You’ve bought your dog a puzzle bowl, they seem interested, now what? In this post, we’ll be talking all about what to put in a slow feeder.
You can certainly use it with just their kibble. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. That’s how most people use these specially designed bowls.
Afterall, they’re made to slow your dog while eating and they do the job well. Why mess with success?
It can be nice to change up meal time though. Just make sure the additions are healthy! You don’t want to fill your dog up on treats.
This can lead to weight gain and other health issues.
That’s why we’ve come up with some recipes that you can put in your dog’s slow feeder.
You won’t have to wonder or worry about what to put in a slow feeder with these recipes below.
Are all foods that can be put in a slow feeder safe?
Before we get into these tasty entrees for your dog, we do want to go over some safety guidelines.
Not all of the things you may think of adding to a slow feeder are dog safe. There’s a good chance you’ll want to add “human foods” like fruits or vegetables.
While these can be good for your dog, not all of them are safe.
If you’re ever in doubt, always check with your vet! They’re your best friend in situations like this.
All of the recipes here only use dog safe ingredients, so you can use any of them below without worry!
Dry Recipes to Put in a Slow Feeder
Kibble makes a great base for filling your dog’s puzzle bowl. Then you can customise it to make it even tastier for them.
These recipes will highlight your dog’s kibble while also including extra goodies such as veggies, protein, and even fruit!
You should always be mindful of serving sizes when it comes to things like this. Remember that any toppers or mix-ins should be included in your dog’s food intake for the day.
Every dog is going to require a different amount of food, so you’ll want to make sure you calculate accordingly.
Vegetable Medley
Ingredients:
- ¾ of your dog’s normal kibble serving
- Carrot
- Snow or sugar snap peas
- Green beans
Directions:
- Cut carrot, peas, and green beans into small, bite size pieces. They should also fit down in the puzzle bowl.
- Steam the veggies until tender.
- Toss with kibble to mix.
- Place in slow feeder and serve.
Berry Parfait
Ingredients
- ¾ of your dog’s normal kibble serving
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Banana
- Plain greek yoghurt
Directions
- Cut strawberries and banana into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Toss with kibble to mix.
- Place in slow feeder bowl.
- Top with a little bit of yoghurt.
- Serve
For a more enticing version of this meal you can follow the instructions below.
- Smear a thin layer of yoghurt into the bottom of the puzzle bowl using a rubber spatula.
- Cut strawberries and banana into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Toss with kibble to mix.
- Place in slow feeder bowl and serve.
Chicken and Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
- ¾ of your dog’s normal kibble serving
- Chicken breast
- Sweet potato
Directions:
- Cut chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Steam chicken until cooked.
- Cut sweet potato into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Steam until tender.
- Toss chicken and sweet potato with kibble to mix.
- Place in slow feeder and serve.
Breakfast Scramble
Ingredients:
- ¾ of your dog’s normal kibble serving
- One egg
- Bell pepper
Directions:
- Beat egg and cook well.
- Break cooked egg into small pieces.
- Cut bell pepper into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Steam until tender.
- Toss egg and pepper with kibble to combine.
- Place in slow feeder and serve.
Wet Recipes to put in a Slow Feeder
These recipes will still feature your dog’s usual kibble, but they’ll incorporate other things like bone broth, gravy, or canned food.
Once again: You should always be mindful of serving sizes when it comes to things like this. Remember that any toppers or mix-ins should be included in your dog’s food intake for the day.
Every dog is going to require a different amount of food, so you’ll want to make sure you calculate accordingly.
Kibble and Wet Food
If you’ve got a dog that goes crazy for canned food, this is the recipe for them!
Ingredients:
- ½ of your dog’s normal kibble serving
- Canned dog food
Directions:
- Place canned food into a bowl.
- Mix kibble into canned dog food.
- Mash down into puzzle bowl. This will ensure your dog has to lick and work it out of the dish still. This can be a great interactive toy at meal time.
- Serve.
Chicken Soup
Ingredients:
- ¾ of your dog’s normal kibble serving
- No sodium chicken stock
- Carrot
- Chicken
Directions:
- Cut chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Steam chicken until cooked.
- Cut carrot into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Steam until tender.
- Toss chicken and carrot with kibble to combine.
- Place in slow feeder.
- Pour over chicken stock.
- Serve
Beef and Gravy
We know that a lot of store bought gravies are full of sodium or other things that may not be good for your dog, but it is so easy to make your own!
You can even portion it out and freeze it for later use.
Ingredients:
- ¾ of your dog’s normal kibble serving
- Lean beef
- Green beans
- 2 Cups no sodium beef or chicken stock
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
Directions:
- Put 1 ½ Cup of stock in a pot and bring to a low boil.
- Place the other ½ Cup of stock in a small bowl.
- Whisk 2 Tbsp cornstarch into the cold ½ cup stock until there are no lumps.
- Slowly drizzle the cornstarch mixture into the pot of boiling stock and whisk.
- Boil until desired thickness. Keep in mind the gravy will thicken more as it cools.
- Cut beef into bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Steam chicken until cooked.
- Cut green beans into small, bite-sized pieces. They should also fit down into the puzzle bowl.
- Steam until tender.
- Toss the beef and green beans with kibble to combine.
- Place in slow feeder.
- Top with some gravy and serve.
Conclusion
We hope we’ve inspired you to experiment with your dog’s meals! There are so many different options when it comes to making mealtime fun and healthy.
What to put in a slow feeder is really only restricted by your imagination and, of course, any dietary restrictions.
What are your dog’s favourite foods and meals? What do you like to put in your slow feeder?
Come over to social media and tell us all about it. We can’t wait to hear from you.
FAQs About What to Put in a Slow Feeder
How do I clean and maintain a slow feeder to ensure my dog's hygiene and safety?
Clean the slow feeder regularly with warm, soapy water to remove food residue and bacteria. Ensure it's completely dry before refilling it to prevent mould growth. Check for any signs of wear or damage and replace if necessary to maintain safety.
Can I use homemade recipes in a slow feeder, or should I stick to commercial dog food?
You can use homemade recipes in a slow feeder as long as they consist of safe and dog-friendly ingredients. Homemade recipes can add variety and nutrition to your dog's meals.
How often should I use a slow feeder for my dog's meals?
The frequency of using a slow feeder can vary depending on your dog's needs and preferences. Some dog owners use it for every meal, while others use it occasionally to provide mental stimulation.
Are there any specific safety guidelines for using slow feeders?
Always supervise your dog during the initial use of a slow feeder. Ensure it's cleaned regularly to prevent bacterial growth. Also, choose slow feeders made from safe, non-toxic materials.
Are slow feeders suitable for all dog breeds and sizes?
Slow feeders are generally suitable for most dog breeds and sizes. However, it's essential to choose an appropriate slow feeder design that matches your dog's size and feeding habits.