to support my writing, but the main aim here is to share useful info. Links are clearly marked.
I went online and bought my first slow feeder — a basic plastic one with a flower shaped design. The idea was that Bud would have to work his way around the shapes to get at his food, naturally slowing him down and stopping the gulping.
And it did, but it had two big problems:
-
It was too deep for a puppy — Bud's tongue was too small at 12 weeks to get to the bottom. He got frustrated by this and would gnaw at the side of the bowl.
-
It had no under grips — the bowl kept moving around the floor. I sorted this though by putting it on a mat.
It was a partial win though, but not the ultimate fix I was hoping for. This bowl will be ideal as he gets bigger so I will keep it as a backup. I will have to add rubber feet though, another project for the future.
By the way, his teeth are like razors, you can see the marks where he scored the surface.
Check out Slow Feeder Bowl 1 on Amazon UK. Check out Slow Feeder Bowl 1 on Amazon IRL.
Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
After more research, I bought a sturdier slow feeder bowl with shallower grooves and a non-slip base. See first picture above. The difference was immediate.
Here’s what made it work:
-
Shallower channels meant Bud was able to pick at his food bit by bit without frustration.
-
Non-slip base stopped him from pushing the bowl around.
-
Right size for his breed — the smaller sections were perfect for slowing down a small dog without frustrating him.
From the first use, Bud’s eating time tripled, and the regurgitation stopped immediately. He still gets excited for his meals, but now he eats at a safe, comfortable pace. Eating from these bowls looks more like a game these days as he dances around the bowl to get the right angle to get the kibble.
Check out Slow Feeder Bowl 2 on Amazon UK. Check out Slow Feeder Bowl 2 on Amazon IRL.
Affiliate links – I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
If your dog eats too fast…
A slow feeder bowl might just be the easiest (and cheapest) solution you try. Not all slow feeders are created equal — you might need to experiment to find the right shape and size for your dog — but it’s worth it for the peace of mind and the cleaner kitchen floor.
If you’re dealing with the same issue, I’ve linked both bowls I tried in this post so you can see the difference for yourself. The first one might suit some dogs, but if you’ve got a determined gulper like Bud, the second one is the game changer. Both are quite cheap to buy and won't break the bank.
Thanks for reading and good luck with your new slow feeder!
David
Postscript Update
We received the bowl at the end of July and it is now the 26th September. I'm delighted to report that he has still not flipped the bowl over and his eating habits are still not causing stomach upsets.
More Titles for You to Read:
Game-Changing Amazon Tech and Accessories for Everyday Use
Learning Irish the Wrong Way Leaves All Irish People Embarrassed
Revitive, Finally Relief from Peripheral Neuropathy Pain
About the Author
I’m David Condon, a blog writer and small business owner based in Tralee, Co. Kerry. After years of working for myself in woodcraft and teaching woodturning, I started this blog to share ideas, experiences, and finds that go beyond the workshop. From tech gadgets to life in Ireland, you’ll find a mix of personal stories, reviews, and opinions — all grounded in real day-to-day life.
If you'd like to know more, you can follow the link in the Note from the Author section below.
💬 Note from the Author
This post was written specially for David Condon Finds. If you enjoyed it, you might also like my other projects:
Phoenix DVD Blog – where I write about DVDs, Blu-rays, and life as a collector
David Condon Woodcraft – my main site focused on woodturning and handmade Irish pieces
If you’d like to support my writing, you can do so through the Buy Me a Coffee button below. It helps keep these side projects going — thank you!
Like what you're reading? You can buy me a coffee — sure it’s cheaper than a pint!
Comments
Post a Comment