Do You Have A Fast Eater?

[Brittney & Cally]

Cally has got to be the fastest eater I have ever seen in my life! She can "inhale" a whole cup of food in under a minute. I have tried other bowls that slow her down but to no avail. I have also tried putting her food all over the floor and she just lays on it and licks it up. I saw on Chewy.com fun game bowls and figured I would give it a try. I knew I definitely needed something so what could it hurt. I tried it tonight for the first time for her dinner tonight and she went from eating a cup of food in under a minute with no chomping just inhaling to TEN MINUTES! She actually chewed her food and even took a breath and went back to the bowl. It has a very low profile so there was no way she could turn it over. The only grievance I have is the actual flower part has pretty raised sides so it was a little more difficult but I think it will be easier as she grows. I also wish it was stainless but oh well! I am already debating on buying another one so I can rotate them.

This is the one I bought.

It is a Kyien Dog Flower Slo Bowl Interactive Dog Feeder. I highly recommend it to those with speedy eaters.

This is their selection:

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for posting this, Brittney. JD has some Kyjen toys, but i didn't know they made so many other kinds of products. Here's the page from their blog with the different bowls, it has some different views & photos of dogs eating from them so people can get a better idea of the actual dimensions:

http://dogblog.kyjen.com/slo-bowl-slow-feed-dog-bowls887/

[Brittney & Cally]

I did know they had a blog. Thank you for posting that! I felt a little guilty that she had to work so hard for her food but she actually seemed to like it. So I will just have to get over myself LOL. Plus it is way better than her inhaling her food!

[sandy b]

Max is a fast eater too, always has been. He's 5 and never had bloat. Thinking back to all the dogs we've had who were fast eaters including a lab, scottie and several hounds none had bloat. Are these bowls really necessary or just a gimmick? Or just a way to get you to part with your money! Just curious.

[Brittney & Cally]

Sandy, I am not sure. But all I know is everyone told me I needed to slow Cally down and I figured if I am going to buy something I want it to be fun looking and fun for Cally and this is what I found. I am very pleased! She has slowed down and is not always begging for more food after she eats. She actually chews her food now! I am glad I did not spend money on the other bowls, I just borrowed them from friends for a meal and they did not work.

[sandy b]

Tks Brittney

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Not a gimmick. Bloat is a very real threat, and fast eating is a risk factor, more so in certain breeds and sizes of dogs than others. That doesn't mean that every big dog who gulps his food is going to get it, but why take a chance? It's deadly. There are people who actually have prophylactic surgery done to tack the stomachs of certain breeds so that they can't twist. 

You don't have to buy a special bowl. Some people just put an object in the center of their dog's regular bowl to force them to eat around it, which slows them down. You can use a smaller bowl turned upside down. I've even heard of people placing a big smooth rock in the center of the bowl! 

[Brittney & Cally]

I knew someone would step in and explain. I do have to say that Rosey had Bloat in October. It was my worst nightmare coming true. I can honestly say that was the most horrifying night of my life and thank god I was able to guess what it was in twenty minutes and had her to the vet with in an hour after I first noticed her stomach enlarging. We obviously put Rosey through surgery and she has done well since but dogs that get Bloat are not always that lucky. She did have pancreatitis as a result of the surgery but no longer has issues. We can not pin point what caused it but it definitely was not because of how fast she eats as she takes her sweet time eating!

I tried putting things in Callys bowl but she would take them out before she started eating so that was a huge fail. I am trying every thing to eliminate Cally from getting Bloat because I never want to have to go through that again!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Bloat in dogs has been referred to by many vets as "the mother of all emergencies". Rosey was very lucky. I have seen articles advising you to have someone else call ahead to the ER as you are racing out the door with the dog, to let them know you are bringing in a dog with bloat so that personnel can meet you the instant you pull into the lot and start treatment. That's how crucial time is in a case of bloat. 

[Brittney & Cally]

Karen, that is what happen with us. We called the vet and they were closed so I called the Emergency Clinic (MEDVET) and told them I was bringing her in and I was almost positive she had Bloat and they had a team waiting for us when we pulled in. It was very scary they took us to a room while they took her back and they soon came to the room and said we know this is a hard time and we hate to pressure you but you have like ten minutes to make a decision because we need to get her in surgery if that is your choice. They had just enough time to tell us what the outlook would be for her. When they said she could have a quality life if she makes it through and the first 48 hours we said yes and they ran back. It was a hell of a night.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So glad she was okay.

[Adina P]

I used to put a bone in Rosco's bowl.  He never thought to take it out first.  He doesn't eat fast anymore, but Boca clears her bowl in 41 seconds.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I love the "41 seconds", lol.