The Bottom Line
Pros
- May keep some dogs from eating too quickly
- Affordable price
- Durable and dishwasher-safe
Cons
- Will not work for some dogs
- Only available in plastic
- Only available in two colors
Description
- Divided into four feeding "zones" that fit 1/2 cup of food in each
- Made from an FDA approved food and dishwasher safe polyethylene, a high-grade plastic
- Slightly oval in shape (8.5" x 9.3") and about 3" high
- Designed to slide on the floor somewhat, further slowing down the dog
- Available in red or blue
- DogPause conducted an independent clinical trial.
Guide Review - Review of DogPause - The Healthy Dog Bowl
The concept of the DogPause bowl is simple. The bowl is divided into four "zones." Each section holds about a half cup of food and is designed keep a dog from putting his full snout into the bowl. In theory, this slows down eating, as your dog needs to use his tongue for each bite.
When dogs eat too fast, it can cause vomiting, gagging, gas and general stomach upset. Eating too fast is also thought to be a contributor to a serious health condition called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV),or bloat.
I tried the DogPause bowl on three dogs that are known "speed-eaters." This is by no means a clinical trial, just a little test I did.
- First up was a medium-sized mutt with a somewhat narrow muzzle. Her average eating time was 60-75 seconds from a regular bowl. Her eating time was not significantly affected by DogPause - on average it only slowed her down by about 10-15 seconds.
- Second, the bowl was used on a larger mix with a Lab-like muzzle. With or without DogPause, his eating time was 30-45 seconds. He was unaffected by the bowl.
- Finally, the bowl was used on a Pit Bull with a wide muzzle. His eating was significantly slowed down by DogPause, approximately doubling the time it took him to eat.
In conclusion, I would say that the effectiveness of the DogPause bowl just depends on the dog. Snout-size might play a part, but I don't have enough evidence to say for certain. The DogPause bowl might be worth a try if you have a canine "vacuum." At $12.95, the cost is close to most decorative dog bowls, so it might be worth a try. If you do decide to give it a try, please come back and share your own review with others!
