Outward Hound slow feeder bowl, large

What it is good at

• Ridges and valleys make the dog work around the bowl for each mouthful.
• A non-slip base on most sizes keeps the bowl in one place on a hard floor.
• Wide shallow patterns are easier for a dog with a short muzzle to reach.

Check before you buy

• Whether the pattern is shallow enough for your dog to reach every corner.
• Bowl diameter against the dog: a deep bowl for a large dog, a wide shallow one for a small dog.
• Material and heat: most are dishwasher safe on the top rack, but read the maker note.

Who it is not for

Dogs fed wet food only, where a smooth bowl is easier to rinse, and dogs who walk away when food is awkward to reach.

A ridged bowl does not change what is in the bowl, only how long the meal takes. Instead of one mouthful after another, the dog works around ridges and valleys, and the bowl stays on the floor for longer.

Cleaning is the trade-off. Food collects in the corners of the pattern, so the bowl needs a rinse under a tap or a place on the top rack, and a stiff brush helps. Check the depth of the pattern against the dog as well: a deep maze suits a large dog and frustrates a small one.