MealSlow feeder inserts for the dog bowl you already own
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Straight answer: An insert only works if it matches the inside of the bowl you already own, so measure the floor width before you order. The two here are made for bowls about 7 to 7.5 in wide. If neither fits, a bowl with the pattern built in is the simpler route.
A slow feeder insert is a patterned ring or maze that sits inside a bowl you already own, so its width has to match that bowl. Two inserts have published specs: the Mighty Paw silicone insert (7 in) and the Messy Mutts suction insert (7.5 in). If neither fits, buy a bowl with the pattern built in.
That is a short list, and we would rather say so than pad it. Most slow feeders sold are complete bowls. This page covers the two inserts, how to check fit, and two alternatives.
Compare all 4 picks side by side
| Model | Best for | Material | Size(s) | Dishwasher | Non-slip | Food | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mighty Paw Slow Feeder Insert | Silicone insert that also works alone | silicone | Medium (3 cups) | Yes | — | dry, wet, raw | Check price |
| Messy Mutts Slow Feeder Insert | Suction-cup insert for non-porous bowls | mixed | 7.5 in | Yes | Yes | — | Check price |
| OH Fun Feeder Stainless Medium | Alternative: steel bowl with a removable maze | — | Medium (2 cups) | Top rack | Yes | dry, wet | Check price |
| Mighty Paw Silicone Slow Bowl | Alternative: soft silicone lick bowl | silicone | One size | Yes | — | wet, raw | Check price |
Which dog bowls does an insert fit?
Both inserts suit a fairly small bowl. Mighty Paw says its insert fits bowls 7 in wide, and Messy Mutts needs a base at least 5 in wide. A large dog's bowl is often wider, and an insert smaller than the floor slides around and lets food slip underneath.
Measure three things before you order:
- The inside width at the widest point.
- The width of the flat floor, where the insert will sit.
- The depth from rim to floor. Mighty Paw states its insert is 2 in tall, so in a bowl 2 in deep or less it sits level with the rim and kibble may fly out. Messy Mutts gives no height, so check before you rely on it.
If the bowl is much wider than the insert, it slows nothing. The dog just eats around it.
How suction cups and flat floors affect fit
The Messy Mutts insert has six suction cups. Suction needs a smooth, flat surface, which is why the maker recommends non-porous bowls. Many steel bowls have a rounded inside and a small flat floor. Press the insert down and try to lift it before the first meal. If it lifts easily, it will lift when your dog noses it.
Silicone inserts like the Mighty Paw rely on a snug fit, which fails differently: if the bowl is too wide, the insert shifts. Watch the first few meals to see whether your dog works around the pattern, flips the insert or chews the silicone.
Using an insert in a stainless steel bowl
An insert in a steel bowl you already own lets you try slow feeding without replacing it. Smooth steel suits suction cups. If your dog chews soft silicone or plastic, though, an insert is a weak choice. A bowl with the pattern built in, like the ones on our stainless steel slow feeder bowls page, is sturdier.
How to clean a slow feeder insert
Lift the insert out after every meal, rinse food from the ridges and suction cups, and wash the bowl underneath separately. Wet food needs a brush for the grooves. Our guide to cleaning a slow feeder goes through brushes, soaking and drying.
When an insert beats a new bowl, and when it does not
An insert is better when:
- you like your current bowl and it is the right size,
- your dog needs only a gentle speed bump, and
- you want to take the pattern out later.
A new bowl is better when:
- your bowl is much wider than 7 or 7.5 in,
- the floor is curved so suction cups will not hold, or
- you want a deep, tight pattern.
The best slow feeder dog bowls page covers the full range, and the how to choose a slow feeder guide explains sizes and patterns.
Who does not need an insert
- A dog that already eats at a normal pace.
- A heavy chewer. Soft silicone and thin plastic are easy to gnaw.
- A very large dog with a big bowl. These inserts are small.
Our picks
-
Silicone insert that also works alone
Mighty Paw Slow Feed Bowl (Medium)
- silicone
- for dogs
- dishwasher safe
- dry / wet / raw food
Mighty Paw says this silicone insert holds up to 3 cups of dry, wet or raw food, stands 2 in high and has raised ridges of different heights. It drops into bowls 7 in wide or sits on its own, and the maker calls it food-grade, BPA-free and dishwasher safe. It only helps if your bowl is close to 7 in across; a wider bowl lets it slide. Skip it for a dog that chews silicone.
Specs from: mightypaw.com (checked 2026-10-16)
-
Suction-cup insert for non-porous bowls
Messy Mutts Slow Feeder Bowl Insert with Suction 7.5 in
- mixed
- for dog & cats
- dishwasher safe
- non-slip base
Messy Mutts says its wings extend to 7.5 in across a 4.5 in base, and that six suction cups hold it in bowls whose base is at least 5 in wide. The base is polypropylene with flexible TPR wings, and the maker says it is dishwasher safe. It recommends non-porous bowls such as stainless steel, plastic or ceramic for the suction cups to grip. Skip it if your bowl has a ridged or rounded floor. Sold for dogs and cats.
Worth knowing: The maker recommends non-porous bowls such as stainless steel, plastic or ceramic for the suction cups
Specs from: messymutts.ca (checked 2026-10-16)
-
Alternative: steel bowl with a removable maze
Outward Hound Fun Feeder Stainless Steel Slo Bowl (Medium)
- for dogs
- top-rack dishwasher
- non-slip base
- dry / wet food
If neither insert fits, this is a complete bowl whose insert lifts out. Outward Hound says it is a stainless bowl with a removable maze at its Slowest level, holds 2 cups of dry or wet food, and is top-rack dishwasher safe on low heat. The maker gives no dimensions or insert material. Choose it when you want a harder pattern than a silicone ring gives.
Worth knowing: The maker's page does not state the insert's material or give bowl dimensions
Specs from: outwardhound.com (checked 2026-10-16)
-
Alternative: soft silicone lick bowl
Mighty Paw Lick Bowl
- silicone
- for dogs
- dishwasher safe
- wet / raw food
Mighty Paw describes this as BPA-free, food-grade silicone that is dishwasher safe, made for spreading peanut butter or wet or raw food. It sits flat or flips into a wobbly mode and, per the maker, suits dogs of all sizes. The maker gives no dimensions or capacity. It slows a spread, not a full bowl of kibble, so skip it for a dog that needs a whole dinner stretched out.
Worth knowing: The maker's page gives no dimensions or capacity
Specs from: mightypaw.com (checked 2026-10-16)
Common questions
FAQ
Do slow feeder inserts work in any dog bowl?
No. An insert only works if its width fits the inside of your bowl. These two are 7 in and 7.5 in across. Measure the inside floor and rim of your bowl first.
How do I measure my dog's bowl for an insert?
Measure across the inside at the widest point, then across the flat floor, then the depth from rim to floor. The insert should sit flat without wobbling and stay below the rim so food does not spill.
Will a suction cup insert stay put in a stainless steel bowl?
Messy Mutts recommends non-porous bowls such as stainless steel, plastic or ceramic. Suction cups still grip best on a smooth, flat floor, so a rounded or textured bowl may not hold the insert. Press and lift it before the first meal.
Is a slow feeder insert dishwasher safe?
Both makers call their inserts dishwasher safe. Wash food out of the ridges and suction cups after every meal, because moisture traps under an insert left in place.
Is an insert better than buying a slow feeder bowl?
Sometimes. An insert makes sense when you like your current bowl and it fits. A new bowl is easier when your bowl is wide and shallow, when the insert will not stay in place, or when you want a tighter pattern.