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If you are looking for the best dog food bowl for your pet’s daily meal.
Fortunately, there are plenty of dog bowls that are functional, stylish, and tailored to different needs.
What is the best material: stainless steel, plastic, ceramic? How about the size and shape? Increased or not? What about dog bowls for certain breeds or special activities like camping or traveling? Are you a messy eater, a fast eater, or a downright picky eater? What’s the best food bowl for them?
Stainless steel bowls are durable and easy to clean, while silicone bowls are foldable and ideal for travel. Raised height dog bowls are perfect for large and senior dogs, while slow food bowls help excessive eaters.
Bowls for dogs come in all shapes and sizes whether you are looking for something stylish, durable, functional, or portable.
We’ve explored all types of choices to help you find the best dog bowls for your dog’s daily meals.
Table Of Contents
- How to Choose the Right Type of Bowl for Your Dog
- 10 Best Dog Bowls of 2023
- 1. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl
- 2. Amazonbasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowls
- 3. GPET Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
- 4. Urpower Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
- 5. Petsafe Healthy Pet Feed Automatic Feeder
- 6. Comsun Collapsible Dog Bowls
- 7. Snuffle Feeding Mat
- 8. Dogit Go Slow Anti-gulping Dog Dish
- 9. Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Led
- 10. Bone Dry Ceramic Pet Bowl
- Conclusion
How to Choose the Right Type of Bowl for Your Dog
Choosing the right food bowl for your dog can be just as challenging. But don’t worry because we’re here to help. Here are some things you may need to consider carefully when choosing the right type of dog bowl for your canine friend.
The Preferred Material
Most pet food bowls are made of plastic, ceramic, or stainless steel.
Plastic
Experts agree that plastic is the worst option you can choose. Some plastics contain chemicals that appear to mimic hormones, and if ingested, they can upset animals’ hormonal balance, leading to several potential negative health effects. Aside from that, plastic easily collects deep scratches that contain bacteria and are nearly impossible to clean. Many pets that eat from plastic containers get chin acne and irritation around the muzzle. When this happens, the first thing vets recommend is “throw out your plastic containers!” Save yourself the hassle and risk by avoiding it completely.
Stainless steel
These types of dog food bowls are excellent if you are looking for durability and strength. These have super smooth surfaces that make cleaning a breeze. They are also scratch, rust, and chew resistant. These can be particularly loud, unfortunately, especially if you have a voracious eater. They are not particularly suitable for those who need a fancy design or color in their dog bowls.
Ceramic
Ceramics are generally better than plastic, but they have their own problems. Ceramics are relatively heavy compared to other materials, which can be a problem for some. It is also much less durable. A drop or blow can crumble, crack or splinter your ceramic bowl, making it no longer safe for use. The glazes used to coat ceramics traditionally contain lead, a highly toxic and dangerous heavy metal. Unfortunately, not all ceramic glazes have lead removed. Still, ceramics can be a reasonable option for some. If your heart is on a ceramic dog bowl, make sure it is clearly labeled as made with a lead-free glaze. Also, keep in mind that ceramics can only be kept clean if the coating remains intact. If you notice a chip or crack in the coating, it’s time to replace that bowl!
Wood
There are manufacturers of dog food bowls that use wood as a material. These are very durable and can easily survive any other type. They are relatively more expensive. However, if you need something that fits your existing interior well, you will never be wrong with wood.
The correct size
It goes without saying that the dog bowl should be by the size of your dog. If you have a Great Dane, letting him eat or drink from a 20-ounce bowl would be outrageous. It’s just not fair. The same is true if you have a teacup-sized Chihuahua and you decide to give him a giant 1.5-liter bowl. Doing this will prevent your Chihuahua from drinking or feeding efficiently, as the height of the dog bowl wall will be too high. Likewise, your Great Dane may not even fit in the miniature barrel with its giant tongue.
The point is to get a dog bowl that you can easily fill with food and still leave enough room for your dog to put his muzzle in it. Keep in mind that the food should not spill.
If you plan to use the bowl as a drinking station, we recommend that you choose the right size and fill in just enough water for a few minutes—an hour or so. We actually don’t recommend leaving the water on all day as bacteria, and other germs tend to multiply if your dog’s tongue and muzzle are already submerged in the water. If you want to let the drinking water sit for the rest of the day, you are better off using a pet drinking fountain as it helps circulate, filter, and keep it fresh and clean all day long.
Check for quality standards.
No one deliberately adds lead to stainless steel. No one deliberately adds radioactive metal to stainless steel. Yet, examples of these contaminants have already surfaced on store shelves. These are no longer theoretical risks. The best dog food bowls come from companies that care enough about your pet’s health actually to test for potential contaminants.
10 Best Dog Bowls of 2023
While some of us may think that a regular plate or bowl is enough to hold dog food, and obviously, there is no need to buy a ridiculously expensive dog bowl.
Your pet’s food bowl is a critical product because he or she will eat and drink it several times a day throughout his life. Obviously, buying the wrong food bowl can put your pet’s health at risk.
For example, if your dog inhales his food without chewing, a puzzle or slow food bowl can help moderate his hectic feeding turn pace.
The best dog food bowls can also perform various functions and aid in our respective puppies’ optimal development. And for that, here we list the 10 best dog bowls for trouble-free feeding and optimal growth and development of dogs.
1. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl
View On AmazonUndoubtedly, one of the best dog food bowls on the market is this Outward Hound product. At first, you won’t really think it’s a puppy food bowl as it comes with concentric mazes on the inside of the SloBowl Fun Feeder. You will soon realize that these sturdy dog bowls are actually excellent as slow feeder mist bowl units. Due to the channels created by the concentric ring maze inside, the SloBowl can slow down feeding and drink for dogs by limiting the amount of food exposed at any given time.
This makes the SloBowl fun. Feeder ideal for puppies who tend to overeat or are quite like Flash when devouring their food. These can lead to indigestion and bloating. Using the SloBowl will help prevent these conditions and keep your dog healthier and happier. The Outward Hound product is a surefire way to help your dog slow down their feeding and ensure more efficient digestion and a healthier ideal weight.
- Fully integrated interactive puzzle design
- Made from pet safe plastic
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in 2 sizes and 3 colors
2. Amazonbasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowls
If you’re looking for a beautiful dog bowl that is inexpensive, easy to wash, and won’t slip on your kitchen floor, we think you’ll be satisfied with this simple choice.
It can hold up to 32 grams of food, so it works well with dry kibble or wet food. Dishwasher safe, it also has a rubber base to protect your floor from scratches and keep the bowl from sliding all over the place while your pet is eating.
- Made of rust-resistant stainless steel
- Complete with non-slip rubber ring bottom
- Dishwasher safe
3. GPET Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
View On AmazonYou only use your dog’s food bowl twice a day, so why spend a small fortune on something like that? Also, keep in mind that if you adopt your dog as a puppy, he will outgrow his puppy bowl quickly enough and may need different sizes of food bowls as he gets older. To make sure your dog has a safe bowl for eating out without breaking the bank, we recommend the GPET Stainless Steel Dog Bowl.
The GPET Stainless Steel Dog Bowl is made of stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning and is available in 16 ounces and 32-ounce capacities. The bowls come in a set of two, one for water and one for food, each designed with a cute bone or paw print design. In addition to being rust and corrosion resistant, the shells feature a rubber ring bottom to prevent slips and spills. The food bowls are also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
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Top Dog Tips includes both the 16-ounce and 32-ounce GPET stainless steel dog bowl set in the list of the best cheap dog food bowls and says they’re generous in size, made from durable stainless steel, and designed to resist slips and splashes. V Best Reviews also includes the GPET stainless steel dog bowl in the top pick list, commenting on its stylish design and high-quality construction.
These bowls may not be the toughest on the market, but they are safe, easy to clean, and affordable.
Advantages: Stainless steel construction for durability, steel resists rust and corrosion, lightweight design, easy to clean, available in a variety of sizes, rubber ring to prevent slipping and splashing, holds up to 32 grams, decorated with bone and paw print shapes, comes with a 5-year replacement warranty
- Made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- With non-slip rubber base
- Dishwasher-safe and odor-free design
4. Urpower Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
View On AmazonUnlike other stainless steel dog bowls with a rubber base to keep them from sliding on the floor, the URPOWER food bowl comes with silicone material instead. We found the design of the URPOWER to be quite exceptional, integrating two dog shells into the bone-shaped mat. The bowls are spaced fairly apart, so you can use one for eating and the other for drinking.
The silicone mat design has raised edges, creating a continuous wall that should help prevent spilled liquids from reaching the floor; at least, it forms more of a dam that effectively traps what comes out of the dog’s dishes. The two bowls are also huge, each holding 26.46 grams. We were actually hoping that URPOWER would also come in a different color. However, the black and silver theme should make an interesting addition to any interior design.
- Quirky dog bone-shaped anti-slip silicone base
- Separate stainless steel bowls in the base
- Extra-wide silicone base designed to contain spills
5. Petsafe Healthy Pet Feed Automatic Feeder
You’re busy, and we get it. We also. That’s why we want to make sure our dogs aren’t bothered by our busy schedules when we have to be outside and outside while eating.
This food bowl is pricey, but it’s worth it with all the options besides scheduled feedings. Not only can you schedule up to 12 separate meals per day, but the battery-powered automatic dispenser has a full 24-cup capacity so that you can plan more than a week of meals (depending on your pup’s diet). It spreads anywhere from 1/8 cup to 4 cups per meal, with the ability to schedule meals larger than 1/8 cup to dose slowly over 15 minutes. This works especially well for fast eaters.
The silicone mat design has raised edges that form a continuous wall to prevent spills from reaching the floor. In any case, it forms more of a dam that effectively absorbs what comes out of the dog dishes. The two bowls are also huge, each holding 26.46 grams. We were actually hoping that URPOWER would also come in a different color. However, the black and silver theme should make an interesting addition to any interior design.
- With up to 12 meals per day and flexible servings from 1/8 cup to 4 cups, you can plan a feeding routine to suit your pet’s needs.
- It has an LCD with 5-button navigation for easy programming, a translucent lid, and funnels to see the food level quickly, and a funnel that can hold 24 cups of dry food, the bowl itself can hold 5 cups of food.
- The slow feed option dispenses each meal for 15 minutes, reducing gulping, vomiting, and bloating. Pause mode will temporarily stop feeding without losing the programmed feeding schedule, and Instant Feed mode will immediately provide the next set meal.
- Made of BPA-free plastic and stainless steel, the bowl is easy to clean.
- Uses 4 D batteries (not included) or power adapter (sold separately)
6. Comsun Collapsible Dog Bowls
Whether you are going for a walk with your dog or on a three-day hike, you need to make sure your dog can access food and fresh water. Rather than carrying your dog’s large food bowls, consider buying a set of portable food bowls. Portable dog bowls should be lightweight, collapsible, and quick-drying. That’s why we picked the Comsun Collapsible Dog Bowl as our top pick.
The Comsun foldable dog bowl is available in four colors and comes in a set of two to meet your dog’s food and water needs on the way. These bowls are made from high-quality food-grade silicone that is lightweight, fully collapsible, and completely safe. Each bowl can hold up to 12 ounces of water or up to 1.5 cups of food and easily be wiped clean after each use. The food bowls are foldable for storage, or use the included carabiner to clip them to your backpack.
Rover said the Comsun Collapsible Dog Bowl “ makes it easy to feed and moisturize while hiking, hiking, or camping. ” Top Dog Tips included these bowls in the top picks for inexpensive travel bowls, and Breeding Business said they are easy to clean and are made from BPA-free, lead-free, and FDA-approved materials.
- Made of durable silicone
- Fully collapsible for transport and storage
- The non-slip design keeps the bowl in place
- Each bowl holds 30 grams of water or 1.5 cups of food
- BPA free and lead-free
- Bright colors
- It comes with a carabiner to attach, snapping into your backpack
- Backed by a lifetime warranty
7. Snuffle Feeding Mat
While not technically a bowl, sniffer mats resemble puzzle bowls in that they encourage the dog to work for the food, which ultimately slows down the meal. These are great for dogs who like to put their sniffers to good use, and they can also be a fun afternoon activity to keep your dog mentally stimulated.
- Feeding Mat mimics the hunt for food in grasses and fields just like your dog’s ancestors.
- Stimulates your puppy’s nose and brain to find the food.
- Made from sustainably sourced materials that are non-toxic and safe.
- Perfect for all breeds, from small to large.
- Easy to clean – throw the mat in the washer and dryer.
8. Dogit Go Slow Anti-gulping Dog Dish
Dogit’s Go Slow Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl is a colorful food bowl that is guaranteed to help dogs reduce their food intake by extending the time it takes them to finish their meal. Known as a slow feeder dog bowl similar in concept to the SloBowl Fun Feeder, the Go Slow is a 40.5-ounce container that comes with contoured sections that help distribute food or water unevenly.
The uneven distribution of the food requires your dog to eat more slowly, reducing indigestion, bloating, or even vomiting. However, compared to the Slobowl Fun Feeder, we find the Go Slow priced a little higher. Could it be because of its greater capacity? Either way, at least you have another option if the SloBowl isn’t going to appeal to you.
- Made from pet-safe plastics
- Designed to slow down eating or drinking
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in 5 sizes and colors
9. Petsafe Drinkwell Platinum Led
Water is the essence of life, but it can be easy to forget to refill your pup’s water bowl. The PetSafe Drinkwell water bowl is the perfect solution for this. This water fountain is best for small to medium dogs and will help keep any dog healthy and hydrated. With a water capacity of 1.3 liters and a carbon filter, it can keep multiple pets hydrated for quite some time.
- 168 oz (1.3 gals) capacity reservoir ideal for multiple cats and dogs under 60 pounds.
- Patented free-falling water flow with adjustable flow entices pets to drink more.
- The spout and catch valve reduces splashing and noise.
- Pre-filter catches large particles before they reach the engine.
- Low voltage 12 V system complete with cord disconnect and inline disconnect for easy plug removal.
10. Bone Dry Ceramic Pet Bowl
If you’re looking for a high-quality food set that is both attractive and durable, consider buying Bone Dry’s ceramic food bowls. This duo is made from porcelain which means it is both completely safe for pets and easy to clean. To top it all off, ceramic food bowls are among the tallest holders if you’re careful when handling them.
The design is super handy because the shells have a silicone ring on the bottom that prevents them from being used. Sliding on the floor. This also helps keep them firmly on the ground and practically impossible to turn over.
There are also various sizes and designs available, so it’s easy to find the bowl that’s perfect for you and your pet’s preferences. Since the bowls are ceramic, they are easy to clean by hand and throw in the dishwasher – whichever is easiest for you. It has to be said that while ceramic bowls are incredibly sturdy and durable, they are prone to crumbling if you’re not careful. For this reason, they are best suited for well-behaved dogs.
- Two ceramic bowls
- Silicone rings prevent slipping and tipping of the bowls
- Dishwasher safe
Conclusion
Dogs need food bowls the same way we need plates when we eat.
When making your decision, consider your dog’s eating style, age, breed, and size, the preferred material and ease of cleaning, as well as your own routines and habits, and be honest about what you both need.
With this list of the 10 best food bowls for dogs, you can feel a lot safer by giving your dog something you enjoy eating or drinking.
Recommended Reading: Full Grown Mini Goldendoodle: Everything You Need to Know
- mypetneedsthat.com
- basispet.com
- businessinsider.com
- thesprucepets.com
