Do you have a cat who inhales their food, only to throw it back up half the time?
Mmm-hmm. Been there, done that.
Unfortunately, kindly reminding your kitty to take his time and chew his properly isn’t often very effective. I suppose another option would be to sit next to your kitty during meal and dole out their dinner a little bit at time, but that’s … well, kinda weird.
Fortunately, their are several “slow feeders” designed just for controlling your cat’s chow-down speed and encouraging them to eat at a healthy pace. After reading this post, you’ll know the pros and cons of the different brands, plus which types of feeders are best for whom.
✅ What are the Best Slow Feeders for Cats?
Here’s our rundown of the 5 Choices for Best Slow Feeder Cat Bowls:
• Best Overall: Kopmath Ceramic Slow Feeder
• Best For Wet Food: Lickimat
• Best For Interaction: Catit Senses 2.0 Digger
• Best For Playtime: All For Paws Puzzle Feeder
• Best For Large Cats: Slow Feed Interactive Maze Bowl
Each of these is described in more detail below.
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Best Overall Slow Feeder: Kopmath Ceramic Slow Feeder
Raised Ceramic Slow Feeder Cat Bowl
I’ve always preferred high-quality ceramic bowls for my kitties. They’re easy to clean and hygienic, plus they last a long time.. Plus a ceramic bowl is a great option if your cat has a bad habit of chewing on anything that sparks its interest.
A ceramic bowl also means that this slow feeder is perfect for serving wet and dry food. Because ceramic is microwave safe (as well as dishwasher safe), you have the added benefit of being able to warm up your cat’s food.
Ceramic is a superior material to plastic in every respect. It’s free of cadmium and lead and won’t disintegrate over time as with plastic. The smooth surface finish of ceramic will prevent feline acne on your cat’s chin-and you know how important your cat’s beauty routine is!
The Kopmath Raised Slow Feeder Cat Bowl ticks off so many benefits for your feline friend and is beautifully designed. The feeder comes with an elevated base. which helps to ease the strain on your kitty’s spine and back.
The wide, shallow bowl helps prevent your cat’s whiskers from touching the edge and getting in the way. Another great design feature is the shape of this bowl. The 6-inch-wide bowl is shallow with raised edges on an elevated base.
The ridges of the pattern inside the bowl are just the right height to allow your cat the challenge of reaching the food, forcing him to use his tongue, and slowing down the meal. The obstacles were designed with rounded edges so that it is not sharp or hard against your kitty’s teeth.
The raised obstacle pattern in the feeder is not very high. It will slow down feeding time, but it won’t pose a significant challenge for your cat.
Do you have a messy eater on your hands? This feeder has a reasonably good grip on the floor because of its solid, stable base. That means it’s less likely to tip over, which means less food all over your floor. (However, depending on your floor surface and your personal preference, you may want to place it on a rubber mat.) The higher edge on the bowl also means food is more likely to stay in the bowl instead of going all over that corner of the room.
If you’re cat’s feeding area in a place visible to guests, you’ll appreciate how beautifully designed this feeder is.
Pros:
• Beautiful design
• A patterned center prevents bloat, indigestion, and overeating
• A wider, shallow bowl prevents whisker fatigue
• Raised base, and shallow bowl, with higher edges make for less mess on the floor
• Made from quality ceramic, which is dishwasher and microwave safe
• The durability of ceramic means you will have this feeder for a long time
• Suitable for both wet and dry food
Cons:
• Dropping this feeder may result in cracks or breakage
• Obstacle pattern in bowl slows eating but doesn’t pose a significant challenge
• May require further non-slip mat under the base
• Somewhat more expensive
Best Value Slow Feeder For Wet Food: Lickimat
Lickimat Casper, Fish-Shaped Cat Slow Feeders Lick Mat
This is our top pick if you want a slow feed bowl that does the trick without having to spend a lot of money.
The general rule for my cats is that his dry food is readily available, with wet food as snacks being fed during the day. You may want to incorporate some proper play during your snack time, which means your cat gets stimulation a few times during the day.
The Lickimat Casper, Fish-Shaped, Cat Slow Feeder Lick Mat is ideal for feeding treats such as canned wet food or the occasional bit of peanut butter. This slow feeder forces your cat to use its tongue to scrape along the ridges of the feeder to access the treats.
This feeder is shallow and lies flat on the floor like a mat, forcing your cat to crouch when eating. When cats hunt down prey in the wild, thy naturally crouches down to enjoy its kill, this feeder encourages your cat to eat in that same position.
The Lickimat also helps to improve your cat’s dental health. Your cat will use its tongue to access the wet food between the textured ridges of the feeder. This licking action helps to scrape old bits of food from between the papillae of your cat’s tongue, reducing bad breath.
In terms of value for money, this slow feeder mat is an excellent option for budget-friendly shoppers.
While this feeder is made from silicone-free, pet-friendly plastic and has a non-slip grip on the floor, you should always supervise your cat during feeding time if he’s prone to chewing on plastics (or possibly even skip this feeder and check out a different one). The Lickimat Tuff version of this feeder is recommended, as its thickness prevents your cat from destroying it.
Pros:
• Very budget friendly
• Non-slip design
Cons:
• It has to be replaced if your cat eats into the plastic and it starts to disintegrate
• Primarily suitable for wet food
Best Interactive Slow Feeder: Catit Senses 2.0 Digger
Catit Senses 2.0 Digger Interactive Cat Toy
Why not make meal time entertaining? The Catit Senses 2.0 Digger is a slow feeder with an emphasis on play. This feeder will encourage your cat to use its wits at dinnertime. The exciting design of this slow feeder forces your cat to use its paws to dig out dry kibble and treats from the different silos of the feeder.
Cats naturally use their paws in the wild to interact with their food. When your little tiger catches prey, it enjoys a bit of playtime before scoffing down the unfortunate victim. Our domesticated cats aren’t used to working that hard for their food.
The slow feeder encourages this kind of behavior, allowing your cat the satisfaction of sniffing out and discovering where the treats are and then enjoy the challenge of scooping them out of the different-sized tubes before being rewarded with a tasty snack.
The rubber base on the feeder’s base ensures that the bowl doesn’t move around on the floor. It’s easy to clean and reassemble. Simply remove the different tubes, wash them with dishwashing liquid, dry them thoroughly, and slot them back into the feeder.
This slow feeder does more than just give your cat a little something fun to do (and save you from having to clean the vomit out of the carpet later). It also engages their sense of sight, touch, smell, hearing, and taste.
Keeping your cats’ minds active is vital as they age. This is a great feeder for snack time if you have multiple kitties. An older cat will also enjoy the benefit of the extra playtime with his snack.
Pros:
• Improves your cats’ dexterity
• Increases mental stimulation
• Easy to clean
• Simple, non-slip design
Cons:
• Only suitable for dry food
Best Slow Feeder For Playtime: All For Paws Puzzle Feeder
All for Paws Interactive Puzzle Cat Feeder
Puzzle slow feeders are an excellent pick if you and your favorite furry friend enjoy playtime together! The highly interactive nature of the All For Paws Puzzle Feeder will provide lots of entertainment for both you and your cat.
The puzzle set comes with different attachments that allow you to create a maze design for your cat to find kibble treats. A great feature is that you can design three different levels of difficulty. You can mix things up so your cat doesn’t get bored, or choose different levels for your different cats. (Kinda like how we teachers differentiate for our students.)
Cats are clever and curious and tend to figure things out quickly. You may find it a delightful pastime to construct different difficulty levels and watch your cats’ curiosity as they figure out what to do.
It’s highly recommended for kittens and much older cats that require some mental stimulation. You’ll need to set up the puzzle feeder, but watching your feline friend figure out how to access the treats can be pretty entertaining.
Pros:
• Three different levels of difficulty
• Allows joint playtime for both you and kitty
• Money back guarantee on Amazon
• Improves dexterity
• Provides mental stimulation
Cons:
• The see-through plastic cover needs to be secured properly
• Your cat may find the challenges too easy or too difficult
• Recommended for dry food only
Best For Larger Cats: Slow Feed Interactive Maze Bowl
Large Size Bamboo Cat Puzzle Feeder
This feeder is designed for larger cats (or small dogs), allowing you to add in more significant portions of food while ensuring that your cat doesn’t consume it all at once. The ridges of the puzzle at the bottom of the bowl are relatively complex, providing a challenge for your big boy.
This slow feeder is made of eco-friendly bamboo fiber and rice husks and is entirely plastic-free. The dimensions are 10.2 by 12.2 by 1.5 inches. It weighs just under 2 pounds. It comes in three different colors: ivory, blue, or purple.
The benefit of the larger slow feeder is that you can add extra food if you spend more time away from the house. You won’t have to worry that your furball will finish all the food once you leave the house.
Pros:
• Easy cleaning
• Primarily suitable for dry but can also serve wet food
• Great for larger cats
Cons:
• Not an elevated design
IRIS USA Slow Feeding Bowl
Slow Feeding Bowl For Short Snouted Pets
This is another effective and budget-friendly food bowl that encourages slow eating. Its unique design includes low-raised insides that cause your kitty to slow down their food intake.
The bowl is made from BPA-free, lead-free plastic with two different size options. The small size holds two cups of food, and the large size holds four cups
Pros:
• Comes in two different sizes
• Has a rubber base to prevent slipping
• Made of safe materials: BPA-free, lead-free plastic
Cons:
• Easy for cats to chew
Features To Look For In Slow Feeders
Here are several things to keep in mind when choosing a slow feeder for your cat.
Versatility
Choose a feeder that will accommodate wet or dry food. Some slow feeders are built for only one type of food, so choose whether you prefer a feeder that will hold dry food or intend to use it only for wet food and other treats.
Design
The design of your slow feeder is also essential; an elevated feeder for dry food feeders and a flat design for wet food are ideal. Your slow feeder should be easy to clean and reassemble should it have multiple parts.
Take note of the complexity of the obstacles at the bottom of the feeder. The more complicated the design, the longer it will take for your cat to access food. You want to slow down your cats’ feeding time, but at the same time, you don’t want to torture your cat and make mealtimes agonizing.
A non-slip, elevated design is recommended to keep your cat comfortable during his longer feeding time. An elevated design will prevent strain on your kitty’s neck and spine.
Materials
When selecting a slow feeder, look for quality materials that are easy to clean, such as ceramic or melamine. If you select a ceramic bowl, check that the puzzle at the bottom is not too raised too high and has rounded ridges that prevent your cat from biting into it and damaging his teeth.
A slow feeder designed with plastic can have the added benefit of providing your cat something to chew on, but be sure that the plastic is not degradable and snaps off. Furthermore, check that plastic feeders are durable, BPA-free, and non-toxic.
It’s recommended that you replace plastic feeders after a while, especially if you notice wear and tear. That said, plastic ridges at the bottom of the feeder can provide a safe way to clean your cat’s tongue.
Be aware that a plastic feeder will start to absorb odors and harbor bacteria over time. This isn’t the kind of material you want around for too long.
What Can I Put In My Cat’s Bowl To Slow Down Eating?
There are also a few do-it-yourself hacks that you can try to slow down the speed at which your cat gulps down his food. Placing obstacles between dry food can add playfulness to feeding times and slow down eating enough to prevent bloating, regurgitation, or indigestion.
Try placing a golf ball or a ping pong ball in your cat’s feeding bowl at the next feeding session. (This works better with dry food kibbles instead of wet food.)
Your cat has to move the balls around with his paws or snout before accessing food. They might also be amused by he sound the ball makes as it bangs around at the bottom of the bowl.
Always use obstacles and toys that are BPA-free and difficult for your cat to chew. You don’t want your kitty ingesting anything harmful.
Are Slow Feeders Good For Cats?
The main benefits of a slow feeder are that it prevents bloating, indigestion, vomiting, and obesity due to overeating. It works by forcing your cat to eat slower. Slow feeders offer a simple solution to the common problem cats have of ingesting too much food too fast.
As I already mentioned, some slow feeders are designed as puzzles, which improves mental stimulation and agility. Choose a slow feeder that helps your cat’s posture because he will spend more time feeding. Over time a slow feeder will result in better digestion and overall health.
You’ll need to get a slow feeder for each of your cats. Having one slow feeder for multiple cats is not advisable because your cats will get in each other’s way, trying to access the food. But don’t feel like you have to buy two of the same exact feeder. A feeder that meets Charlie’s needs might be the best one for Lucy. Maybe Charlie needs more mental stimulation, while Lucy likes to graze and lick her wet food.
Video — DIY Slow Feeder for Cats
If you’re feeling adventurous (or just want to save some money), this video shows you how to make your own slow feeder for you cat using an egg carton and some scissors.
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