Are you looking for ways to ensure your dog stays busy and happy during mealtime?
Then you should consider buying an interactive dog feeder. Interactive dog bowls will occupy your dog’s mind while also providing him/her with food or treats. The market offers a variety of interactive bowls and feeders so I have chosen five that I think you should consider buying.
Things To Know About Interactive Dog Feeders & Bowls
What Is An Interactive Dog Feeder?
Interactive dog feeders and bowls usually come in the shape of a food bowl that has patterns inside which gives your dog a challenge while it is eating food out of it. This maze-like pattern stimulates your dog’s brain so it doesn’t get easily bored while eating. Dogs are very curious creatures by nature so keeping their brains working is important to keep them happy and healthy. There are also different kinds of puzzle bowls and feeders to the ones that look like bowls. They look like toys that have treats hidden inside so your dog has to work their way around it to access the treats.
What Do Interactive Dog Feeders & Bowls Do?
If your dog is left by itself and it gets boring, there is a big chance it will chew on something they shouldn’t be chewing on, such as furniture or power cables. To prevent this from happening, the pet supply market has come up with a great idea to keep your dog busy and entertain it when it gets lonely. If you have a puppy that is teething. interactive dog bowls will help as well. For dogs that eat too fast, interactive dog bowls are a great solution to slowing them down during mealtime. When dog parents are busy, this is also good to keep the dog from feeling lonely and forgotten.
What To Look For In Interactive Dog Feeders?
If you have a large dog, you should look for a product made out of durable materials so they can last longer than a day in your household. If your dog chews a lot, you should provide it with something it is allowed to chew on. To make sure your dog stays healthy, choose a non-toxic model made out of materials that are healthy for your pooch. The brain stimulation aided by dog puzzle feeders and other interactive bowls keeps your dog healthy and can even help with regulating separation anxiety. Try out different online retailers like Amazon and your local pet supply shops to find interactive dog puzzles and bowls.
Best 5 Interactive Dog Feeders & Bowls Reviews
Best Interactive Puzzle Dog Food Toy
Outward Hound Ottosson Puzzle Brick Dog Toy
Offers Three Ways Of Playing To Find Food
This plastic toy brick for dogs is a great interactive toy that will keep your dog occupied. The appeal of this interactive puzzle dog feeder is in the blue, red and white color with many small compartments where you can hide treats for your dog to find. It features 20 places where you can hide treats and has three different ways your dog can play with it. It can slide, open or remove blocks to reveal the hidden food.
Mental & Physical Challenge
This toy will provide good fun for your four-legged friend and reward it with treats for being really smart and figuring out the puzzle. The puzzle can hold both dry and wet food treats. It is a level 2 (intermediate) Nina Ottosson game that engages your dog with a mental and physical challenge. Use soap and warm water to keep this toy clean.
Fun Games For Your Dog
The more pieces you cover, the harder it will be for your dog to figure out the puzzle. If your dog is bored this will be a great way to engage it in a fun game. However, this shouldn’t be a replacement for your playtime with the dog because it will still need your attention, so this puzzle feeder cannot replace that time.
Specifications:
- three ways of playing
- provides a physical and mental challenge for dogs
- intermediate level
Best Metal Puzzle Dog Bowl
Mr. Peanut’s Stainless Steel Interactive Slow Feed Dog Bowl
Durable Stainless Steel Material
This interactive slow dog feeder is made out of stainless steel material. The stainless steel bowl is dishwasher safe, non-toxic and durable. Except for the metal puzzle dog bowl, there is also a silicone mat at the bottom that will prevent the bowl from slipping. The bottom of the puzzle dog bowl is much wider than the opening at the top which prevents your dog from flipping it over and making a mess.
Raised Middle Part Of The Bowl
The bowl has a raised middle part so food is spread out in the bowl around it and is available in medium and large sizes. Dogs are slowed down in eating from this metal puzzle dog bowl. The silicone mat at the bottom can be removed so you can wash the bowl easily. The part where the mat and the bowl are connected can trap food and bacteria so it is very important to clean the feeding station regularly.
Prevents Bloating, Vomiting, And Obesity
The design of this bowl teaches dogs to eat slowly which prevents bloating. Bloating means that your dog eats too fast, doesn’t chew enough and swallows too much air along with the food. If your dog is obese, this will also help because your dog will eat for longer without eating too much food. Eating slowly and smaller portions also prevent vomiting. This metal dog puzzle is a good interactive product that will keep your dog occupied and reduce boredom.
Specifications:
- stainless steel bowl
- dishwasher safe
- anti-slip silicone mat
- slows down eating
Best Slow Puzzle Dog Feeder
northmate green interactive dog feeder
Challenges Dogs To Find Their Food
This grass-like design is an interesting solution for an interactive dog feeder which also slows dogs down when eating. It is green so it looks a lot like a tuft of grass and can trick your dog into thinking it’s outside in nature. When you put food inside this puzzle bowl, your dog is presented with a challenge of finding bits of food in the maze-like design. This will elevate their finding skills even when they are outside.
Suitable For All Dog Breeds
This model is made out of hard plastic and is dishwasher safe so it is easy to keep clean. It is very durable in case your dog likes to bite and chew on things. It can even be used outside thanks to the durable design. The Northmate green interactive feeder is suitable for all dog breeds, regardless of their size and weight, as well as dry and wet food.
Keeps Dogs Occupied While Eating
Because of this interactive maze-like design, your dog will have to work their mouth and brain to get to the food. This is great for dog’s digestion because it slows them down in accessing and eating food. It will reduce bloating and the amount of air that will be swallowed. Thanks to this slow eating puzzle feeder your dog will spend more time eating the same amount of food which can help in fighting obesity.
Specifications:
- hard durable plastic
- dishwasher safe
- suitable for all dog breeds
- suitable for outdoor use
- slows down eating
Best Slow Feeder Puzzle Dog Bowl
outward hound fun feeder interactive dog bowl
Suitable For Raw, Wet And Dry Food
The Outward Hound puzzle feeder can be purchased in tiny, mini and regular sizes and is available in different colors. It is made out of BPA-free plastic material and can be used for both dry and wet food, as well as raw food. The interactive dog feeder is top-rack dishwasher safe and easy to keep clean. The interactive slow feeder puzzle dog bowl is non-slippery and won’t slide on your house floors.
For Dogs That Get Bored Easily Or Eat Too Fast
The bowls are designed with raised patterns inside between which the food is harder to access and chew on. The mazes inside pose a challenge to your dog in accessing food so it keeps the mind and the snout occupied in trying to reach food. If your dog is easily bored when eating or eats too fast, purchasing this interactive slow feeder could help prevent that from happening.
Fun And Healthy Way Of Eating
This model can slow down eating time up to 10 times thanks to the intricate mazes inside the bowl. It is recommended by veterinarians for fighting digestion problems and bloating. The puzzle bowl provides your dog with a fun and healthy way of eating, which can also stop obesity. Your dog will be happy and healthy thanks to the tasty food and the fun mental challenges during mealtime.
Specifications:
- plastic material
- top-rack dishwasher safe
- slows down eating 10 times
Best Advanced Interactive Dog Feeder
Trixie puzzle feeder
Advanced Games For Experienced Dogs
If your dog is already familiar with interactive feeders and you are looking for something more advanced and complicated, I would suggest this Trixie product. It comes in the shape of a tray with eight compartments for hiding treats for your dog to find. By moving and opening the drawers your pooch will be rewarded with tasty treats. This will train your dog mentally and physically. The rubber feet on this puzzle feeder prevent it from sliding.
Dog’s Hunt For Favorite Treats
This game is made of plastic that is durable and dishwasher safe. By moving the pin around the puzzle feeder, your dog will open different drawers and free the trapped treats inside. If you use the cones that stop the drawers from sliding open, your dog will need to remove them first before continuing the hunt for his/her favorite treats.
Mental Stimulation For Your Dog
This advanced game of removing cones and moving drawers around and sliding them out is great for mental stimulation and will prevent your dog from getting rusty. It is also a good physical challenge that will keep your dog active and prevent it from boredom.
Specifications:
- advanced training level for dogs
- dishwasher safe plastic
- rubber feet prevent sliding
- mentally and physically challenging for dogs
Conclusion: What Two Interactive Dog Feeders & Bowls Should You Buy?
To conclude this list of the best five interactive dog feeders and bowls, I would like to recommend the two best products reviewed in this post: the Northmate green interactive dog feeder and the Outward Hound Ottosson puzzle toy. The Northmate model is a maze-like bowl that slows down eating in dogs and also keeps your dog’s brain occupied and active. It is suitable for all dog breeds. The Outward Hound puzzle model is great for hiding treats and challenging your dog to think so he/she can find the treats. Just like the Northmate model, this one is made out of plastic and prevents boredom.
Also, read this post aboutdog feeders, in general, to find out more about all the different kinds of dog bowls and feeders that are available on the market. To learn more about feeding stations, check out this post aboutthe best dog feeding stations. If you wish to know more about slow feeders, other than the ones presented in this list, give this post aboutthe best slow feedersa read.
