Slow-feeder bowl for Labradoodle puppy

Your vet is giving you great advice — Labradoodles, especially as puppies, tend to eat like they're in a race, and gulping air along with food can lead to bloating, regurgitation, and some pretty uncomfortable digestion. Getting the right bowl in place now, at 12 weeks, means you're building a calm eating habit before the bad one gets ingrained. Before I point you to something specific, a quick question: is your pup eating wet food, dry kibble, or a mix of both right now?

That's exactly the scenario slow-feeders are made for — dry kibble and a dog who treats every meal like a competition. For a 12-week-old Labradoodle, I'd recommend the LickiMat Splash. It's a flat, textured mat rather than a deep ridged bowl, which works brilliantly with kibble — you spread a little water or a smear of wet food over it and the biscuits sit in the grooves, so she has to work for each piece instead of scooping up a mouthful. It naturally slows eating down by three or four times without any frustration for the dog. It's also completely flat, so no tipping, easy to wash in the dishwasher, and the soft texture is gentle on puppy teeth and gums. At 12 weeks she's small enough that the standard size is perfect — you won't need the XL version yet.

It's genuinely one of the most versatile puppy tools you'll own. For meals, spread her kibble with a little warm water or a thin layer of wet food and let her work through it. But you can also use it with a smear of peanut butter (xylitol-free — check the label) or plain yogurt to keep her calm during nail trims, grooming, or vet visits. Some owners freeze it overnight so it lasts longer and gives teething puppies some relief. At 12 weeks, just starting to introduce her to all these new experiences, having something that occupies and soothes her is really useful beyond just mealtimes.

The standard LickiMat Splash is the one to go for at this stage — it's widely available on Amazon UK and typically costs around £10 to £12. The Splash specifically has a slightly raised edge which helps contain kibble better than the completely flat versions. Avoid the XL unless you have a giant breed; it's unnecessarily large for a Labradoodle puppy. One practical tip: the first couple of mealtimes, add a tiny bit of warm water to soften the kibble slightly so it sits in the grooves rather than rolling off — she'll get the idea quickly and you won't need to do that for long.

Great choice — your vet will be pleased and honestly your pup will be more comfortable after every meal, which makes the whole training period calmer for both of you. If you run into any other questions about kit as she grows — crates, leads, training pouches — come back and ask. Twelve weeks is a brilliant time to be getting all this right. Good luck with her.