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9 DIY Slow-Feed Cat Bowl Plans You Can Make Today (With Pictures)

Rachael Gerkensmeyer

By Rachael Gerkensmeyer

slow feeder dog bowl

Cats are not known for scarfing their food down like dogs. However, some cats do like their food a little too much and tend to gulp it down quicker than they should, which can lead to indigestion and diarrhea. Some cats enjoy food so much, they tend to overeat and gain weight. If your cat eats too much or too quickly, you are probably wondering whether there is anything that you can do to correct the problem.

Luckily, there is! You can introduce your cat to a slow feeder system, which provides them with the nutrition they need at a pace that is healthy for them. You can purchase a slow-feed bowl for cats, or you can make your own using a few simple materials. Here are five awesome DIY slow-feed cat bowl plans to consider making today.

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Top 9 DIY Slow-Feed Cat Bowl Plans

1. DIY Egg Carton Slow Feeder- Cat behavior Associates

DIY Egg Carton Slow Feeder- Cat behavior Associates
Image Credit: Cat behavior Associates
Materials: An egg carton
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Easy

This is such an easy-to-make slow-feeder cat bowl, you don’t even need any plans to get it done. All you need is an empty egg carton and cat food. Open the egg carton, and pour a bit of food into a few of the slots where the eggs are supposed to go. Your kitty can then use their paws to get the pieces of food out, which will help slow their eating speed and provide essential mental stimulation.


2. DIY Super Quick Puzzle Slow Feeder- Oh my dog blog

DIY Super Quick Puzzle Slow Feeder- Oh my dog blog 
Image Credit: Oh my dog blog
Materials: A cardboard box, toilet paper, or paper towel rolls
Tools: Scissors
Difficulty Level: Easy

With just a cardboard box and a few empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls, you can create a cool puzzle slow feeder for your cat that should hold up well for months before you have to make a new one. The plans are easy to follow, and you should be able to complete them within about an hour, depending on the size of the box and the number of toilet paper or paper towel rolls that you decide to use.


3. DIY Basic Bowl Slow Feeder- No ordinary sparrow. blogspot

DIY Basic Bowl Slow Feeder- No ordinary sparrow. blogspot
Image Credit: No ordinary sparrow. blogspot
Materials: One standard feeding bowl, one smaller bowl, cup, or glass
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Easy

If you have two different-sized feeding dishes at home, you have everything that you need to make a basic slow feeder for your cat to enjoy. By placing a small bowl or cup upside down inside of a larger feeding dish, you have yourself a makeshift slow feeder that will help keep your kitty from gulping their food down too fast. Just sprinkle a little food around the interior dish, and your cat will have to work for every bite. This works for dogs too!


4. Homemade Puzzle Slow Feeder- Youtube

Materials: A dual bowl stand, a feeding bowl, a piece of cardboard, an elastic band, a plastic cup
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Moderate

This set of slow feeder plans requires more materials than most others on this list, but you may already have all the materials that you need lying around the house. If not, they should be easy to find at a local store or online. Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, it shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes to put this slow feeder together.


5. DIY Interactive Cardboard Slow Feeder- Youtube

Materials: Cardboard, magnets, wooden dowels
Tools: Scissors, small drill
Difficulty Level: Moderate

This slow-feed contraption for cats does more than just make sure that your kitty gets fed. It requires interaction and problem-solving skills for the food to come out, so your cat will stay busy and get the mental stimulation that they need whenever they are ready to munch down on a meal or snack. You only need a few materials and tools to complete this DIY project, but the process is in-depth and could take you a few hours, if not a couple of days.


6. DIY Cereal Box Slow Feeder — Best Friends Animal Society

Materials: Empty cereal box, toilet paper rolls, paper
Tools:
Difficulty Level: Easy

Empty cereal boxes make excellent puzzle feeders, and you can add kibble to a cardboard paper towel roll you’re getting ready to throw in the recycling bin. Fold the edges of the cardboard roll to keep the goodies inside. Tuck the rolls into an empty cereal box, add a few pieces of bunched-up paper, and shut the flaps to close the box. Stand clear as your cat experiments with various ways to liberate their treats or dinner! The video provides instructions for several easy DIY cat toys and enrichment activities.


7. DIY Muffin Pan Slow Feeder — Pets Plus Us

Materials: Muffin tin
Tools:
Difficulty Level: Easy

You can create a slow feeder for your cat in seconds with a muffin tin, and you won’t even need to bother with staples, glue, or zip ties! Take an old muffin tin you have sitting around and clean it thoroughly. Distribute your pet’s dinner randomly throughout the cups, then give the entire pan to your cat to enjoy. The setup encourages cats to search for their food actively and slows their eating.


8. DIY Wet Food Slow Feeder — Fundamentally Feline

Materials: Coffee mug, placemat
Tools:
Difficulty Level: Easy

With a coffee mug and a waterproof placemat, you can whip together an ingenious slow-feeder to reduce your cat’s eating speed while enjoying wet food. Put a few scoops of wet food in the coffee mug and place the cup on its side on the placemat. Instead of hovering over a bowl and lowering their head to eat, your cat must use their paws to get the wet food out of the coffee cup. It’s a clever problem-solving activity that taps into your cat’s instincts and abilities.


9. DIY Toilet Paper Roll Slow Feeder — ASPCA

DIY slow feed cat bowl
Image Credit: Aspca
Materials: Cardboard toilet paper roll core
Tools: Scissors
Difficulty Level: Easy

When you’re done with a roll of toilet paper, save the cardboard core. Grab a pair of scissors and cut a hole on one side that’s just large enough for cat treats or dry food to shake through. Add treats or kibble and fold the ends of the tubes to keep your buddy’s treats inside. Cats need to use their paws and bodies to knock the kibble free. It’s a great option for cats that could benefit from mental stimulation to keep anxiety at bay when left alone.

Alternatively, you can opt for a bowl that is practical and modern and was designed to improve your cats' eating habits and benefit their overall health. Our Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl was created with both pet parents and their feline companions in mind. The shallow stainless steel bowls protect your kitty from whisker fatigue and the elevated base brings their food to a height that's comfortable for them to eat. The wrap-around tray ensures that your floors are always clean of mealtime mess. Cleaning is a breeze since the NomNom is entirely dishwasher-safe.

Hepper 360 Cat Feeder, Stainless Steel, Anti-Chew...
  • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
  • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...

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Conclusion

These DIY slow-feed cat bowls are sure to be a hit with your cat, even if it does take them a while to get used to them. If your cat doesn’t get the hang of one option, try another. These plans are inexpensive to complete, and anyone can follow them.

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Featured Image Credit: Yekatseryna Netuk, Shutterstock

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