Basenji weight gain: switching from gravity feeder

Switching away from a gravity feeder is one of the smartest moves you can make for a dog who's put on weight — gravity feeders essentially give a dog free rein, and Basenjis in particular tend to self-regulate poorly once they hit middle age. Bowl type and height genuinely matter too: the right setup can support digestion, slow eating pace, and help you get precise control over portions. Can you tell me roughly how much weight your Basenji has gained, what your vet has said (if anything), and how much you're currently feeding per day? Also helpful to know whether he or she tends to eat quickly or is more of a grazer.

That's really clear — 2kg on a Basenji is significant, roughly 20% over ideal weight, so getting precise portions is genuinely urgent. The gorging behaviour is also worth addressing directly: eating fast causes her to overshoot her satiety signals, which makes the overeating worse. You want a bowl that does two things at once — forces you to measure, and slows her down. A flat stainless bowl won't achieve the second part. What are you currently feeding, wet or dry, and do you know the target daily calorie amount your vet suggested?

Perfect, that's a very workable target. Here's what I'd recommend: the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl in the small size. It's a slow feeder with a maze pattern that extends meal time significantly — studies on similar designs show eating time increasing by 5–10x, which gives her brain time to register fullness. It's shallow enough for a Basenji's muzzle, easy to measure into before putting it down, and dishwasher safe. It's widely available on Amazon UK for around £10–12. The key shift in your routine is weighing kibble on a kitchen scale each meal rather than eyeballing — 140 calories per meal twice a day. The bowl change alone won't fix the weight, but pairing portion control with slower eating is the most effective combination for a dog like her.

Some dogs do take a day or two to figure it out, but Basenjis are sharp and she'll adapt quickly. If she seems really frustrated in the first meal, you can put a tiny smear of something she loves (a bit of wet food or broth) in the grooves to encourage her to work at it. Within three or four meals most dogs treat it like a puzzle they enjoy. The bigger thing to watch is her weight every two to three weeks — you should see around 200–400g loss per week at that calorie level. If she's not losing after three weeks, it's worth revisiting the calorie count with your vet, as metabolism does slow with age.

Good move. Get a cheap kitchen scale at the same time if you don't have one — that's honestly just as important as the bowl. You should start seeing a difference within a month if the portions are consistent. Good luck to her.