If your dog gulps down their food like it’s a race, you’re not alone — and as someone who’s been raw feeding in both the US and Germany since 2015, I’ve seen firsthand how fast eaters can struggle with digestion, even on a fresh diet.
For anyone who doesn’t know me yet – I’m Barbara, and I started making my own raw dog food in 2016 back when my pup Missy had just gotten treated for cancer.
Later, I became a certified raw dog food nutrition specialist in 2020 through Dogs Naturally Magazine and then I started working for German raw dog food brand BARFER’S in 2024.
Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of new raw feeders learn how to feed the dog in front of them — and one tool I often recommend for fast eaters is a slow feeder.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
FeeDoo Slow Feeder Bowl
✅ Sizes 1.5 -3 cups
✅ Ground or chunked food
✅ 10 % off with J38HGB6X through 03/26
Because here’s the thing – they’ve helped me slow my pups Missy’s, her brother Buzz’s and now Wally’s and Pepper’s eating down because they space out their food and make it harder to get to it.
So over the years, I’ve tried a few different ones.
They include both silicone slow feeders and 2 stainless steel options.
Best part: They’re ALL dishwasher-safe, so clean up is super easy (assuming you have a dishwasher!). And while I do recommend you feed your pup raw dog food, these slow feeders obviously also work for kibble and wet dog food.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Silicone Tray w/ lid
✅ Flexible
✅ Easy storage
✅ For ground meals
Slow Feed Insert
✅ Easy to lift
✅ Safe & flexible
✅ Works w/ RMBs
KONG Toys
✅ Sturdy
✅ For ground meals
✅ Fun beyond meals
Quick Dog Slow Feeder Comparison
- Silicone ice cube trays: Best for ground raw meals
- Kong rubber toys: Best for ground raw meals
- Outward Hound Hard Plastic Slow Feeder Bowl: Best for ground & chunked raw meals (and great for whole fish)
- FeeDoo Slow Feeder Dog Bowls: Works for ground raw & large chunks (like necks & whole fish)
- Mighty Paw Silicone Slow Feed Insert: Best for ground & chunked raw meals (works great for whole fish)
- AIPERRO Stainless Steel Slow Feeder: Best for ground & chunked raw meals (including whole fish)
- LickiMat Buddy & LickiMat Slomo: Best for ground raw meals & mashed fish
- West Paw Zogoflex Toppl: Best for ground raw meals
In case you’re new to the blog, just like his predecessors Missy & Buzz, my pups Wally and Pepper are raw-fed and eat about 70% homemade raw dog food and 30% pre-made raw meals.
I buy premade grinds whenever I can get a deal on them.
Now, I will say that Wally and Pepper take their time whenever they’re eating my own, non-ground, meals because they feature larger cuts of meat as well as whole raw meaty bones.
But their eating speed increases drastically when their bowl feature ground meat.
Whenever that’s the case, both pups inhale their food like they haven’t eaten in days!
So below, I’ll share details about the 8 slow feeder bowls I briefly listed above.
My Favorite 8 Dog Slow Feeders
Ok, now on to the fun part!
I’m happy to report that I’ve managed to find 8 dog slow feeders that make Wally and Pepper eat their raw dog food – well, more slowly:
- First, a simple ice cube tray
- Next, a stuffable KONG toy
- Followed by 4 slow feeder bowls
- Also, LickiMats
- Last but not least: The Toppl
Tip: They also work for kibble and wet dog food, but I obviously only use them for raw dog food.
Check out my dog slow feeder playlist on YouTube to see them in action!
Dog Slow Feeder #1: AUSSUA Ice Cube Trays
I found these particular ice cube trays on Amazon, priced at around US$8-10.00 for a set of two.
Features & benefits of the ice cube trays:
- BPA-free: Keeps your dog safe from harmful chemicals, so you can feed with peace of mind.
- Made of food-grade silicone: Gentle on your dog’s teeth and gums, yet durable enough for daily use.
- They come with lids: Perfect for prepping meals ahead of time or storing leftovers without any mess.
- Dishwasher-safe: Easy to clean and sanitize — saves you time and effort after every meal.
Silicone ice cube trays
✅ Safe & durable
✅ Easy to clean
✅ 2 pack w/ lids
Tip: They also work great to store ground secreting organs in the freezer.
Secreting organs are an essential part of raw dog food, but some dogs are super picky and won’t eat them whole.
So what you can do is simply pop one or two out come feeding time and add them to your dog’s raw meal.
Dog Slow Feeder #2: KONG Toys
These are the slow feeders I’ve been familiar with the longest!
I got them for my pups Missy and Buzz mostly for entertainment purposes during the hot summer months way back in 2012.
They’re thick rubber dog toys made in the USA that can be filled with food, and Missy and Buzz loved going to town on them.
Especially when I popped them into the freezer overnight. That makes them last extra long – we’re talking an average of 30 minutes!
Of course I also bought Wally and Pepper a few Kongs.
A set of large KONG toys retails on Amazon for around $25.00, but any good pet retail store carries them.
Features & benefits of the KONGs:
- Made of natural, non-toxic rubber: Safe for your dog to chew on and tough enough to handle even strong chewers.
- Can be filled: Keeps your dog busy and mentally stimulated — just stuff with raw dog food, pumpkin puree, or peanut butter for a rewarding challenge
- Also work as bouncy fetch toys: Adds extra fun to playtime and helps your dog burn physical energy in a healthy way.
- Dishwasher-safe: Quick and easy to clean, so it’s always ready for the next round of chewing or play.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Black KONG Extreme
✅ For strong chewers
✅ Can be filled & frozen
✅ Easy to clean
Red KONG Classic
✅ For medium chewers
✅ Can be filled & frozen
✅ Easy to clean
Pink KONG Puppy
✅ For soft chewers
✅ Can be filled & frozen
✅ Easy to clean
Dog Slow Feeder #3: Outward Hound Slow Feeder Bowl
I can also fill a regular raw dog food meal into slow feeder dog bowls.
For example, the Outward Hound Slow Feeder Bowl.
I have the medium size bowl, which is large enough for me to put some smaller raw meaty bones and whole fish in there.
For example, duck wings or feet, herring, as well as smaller cuts of raw meat and / or puréed veggies.
This slow feeder is available on Amazon and retails for around US$10.99. That’s for the medium size. It’s also available in small.
Features & benefits of the Outward Hound Slow Feeder:
- Lead-free: Safe for your dog to eat from every day — no toxic metals or harmful residues.
- Non-slip base: Keeps the bowl in place, so your dog can focus on eating instead of chasing it around the floor.
- Food-safe materials: Gives you peace of mind knowing every meal is served from a hygienic, pet-safe surface.
- Dishwasher-safe: Makes cleanup quick and easy, which saves you time after every meal.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Medium Slow Feeder Bowl
✅ Challenging ridges
✅ Holds ground & small meat chunks
✅ Easy to clean
Dog Slow Feeder #5: FeeDoo Slow Feeder Dog Bowl (Stainless Steel)
I found the FeedDoo slow feeder when I was browsing Amazon for larger slow feeders for my growing Lab puppy Pepper. Having said that, I bought the 3 cup version, but they come in different sizes (1.5 cups, 2 cups, 2.5 cups).
Features of the Slow Feeder:
- Made of food-grade stainless steel: Safe, hygienic, and easy to clean — so every meal stays fresh and bacteria-free.
- Durable 304 stainless steel: Built to last for years of daily use without rusting, cracking, or absorbing odors.
- Non-slip dog bowl: Stays put while your dog eats, which prevents spills and keeps mealtime mess-free.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
FeeDoo Slow Feeder Bowl
✅ Sizes 1.5 -3 cups
✅ Slows eating
✅ Dishwasher-safe
Dog Slow Feeder #5: Mighty Paw Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
The Mighty Paw slow feeder bowl is made of silicone and can either be inserted into an existing 7″ diameter dog bowl or used on its own.
I was introduced to it back when I worked for the brand.
Since it fits perfectly into my medium size Yeti’s Boomer 4 dog bowl (I have the Nordic Blue), I LOVE combining them!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mighty Paw Slow Feed Insert
✅ Works alone or in 7″ bowl
✅ Challenging ridges that bend
✅ Easy to clean
It’s available on Amazon for around US$15, features 6 silicone waves and comes in one size.
Features & benefits of the Slow Feeder Dog Bowl:
- BPA-free silicone: Safe and toxin-free, so you can feed your dog without worrying about harmful chemicals.
- Quick pull paw tab: Makes it easy to grab, lift, or unstick the feeder — even with messy hand
- Dishwasher-safe: Cleaning is effortless — just pop it in the dishwasher after mealtime.
- Enough space for RMBs like wings, ribs, feet and necks: Perfect for raw feeders who want to include larger meaty bones without crowding the bowl.
Dog Slow Feeder #6: AIPERRO Slow Feeder Dog Bowl (Stainless Steel)
The AIPERRO slow feeder dog bowl is made of stainless steel and has 4 raised bumps to slow dogs down when they’re eating.
I found it while browsing Amazon for dog slow feeders, and really liked the simple look! It works great for my Feist mix Wally, and also slowed my greedy Labrador puppy Pepper down during her first 5 months!
That said, it’s available in two different sizes and retails for around $25.
Features & benefits of the AIPERRO slow feeder:
- Made of food-grade stainless steel: Safe, hygienic, and rust-resistant
- Non-slip base: Keeps the bowl steady, so your dog can enjoy meals without pushing it around.
- Dishwasher-safe: Quick to clean and sanitize, which saves you time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
AIPERRO Slow Feeder Bowl
✅ 4 raised bumps
✅ Holds ground & chunked meat
✅ Easy to clean
Dog Slow Feeder #7: LickiMat Buddy & LickiMat Slomo
The Licki Mats retail for around US$17.00 each.
They work great for Wally’s and Pepper’s ground raw meals, and the two I have are the:
Obviously, this only works for ground meats including ground bone and no larger cuts of meat.
But it does work for whole pieces of fish since fish is so mushy.
Tip: I use a fork for the fish and a spoon for the ground meat.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LickiMat Buddy
✅ Soothing licking
✅ Can be frozen
✅ Easy to clean
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LickiMat Slomo
✅ Pockets & bumps
✅ Can be frozen
✅ Easy to clean
Features & benefits of the LickiMat Buddy Tuff:
- BPA-and silicone free, food-grade rubber: Safe for your dog and built to last — no weird smells, no toxins, just durable, chew-friendly material you can trust.
- Non-slip rubber feet: Keeps the feeder right where you set it, even when your pup’s enthusiasm takes over at mealtime.
Features & benefits of the LickiMat Slomo (same as the Buddy, plus):
- Different size bumps and pockets: Fits both ground meats and small meat chunks.
I think that the pockets were originally intended for kibble, but they actually work nicely for smaller chunks of meat as well (think 1/2 chicken heart size).
What Can I Put In A Licki Mat?
As far as what to put on a LickiMat, the sky is the limit!
You can put anything on there your pup likes and usually eats.
If you’re not quite ready to feed raw dog food, here are some ideas of what you can put on a Licki Mat:
- Baby food
- Plain yogurt
- Peanut butter
- Pumpkin purée
- Puréed veggies
- Canned sardines
- Mashed plain sweet potato
- Mashed banana or strawberry
The picture below features plain goat yogurt sprinkled with kelp, and this particular LickiMat went into the freezer for a refreshing doggie summer snack!
Raw feeders like myself can put any of the following on the LickiMat:
- Premade raw dog food
- Ground muscle meat
- Ground raw meaty bone
- Ground secreting organs
- Puréed plant matter
- Mashed raw fish
The picture above features:
- Goat yogurt
- Rosehip powder
- Seaweed powder mix
- Complete ground rabbit
- Ground turkey muscle meat
Dog Slow Feeder #8: West Paw Zogoflex Toppl
The West Paw Zogoflex Toppl is made of durable plastic in Bozeman, Montana, USA!
It has a wide opening with multiple ridges on the bottom to slow dogs down when they’re eating.
It’s available in 5 different colors: Aqua Blue, Black, Candy Cane, Granny Smith & Tangerine and 3 different sizes: Small, Large & X-Large.
I have the Large Granny Smith for the pups and have tested it both with frozen raw meat and with fresh raw meat.
When I fill it with thawed raw meat, it takes them a good 6 minutes to get to all of his food. And while it obviously lasts longer frozen, it doesn’t last as long as a frozen KONG.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Zogoflex Toppl Slow Feeder
✅ 5 ridges
✅ Can be frozen
✅ Easy to clean
The price depends on its respective size:
- Small $20.95: It measures 2.5″ x 3″ and holds 1/4 cup
- Large $25.95: It measures 3.5″ x 4″ and holds 3/4 cup
- X-Large $29.95: It measures 3.75″ x 4.75″ and holds 1 3/4 cup
Features & benefits of the Toppl slow feeder:
- Made of BPA-free plastic: Completely safe for your dog to chew, lick, and play with — no harmful chemicals, just sturdy fun.
- Dishwasher-safe: Easy cleanup after every use — just toss it in the dishwasher and you’re done.
What Happens If A Dog Eats Too Fast? Bloat Explained
Now that I’ve shared several slow feeders with you, I want to talk about why it can be problematic when dogs eat too fast.
First of all, they can throw up their food.
While that’s mostly gross, it can also cause bloat.
Bloat is a serious condition where the stomach fills with gas.
Unfortunately, it’s usually fatal if the dog’s stomach ends up twisting on itself and doesn’t get treated by a vet right away.
According to integrative veterinarian Dr. Becker, bloat has a 30% mortality rate.
So when you notice any of the symptoms listed below in your pooch, it’s better to be safe than sorry and head to your vet or closest emergency vet.
Signs of Bloat
- Bloated belly
- Abdominal pain
- Unproductive retching
- Pale gums
- State of shock
- Shallow rapid breathing
- Lethargy
Keeping that in mind, the following breeds are particularly prone to bloat:
- Great Danes
- Saint Bernards
- Boxers
- Weimaraners
- Irish Setters
- Gordon Setters
- Standard Poodles
- Basset Hounds
- Dobermans
- Mastiffs
- Olde English Sheephounds
- German Shorthaired Pointers
- Newfoundslands
- German Shepherds
But any dog regardless of their breed can get bloat.
Did you know? Most kibble can contribute to bloat!
That’s because it’s high in carbs which are fermentable and cause gas.
If the gas gets trapped within the body, the risk of bloat occurs.
How Do Dog Slow Feeders Work at Slowing Down a Dog’s Eating?
Dog food puzzles are designed specifically to slow down a dog’s eating pace by engaging a dog’s natural foraging instincts.
How so?
Well, the dog has to figure out how to maneuver their snout and tongue around obstacles to access their food.
As you saw in the slow feeders I mentioned above, these obstacles can be ridges, circles and bumps that are built into the slow feeder.
They make it more challenging for them to access their food by:
- Spacing it out
- Making access to it trickier
How to Use Dog Slow Feeders
All I have to do is scoop Wally’s and Pepper’s raw dog food into the ice cube trays, KONGs, slow feeder bowls or LickiMats and serve!
I can freeze the trays, KONGs, the LickiMats and the Toppl overnight or at least for a few hours. That way, they’ll last even longer.
That said, the frozen KONGs last the pups about 30 minutes.
They empty the frozen ice cube trays in about 2-3 minutes and need about 1.5 minutes if they didn’t go into the freezer.
That’s the same amount of time they need to empty the Outward Hound Slow Feeder.
For the LickiMats, it takes them about 3-5 minutes.
UNLESS I freeze the LickiMats – at that point, they sta busy for about 15-20 minutes. For the Toppl, theyneeds about 15 minutes to finish it once it’s frozen.
Overall a drastic difference in time needed to finish their raw dog food compared to when it’s simply served in a bowl!
How To Clean A KONG Dog Toy & Other Slow Feeders
Here’s another awesome fact about KONGs and the other slow feeders I mentioned – they’re all dishwasher-safe!
So once your pup’s done eating, you can just pop them into the dishwasher.
Easy peasy!
Do Dog Slow Feeders Also Provide Mental Stimulation?
When dogs navigate the “obstacles”, they turn their problem-solving skills on and improve their focus and concentration.
That’s particularly beneficial for dogs that are prone to boredom related behavior like destructive chewing.
Obviously, the level of mental stimulation provided by a slow feeder varies depending on the design and complexity of the specific feeder.
But either way, they all help alleviate boredom and provide a form of enrichment.
In a nutshell, dogs who have to figure out how to get to their food are challenged on a cognitive level which entertains them.
I love offering them as a distraction during thunderstorms, fireworks and when I need quiet time in my home office.
So yes, dog food puzzles like slow feeders provide mental stimulation!
Why My Dogs Eat Their Ground Raw Dog Food So Fast
I can only speculate as to why Wally and Pepper inhale their ground raw dog food.
My guess is that it has to do with their opportunistic doggie nature.
Wild dogs and wolves have to hunt for their own meals and don’t necessarily get lucky every single day.
So when they manage to capture their prey, they dig in since they can’t be sure when the next meal will come their way.
Another reason that seems plausible to me is that the ground food simply enables fast eating.
I mean, it doesn’t require the pups to chew, which they have to do when I put my own meals together.
That’s particularly true for raw meaty bones.
Wally & Pepper Take Their Time Eating Raw Meaty Bones as Part of Their Raw Dog Food
Wally is really good about eating his raw meaty bones (RMBs) slowly. So is Pepper.
If you’re new to the concept of raw dog food and raw meaty bones, I suggest you hold one end of the RMB and let your dog start crunching on the other end.
That way, you ensure that your dog doesn’t swallow the bone whole without having crunched down on it a few times.
It also teaches your dog polite manners around food items he considers to be of high value.
I assure you RMBs fall into that category!
It also teaches him that it’s perfectly acceptable and normal that a human touches his food.
From my kitchen to yours – real raw meals that work
Want to make raw feeding easier (and feel more confident doing it)?
Get my 10 balanced raw dog food recipes delivered straight to your inbox –
2 copy-and-paste recipes per day for 5 days – and learn the exact ingredient combos and portion tricks I use to build healthy raw meals.
Start today, recipes #1 & 2 arrive in 60 seconds.
Free 5-day email series for raw feeders. No spam – unsubscribe anytime.
Dog Slow Feeders: Bottom Line
Dog slow feeders work(ed) well to slow down all of my pups when eating their raw dog food.
The ice cube trays, KONGs, Slow Feeders, LickiMats and the Toppl work wonders for this purpose, and clean up is a breeze since all are dishwasher safe.
Fun Fact: When I surveyed my K9s fans in an Instagram story, they told me that 44% use dog slow feeders to slow down their dog’s eating.
What about you? Do you use a slow feeder for you pup(s)?
Leave your comments or questions in the comment section below!
Related Reading:
- Resources
- Surfaces for raw dog food
- Dog slow feeder video playlist
- How to calm dogs during fireworks
- How to keep raw dog food affordable
- 5 established raw feeders offer advice for beginners
- What to do when your dog is scared of thunderstorms
- Most unique dog food puzzles: The Wooly Snuffle Mat
- Why do dogs regurgitate raw dog food & easy solutions
Barbara Rivers is the founder of K9sOverCoffee and a raw feeding educator with over a decade of hands-on experience.
She has fed raw in the US and Europe since 2015, after her Boxer mix Missy’s cancer diagnosis led her to move away from processed kibble and commit to species-appropriate nutrition.
As a former professional dog walker, she developed deep insight into canine behavior, conditioning, and the essential link between proper exercise and long-term health.
Barbara completed online training with veterinarian Dr. Marion Smart and Labrador breeder Dana Scott and works for one of Germany’s leading raw dog food brands, BARFER’S.
In 2026–2027, she is completing a year-long raw nutrition certification for dogs and cats at THP School, founded by raw feeding pioneer Swanie Simon.
Through her blog and weekly newsletter, she provides clear, experience-based guidance to help dog owners feed raw safely and confidently.