Feeding Two Dachshunds at Different Speeds

Two dachshunds at different life stages eating at different speeds is a really common headache — and it matters more than most people realise, because dachshunds are already prone to weight gain and bloat, and letting a fast eater bolt their food while a slower one grazes nearby is a recipe for both overdoing it. Bowl type and height genuinely affect digestion and comfort here too — dachshunds have long spines, so floor-level feeding is usually fine, but a fast eater absolutely benefits from a slow feeder to reduce gulping and gas. Can you tell me a bit more: how old are each of them, roughly how much do they weigh, and what are you currently feeding them from? And is your main worry the speed difference, portion control, or keeping them from stealing each other's food?

That's a clear picture — your younger one is the problem here, and the older dog is probably stressed at mealtimes even if she's not showing it obviously. The fix is twofold: a slow feeder for the young one to physically extend her eating time, and keeping them in separate spaces during meals so the older dog can eat calmly without competition. For the slow feeder, I'd recommend the LickiMat Wobble for your younger dachshund. It's a wobbly suction-based bowl with a maze-style surface — wet food or kibble soaked slightly in water turns a 30-second inhale into a 4–5 minute meal. It's low to the ground, easy to clean, and the suction base means she can't shove it around the kitchen. Can I ask — are you feeding wet food, dry kibble, or a mix? That'll help me confirm the Wobble is the right fit, because it works best with slightly moist food.

That's actually ideal for the LickiMat Wobble — the moisture helps the kibble settle into the ridges and grooves, which is exactly what slows a fast eater down. Your younger one will have to work for every piece rather than just hoovering the bowl. For your older, steadier eater, you can keep a good stainless steel bowl — honestly the kind you already have is fine — but I'd suggest a slightly deeper, heavier one with a non-slip base so it stays put and doesn't become a target. Something like the Ethical Pet Stainless Steel Non-Slip Bowl works well and is easy to keep clean. The real win here is just separating them at mealtimes — different rooms or a baby gate — so the older one associates eating with calm rather than competition. Once the younger one is on the Wobble and eating slower, you might find she's less fixated on what the other dog has anyway.

Yes on both counts. The Wobble is dishwasher safe — just pop it on the top rack — and the silicone surface doesn't hold onto smells or stain the way plastic does. As for using it without training, most dogs figure it out immediately because the food is right there, just spread across the surface rather than piled in a bowl. Your younger one will probably just sniff it and get stuck in. If she's hesitant the first time, smear a tiny bit of wet food across the top and she'll work out the rest herself within a minute. It genuinely doesn't require any introduction for a food-motivated dog, and a dachshund who's been inhaling meals in 30 seconds is very food-motivated.

You're set — that combination of the Wobble for the fast eater and calm separate spaces for the older one is genuinely the most practical solution here. It protects both dogs: no more stress for your five-year-old, and your two-year-old will digest better and be less likely to bloat or put on weight from rushing. Good luck with them both.