Ahh, summer. The sweet sounds of laughter, water, and the dog barking in the backyard (or dog park, whatever your case may be). Just like the little humans in your life, the dog wants its meals and snacks all the time during the summer too. 

Chachi loves a good dinner, but as a wet-food eater, he is quite messy! I can't count the number of times that I've tried to minimalize the mess. Mats, plates, slow dog bowls, and even various feeder sets have all been attempted with varying levels of success.

When I heard about Fluff Trough, I wasn't sure it was for him. His pickiness much prefers a plate on the floor, but I get tired of it sliding up and down the hallway. He also is finicky about the food he eats and when. He may up and decide that he doesn't like that canned version that day, even though it's what he has had for the last week.

Yet, I was still intrigued and wanted to test Fluff Trough out. Would it make a difference compared to the other feeders, bowls, and accessories we already have? Finally, here is a dog feeder set with a microwave based insert! Not only that, a dog feeder intentionally made for the smaller breeds, with their dietary, posture, and digestive needs in mind! Hallelujah! 

Other sets we have used haven't been microwaveable, so it adds an extra step into dinner (and an extra plate). Or the bowls are too deep. Or they are too tall for him. Or...

Flufftrough was born out of the desire to offer a help small breed flat nosed dogs eat better and digest their food better. While for many breeds, it's unhealthy to use taller feeders due to the risk of bloat, for other smaller breeds, they can have issues that make it difficult to eat straight from the floor too.

 Vestibular disease, digestive needs, flat noses, breathing issues, vomiting, and the likes are why FluffTrough was born. 

Most feeders also offer deeper inserts, causing the dog's neck to stretch down when eating. Sitting bowls and plates on the floor also does this. For our flat nosed friends, this is dangerous because it upsets their posture, which then in return upsets their breathing. Breathing issues then lead to upset tummies and vomiting. 

Our pugs, Shih Tzus, bulldogs and the like already have short airways and are at risk for digestive issues such as reflux and vomiting. 

The Fluff Trough, while a raised feeder, is set at the pretty basic standard height for these breeds. It has a wide based that's actually shaped like a pig trough! 

The included silicone insert is microwaveable, dishwasher, and is non-toxic, non bpa, food safe. A stainless steel version is also available if your pup is adverse to silicone.

The silicone insert is safe for raw, dry, wet, canned foods with a wide enough surface that food can be spread out in the shallow shape of the trough.

It's set for the standard small to medium dog size, making it perfect for our flat-nosed friends! Nonslip silicone feet mean that while your 4 legged creature will try, Flufftrough won't slip and slide on the floor easily!

So my 13-year-old pup is picky. He loves food and all things treats, but he can be quite obnoxious when it comes to breakfast and dinner time. The improper bowl, the plate sliding around on the floor, the feeder is too deep: whatever the cause may be, he will let you know he is displeased by whining and pouting. 

I was hesitant with the Fluff Trough because I didn't want it to become another doggy accessory that lives in the back of my closet. 

I really wanted the silicone insert to work out because it would be so much easier than warming food onto a plate and transferring it!

After two weeks of use, Chachi is finally getting used to it. I think the design is perfect for him. It's the right height, he doesn't have to bend too far, and he has no issues with his breathing or nose when grabbing the food. 

He does have a vision issue developing, and I think that contributes to his hesitancy, because when food/ treats are placed on the edges, he gobbles them superfast. Yet, when food is in the center of the trough, or nearer the back, he seems to not want it as much. I'm not sure if he doesn't see, it doesn't smell it, or doesn't like the taste of the silicone yet (although we have had other silicone treat trays before). 

We also have had a major heatwave (like the rest of the country) and honestly, he's flat out not eating that much of anything right now. Well, except maybe ham or turkey with his meds. So I am not anticipating any major changes until it gets cooler and my summer season of traveling for work diminishes (he doesn't eat as much when I'm gone as well). 

I will keep working with him this summer, but things I have noticed:

• Placing the Fluff Trough on a mat helps to keep the floor clean. Just because it's a raised feeder does not mean there isn't mess.. just less of it!

• It's easier for him to eat rather than out of a bowl in his other feeder or a plate on the floor. 

• It made my life easier because the food went into the silicone insert, into the microwave, then directly into the base. There was no transferring from a microwave safe plate to a stainless steel bowl or other accessory.

• The silicone insert doesn't harbor smells! It's also wide enough that food and treats can be used too.