Outward Hound swears by it—do slow feeders really stop bloat in big-dog stomachs?

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Why Some Bowls Aren’t Just Bowls: Slow Feeders, Bloat, and Big-Dog Dining

There I was, mid-kibble crunch, when my hooman shouted, "Slow down, you're not in a race!" Pfft. Joke's on her—I was winning. But here's the thing, fast eating isn’t just rude (or glorious, depending how you look at it), it can be risky—especially for our big-chested, bloat-prone brethren.

Nearly 1 in 5 deep-chested dogs, including Rotties (yes, me and my fine clan), risk bloat—a scary condition that can take a kibble-powered joyfest and turn it into an emergency vet sprint. So the question is: do slow feeder bowls really help... or are they just fancy maze plates made to make us work for our snacks?

What Is Bloat—and Why Should You Care?

Bloat, or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus for the vet crowd, is as serious as it sounds. It’s when the stomach fills with gas or food and twists on itself. Not fun. No snack is worth that drama.

The signs? Trying to vom without success, swollen belly, restlessness, panting like you just chased five roos while wearing a thunder jacket. It can hit fast and hit hard—and large breed hoomans, if you’ve ever felt that icy curl in your gut after feeding time, you probably already know.

Enter the Slow Feeder Bowl—Saviour or Fancy Dishware?

These bowls aren’t just pretty—they mess with our eating mission (in a good way). Take Outward Hound’s Fun Feeder. The ridges, swirls, and sneaky curves mean we have to work for each piece of kibble like it’s an Easter egg hunt. Frustrating? Slightly. Effective? Absolutely.

• Slows down eating by up to 10x (confirmed by my growling stomach and vet charts).
• Reduces risks of bloat and regurgitation.
• Engages our brains like a good sniff walk—and keeps us out of trouble (temporarily).
• BPA, PVC, and phthalate free—whatever those are, hoomans say they’re bad.

And you know what? I’m not above saying it’s kind of fun. Like sniffing treats in tall grass, but messier. Plus, the non-slip base means no more bowl gymnastics across the kitchen floor.

“Since swapping to a slow feeder, we’ve seen a huge reduction in gas and no more terrifying bloat episodes.” – Max’s mum from dog group

Is It Foolproof? Well, That Depends on the Fool

Now, hoomans, just because you toss kibble into a colourful maze doesn’t mean all’s fixed. Slow feeders reduce the risk of bloat, but they’re not a magic shield. It’s part of the playbook—not the whole match.

Add these to your routine so your big beasties truly dine safe, not sprint:

• Separate feeding if you’ve got a whole pack (no need to race littermates).
• No rough play or zoomies straight after chow time—save that energy for post-digestion tail wags.
• Elevated feeders? Only if they’ve been recommended by your vet. The jury’s still out on those.
• Feed two smaller meals instead of one giant belly bomb.

Some pups are food vacuums. Others treat every biscuit like a fine wine tasting. For the chow-missiles? Outward Hound’s Fun Feeder is a game changer. It challenges your dog’s brain, keeps their belly calmer, and looks kind of fun on the floor if you’re into bright patterns.

Do They Really Work... Or Are We Just Pacified?

Mate, I’ll be honest—I tried going back to my old bowl once. Total mistake. Hoovered a full serve in under 30 seconds, burped like a freight train, and then laid on my side like a bloated sea lion. Never again. With the Fun Feeder, it takes me a whole five minutes. Some say that’s patience. I say it’s survival.

Disclaimer again because I’m a good dog: If you click on these links and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Mum says I'm special but I have to pay my way... so thanks for the help high paw.. Thor! Linky again for my fave feeder: Outward Hound Fun Feeder

Hoomans, I’m not saying a bowl is going to fix everything. But if feeding time feels like a race and leaves you with a belly full of dread, a little puzzle at mealtime might just be the smartest toy you ever bought. Sometimes prevention doesn’t look like a dramatic intervention—it looks like a wobbly, peanut butter-smeared slow bowl on your kitchen floor.

Big dogs need respect—and respectful feeding starts with slowing the heck down.

Until next belly rumble,
Thor 🐾

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