Why Muzzle?
Since this is a more complex topic, we wrote an article about the different reasons for muzzling and why muzzling isn’t cruel for those interested in reading more on the topic. In addition, our “What to do around muzzled dogs” poster is also available on this link for downloading.
While there are many reasons for muzzling, some shouldn’t be among these - like using a muzzle to avoid barking. We feel it is essential to clarify that muzzles shouldn’t be used to prevent barking; it is a dangerous and ineffective way to address this problem. If you want to learn more, check out our article on why not use a muzzle to stop barking.
How to find the right size muzzle for your dog?
Reviewing muzzles is hard because every dog and every situation requires a slightly different solution. Something can be a pro for one dog and a con for the other one. Even when discussing sizing, there are different opinions on how much room the dog should have in the muzzle. The only thing that everyone agrees on is that the dog should be able to pant to cool down while wearing it. However, what pant room means can generate great arguments. For example, if you are looking for an agitation muzzle or the muzzle will only be used for short periods, you are okay with a muzzle that provides enough room for a half-pant. On the other hand, if you use muzzles for hikes or canicross, it is essential to have enough room for comfortable full-pant. We discuss this in detail in our article about Panting Freely vs. Fully in a Muzzle.
The other tricky thing with sizing is that although there are great Facebook groups to help determine if the muzzle looks good on your dog, different photos could make the muzzle look much bigger or smaller.
The sizing of this LuckyPaw Muzzle with a Removable Slow Feeder
We received the large size, which fits Mia reasonably well, although it is a little short compared to its height proportionally. Every dog needs a different fit, so that’s not a con just something to keep in mind for long-nosed dogs. The base of the muzzle is similar but not identical to the Baskerville muzzle and fits dogs similarly.
A great feature of this muzzle is that even the side straps are adjustable, making it a lot easier to securely and comfortably fit most dogs.
LuckyPaw Muzzle with a Removable Slow Feeder Review
This LuckyPaw plastic muzzle has a traditional basket muzzle base with many strap adjustment options. There is also a safety collar loop on the padded, thicker neck strap that holds the muzzle in place well.
This muzzle’s unique aspect is the removable slow feeder attached to the front of the muzzle! When starting muzzle training, the dog must positively associate with wearing one, which is usually achieved by giving plenty of treats. This offers another way to add (dog safe) peanut butter or another spread that the pup can lick while getting used to the feeling of having a muzzle on their face.
The slow feeder pad is made of a softer silicone and attaches to the muzzle with hooks. It can also prevent scavenging, licking a wound, or add more safety to the basket design. It stayed on well for us, but it doesn’t lock to the muzzle any way, so if the dog keeps pushing their face into the ground, they could probably remove it.
While covering the front makes this muzzle somewhat safer (no finger or a dog’s ear can slip in), soft plastic muzzles are not strong enough to prevent a serious bite from a determined dog, as we discussed in our previous article.
There is also a hole on the attachment, so you can drop in small treats even when the attachment is on. The hole placement makes it a little hard to use, I feel it would be easier if it were in the middle or bottom third of the front cover, but we made it work.
I really appreciate that this muzzle solves a problem that many people created DIY solutions for before. Adding peanut butter while practicing putting the muzzle on and securing the straps helps so much to introduce the muzzle as a positive experience. Adding or removing the front cover also makes it a more versatile muzzle for different situations.
To summarize, this muzzle is great for:
• preventing licking, a quick nip, scavenging, or picking up sticks or bigger items.
• start muzzle training since it’s soft, lightweight, and allows you to provide treats easily.
This muzzle is NOT suitable for:
• bite-risk dogs since the mesh material could be bent and folded.
Where to buy
You can buy the LuckyPaw Muzzle with a Removable Slow Feeder on Amazon. It comes in five sizes.
Disclaimer: this review contains an Amazon affiliate link, which supports Dog Gear Review if you purchase the product after clicking on it without costing you anything extra. Using affiliate links will never compromise us writing unbiased, honest reviews!
Additional resources
If you want to learn more about muzzles, you can join amazing groups on Facebook, like Muzzle Up, Pup!, or follow The Muzzle Up Project. You can also check out the Muzzle Training and Tips website and browse our articles, where we discussed many muzzle-related topics.
