Dogs who eat too quickly are at-risk for gastric dilation volvulus or bloat. This is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the stomach fills with food, gas, or fluid and then twists, reducing or cutting off blood flow. The problem is less common in cats but still possible.
Even if your cat doesn’t develop bloat from eating too quickly, he might end up regurgitating the food. This happens before the food enters the stomach for digestion, so your cat won’t get the calories and nutrients he needs unless the food he regurgitated is replaced. An elevated or anti-vomit cat bowl can help prevent regurgitation, though it won’t slow down your cat’s eating like a slow feeder will.
Cats who eat too quickly also tend to eat larger volumes of food than necessary which can put them at risk for obesity. Obesity is linked to a number of chronic diseases that can impact your cat’s overall health and reduce his lifespan.