My Favourite Easy Hack for Slowing Down My Dog’s Mealtime

If your dog eats like it’s a race every time you put the bowl down, trust me, you’re not alone! Fast eating can cause all sorts of issues, from bloating and gas to vomiting and even choking. I used to stress every mealtime watching my dog inhale his food in record time. That was, until I discovered the benefits of a slow feeder bowl.

We love to add a variety of toppings to increase his daily nutrients and to keep him entertained, one of our favourites - baby food!

Yes, baby food. For dogs.

Why Baby Food?

It might sound a little odd at first, but hear me out, certain types of baby food (ones that are plain and dog-safe) are amazing for enrichment feeding. Think pureed pumpkin, sweet potato, with no onion, garlic or added sugars. They’re smooth, easy on sensitive tummies, and dogs go absolutely wild for them.

The real game changer though? Pairing it with a good slow feeder.

Our Go-To: The Alpine Slow Feeder Bowl

I’ve tried a few different bowls, but our Alpine Slow Feeder Bowl from Juno and Oggie is by far my favourite. It’s made from soft, food-grade silicone and has this beautiful mountain-inspired design that makes it feel more like a puzzle than a bowl. You just smear a bit of baby food into the ridges, and it turns a 10 second meal into 10+ minutes of calm, focused licking.

The Benefits Go Beyond Slower Eating

Once I started doing this regularly, I noticed a big shift. Mealtimes became quieter. My dog was more settled afterwards. And bonus, he stopped gulping so much air, which meant less burping and discomfort later.

Using baby food in a slow feeder also:

• Keeps dogs mentally stimulated

• Encourages natural foraging behaviour

• Can ease anxiety or boredom, especially on rainy days or busy mornings

• Makes me feel like I’m giving her something a bit special (without needing to cook up anything fancy)

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It’s a super quick prep too, just spoon, smear, and serve. Sometimes I pop the bowl in the freezer for 15-20 minutes for a longer-lasting challenge, especially on hot days.

Final Thoughts

If your dog eats too fast, gets bored easily, or you’re just looking to make meals a bit more enriching, try this combo. Seriously. It takes less than a minute to set up, and the benefits are so worth it.

And if you’re in the market for a new bowl, the Alpine Slow Feeder is one we use every day. It’s dishwasher-safe, grippy on the bottom, and looks super cute in the kitchen.

You can check it out here — no pressure, just sharing what’s genuinely worked for us.