May 26, 2023, 4:12 am | Read time: 11 minutes

As soon as the food is in the bowl, it’s gone again. Many pet owners can attest to how quickly their pets gulp down meals. While this is normal for dogs–often called gulpers–the rapid consumption of food can have unpleasant consequences, especially with dry food. It swells in the stomach, and the pressure often causes the food to end up back on the floor shortly after. Additionally, the animals may choke or suffer from bloating. An anti-gulping bowl can help. We’ll explain the principle behind it and recommend some bowls in the following.

Why do dogs and cats gulp their food? 

A simple answer would be: The animals are hungry. But gulping is actually part of their nature and is somewhat influenced by the behavior of the pet owner. Let’s take a closer look at some causes:

Competitive behavior

This behavior can already be ingrained when the pet moves in with its new owners. Especially dogs often come from larger litters. The puppies frequently had to fight for their meals and later become fast eaters. The phenomenon can also be observed in multi-cat households, where a daily internal competition at the feeding bowls occurs, especially if they are close together.

Feeding times

Cats love rituals and fixed feeding times. Especially when animals are new to their owner, they are very insecure. Therefore, they eat the food as quickly as possible because it’s uncertain when new food will be available again. 

Parasites

Less obvious but still a fairly common cause of hectic eating can be parasites in the animal’s body. If the pet loses weight despite eating a lot, a veterinarian should be consulted. A dull coat can also indicate a parasite infestation. 

Also interesting: The 5 best automatic feeders for dogs and cats compared 

Why can an anti-gulping bowl help? 

Those who often gulp down their food quickly usually feel the effects: fullness, bloating, nausea. Our pets experience the same. An anti-gulping bowl typically contains obstacles in the form of indentations or mazes. Dogs or cats can’t take in the entire amount of food at once. Instead, they must spend more time fishing out the food pieces or kibbles from a maze inside the bowl. This can significantly increase the time the pet spends eating: Dogs can eat up to ten times slower than usual. 

The pros and cons of anti-gulping bowls 

Pros: 

• Dogs and cats eat significantly slower  
• The bowl’s design promotes the animals’ intellect and creativity 
• Food can be digested without problems 
• Diseases favored by gulping can be prevented 

Cons: 

• The bowl should be tailored to the pet 
• If the food can’t be reached, frustration sets in 
• Toxins and plasticizers may be present in the bowl’s material 

Also interesting: How to make a concrete feeding bowl yourself

Buying anti-gulping bowls: Important factors  

Anti-gulping bowls are available in many designs in stores. The following factors should be considered when purchasing: 

Material 

You have a choice between different materials, each with pros and cons: 

• Stainless steel: shatterproof, robust, hygienic, easy to care for, not always non-slip  
• Ceramic: visually appealing, easy to clean, non-slip, can break 
• Plastic: affordable, lightweight, dishwasher safe, can slip, may contain toxins 

Non-slip feature 

This factor is repeatedly mentioned in tests. Especially lightweight anti-gulping bowls slip easily and should be equipped with a rubber ring or rubber feet.  

Obstacles in the bowl  

Anti-gulping bowls contain various constructions to prevent gulping, including:

• Indentations 
• Studs 
• Grooves 
• Spirals 
• Mazes 
• Waves 
• Flowers 
• Hills 

Anti-gulping bowls thus contain different skill levels. Dogs and cats should not be overwhelmed, as frustration quickly sets in if no food reaches the stomach, and the bowl is likely to be avoided permanently.               

More on the topic

Hygiene How often you should clean your pets’ water and food bowls

Buying Guide The 5 Best Automatic Feeders for Dogs and Cats Compared

Frequently asked questions about buying anti-gulping bowls 

The purchase of an anti-gulping bowl is an adjustment for pets and their owners. Those planning to use such a bowl may have some questions. We will briefly address the most common ones.

Are anti-gulping bowls suitable for all pets?

If the right size is chosen, an anti-gulping bowl can replace any dog or cat bowl. However, the temperament of the animals should be considered. If the bowl poses a real challenge due to its design, some animals may react skeptically and ignore the food altogether. For particularly sensitive, reserved, and shy cats or dogs, the bowls are initially less suitable, as they could unsettle the pet.

For dogs and cats that are already poor and picky eaters, an anti-gulping bowl is completely unnecessary. 

Tip: An anti-gulping bowl can also serve as an intelligence game for cats. In this case, only a few treats are placed inside, and the animals fish the food out with their paws. Bowls with a maze design are best suited for this. 

What food can go in the anti-gulping bowl? 

This depends on the bowl’s design. Generally, the models we have presented are suitable for dry and wet food. Some bowls can also hold raw meat. 

Depending on the chosen design, dry food may get stuck in the indentations or grooves, making the bowl harder to clean. If the grooves and furrows are very small, wet food can also stick in them. 

How do you clean anti-gulping bowls? 

Cleaning is a bit more involved than with a regular feeding bowl. Most anti-gulping bowls for dogs and cats can go in the dishwasher but should be wiped out and freed from food residues beforehand. This can quickly become a hassle with stuck dry food. Old toothbrushes or nail brushes can be repurposed for this task.

During cleaning, anti-gulping bowls should be checked for durability. If the bowls have cracks or chipped areas, they should be replaced promptly. 

Can the anti-gulping bowl also be used for drinking? 

Most manufacturers indicate that the bowls can also be filled with drinking water. However, we advise against this. Especially cats generally drink too little. Making drinking more difficult would be counterproductive.  

With dogs, the situation can be different. Normally, these pets regulate their drinking behavior automatically and drink when they are thirsty and the body needs fluids. However, some dogs tend to vomit when they drink water too quickly (often combined with eating or in close proximity). If this is the case, you can try using an anti-gulping bowl with water to help. 

The best anti-gulping bowls compared 

The selection is large, and not every anti-gulping bowl is convincing. Here, we present five recommended models in more detail.  

Colorful non-slip bowl for dogs and cats: Super Design Anti-Gulping Bowl

This anti-gulping bowl not only impresses with its colorful appearance but also features sophisticated technology. The special design forces pets to eat more slowly. The model is suitable for both dogs and cats.

A rubber ring embedded in the bottom of the bowl reliably prevents the dog or cat from pushing the bowl around while eating. The melamine surface resembles porcelain and can be easily cleaned in the dishwasher. The material is considered food-safe and is scratch and impact-resistant. Pet owners can fill it with wet and dry food. According to the manufacturer, acceptance among dogs and cats is generally high. 

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Pros: 

• high acceptance  
• suitable as a dog and cat bowl 
• food-safe material 
• porcelain-like surface  
• easy to clean in the dishwasher  

Cons:  

• design is very striking, which is not always desired 

Slow eating guaranteed: Decyam Anti-Gulping Bowl for Dogs   

This anti-gulping bowl features a particularly sophisticated maze system. Due to the intricate design, pets have to “work” for their food, eating significantly slower than from a regular bowl. The Decyam dog bowl is very suitable for pets that gulp excessively.

The anti-gulping bowl is suitable for all types of food and treats. Its non-slip base prevents dogs from spilling their food and pushing the bowl around the room while eating. The price is quite reasonable for its size. Due to its size, this anti-gulping bowl is only somewhat suitable for cats.

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Pros: 

• made from food-safe polypropylene 
• puzzle-like design ensures particularly slow eating 
• multiple bowls can be stacked and stored space-savingly 
• can be filled with dry and wet food  

Cons: 

• less suitable for cats  

Affordable stainless steel bowl: Mixjoy Dog Bowl, Anti-Gulping Bowl 

The stainless steel anti-gulping bowl is one of the simplest solutions: Its special design is aimed at making it harder for pets to access their food quickly. The material used is food-grade, so the bowl has no unpleasant odor and does not absorb the smell of the food placed inside. Cleaning is straightforward and can be done in the dishwasher. It is suitable for dry and wet food. Unfortunately, the bowl is not non-slip, so an additional mat is advisable.  

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Pros: 

• high-quality, food-safe material with long lifespan  
• high acceptance  
• suitable for all types of food 
• suitable for dogs and cats 

Cons: 

• not non-slip

Handy anti-gulping bowl at a low price: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo-Bowl 

This small anti-gulping bowl holds only 91 grams of food and is therefore suitable only for small pets. However, the maze design ensures that dogs and cats take their time eating.  

The anti-gulping bowl is environmentally friendly and free from harmful substances like PVC, BPA, or phthalates. It can hold dry and wet food. Those who have chosen to feed their pets raw can also place raw meat in the bowl. The bowl’s dishwasher compatibility ensures easy cleaning.  

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Pros: 

• can be cleaned in the dishwasher 
• suitable for all types of food 
• free from PVC, BPA, lead  
• very affordable 

Cons: 

• not suitable for larger dogs  
• rather poor stability 

High-quality and elegant anti-gulping bowl: Ceramic Feeding Bowl for Dogs

For your pet, would you prefer something high-quality and elegant? An anti-gulping bowl made of ceramic, like the model from Havniva, is significantly more expensive but visually appealing. Ceramic is more fragile but food-safe and free from harmful substances. It is also easy to clean.  

The ceramic anti-gulping bowl is suitable for all types of food. Due to its size, the dog bowl is more suitable for larger breeds and less for cats. The maze design is somewhat less elaborate than other models, making it suitable for moderately fast eaters. Those willing to spend a bit more on an anti-gulping bowl will receive a 10-centimeter stand with the model for just under 43 euros. However, stronger dogs may tip the bowl and stand over while eating.  

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Pros: 

• durable, easy-to-clean material 
• dishwasher and microwave safe 
• suitable for all types of food 
• comes with a stand 

Cons: 

• rather high-priced 
• primarily suitable for dogs