Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl, Medium 2-Cup, Blue Notch Pattern Review (2026)

How the Slow Feeder Works

This bowl relies on a notch pattern molded into its base, a series of raised ridges a dog has to work around rather than scoop food from in one open motion. That obstacle style design is the core mechanism behind the brand's Slo Bowl line, which is built to extend mealtime for dogs that otherwise finish a bowl in a matter of seconds. Slowing eating down this way is associated with less air swallowed during a meal, which can help reduce the risk of bloat, regurgitation, and the general digestive strain that comes from a dog eating too fast, especially in smaller apartment sized dogs prone to gulping their food.

Size and Materials

The medium size holds 2 cups, matching typical portions for small to medium dogs rather than the larger capacity sizes the same product line offers for bigger breeds. Construction is mostly polypropylene with some thermoplastic elastomer, and the brand states the bowl is free of BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalates, which are standard safety claims across its bowl lineup. A non-slip base is built into the bottom of the bowl to keep it from skating across smooth apartment flooring while a dog noses through the notch pattern, which matters since an unstable bowl can undercut the slow feeding effect if it just slides away from an eager eater instead.

Cleaning

The notched ridges that create the slow feeding challenge also make this bowl more work to clean than a flat dish, since food, especially wet or sauce covered food, can settle into the grooves between the raised notches. The brand states the bowl is safe on the top rack of a dishwasher, which is the realistic way to get it fully clean without scrubbing every groove by hand after each meal. Dry kibble tends to shake or rinse free more easily than wet food, so households feeding wet food or a mixed diet should plan on regular dishwasher cycles to keep the notch pattern from holding onto residue between uses.

How It Compares

This bowl ranks just behind a nearly identical medium sized version in a turquoise drop pattern rather than this blue notch design, with the two products sharing the same size, material, and dishwasher safe cleaning while differing mainly in maze layout and color. Larger capacity bowls in the same line sit lower on the site's ranking, since the medium 2 cup size tends to suit the smaller living spaces and smaller to medium dogs common in apartments better than bulkier large breed sizes. The choice between notch and drop patterns mostly comes down to personal preference rather than functional differences.

Bottom Line

This bowl suits an apartment dog owner whose dog eats too quickly and would benefit from a molded obstacle pattern that physically slows down each bite. The 2 cup medium size fits small to medium dogs well, and the dishwasher safe design keeps the extra cleaning effort manageable across regular use. Dogs that chew or gnaw at their bowls may wear down the notched plastic faster than they would a flatter design, so owners of persistent chewers should keep an eye on the ridges over time and replace the bowl if they crack.

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