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Is mealtime a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it event for your dog? Even if they aren’t speed eating, there’s a good reason to rethink the traditional food bowl. Dogs are natural problem solvers, and in the wild, they would spend time and energy foraging or hunting for their meals. Today’s easy to eat kibble can leave them missing out on that natural enrichment. Interactive and slow feeders are designed to bring that element back to mealtime, turning it into a stimulating activity that benefits their minds and bodies. Curious about exploring some options? We’ve gathered some of the highest rated and best priced puzzle feeders, slow feeders, and other interactive feeders to help you discover how to make mealtime more rewarding for your dog, without breaking the bank.

Traditional Slow Feeders

The most common type of slow feeder is the most common for a reason. Let’s explore some of the top slow feeders on the market:

• Outward Hound Large Capacity Feeder : This inexpensive slow feeder is a great starting point for enrichment during meal times! It can hold up to 4 cups of food and isn’t easily destroyed.
• Ceramic Slow Feeder : This ceramic slow feeder isn’t going to get chewed up, but it is lower capacity than the Outward Hound large one. It is large enough for most breeds, however.
• Raised Slow Feeder : This raised slow feeder is a great option for dogs who need their bowl a bit higher up!

Lick Mats

Want a simple way to entertain and calm your dog? Lick mats are the answer! Just spread a tasty treat, and the mat turns snack time into a long lasting, soothing activity (freeze it for extra lifespan!). Licking is naturally calming, reduces boredom, and even slows down fast eaters for better digestion. It’s an easy win for a happier, healthier dog! Let’s have a look at different licky mat options.

• The Standard Style – These are the normal style of lick mats. Theyre inexpensive and simplistic. Just add treats and go!
• Attachable Vertical Lick Mats – These are great for crate time or during grooming! They attach to things to stay vertical.
• Indestructible Lick Mat – If your pup is prone to destruction, consider a stainless steel lick mat! This one has suction cups to keep it in place, allowing you to stick it to things horizontally or vertically.
• Lickimat Wobble – This innovative lick mat is actually half of an orb, making it move all around while Fido tries to lick up every last drop of food.

Puzzle Toys

There are a lot of benefits to specifically puzzle feeders, but there is one downside that makes me recommend them less often than other styles of enrichment – they often require the human helping at first to teach the dog the game. Many will either get frustrated and give up if they dont understand the game, or just destroy the toy to get to the food. Because of that, Ill stick to two recommendations. Please note that these are best suited for dogs that enjoy a challenge and working for their food.

• Sliding Puzzle – This puzzle is best suited for dogs who enjoy pushing things with their nose or pawing at them.
• Pushing and Opening Puzzle – This puzzle is a bit more difficult than many, so its great for furry geniuses who figure them out quick!

Other Food Dispensing Toys

• Interactive Mat – This is one of my favorite recommendations, as its got so many options in one! Lick mat, snuffle mat, slow feeders, etc. Its also super cheap for what it is.
• Spinning Slow Feeder – this is a fantastic option for a slow feeder, its like a lick mat slow feeder puzzle all in one.
• Kong Wobbler – This is a tried and true product that has been on the market a long time, providing hours of stimulation.
• Snuffle Mat – These mats are meant to make your pet sniff out and work for their food through foraging, with little effort on your part.
• Treat Dispensing Toy – This is a fun little toy to keep your pet entertained for hours on end through natural play.
• Goughnuts Treat Dispenser – Goughnuts is one of my very favorite brands! They make basically indestructible toys and yes, we’ve tested that on some very powerful chewers!

As you can see, there are so many options for enriching meal times! Pick one or two from each category to try out with your pup and see what works best for them. Remember, train the dog in front of you.