Are you still using a regular dog food bowl? If so, why are you giving your dog easy meals?
Dogs eating from bowls is so old school. You really should consider getting rid of them. In the wild, food doesn’t just magically appear in front of a dog’s face every day, he has to work for it. And maybe your dog should too.
We know dogs need physical exercise, especially high-energy Dobermans. But they also need mental exercise. They need to be mentally stimulated with new smells, activities, or challenges. Feeding time is a great time to give them a challenge. Instead of just setting down a food bowl full of kibble for your dog, make him work for it.
There are so many different designs of dog food bowls and treat dispensers nowadays. I’m sure you’ll find one that will work with your dog. I suggest you either use a dog food bowl that slows down eating or get a treat dispenser.
Dog food treat dispensers are also a great idea for dogs who are at risk for bloat, like the Doberman. One of my Dobermans is a fast eater and I worry about this. For these dogs, a slow feeding dog bowl is necessary. There are some really interesting new dog bowls out there for fast gulpers.
I love the KONG Wobbler, it’s tough, easy to clean, and easy to load with lots of kibble food. Another dog food dispenser I like is the AïKiou Food Feeder. I sometimes rotate these two dog feeders to change things up a bit.
If you don’t want to buy a fancy food dispensing toy, then you can DIY or make one out of something you already have at home, like an old paper towel roll or empty cereal boxes. Or another option you can try is just scattering the kibble in your backyard and let your dog search around for it. This is a good idea for dogs who are bored outside or bark. Get them busy doing something. Let them forage for their food.
When I give my dogs a special treat, like canned sardines mixed with dry dog food I use this dog food bowl to slow down eating. If you add any liquid to the kibble to moisten it, a food dispenser might not be a great idea. It might get messy and clog up the dispenser hole. In this case, I recommend, the stainless steel no-slip slow feeder bowl.
Do you have any tips to share on how to get a dog to eat more slowly?
Read more: Printable Kong Stuffing Recipe Chart >>