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Do you sometimes wonder if your cat even chews their food? Some cats tend to scarf and barf. Swallowing their food so quickly that they don’t correctly chew or digest what they just ate. Rapid eating like that can lead to vomiting, digestive issues, obesity, and in rare cases-choking.
Despite your best efforts of slowing down their eating, sometimes you have to accept that a slow feeder could do it better. Slow feeders encourage cats to work for their food, provide mental stimulation, slow down their eating and hopefully prevent any rapid-eating issues. In addition, this gives you the peace of mind that mealtimes will also be safe for your cat.
My top 3 Cat Slow Feeders
#1: Best For All Types Of Cat Food
Amazon:
#2: Best Cat Slow Feeder Toy
#3: Most Durable Slow Cat Feeder
There are plenty of slow feeders to choose from, but only one stands out amongst the rest. Lickimat Casper Fish Shaped Cat Slow Feeder is the best slow feeder cat mat around. Because of its fun and flexible design and ability to use it with wet or dry food, this tops our list as the best slow feeder cat accessory your cat can get their paws on.
Keep reading to learn about your other options for cat slow feeders and pick the best one for your cat.
Best Cat Food Bowls to Slow Down Eating
Lickimat Casper Fish Shaped Cat Slow Feeder
#1: Best for all types of cat food
Rating: 10/10
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Here’s a fun fact you may not know about cats: repetitive licking can help calm tense nerves. If you’ve got a nervous cat, this may help them in more ways than one. You can choose to use this mat for mealtimes to stop your cat from rapid eating or use it as a treat mat if your feline friend needs entertainment or anxiety relief. In addition, because licking can be soothing to cats, providing them with a mat to lick will discourage them from licking themselves, leading to bald spots.
This slow feeding mat has a soft and flexible design that won’t irritate a cat’s tongue or be too challenging for them to get the food out of. Soft textured nubs on the slow feeder mat also help to clean your cat’s teeth by gently scrubbing them as your cat scrapes up food.
Slow feeder mats are ideal for wet food. Smooth any wet food or treats over the mat, being mindful that you’re evenly filling the spaces between textured nubs. This mat can also be frozen to make meals and treat time last longer. Want even more variety? Sprinkle in some small kibble cat food instead of wet food.
One mat-three ways to enjoy it!
The design of this slow feeding mat can be challenging to clean due to all of the nubs built into it separately. For a more effortless clean, soak the mat after use and remove debris with a bristle brush before washing it in the dishwasher. Use moderately hot water to soak and scrub out bits of food when you’re ready to clean this slow feeder.
Slow feeder mats are an excellent option for slowing down the consumption of wet or dry food. The fact that this doubles as anxiety relief makes it even better. Top it off with the ability to freeze the prepared mat makes this one of the best slow feeder cat accessories out there. Overall, it’s a great cat slow feeder mat at a great price.
This slow feeding ball doubles as a fun toy for cats. It holds ⅔ cup of food at one time, making it ideal for smaller meals throughout the day. In addition, you can keep your cat entertained for longer by adjusting the treat-dispensing openings to increase difficulty. These adjustable openings also allow you to adjust for the size of kibble your cat eats. This is the best slow feeding cat toy for kittens and older cats.
Strong kitties can roll this slow feeder ball on the carpet and hard flooring and even outdoors. Cats can use their heads and paws to move and nudge the feeder, creating a full-body feeding experience that mimics their natural movements in the wild. It’s a toy and feeder in one that combines mental stimulation with meals.
The interactive style of this rolling ball is great for overweight cats. It engages their hunting instincts through chase and reward. As your cat pushes the ball around to release the food, they may end up sending it clear across the room, resulting in more movement on their part to track down each piece of fallen kibble.
For easy cleaning, this slow cat feeder ball is dishwasher safe. No dishwasher? No Problem! This is easy to clean with warm running water and a gentle scrub.
The drawback of this slow feeder ball is that it can be challenging to adjust opening sizes to fit your cat’s kibble. This is especially true when it’s brand new, and all the parts are still firmly intact. However, as you open and close the adjustable opening a few times, it will loosen up and become easier to move when needed. For the price, it’s definitely worth the use your cat will get out of it.
If you have an overweight cat and could use the extra exercise or a young, spry, playful kitten, this is the slow feeder for your cat. It encourages play, incorporates natural hunting instincts, and slows their eating.
Sturdy ceramic gives this bowl slow feeder a nice weight of 1.8 pounds; this isn’t a feeder your kitty will easily tip over. It’s also lead and cadmium free making this a fantastic non-toxic, non-odor choice for slow cat feeders. It’s also microwave and dishwasher safe making it great for meals and easy to clean. The Lorde Slow Feeder Cat Bowl is one of the best slow feeder cat bowls on the market.
This slow feeder helps to slow mealtime eating with multiple raised points in the slow bowl feeder. Your cat will have to work around the ridges, minimizing gulping and choking. You can use it with wet or dry food because of the design. Dry kibble cat food falls nicely around fish-shaped points, and you can effortlessly spread wet food around them.
Eating slowly doesn’t have to look shabby and dull either. This fun and uniquely designed bowl slow feeder is available with fish or fishbone obstacles making it a fun and attractive choice. The all-white color gives it a modern and minimalist feel that looks classy and catty.
The entire design of this slow feeder cat bowl is ceramic, making the fish-shaped ridges just as durable as the rest of the bowl. However, the obstacles ensure that cats bite the points or hit them with their gums. This can lead to chipped teeth or a slight bleed in the gums. This may not be ideal if your cat already has sensitive teeth and gums.
The weight and material of this ceramic slow feeder cat bowl help it from tipping over. If your cat is rougher with their food bowl and eats with gusto, this should hold up to their eating habits. It has a nice and sturdy flat bottom that sits nicely on a non-slip mat. Some cat slow feeders can easily slip and slide-not this one! It’s one of the best slow feeder cat bowls in the lineup.
I’m just going to say it how it is-cats are tiny tigers. Our furry friends have a wild side to them that I’m sure every cat owner has seen. So while your little tiger works up an appetite, this three-tiered tree-shaped slow feeder will fuel them back up.
This slow cat feeder comes with adjustable openings and removable layers, so it’s easy to make this mealtime game more complex as your cat masters its moves. Their regular mealtime turns into an engaging and rewarding playtime through scooting treats down levels and snatching kibbles out with their paws. This is great for kittens as you can adjust it to their needs as they mature.
A sturdy base keeps the feeder from toppling over while your cats paw for morsels. The unique design of this slow cat feeder also includes a spill-free dish to catch the stray kibble and save you the hassle of cleaning up. You can further secure the base/dish by placing it on a non-slip mat (purchased separately).
If your cat follows a linebacker approach and tackles this tree every time he sees food, the puzzle levels may eventually snap off the sturdy base. It’s great for kittens or smaller, more gentle cats. But rough and tough tomcats may need something a little more durable.
As far as fun slow cat feeders go, this is undoubtedly amongst the best cat slow feeders. Combined with its unique tri-level design and adjustable features, it’s a great slow feeder that doubles as a toy. I would recommend this for younger cats or older felines who can play gently with their slow feeders without breaking them.
The sturdy tunnel design of this slow feeder cat bowl requires your cats to pull kibble out with their paws. For fast eaters, this will slow them down considerably. The narrow design is tricky for cats but remains easy to use to avoid getting too frustrated. It’s also easy for a cat’s human companion, you, to use. Simply pour your cat’s kibble through the top of the bowl and put it through the dishwasher after mealtime.
Due to the inherent weight and texture of ceramic bowls in general, even rowdy cats are unlikely to tip over this feeder. There are no extra baubles to chew on, rubber feet to swallow, or pieces to break off– cats will be safe and sound when using this dish. They also won’t easily be able to push it around the house, potentially spilling out the dish’s contents onto the floor.
Cats who are prone to gulping their food will learn dining etiquette by using one paw at a time to scoop out kibble. This method benefits their digestion and keeps cats engaged through rewarding play. However, it requires coordination and effort to retrieve food, making this one of the slow cat feeders that work both their brain and body.
Despite being sturdy and solid, the cat feeder bowl can slide a bit on tile and hardwood floors. You can easily fix this by setting the feeder on a non-slip mat. Depending on where your cat’s mealtimes take place, it may be worth investing in a non-slip mat to keep this bowl securely in place.
This slow feeder cat bowl helps cats who tend to inhale their food. In addition, it encourages them to begin to chew each kibble they catch in the tunnels, and the bowl’s design makes it a fun experience nonetheless.
The designers of this cat feeder are veterinarians who focus on keeping cats healthy and reducing the health issues related to rapid eating. The shorter ridges built into this slow feeder cat bowl make it easier for cats to eat food without getting frustrated at out-of-reach kibbles.
This design engages your cat’s skills in kibble-searching. It qualifies as a toy or food puzzle, which means it’s interesting enough to keep your cat’s attention throughout their meal. In addition, it stops your cat from swallowing their food in one gulp and instead encourages them to seek out tinier bites.
Created with your pet’s health and the planet in mind, bamboo fiber and rice husks create a puzzle structure that’s great for daily use. Just because this is made of plant fiber doesn’t mean they’re any less durable. Wash them on the top rack of your dishwasher after meals to support your cat’s optimum health.
While designed for cats by vets, it seems that short-snouted breeds may have a tough time with this ridged bowl. These breeds may resort to using their paws to get food out or attempt to tip the bowl over.
This should fare well for most common house cats depending on your cat’s breed. It checks all the boxes when it comes to picking out a cat slow feeder; fun design, excellent construction, and it’s relatively easy to clean when needed.
Buying Guide
How to Choose the Best Slow Feeder for Your Cat
A few factors play into choosing an effective slow feeding bowl for your cat. These are durability, easy-cleaning, and how alluring they are to cats.
When it comes to durability, this also includes the weight of the slow cat feeder. Due to the nature of how your cat will interact with the slow feeders, it’s best if it’s a little heavy. Keep in mind your cat will most likely be playing with this slow feeder, pushing it around, and pawing at it. Therefore, the bigger the cat, the more they can manipulate slow feeders, and the heavier it should be.
Being able to clean your cat’s slow feeder is another thing to keep in mind when purchasing one for your cat. As conscientious cat owners, we want the best for our furry feline friends and should be able to present food to them in a clean bowl at each meal. The more nooks and crannies a slow feeder cat bowl has, the more challenging it will be to clean. However, if it’s dishwasher safe, you can rest assured your slow feeder choice is easy to clean.
Since cat slow feeders engage your cat in their meal and slow down their eating, it must be something your cat will use. Considering cats intrinsically hunt for their food and will play-hunt for fun, having a slow feeder that appeals to them in this way is essential. Try to look for something that doubles as an exciting toy.
FAQ
What are the Benefits of a Slow Feeder?
Besides the apparent elimination of choking hazards, cat slow feeders help your cat eat at a more reasonable pace. In addition, this slower consumption rate can help remedy digestive issues and weight problems.
Often, when a cat eats too quickly, they take in a lot of extra air along with their unchewed food. This excess of air in their digestive system can cause bloating, gas, and a tummy ache. If you experience bloating, you’ll know how uncomfortable that sensation can be; your cat feels the same.
It also encourages them to play more.
Using their natural skills to hunt their food. Cats would hunt, and sometimes play with, food in the wild. Cat slow feeders mimic that experience for indoor kitties and allow them to flex their hunting prowess. This is especially great for kittens who are still full of spunk and see every opportunity as a chance to play. This may bring out their more playful, youthful side if your cat is older.
Cats that have difficulty moderating their food intake on their own could also see some weight loss as a side effect of having a slow feeder. This is to reason that if your cat typically eats their food before realizing if they’re even still hungry, slow feeder bowls can counteract that. Eating slower will enable your cat to pause and recognize if they’re still hungry or not. If they’re not exceptionally hungry, they may decide to excuse themselves early from mealtime with food left for later.
Can You Use Wet Food in Cat Slow Feeders?
Yes, but it depends on the type of cat slow feeder. Some cat slow feeders are better able to handle dry food than wet. This appears in the product description. You can put dry food in bowls and wet food on mats as a general rule of thumb. However, it’s worth noting that wet food may be significantly harder to clean out of slow feeder bowls if not for that food style.
Are Cat Slow Feeders Safe?
Yes! Slow feeders are perfectly safe as long as they are a non-toxic material. In addition, cat slow feeders help slow down speedy eaters and add a touch of fun to meals. Even if your cat isn’t a quick eater, they may still enjoy the brain puzzle of working out how to retrieve food from the toy, bowl, or mat.
Final Thoughts
Instead of letting your cat swallow their food whole and yack it up on your new shoes later, pick up one of these cat slow feeders.
Your cat will be better off for it, with fewer digestive issues or choking risks. In addition, you will pull out your hair a little less, with cat vomit becoming non-existent in your home.
Slow feeder bowls are an excellent accessory for any mealtime and any cat of any age or breed. So, it’s time to toss your old bowls and pick out one from our roundup above!
