Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl Review: The Amazing Slow Feeder That Actually Works

If your dog inhales food like it is their last meal on earth, you are not alone. Fast eating is one of the most common and potentially dangerous habits among dogs, leading to bloat, vomiting, choking, and canine obesity. The Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl has emerged as one of the most popular solutions to this widespread problem, earning a 4.6-star rating from thousands of verified buyers. But does it truly deliver on its promises, or is it just another pet product riding a wave of hype? After extensive testing and research, we are ready to share our complete verdict on this veterinarian-recommended slow feeder bowl. At just $15.97, it sits at an attractive price point, but value is about far more than cost alone. Let us break down every aspect of this product so you can decide if it belongs in your dog’s feeding routine.

Key Specifications

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you notice about the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl is its thoughtful, maze-like design. Unlike basic slow feeder bowls that rely on a single central obstruction, this bowl features a network of ridges, grooves, and channels that force your dog to work their tongue around each section to retrieve kibble. The design is not arbitrary either. Outward Hound offers multiple maze patterns across their lineup, each calibrated to a specific difficulty level: Slow, Slower, and Slowest. This tiered approach means you can match the challenge to your dog’s breed, snout shape, and eating speed.

Build quality is genuinely impressive for a product at this price point. The bowl is constructed from 90% polypropylene and 10% thermoplastic elastomer, a combination that yields a sturdy yet slightly flexible feel. After extended use, multiple owners report zero teeth marks or signs of degradation, even with larger, more enthusiastic dogs. The food-grade plastic is certified free of BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalates, which addresses a legitimate concern many pet owners have about plastic food containers.

The non-slip base deserves special mention. It is made from a rubberized thermoplastic elastomer ring that grips most floor surfaces effectively. During testing on tile, hardwood, and laminate flooring, the bowl stayed firmly in place even with aggressive eaters pushing their snouts into the ridges. On very smooth surfaces, some sliding can occur with particularly forceful dogs, but it is a notable improvement over competitors that lack any anti-slip mechanism at all.

Available in six colors including Turquoise, Orange, Purple, Gray, Mint, and Light Blue, the bowl is also aesthetically pleasing enough that you will not mind leaving it out in your kitchen. The overall construction feels like a product that was designed by people who actually understand dogs, not just engineers looking at a spec sheet.

Real-World Performance

Design only matters if it translates into results, and this is where the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl truly shines. The central promise of any slow feeder bowl is straightforward: make your dog eat slower. Outward Hound claims their bowl can extend mealtimes by up to 10 times, and real-world testing from thousands of owners largely supports this claim.

Consider the numbers. A 37-pound dog that previously finished a full meal in under 60 seconds from a regular bowl consistently takes around 3 minutes with the Fun Feeder. More dramatic results come from larger, more voracious eaters. One rescued German Shepherd that devoured 2 cups of kibble in just 15 seconds from a standard bowl was slowed down to a full 5 minutes with this product. That is a 20x improvement, exceeding even the manufacturer’s claims.

The health benefits of this slower eating pace are well-documented and veterinarian endorsed. By preventing dogs from gulping air along with their food, the Fun Feeder helps reduce the risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), a potentially life-threatening condition especially common in deep-chested breeds. Dogs that previously experienced post-meal vomiting or regurgitation often see these symptoms disappear entirely after switching to the slow feeder. Owners also report calmer post-meal behavior, with dogs appearing more satisfied and less frantic after eating.

The mental stimulation aspect should not be overlooked either. Mealtime becomes a puzzle-solving exercise rather than a mindless sprint. Dogs must use their tongues strategically, working food out of channels and around ridges. This cognitive engagement provides enrichment that goes beyond simple nutrition, contributing to overall mental health and reducing boredom-related behavioral issues.

However, the performance is not without minor caveats. Some maze patterns feature a narrower outer ring where small pieces of kibble can become wedged, leaving 1 to 6 pieces that dogs may give up on. This is more of an annoyance than a real problem, but it does mean you may need to check the bowl after meals and free any trapped pieces. Additionally, the grooves on certain patterns can be slightly too narrow for very large-breed dogs with wide tongues, causing mild frustration. Choosing the correct size and difficulty level for your specific dog eliminates most of these issues.

Cleaning is straightforward thanks to top-rack dishwasher compatibility. The grooves do require slightly more attention than a flat bowl when hand-washing, but a bottle brush handles the task in under a minute. The plastic does not retain odors or staining even after months of daily use.

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl vs the Competition

The slow feeder bowl market has expanded significantly in recent years, so how does the Outward Hound Fun Feeder stack up against the alternatives? We compared it to five of the most popular competitors across key categories to give you a clear picture.

The Outward Hound Fun Feeder stands out primarily for its versatility. With three distinct difficulty levels, three sizes, six colors, and even a stainless steel variant, no other competitor offers this breadth of options. The UPSKY and Dogit Go Slow bowls feature shallower ridges that make them better suited for brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs, but they lack the challenge progression that the Fun Feeder provides. The Leashboss offers superior chew resistance with its extra-thick construction and a lifetime warranty, making it the better choice for dogs that tend to gnaw on their bowls. The PAW5 Snuffle Mat takes an entirely different approach, hiding food within fabric folds for an anxiety-reducing foraging experience, but at four times the price and with more demanding maintenance requirements.

For the vast majority of dog owners seeking an effective, affordable, and well-designed slow feeder, the Outward Hound Fun Feeder remains the best all-around option. Its combination of price, pattern variety, safety certifications, and proven effectiveness is difficult to beat.

Who Should Buy the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl

This bowl is an excellent investment for a wide range of dog owners. If your dog finishes meals in under two minutes, the Fun Feeder should be at the top of your shopping list. It is particularly well suited for owners of medium to large breed dogs that are prone to bloat, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Standard Poodles. Multi-dog households where competitive eating drives faster consumption will also benefit significantly.

Dogs that experience post-meal vomiting, excessive gas, or hiccups from eating too quickly are strong candidates. The slower eating pace directly addresses the root cause of these digestive issues. Puppy owners looking to establish healthy eating habits early will find the small size and easier difficulty levels perfect for building good mealtime behavior from the start.

Budget-conscious pet owners will appreciate that this bowl delivers veterinarian-recommended benefits at under $11, making it one of the most cost-effective health improvements you can make for your dog. And if your dog also needs mental stimulation or enrichment during meals, the puzzle-like design turns feeding time into a rewarding cognitive exercise.

Who Should Skip the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl

Despite its broad appeal, the Fun Feeder is not the right choice for every dog. Brachycephalic breeds with extremely flat faces, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Pekingese, may struggle with the deeper grooves on the Slower and Slowest difficulty levels. These dogs often do better with a shallow-ridge alternative like the UPSKY Slow Feeder or the Dogit Go Slow, which are designed specifically for shorter snouts.

Dogs with significant anxiety around food or a history of resource guarding may become more stressed rather than calmer when faced with a slow feeder. If your dog shows signs of frustration, pawing excessively at the bowl, barking at it, or refusing to eat, a gradual introduction or an entirely different feeding approach like a snuffle mat may be more appropriate.

Aggressive chewers who actively gnaw on and destroy their bowls should consider the Leashboss or the Outward Hound stainless steel variant instead. While the standard Fun Feeder is durable for normal use, it is not designed to withstand deliberate chewing from powerful jaws. Finally, owners who feed exclusively wet food may find the grooves more difficult to clean thoroughly, though it is certainly still usable with wet food when followed by a dishwasher cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size Outward Hound Fun Feeder should I get for my dog?

Choose based on your dog’s meal portion, not their body size. The Small holds 3/4 cup of dry food and suits toy to small breeds. The Medium holds 2 cups and works for most small to medium dogs. The Large holds up to 4 cups and is ideal for medium to large breeds. If you are between sizes, go up. It is better to have a bowl that is slightly too large than one that cannot hold an entire meal, as splitting meals across two servings defeats the purpose of a slow feeder.

Can I use the Outward Hound Fun Feeder with wet food or raw diets?

Yes, the Fun Feeder works with wet food, raw food, and even kibble mixed with water or broth. However, wet food does fill the grooves more densely, which makes the bowl somewhat easier for your dog to lick clean and slightly reduces the slowing effect compared to dry kibble. Cleaning is also more involved with wet food. For best results, run it through the dishwasher after every wet food meal to prevent residue buildup in the deeper channels.

How long does the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl last?

With normal use, the Fun Feeder is remarkably durable. Multiple long-term owners report their bowls lasting well over five years with daily use and showing no signs of wear, cracking, or degradation. The food-safe plastic does not stain or retain odors even after years of service. The non-slip base maintains its grip over time as well. The only scenario where longevity becomes an issue is if your dog actively chews on the bowl, in which case you should switch to the stainless steel version or a chew-resistant alternative.

Will the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl slide around on my floor?

The built-in thermoplastic elastomer non-slip base does an effective job of keeping the bowl stationary on most surfaces including tile, hardwood, laminate, and vinyl. It performs best on slightly textured surfaces. On extremely smooth or polished floors, very aggressive eaters may push the bowl slightly, but far less than a bowl without any non-slip feature. If sliding is an issue, placing a silicone mat underneath the bowl eliminates the problem entirely. The bowl’s wide, low-profile design also helps by keeping the center of gravity low.

Our Verdict

Score: 8.7/10

The Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl earns its reputation as the go-to slow feeder for good reason. It delivers exactly what it promises: a significant, measurable reduction in eating speed that translates directly into better digestive health for your dog. The tiered difficulty system, multiple size options, and range of colors give it a level of versatility that competitors simply cannot match at this price point. Build quality exceeds expectations for an $15.97 product, with food-safe materials, effective non-slip performance, and durability that extends well beyond five years of daily use.

It loses a few points for the occasional kibble-trapping issue in certain maze patterns, the potential difficulty for flat-faced breeds on harder patterns, and the fact that the standard plastic version is not ideal for determined chewers. But these are niche limitations that do not apply to the majority of dogs. For the average fast-eating dog and the owner looking for an affordable, proven, and vet-recommended solution, this bowl is the clear winner in its category. At under $11, the return on investment is exceptional when you factor in the potential veterinary bills it could help you avoid. This is not a luxury purchase. It is a smart, practical tool that genuinely improves your dog’s health and quality of life.

Pros:

• Extends mealtimes by up to 10x or more, with real-world results consistently backing this claim
• Three difficulty levels (Slow, Slower, Slowest) allow you to match the challenge to your dog
• Available in three sizes, six colors, and a stainless steel variant for maximum flexibility
• BPA-free, PVC-free, lead-free, and phthalate-free food-grade materials
• Effective non-slip base keeps the bowl in place on most floor surfaces
• Top-rack dishwasher safe for easy, thorough cleaning
• Veterinarian recommended to help prevent bloat, regurgitation, and obesity
• Exceptional durability with reports of 5+ years of daily use without degradation
• Outstanding value at just $15.97

Cons:

• Some maze patterns can trap small kibble pieces in narrow outer channels
• Deeper grooves on harder difficulty levels may frustrate flat-faced breeds
• Standard plastic version is not suitable for dogs that chew on their bowls
• Wet food is harder to clean from the intricate channels without a dishwasher
• May cause stress in dogs with severe food anxiety or resource guarding issues