Slow feeder for Rottweiler puppy

Smart move getting ahead of this — fast eating in a large, deep-chested breed like a Rottweiler isn't just a messy habit, it's a genuine bloat risk, and the earlier you interrupt it the easier it is to reset. Before I point you to the right bowl, tell me: how much does your pup weigh roughly at 9 months, how much dry food are you feeding per meal, and is he eating from the floor or an elevated stand right now?

Right, so 400g is a proper-sized meal and at 38kg he's already a big lad — that volume of food inhaled quickly is exactly the combination you want to slow down. A standard bowl gives him nothing to work around, so he can clear it in under a minute. Is the fast eating consistent every meal, or worse when he's been active or is particularly excited?

Good — healthy dog, no joint issues, purely prevention. In that case you don't need an elevated feeder at this stage, you need a slow feeder bowl with a substantial maze pattern that can handle a 400g kibble portion without overflowing. For a dog his size I'd go with the LickiMat Splash or, more practically for dry kibble portions this large, the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl in the large size. The Outward Hound is the one I'd actually recommend here — the large version holds up to 4 cups of kibble comfortably, the ridge pattern is complex enough to stretch a meal from 30 seconds to 8–10 minutes, and it's dishwasher safe which matters when you're using it twice a day. It also sits flat and is heavy enough that a Rottweiler won't just bowl it across the kitchen. It's widely available on Amazon UK for around £10–12 and it's the most proven option at this price point for large breeds.

Some dogs do get quicker with a specific pattern over time, usually after a few months. The practical fix is to rotate between two different slow feeder designs every few weeks — the brain has to re-engage each time. The Outward Hound range has a few different maze layouts so you can pick up a second design for a few pounds and alternate them. That said, many dogs never fully crack a well-designed maze, they just slow down because the food is genuinely harder to access. At 9 months you're building the habit before he's ever known a fast feed from a slow bowl, which gives you the best possible outcome.

Flat bowl for now. Raised feeders were historically recommended for large breeds to reduce bloat risk, but the evidence on that has actually flipped — some research now suggests raised feeders may slightly increase bloat risk in deep-chested dogs rather than reduce it. Since he's young, fit, and has no arthritis or neck issues, a flat slow feeder on the floor is the right call. Keep it flat, get the large Outward Hound Fun Feeder, and you're set.