Buying guide for Best slow feed cat bowls
Does your cat seem to devour each meal as fast as you dish it out? While we certainly want our feline friends to have a healthy appetite, gobbling grub at lightning speed can cause problems. Not only can rapid eating put Fluffy on a fast track to obesity, but it also frequently results in food being regurgitated minutes later. If you're concerned about your cat's speedy eating habits, a slow feed cat bowl could be the solution.
Slow feed cat bowls come in a variety of designs, many of which actively encourage cats to "hunt" for their food. This innovative approach to mealtime delivers the two-fold benefit of slowing your cat's eating pace while providing mental stimulation at the same time. Some slow feed cat bowls are more challenging to eat from than others, so be sure to keep your cat's personality and paw size in mind while you shop. Other important considerations include size and capacity, materials, and wet/dry food compatibility.
If you need help choosing the best option for your kitty, our in-depth guide to slow feed cat bowls, and recommendations, will point you in the right direction.
Key considerations
Types of slow feeders for cats
Slow feeders for cats come in four basic styles: slow feed bowls, slow feed lick mats, puzzle feeders, and automatic feeders. Keep your cat's disposition, food type, and lifestyle needs in mind as you browse through the various options. It will help you find the best fit for your feline.
Slow feed bowls: These generally consist of either a flat dish with a series of raised ridges spread over the surface, or a dome-like dish with paw-size openings positioned around the dome. Some flat dishes have deep ridges that require felines to fish out little bits of food at a time using only their paws. Others have shallower ridges that allow cats to simply eat around the pattern. Dome-shaped bowls have a center cavity for food and openings in the dome, inviting cats to reach in and pull out their "catch."
Slow feed lick mats: Lick mats are made of flexible silicone and consist of a flat, mat-like structure with a shallow ridge pattern on the surface. This unobtrusive design allows cats to simply lap up their meals. Because these slow feeders don't require any pawing or picking, they're most effective when paired with wet food or lickable cat treats. Most slow feed lick mats have suction cups to keep them from sliding and can easily be attached to any smooth, nonporous surface.
Puzzle feeders: As the name implies, cat puzzle feeders require some intelligence and cunning to master. Available in a host of interesting designs ranging from multilevel food trees to little balls that dispense food while your cat plays, puzzle feeders appeal to your feline's innate hunting instincts, making one an excellent choice for indoor cats in need of mental and physical stimulation. With that said, puzzle feeders aren't every cat's bag of catnip. If your kitty is impatient, physically impaired, or even just hopelessly lazy, it might be a good idea to pass up the puzzle feeder in favor of something a little less challenging.
Automatic feeders: While automatic cat feeders don't call for much effort from your cat, they can still give you some control over the volume of food ingested in one sitting. The best automatic cat feeders allow you to adjust the portion size and dispensing frequency as necessary. Needless to say, this setup can be ideal for busy pet parents who would otherwise be forced to resort to free-feeding (leaving food out for cats to eat at will) when they’re away from home.
Size and capacity
The average slow feed cat bowl holds one generous portion for a single diner. If you have multiple cats who are accustomed to eating together, consider choosing a larger bowl so your extended feline family can continue to enjoy their meals together. Either way, it's always a good idea to check the total food capacity of any slow feed cat bowl to ensure it's able to accommodate your desired amount of food.
Food compatibility
Even the best slow feed cat bowl won't be much help if it's filled with the wrong kind of food. Although most manufacturers specify wet or dry food compatibility somewhere on the box or in the product description, a quick look at the bowl's design and ridge pattern can also help you identify whether it's a good fit for your cat's food type.
Dry food: As a rule of thumb, deeper ridge patterns or anything that requires cats to use their paws are best suited to dry food.
Wet food: Bowls or mats with shallow ridges that allow for licking should be reserved for wet food or runny treats.
Wet and dry food: Bowls with widely spaced ridges can be used for both wet and dry food as long as your cat is able to fit its snout between obstacles without getting poked in the face.
Materials
Slow feed cat bowls are typically made of plastic, silicone, or ceramic. Plastic is an exceedingly popular choice, not only for its affordability but also because it can easily be molded into a wide variety of shapes. Although most cats do just fine with plastic, it can cause acne breakouts in some felines. If you think your cat might have a plastic allergy, consider choosing something made of ceramic or silicone. Of course, there's always the possibility of breakage when using ceramic bowls, but if you're concerned about sensitivities or bacterial buildup, it's well worth the risk.
Some clever kitties quickly figure out how to tip over their slow feed bowl. If tactics like this are right up your cat's alley, a hefty ceramic bowl or a model with suction cups should thwart Fluffy's plans.
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Features
Nonskid base
Because most slow feed cat bowls call for a paws-on approach to mealtimes, they're far more likely to end up sliding around on hard surfaces than their run-of-the-mill counterparts. A nonskid base or suction cups will help keep your cat's bowl in place while she works at getting her food out. If you feed your cat on the counter, this is one feature you definitely won't want to overlook.
Integrated water bowl
A handful of slow feed cat bowls come with a water bowl attached. While this configuration works in theory (and in practice when used with regular bowls), your cat could very well end up dropping her hard-earned kibble into the water. Unless it comes attached to a lick mat or a bowl with a shallow ridge pattern that allows your cat to eat without scooping food out first, we recommend giving food-and-water-bowl combos a miss.
Colors
Slow feed cat bowls come in a wide variety of colors. While Fluffy probably doesn't care too much about the color of her bowl, choosing something that blends well with your color scheme or other pet accessories certainly doesn't hurt.
DID YOU KNOW?
If your cat's diet consists primarily of wet food, simply serving smaller portions and increasing meal frequency can be helpful.
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Accessories
Water fountain: PetSafe Drinkwell Pagoda Pet Fountain
Getting enough water is vital to your cat's digestive and overall health. A pet water fountain will ensure that every sip is always crisp, clean, and refreshing.
Cat probiotics: Nutramax Laboratories PROVIABLE-DC Probiotics for Cats
Giving your cat a suitable probiotic can help improve gut health, aid digestion, and boost immunity.
Interactive cat toys: Friends Forever Interactive Cat Laser Toy
Playing with toys can help alleviate boredom, a common cause of overeating in indoor cats. Having a tough time motivating a flabby feline? Interactive cat toys like this one often prove irresistible.
Slow feed cat bowl prices
Inexpensive
Regular slow feed bowls made of plastic and silicone lick mats start at $6 to $10.
Mid-range
Silicone lick mats in packs of two, large regular slow feed bowls, and some puzzle feeders can be purchased for around $10 to $20.
Expensive
Want only the very best for your feline prince or princess? Ceramic slow feed cat bowls, elaborate and entertaining puzzle feeders, and automatic cat feeders will set you back anywhere from $20 to $40.
“Scarfing and barfing” generally occurs when large amounts of dry food are ingested too quickly and swell to an unmanageable size in the stomach.
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Tips
- Choose an appropriate option for your cat's paw size. If your cat is larger than average, its paws might be too big to fit through the gaps in regular slow feeder bowls. Think your kitty might have trouble reaching the food? Consider choosing a model with widely spaced ridges, large side openings, or a shallow ridge pattern that allows cats to eat directly from the bowl.
- Feed your cats in separate rooms. Stress is a common cause of speedy eating in cats. If you have multiple cats or other pets who might cause anxiety during mealtimes (we're looking at you, Fido), try feeding your felines in separate rooms.
- Opt for a feeder that's easy to clean. Reaching in between ridges or inside a dome-shaped bowl for a thorough cleaning can be a challenge. Of course, you could always whip out an old toothbrush, but when it comes to hassle-free cleaning, a dishwasher-safe model is hard to beat.
- Give your cat time to adjust. Making the transition from a regular bowl to a slow feeder can be difficult for some cats. Try filling it with your feline's favorite food and give it some time to learn the ins and outs of using the new bowl before you consider replacing it with a different model.
FAQ
Q. Will a slow feed bowl help my cat lose weight?
A. Yes. Wolfing down food doesn't give your cat's stomach much time to signal the brain that it's full. Reducing the speed at which your cat eats solves this problem, and most felines will automatically eat less than they used to. However, exercise is also important, so be sure to crack open your kitty's toy box to encourage physical activity as well.
Q. What's the best option for stubborn or lazy cats?
A. If your kitty is particularly stubborn or impatient, you certainly won't want to serve up its supper in a miniature replica of the Labyrinth of Crete. Opting for a simpler model, such as a dome-shaped slow feeder, can help reduce frustration and bolster your cat's "hunting" confidence.
Q. Can my cat use a slow feed bowl made for dogs?
A. Many slow feed bowls are suitable for both cats and dogs. However, models that are designed for large dogs or simple slow feed dog bowls might not pose much of a challenge for your cat. If you're interested in a slow feed dog bowl, it's a good idea to take a closer look at the ridge pattern and size specs before you buy.
