Getting your dog used to a Slow Feeder: start calmly at the bowl

A slow feeder changes how your dog accesses its food: between the risers there are individual areas for eating. For the first try this can be uncomplicated. What matters is whether your dog can easily reach the familiar food and feels comfortable with the new bowl layout. This guide shows you a calm introduction with an open bowl insert – from the right combination to cleaning.

Check first: insert and bowl belong together

The Ruffwear Basecamp™ Slow Feeder at Fellino is a removable insert made of food-safe silicone. Its pattern forms open food pockets. According to the manufacturer it is pressed into the matching Basecamp™ Bowl. So you additionally need the appropriate bowl; the insert alone is not a complete feeding dish.

For use in Medium the Basecamp™ Dog Bowl in Medium with 1,6 litres is the appropriate size combination. The volume describes the bowl, not the correct amount of food for your dog.

Compare model and size specifications before selecting. A similarly sized existing bowl is not automatically compatible. Check the condition before each use and the intended fit after inserting. The bowl should stand on a level surface that your dog can comfortably approach. The insert remains in the bowl during use.

Plan with familiar food

For the introduction use a small portion of your dog’s already suitable normal ration. Take this portion into account for the remainder of the meal. If you are following a veterinarian-prescribed feeding plan, stay within those guidelines. A new bowl shape is not a reason to independently reduce the daily amount or to introduce unfamiliar ingredients.

Plan the trial at a usual feeding time when you can stay with your dog. Do not skip a meal to make your dog more motivated. If the bowl itself is new, your dog can initially eat from it without the insert. This way the new dish can be learned separately from the changed food access.

The first attempt in four steps

The following actions are our practical suggestion for the introduction. They apply the principle “start easy” to this bowl insert:

1. Prepare: Clean bowl and insert according to their respective care instructions. Fit the insert appropriately and choose the familiar feeding place. Keep the remaining part of the meal ready for the regular feeding.
2. Offer food that is easy to reach: Loosely distribute the intended small portion in the open food pockets. Do not press anything down. Observe whether your dog can reach the pieces or portions with its usual eating movement.
3. Let them explore themselves: Place the prepared bowl down and give your dog space. It may sniff, try or turn away. Do not push its muzzle toward the food and do not keep moving the bowl behind it.
4. Observe and finish: Stay with it during use. If the food intake succeeds, this first small attempt is sufficient. If your dog cannot reach the food well or pulls out and chews the insert, end the attempt calmly. Offer any uneaten but still perfectly good food again in the familiar way.

How to decide on the next step

Dogs Trust recommends observing the actual reaction with enrichment offers: is the dog interested, is it coping, or does the task seem too difficult? For this bowl particularly concrete questions are helpful: can it reach the open food areas? Does the combination stay in place? Does it continue eating without tearing at the insert?

Note two things after the attempt: what worked easily, and what would you like to simplify next time? Initially stick with the same bowl combination and the same familiar food. If the introduction goes well, you can gradually offer a larger portion of the normal meal in it. There is no necessary increase and no set number of practice days.

With multiple dogs separate feeding places for the introduction are sensible. If your dog already shows food guarding, seek expert advice before such changes. Do not reach into the used bowl to test its reaction.

Clean and check after the meal

Remove the insert after use, clear away food residues and check the underside and the bowl bottom beneath it. The FDA recommends washing feeding bowls after every use. For the Basecamp Slow Feeder Ruffwear explicitly names the top rack of the dishwasher. Observe the separate bowl’s own care instructions.

Before reinserting check whether residues have remained in the depressions and whether the material is undamaged. Allow cleaned parts to dry before you put them away. A damaged insert should be taken out of use.

Checklist for the introduction

• Checked matching Basecamp Bowl and correct insert size?
• Clean, undamaged insert fitted correctly?
• Planned familiar food from the normal ration?
• Food open and reachable without pressing it down?
• Time to observe and to clean afterwards?

Frequently asked questions

Does my dog have to completely empty the Slow Feeder?

No. A first attempt is not a test. If the food intake becomes difficult, your dog will get its meal in the familiar way. Provision is not dependent on whether it copes with the insert.

Can I also place the insert loosely on the floor?

For this model use in the matching Basecamp Bowl is intended. Use it according to this construction. It is not a standalone chew or rolling toy.

How much longer should the meal take with it?

There is no target time for this introduction. Observe the achievable food intake and your dog’s reaction. Making access to food progressively harder is not a reason to aim for the longest possible occupation.

Author: Fellino editorial team. Editorial status: 28.10.2026.