All reviews on Snoot & Toebeans are for items I have purchased, either new or used, unless specified. I will always disclose in the post if I have been paid or compensated in any way by a brand or manufacturer.

Does your dog eat too fast? Do you wonder if he or she is even chewing or tasting the food?  Mine does and I do wonder! I have no idea why my Bella feels like eating has to be a race, but she does. 

Consequently, I’m glad that Outward Hound solved the problem with a slow feeding dog bowl solution. Outward Hound designs dog bowls and feeders to make feeding healthy and fun for our fur babies.

So, why did they design such a feeding solution in the first place?

Eating Too Fast is Dangerous

When Bella’s food is in her old bowl, she can literally inhale a ¼ cup of kibble twice a day in 45 seconds. But then, she acts as if she is still hungry. Her little tummy swells up like a small balloon and gets hard to the touch. 

I quickly became aware of the health risks associated with Bella’s eating too fast. It is common for dogs that eat like she does to end up with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). This condition is more commonly known as bloat.

Bloat, which kills around 20,000 dogs every year, is typically attributed to rapid eating. 

GDV is No Joke! 

When the stomach blows up like a balloon, eventually it can expand so much that it begins to twist. When this happens, gas is trapped and starts cutting off normal circulation. As a result, a dog can quickly go into shock and die.

“Careful attention to diet, feeding and exercise regimens may help to prevent gastric dilatation-volvulus.”

Dr. Ernie Ward, DVM

So, since a feeding regimen can help prevent GDV, I knew I had to find something for Bella. After much research, I wanted to try a slow feeding dog bowl with her.

Benefits of Slow Feeding Dog Bowls

• Encourages a healthy eating pace
• Minimizes choking
• Eliminates gas
• Helps with portion control
• Prevents indigestion 
• Provides mental stimulation 
• Reduces the risk of bloat
• Decreases regurgitation
• Lowers the chance of canine obesity
• Improves digestion

Outward Hound’s Fun Feeder Slow Feeding Dog Bowl

Our first purchase was the Outward Hound Fun Feeder slow feeding dog bowl. The Fun Feeder received the Becker’s Best Award at the 2014 Global Pet Expo as one of the ten best new pet products of the year.

 “Dogs who wolf down their food or cats who “binge and purge” have more than met their match with the Fun Feeders that turn a pig-out session into a relaxing — and safer — meal.”

Dr. Marty Becker, DVM, “America’s Veterinarian”

The Fun Feeder comes in five colors and each has a different patterned design within it. The designs are crafted to help slow down a dog’s eating habits. 

In fact, Outward Hound designed them to promote a more natural, prolonged eating habit. Dogs are able to push their food through a maze of ridges and valleys. As a result, dinnertime is more like a hunt.

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Outward Hound’s Fun Feeder Pros and Cons

Unfortunately, Bella struggled with this slow feeding dog bowl.  She is a morkie, so her snout is a little flatter. Therefore, I believe this to be the reasoning for the struggle.

On the other hand, my foster dog had no problem pushing food through the ridges and valleys. So, I attribute this to her longer snout, because she is a min-pin.

Next, I came across the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Mat in my local PetSmart.

Outward Hound’s Fun Feeder Mat

This mat, which is similar to a slow feeding dog bowl, has prolonged Bella’s feeding time considerably. In other words, she went from eating her food in 45 seconds flat to approximately five minutes.

This mat was exactly what was needed to slow her down. Now, Bella is still eating when her brother, Edward, finishes.

Conclusion

When a dog eats from an Outward Hound Fun Feeder, they can’t wolf down their food. It’s an effective compartmentalized dog bowl that encourages dogs to eat in a natural way.

By eating in a natural way, they are working for their food. Therefore, they are getting more out of the meal than just nutrition.

In addition, when a dog slows down their eating, they improve their chances of a long, healthy, and happy life.

Does your dog use a slow feeder at mealtime? Tell us all about it in the comments.

You might like our post about mentally stimulating your dog for overall well-being:

Mentally Stimulate Your Dog for Overall Well-Being

Another way to mentally stimulate your dog is taking them for a walk. Check out this post:

Walking Your Dog – Why It’s So Important!

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Brew…

Rescue…

The sweet, rich coffee aroma flows through the morning air, while visions of rescue dogs fill my head. 

Then, bursting with tasting notes of caramel, dark chocolate, red currants, and toasted pecan, my morning ritual begins. With each sip, more visions of rescue dogs fill my head.

Repeat.

Grounds & Hounds Coffee, Co. Gives Back

My great mornings start with my doggos in my lap, a delicious cup of coffee, and a purpose.  Oh! What an amazing feeling to know with each sip, I’m helping Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. give back. Together, we help rescue dogs.

“To our four-legged friends, each day is a new adventure, full of possibilities and excitement. Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co. was born out of our passion to give back to the animals who selflessly provide us with so much happiness.”

Jordan Karcher
Founder & CEO of Grounds & Hounds Coffee, Co.

Funds Relieve a Broken Shelter System

Do you know just how broken the shelter system in the United States is? Shelters are running out of space, therefore dogs are killed at an alarming rate to make more room. Almost 2-million adoptable dogs are euthanized in the United States each year.

Jordan’s coffee company not only makes top-quality coffee, but they also support rescue dogs in the United States. He is committed to using 20% of all profits generated by Grounds & Hounds to fund rescue programs.

“We strive to support the hard-working organizations and volunteers who fight for our friends day in and day out, and we promise to deliver an amazing cup of coffee along the way!”

Jordan Karcher
Founder & CEO of Grounds & Hounds Coffee, Co.

The amazing cup of coffee as promised comes from 100% fair trade and 100% organic certified beans. They are sourced from the top growing regions of Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Sumatra.

Grounds & Hounds Coffee, Co. Impact

Molly, the founder’s rescue dog, a brown-spotted dalmatian, is the inspiration behind Grounds & Hounds Coffee, Co. She is the reason the company came into existence in 2012 with an overarching purpose. A purpose to provide every at-risk pup with a second chance at a full life.

Jordan with Molly, turns a passion into action on a daily basis. Grounds and Hounds Coffee, Co. collaborates with animal rescue and welfare organizations throughout the country. 

They provide funding and support for life-saving initiatives that impact rescue dogs in communities. 

Check out the impact:

• 1.5 million shelter meals provided
• 3,000 toys provided
• 2,000 vaccines for rescued pups
• 500 spay/neuter surgeries
• 1,500 microchips
• 300 organization impacted
• 2,000 pups transferred to no kill organizations (saved from euthanasia)

Why Coffee?

I became a fan of Grounds and Hounds Coffee, Co., honestly as soon as I read the name.  Seriously, a fun name! Then, I read their story and felt like I had hit the jackpot. I mean, it just doesn’t get much better than coffee and dogs.

“Why coffee? Coffee is the drink of revolutions. Where coffee has come, change has followed. It has led to kings being overthrown, countries revolting against unjust rule and now it is time for coffee to revolutionize the way we treat our furry friends in need.”

Jordan Karcher
Founder & CEO of Grounds & Hounds Coffee, Co.

In addition to a fun name, this company also has a fun website to explore. The site is easy to navigate with great tasting notes for each coffee blend. When you order at least $40 in coffee, it will be shipped to you for free. Free shipping is always a plus.

Grounds & Hounds offers their premium coffee in whole bean, ground, k-cup pods, and single origin beans. 

There’s a monthly Coffee Club and gift subscriptions, plus hot chocolate mixes. And while you are on the website, you can browse through shirts, mugs, and other accessories.

Above all, the marketing is spot on with the blended coffee branded with the cutest canine-based names. 

Names such as:

• Alpha Blend
• Belly Rub Blend
• Good Boy
• Rescue Roast
• Sit & Stay
• Paper & Slippers
• Hush Puppy (Decaf)
• Morning Walk
• Sunny Spot

With a line up like that, I knew I had to order. As a result, every pound saves a hound, after all.

A Great Tasting Cup of Coffee

I absolutely love everything about coffee! I love the aroma it gives off. Furthermore, I love the flavor. I love having a morning ritual where I start my day with a cup of coffee. In addition,  I love that there is research that proves coffee has health benefits.

Being a complete coffee lover, I have done some research through the years.  I’ve learned that it is best to choose organic and fair trade varieties whenever there is an opportunity. Plus, it is best if choosing flavored coffee, to go with ones that do not contain artificial additives.

Grounds and Hounds scores 100% in all three areas. But, this would not be a coffee review if I didn’t tell you what they score in taste. I mean, after all, we true coffee lovers like our coffee to have amazing taste. 

The two blends I ordered, each get a 100% score! They are absolutely amazing.

Rescue Roast

Remember, I started off my morning ritual with a cup of coffee bursting with tasting notes of caramel, dark chocolate, red currants, and toasted pecan. So, the Rescue Roast is what’s in my cup.

Rescue Roast is a medium blend with a full bodied, velvet-smooth coffee just like the website description says. I love how the tasting notes truly are beautifully balanced.

This blend’s best feature is that 100% of all profits generated are donated to a new rescue organization every month. 100%! Wow! Grounds & Hounds is truly making an impact in the lives of rescue dogs all over the country.

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Morning Walk Breakfast Blend

I’m a sucker for breakfast blend coffee, so I knew this was one I had to try. It does not disappoint. It is the perfect cup of coffee. 

Morning Walk Breakfast Blend comprises of 100% Arabica beans from Guatemala, Peru, and Sumatra. This medium-light roast perfectly blends tasting notes of sweet cherry, caramel, cocoa and toasted nuts.

I love that this blend has a savory full-body taste with a mild finish.

To Sum Up

Grounds & Hounds has brought together two of my favorite passions, coffee and rescue dogs.

Every houndstooth-packaged coffee beans bag features a picture of Molly and reads, “Every Pound Saves a Hound”.  It’s a win-win to know the coffee can nourish, while at the same time, impact the lives of rescue dogs around the United States.

Grounds & Hounds stands out in the coffee industry with their idea of giving back. Most importantly, they are bringing us along on their “making a difference” journey. I mean, it’s pretty amazing to drink delicious coffee and know 20% of your money is going to help save shelter dogs.

What’s your morning ritual look like? If it includes a morning cup of coffee and a love for dogs, then you will want to head on over to the Grounds & Hounds website right now. 

I don’t even make a profit telling you to do this. However, I do make a difference in the lives of rescue dogs. So, that my friends is my reward. Now, I’m off to go order the Snow Day Winter Roast as it is in its final weeks of roasting. It is a seasonal blend and just like winter, it is coming to an end.

Do you love looking at adorable dog photos? You can browse the amazing dogs we are meeting in the Snoot and Toebeans’ Dog Gallery.

So, seriously, what does your morning ritual look like? Tell us all about in the comments. We want to know!

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