Flat-Faced Dog Bowl Review : Fluff Trough
Updated: Sep 12
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If the name doesn't win you over, the facts probably will. The Fluff Trough is an innovative raised dog bowl recommended by vets.
It originates in America but is now available in the UK though Pawtion.
Of course, there are many kinds of raised dog bowl to choose from, which is why we created a list of the 10 Best Raised Dog Bowls. However, if you have an adorable flat-faced breed like a pug, bulldog or puggles (brachycephalic) we would unreservedly recommend the Fluff Trough.
This makes sense, as it's been designed by a flat-faced dog lover, for flat-faced breeds. Read on to find out what makes it so good. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Which Dog Breeds are Flat Faced ?
Fluff Trough Dog Bowl Review
1. What is a Fluff Trough ?
The designer of the Fluff Trough, searched high and low for the perfect raised dog bowl to help her struggling pug - Pork Chop.
As any dog lover with a flat-faced breed knows, their shortened muzzles put them at risk of breathing and eating difficulties.
This can make eating from a traditional dog bowl a tough task.
Breeds such as French bulldog and pug have seen an increase in popularity and owners are looking for ways to help their beloved dogs.
Unable to find the perfect bowl for her pug, Debra Ann created her own bowl and the Fluff Trough was born.
We were offered a Fluff Trough to test and two delightful puggles - Dolly & Jeff (she's a girl too - long story), happily stepped up. |
2. Fluff Trough : Design
Admittedly, we were underwhelmed when we first saw the Fluff Trough as we're not big fans of plastic. This all changed however during testing, when its sheer brilliance shone through.
The first thing you'll notice is that it doesn't resemble a traditional dog bowl at all.
With its low front, wide opening, legs and high back, it looks more like a farm animal feeding trough.
The elevated bowl brings the food closer to your dog’s mouth, meaning your four-legged friend doesn’t need to bend down so far.
In turn this can help with their posture and specifically for flat-faced breeds, helps with their breathing whilst eating.
The low front edge and extra wide opening means that your dog no longer needs to press their face against the bowl.
All the food in the trough is so much easier to reach. We tested the Fluff Trough with dry kibble but it will work equally well with wet or raw dog food.
Comprising of three parts : the stand, the silicone bowl insert and the feet, it slots together easily. The softer silicone bowl fits really snugly into the stand and it's removable for filling. |
The use of silicone makes it very hygienic, really easy to clean and you'll be glad to know that it's dishwasher safe too.
3. Fluff Trough : Performance
It's time to get down to the nitty-gritty ! How well did it perform ?
It's fair to say that our tester was genuinely surprised by how well the design worked and went as far as saying that it was a mealtime 'Game Changer'!
During testing our two adorable puggles were quieter, more comfortable and definitely less stressed when eating.
They were able to relax and enjoy their meals side by side.
The thoughtful addition of silicone feet help to stabilise the trough and keep it firmly in one place.
Did I mention cleaner mealtimes?
If your kitchen floor is always covered in dog food, the Fluff Trough can really help keep your dog and their food in one place.
From the build quality to the soft silicone bowl insert the Fluff Trough delivered on its promise to promote healthier eating habits. |
4. Fluff Trough : Details
The Fluff Trough is available in two sizes - Standard and X Large.
Standard
The standard and original (the one we tested) is available in a choice of four colours - black, grey, purple and teal.
Dimensions - front height 13cm, back height 19cm and width 25cm.
X Large
The X Large as the name suggests is designed for larger breeds. It's worth noting that it's also heavier and sturdier than traditional dog feeders and is only available in 2 colours - black and grey.
Dimensions - front height 18cm, back height 23cm and width 33cm.
Additional Stackable Risers
If you like the bowl dimensions but feel that your dog needs a higher raised bowl so they can avoid bending too much, you could add some extra height.
Stackable risers which fit on the silicone feet are available as optional extras.
These risers can raise the Fluff Trough by 2.5 cm each and of course you can add multiple feet if needed.
Ok, so you could simply put the Fluff Trough on a step, book or board to raise it up, but these stackable risers are sturdy and have been specially designed to maintain its stability.
Slow Feeding Insert
If your dog eats at an alarming rate, you could opt for a slow feeder insert which will slow down the greediest of dogs.
The 'anti-gulp' (or 'binge blocker' as it's referred to on the website) is a silicone insert with specially designed rivets to prevent your dog inhaling their food !
It comes as no surprise that this slow feeder insert is different from most on the market as it's designed specifically for flat faced breeds.
The rivets have wider ridges and most importantly shallower dips which really matters when you're trying to slow down your dog not frustrate them.
You can buy the Fluff Trough with a 'binge blocker' instead of a standard silicone insert or as an added extra.
Our Verdict
In short, the Fluff Trough is the perfect choice of dog bowl if you have a flat-faced breed. Yes, it's a little pricey but it's unique, tough and works like a dream. A great investment.
Whereas lots of rivals simply offer a raised dog bowl or a slow feeder, the Fluff Trough takes the design a step further and offers an all round better eating experience.
The only downside we could find was the particularly functional design. There's no hiding that it is plastic and it is grey, however it is also available in black, purple and teal.
Reasons to Buy
+ Ideal for flat-faced breeds
+ Suitable for dogs who move bowls
+ Colour options
Reasons to Avoid
+ Not the most stylish design
Buying Options
The Rivals
Finally, if you haven't been convinced by the Fluff Trough, let's take a look at some of your other options. To be honest we didn't find many credible alternatives in our search.
Super Design Slanted Bowl
Super Design offer a slanted dog bowl in a whole range of colours with a stainless steel insert.
Their feeder helps pugs, bulldogs and other flat-faced breeds by tilting the bowl at 15° so their food is easier to reach.
Both the melamine outer and the stainless steel bowl are dishwasher safe and it's available in four sizes and a selection of colours.
SodaPup Mandala Feeder
Another option you could consider is the Mandala eTray from SodaPup
This slow feeder is designed with a pattern of pockets on different levels, so is slightly raised.
Each compartment is shallow so would work well for flat faced breeds.
The Mandala eTray also incorporates a maze like pattern to slow your dog down at mealtimes.
It's dishwasher safe and available in a variety of colours.
If you haven't found exactly what you're looking for, we also have three other dog bowl articles which you may be interested in -
The 10 Best Dog Bowls for 2023
Top 10 Raised Dog Bowls : Elevate Meal Times
Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls 2023 : Anti-Gulp Bowls
Which Dog Breeds are Flat-Faced ?
Did you know that 'Brachycephalic' means short-headed ?
Here are a list of the most common examples of flat-faced breeds -
English bulldog
French bulldog
Pug
Puggle
Pekingese
Boston terrier
Boxer
Bullmastiff
King Charles Spaniel
Chow Chow
Lhasa Apso
Shih Tzu
Thank-you for stopping by. We hope you've enjoyed reading our in-depth review of the Fluff Trough Dog Bowl as much as Dolly and Jeff enjoyed testing it.