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• Method 1 of 2: Using special feeding bowls
• Method 2 of 2: Using alternative feeding techniques

Many cats get excited when they get their food and may overeat or eat too quickly as a result. Your cat may vomit after eating too quickly, develop digestive problems, or become overweight from eating too fast and too much. As a cat owner, you can make sure your cat is eating slowly and correctly by using special food bowls as well as alternative feeding techniques.

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Method 1 of 2: Using special feeding bowls

1. Spread your cat's food on a flat plate or baking pan. Sprinkle your cat's dry food on a flat surface, such as a plate or baking pan to make sure he is eating his food calmly. As a result, your cat will be forced to eat only a few kibble at a time and to take smaller bites.
2. Press wet food flat on the bottom of your cat's food bowl. This will cause your cat to eat more slowly because it will not be able to gobble up its food. Instead, your cat must learn to slowly lick and swallow its food before it can take another bite.
3. Place an obstacle in the center of your cat's food bowl. With an obstacle like a golf ball or a ping pong ball, you can force your cat to slow down. He will have to wait a while before eating to push the obstacle aside or he will have to eat around it.
   • Make sure to use an object that your cat cannot swallow, such as a golf ball or ping pong ball.
4. Use a food bowl with an elevation in the middle. Many pet stores sell cat and dog food bowls with a large center elevation or several smaller elevations. These food bowls will help your cat get used to eating more slowly and taking smaller bites of food.
5. Buy a feeder. A feeder is designed in such a way that as a cat owner you have control over how much your cat eats. All you have to do is press a button. Many feeders have a digital timer that you can use so that you know exactly how much food your cat is getting. There are also markings on the feeder to help you determine how much food you want to give your cat and to avoid overfeeding or underfeeding your cat.
   • You can set the feeder so that your cat gets smaller portions of food during the day. This will help your cat eat more slowly and prevent it from eating too quickly.

Method 2 of 2: Using alternative feeding techniques

1. Feed your cat smaller amounts of food more often. If your cat is eating too quickly and throwing up after eating, or showing signs of digestive upset such as a bloated stomach, it may be a good idea to adjust its feeding schedule. Instead of three large meals a day, try feeding your cat smaller portions five to six times a day. Do this for one to two weeks.
   • After one to two weeks, see if your cat has slowed down due to the new feeding schedule. If your cat is fed smaller amounts of food during the day, it will also be able to digest its food well and still want a new portion of food.
   • You can also put the food in smaller containers and place it in different places around your house so that your cat has to walk around the house to get more food. Your cat will then see feeding as a sort of hunt where it is mentally and physically stimulated and forced to adjust its pace when it eats.
2. Put dry food in food balls and turn food into a game. Your cat can then play and try to eat the food from the food balls when it is feeding time. This will prevent your cat from quickly eating large amounts of food and encourage your cat to use its hunter skills to get food.
   • To give your cat some exercise, you can use the food balls when you play with your cat. This way you motivate your cat to do something to get its food and prevent your cat from eating too quickly or too much.
3. If you have several cats in the house, use multiple places to put the food. If you have more than one cat in the house, you may have the problem of one cat bullying another cat and eating that cat's food. A cat may also eat all food when it is time to eat. Prevent these problems by placing the food for your cats in multiple places, preferably in separate rooms or parts of your home. Your cats will be forced to eat separately so that each cat has enough space to get enough food.
   • Placing the food in multiple places and feeding all your cats smaller amounts of food throughout the day can help your cats eat more slowly.
4. Take your cat to the vet if it continues to eat too quickly and appears malnourished. If you have tried several of these steps and your cat is still eating too fast but does not seem to gain weight or is always left hungry, your cat may have a medical problem that needs treatment. Take your cat to the vet for an examination to make sure eating his food too soon or eating too much food is not a sign of a medical problem.