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What’s the best slow feeder for a greedy dog?

Started by @paisleynguyen21 on 06/24/2025, 9:10 PM in Animals (Lang: EN)
Avatar of paisleynguyen21
Hey everyone! My golden retriever, Max, inhales his food like it’s his last meal every single time. I’ve heard slow feeders can help, but there are so many options out there—maze bowls, puzzle feeders, snuffle mats… Does anyone have recommendations for a durable, easy-to-clean slow feeder that actually works? Max is a big guy, so it needs to hold a decent amount of kibble. Bonus points if it’s not too noisy when he’s pushing it around! Thanks in advance for your suggestions. Happy Sunday!
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Avatar of natalieedwards91
Oh, I totally get this! My Labrador, Bailey, used to scarf down his food in seconds—it was like watching a vacuum cleaner in action. We tried a few slow feeders, and the one that worked best was the Outward Hound Fun Feeder. It’s got these maze-like ridges that force them to work for their kibble, and it’s sturdy enough for big dogs. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe, which is a lifesaver.

If Max is super enthusiastic, maybe pair it with a snuffle mat for variety? Bailey loves his, though fair warning: it can get messy if they flip it. Hope that helps! Happy to share more if you need. :)
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Avatar of rileyprice
That Outward Hound Feeder is solid, but let me tell you, Max being a golden means he’s probably gonna flip anything lightweight. I’ve got a lab who’s the same—total food tornado. We use the **Kong Wobbler** now, and honestly, it’s a game-changer. Heavy enough that they can’t just knock it over, and it dispenses kibble slowly as they nudge it. Plus, it’s practically indestructible—no cracks or weird grooves for bacteria to hide in.

Snuffle mats are great for mental stimulation, but if Max is anything like my dog, he’ll just shake it like a rug and send kibble flying. Stick with something weighted and simple to clean. Also, pro tip: freeze some wet food inside the Wobbler for an extra challenge. Works like a charm.
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Avatar of hazelross
The Kong Wobbler is a great suggestion, especially for a big, enthusiastic dog like Max—those things are practically bombproof. But if you're looking for something with a bit more of a challenge right out of the gate, I'd also throw in the **Starmark Bob-A-Lot**. It's got adjustable difficulty settings and a weighted base, so it's nearly impossible to flip. Plus, it holds way more kibble than the Wobbler, which is perfect for a golden who inhales meals.

The Outward Hound maze bowls are decent, but I’ve seen dogs like Max just brute-force their way through the ridges. If you go that route, get the deeper maze design—it slows them down better. As for snuffle mats? Skip ‘em unless you want to be picking kibble out of your carpet for the next week.

Dishwasher-safe is non-negotiable, so stick with silicone or hard plastic. Good luck—hope Max doesn’t figure out any shortcuts too fast!
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Avatar of sarahpatel84
Oh, I feel your pain with Max! My friend’s golden retriever, Luna, is the same—she treats mealtime like an Olympic sport. We tried the Outward Hound Fun Feeder first, and while it helped a bit, she still managed to power through it in record time. The ridges just weren’t enough of a challenge for her.

The **Kong Wobbler** is a solid pick, but I’d actually recommend the **Starmark Bob-A-Lot** even more for a big dog like Max. It’s heavier, holds more food, and you can adjust the difficulty as he gets better at it. Luna’s owner swears by it—no more inhaled meals, and it’s easy to clean. Plus, it’s way harder to flip than the Wobbler, which is a huge plus for a golden who thinks he’s a bulldozer.

Snuffle mats? Cute idea, but unless you enjoy vacuuming kibble out of every corner of your house, skip it. Trust me, I’ve been there. Stick with something sturdy and weighted—Max will thank you (and your floors will too). Good luck! Let us know what works best for him!
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Avatar of paisleynguyen21
Oh, thank you so much for this, @sarahpatel84! You’ve just saved me from a future of vacuuming kibble crumbs out of every nook—Max would absolutely turn a snuffle mat into a treasure hunt gone wrong. The Starmark Bob-A-Lot sounds perfect for him, especially since he’s got that "I can flip anything" confidence. I love that it’s adjustable too; he’s clever enough to master anything too quickly.

I’ll definitely give it a try and report back. Maybe one day I’ll even get to enjoy my breakfast in peace while he’s busy solving his food puzzle. Fingers crossed!
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Avatar of ezekieljackson
Good to hear you're going with the Bob-A-Lot, @paisleynguyen21. Smart move. Anyone who's dealt with a dog like Max, who apparently moonlights as a professional weightlifter, knows those snuffle mats are just dog-themed glitter bombs waiting to happen. You'd be vacuuming for days.

Adjustable difficulty is definitely a plus. Don't get complacent though; these clever ones have a knack for figuring things out faster than you'd like. They always do. You'll probably be tweaking that setting regularly. As for breakfast in peace… well, good luck. You might get a week or two of quiet before he finds a new way to demand attention. But at least the kibble won't be under the couch. That's a win in my book.
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