Black & Decker Slow Feeder Rocking Dog Bowl

Why I tried a rocking slow feeder

My younger dog eats like it’s a timed event. I’ve used maze-style slow feeders and snuffle mats with mixed success: some slow him down, others just frustrate him or make a mess. The idea of a bowl that rocks to keep food moving—thereby pacing the meal—felt worth a shot. That’s what drew me to this rocking bowl from Black & Decker. It promises a no-spill design, dishwasher-safe cleanup, and compatibility with both dry and wet food, all in a compact, durable package.

Over two weeks, I fed two dogs with it: a 65-pound Lab mix who typically inhales food, and a 22-pound terrier who’s more cautious but curious.

Design and build

This is a compact, sturdily built bowl with a rounded base that encourages a gentle rocking motion as the dog eats. The footprint is roughly 7.5 by 7.5 inches and the height is about 5.5 inches, so it’s taller than a typical stainless or ceramic bowl. At 1.4 pounds, it has enough heft to feel substantial without being heavy. The material is listed as food-safe and durable, and after a couple of weeks of daily use I didn’t see any cracks or warping. Light scuffs from muzzle contact showed up as expected.

The “no-spill” claim comes from a raised rim and the way the interior geometry keeps food centered as the base tips. There are no electronics here—just a simple mechanical approach to pacing a meal.

One small but important handling note: because the bowl rocks, you really do want to carry it from the bottom when it’s full. Grabbing it by the rim invites a wobble and a dropped kibble or two.

Setup and capacity

The interior isn’t a traditional maze. Instead, the slowing effect relies on the rocking base and a more constrained access area than a standard open bowl. That access feels deliberately tighter, which is the whole point; the dog gets only so much food at once and has to nudge and reposition for more.

In terms of meal size, I found it appropriate for small to medium portions. It handled my terrier’s dinner easily. For my Lab, who eats a larger ration, it fit a full meal but left little headroom. If your large dog eats big portions, expect a very full bowl or consider splitting feedings.

Performance with dry food

With dry kibble, the rocking action worked as intended. My Lab’s habit is to plant his face and vacuum. Here, he had to slow down: mouthfuls were smaller and he had to reposition as the bowl tipped away. The motion kept him engaged without turning mealtime into a puzzle he wanted to flip. The terrier, who normally picks methodically, adapted immediately.

Speed-wise, I won’t pretend to time mealtimes down to the second, but it was clearly slower and more measured. Crucially, it didn’t seem to increase gulping or anxiety in either dog. That’s a balance some slow feeders miss.

Wet food and mixed meals

With wet food (or a dry-wet mix), the bowl still performed well, though differently. Wet food tends to stick, so the “pacing” had more to do with access than movement. The rim prevented smears from slinging out when the bowl rocked, and I didn’t wind up with gravy trails on the floor.

One practical note: wetter formulas collect near the low side of the rock as the dog eats, so dogs with short muzzles may need to work at a more awkward angle than with a flat dish. Mine managed fine, but if your dog dislikes reaching into taller bowls, consider that.

Spill control and floor friendliness

On tile, the bowl slides less than I expected—its base shape encourages rocking more than skating—but it can still wander. On a rubber mat or rug, movement was minimal and noise dropped significantly. That matters if you feed on hard floors; the tapping of plastic on tile gets old fast.

As for the no-spill claim, it’s mostly accurate. I saw the occasional renegade kibble escape during enthusiastic nudging, but not a cascade. Compared with many maze feeders that scatter food as dogs paw through channels, this one kept the feeding area tidier.

Dog fit and frustration

Fit matters more with this bowl than with flat dishes. The access area is intentionally more constrained, and that interacts with muzzle size and eating style.

• My Lab (broad head, determined eater) occasionally found kibble pinned against the inner walls and had to angle his muzzle to reach it. Most of the time he succeeded, but at the end of a meal one or two pieces could linger until the bowl tipped just right. He grumbled a bit but did not escalate to pawing or chewing under supervision.

• My terrier (narrow muzzle, patient) had no trouble, and the slow-down was gentle rather than punitive.

If your dog is a power-chewer or prone to trying to “solve” feeders with brute force, supervise early sessions. A motivated dog can treat any plastic feeder as a chew toy once the food becomes difficult to access. This bowl feels tougher than bargain-bin plastic, but like most slow feeders it’s not designed to withstand determined chewing or prying.

Cleaning and maintenance

Dishwasher-safe status is a big win. I ran it on the top rack, and it came out clean without warping. Hand washing was easy too; there aren’t deep maze channels to trap grime. Because the bowl is taller than average, check your dishwasher clearance.

Odor retention was minimal after repeated wet-food meals, which aligns with a decent, non-porous material. There are no detachable inserts or hidden seams to fuss over.

Build quality and durability

After two weeks, the structure held up well—no loosening, no cracks. That said, there’s always a tradeoff with plastic feeders. Leave a determined, strong dog unsupervised and you risk scuffs turning into gouges. The rocking base also invites investigative pawing in some dogs; if that’s your dog, plan to feed on a mat and pick up the bowl after meals.

At 1.4 pounds, it resists casual flipping better than featherweight bowls, but it’s not “flip-proof.” Dogs who like to tip bowls may still try it. The taller profile gives them leverage if they hook the rim.

Value and who it’s for

At roughly $27.99, it sits near the middle of the slow-feeder market. You can buy cheaper molded mazes and more expensive puzzle feeders. What you’re paying for here is the rocking approach and the cleaner feeding area that comes with it.

I’d consider it a good fit for:
- Small to medium dogs that eat fast but aren’t bowl-flippers or dedicated chewers
- Owners who want a slow-down tool that doesn’t turn the kitchen into a crumb field
- Homes that value quick dishwasher cleanup

I’d think twice if:
- Your dog is large, broad-headed, and easily frustrated by restricted access
- You’ve seen your dog pry at or chew plastic feeders in the past
- Noise on hard flooring is a concern and you don’t want to use a mat

Final recommendation

I recommend the rocking bowl with clear caveats. It genuinely slows mealtime without creating a mess, cleans up easily, and feels sturdier than many plastic slow feeders. For small to medium non-destructive eaters, it’s a thoughtful way to pace a meal and reduce gulping. However, if your dog is strong, easily frustrated, or inclined to manhandle feeders, the constrained access and rocking motion may tip them from engaged to annoyed—and that’s where durability can become an issue. In those cases, a low-profile slow feeder or a snuffle mat may be a better, quieter, and safer fit.