Feeding bowls are important pieces of meal ware that help ensure the food you give to your canine pet remains safe and free of harmful microorganisms.
While some of us might think that an ordinary plate or bowl is sufficient to hold doggie chow and that there clearly is no need to purchase a ridiculously expensive dog bowl, animal lovers and experts are one in saying that a feeding vessel is more than just a container upon which our pets feed.
These can have a variety of functions, too, further aiding in the optimum development of our respective pooches. And for that, we’re listing the 10 best dog bowls for hassle-free feeding and optimum canine growth and development.
The 15 Best Dog Bowls According to Pet Lovers
1 Outward Hound Plastic Slow Feeder Interactive Bowl
- Fully integrated interactive puzzle design
- Made of pet-safe plastics
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in 2 sizes and 3 colors
Inarguably one of the best dog dishes in the market is this product from Outward Hound. At first, you won’t think it’s a feeding vessel for pooches since it comes with concentric ring mazes inside the SloBowl Fun Feeder.
You will realize that these cool dog bowls are excellent as slow-feeder fog bowl units. Because of the channels created by the interior concentric ring maze, the SloBowl can slow down the feeding and drinking of dogs by limiting the amount of food that is exposed at any given time.
This makes the SloBowl Fun Feeder ideal for pooches that may tend to overeat or those that are quite like Flash when it comes to devouring their food. These can lead to indigestion and bloating. Using the SloBowl helps prevent these conditions while keeping your pooch healthier and happier.
The Outward Hound product is a surefire way to help your dog pace its feeding and guarantee more efficient digestion and healthier, ideal weight.
Read here our detailed Outward Hound Fun Feeder Review.
2 AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
- Made of rust resistant stainless steel
- Complete with non-skid rubber ring base
- Dishwasher safe
The AmazonBasics canine dishes are pretty straightforward vessels that can be used either as feeding or as a drinking bowl. The design follows the same patented styling of conventional dog dishes that is wider at the bottom but with the inner wall slightly turned outwards towards the top.
A rubber ring is mounted to the outer bottom rim to help keep the bowl in place, minimizing spills and negating tipping over.
The stainless steel construction simply means you’re never going to fret over the formation of rust. Cleaning is quite a breeze, too. For just a little over $10, you already get two stainless steel dog bowls for your pup; a real steal.
3 URPOWER Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
- Whimsical dog bone shaped non-slip silicone base
- Separate stainless steel bowls within base
- Extra-wide silicone base designed to catch spills
Unlike stainless steel dog bowls that feature a rubber base to help keep them from skidding on the floor, the URPOWER vessel comes with silicone material instead.
We found the design of the URPOWER to be quite exceptional, integrating two dog dishes into the bone-shaped mat. The bowls are spaced reasonably apart so you can use one for feeding and the other for drinking.
The design of the silicone mat comes with raised edges, forming a continuous wall that should help prevent spills from reaching the floor. At any rate, it forms more like a dam which effectively contains whatever is spilled from the canine dishes.
The two bowls are exceptionally large, too, fully capable of holding up to 26.46 ounces each.
We were hoping URPOWER would come in a different color, too. However, the black and silver theme should be an interesting addition to any interior design.
4 Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Elevated Bowls
- Unique fully adjustable leg design
- Bowls are made of corrosion resistant stainless steel
- Fully collapsible legs
- Dishwasher safe
If you have a large breed of dog, mealtimes can be quite challenging, especially if you use a standard no-spill dog bowl. The dog’s height naturally increases the distance between its mouth and food. While it is true that they can always bend over, this puts a strain on their neck muscles.
Thankfully, we found the Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Raised Dog Feeder. The Pet Zone is an elevated canine feeder, more like a table with fully adjustable legs. On the table are two corrosion-resistant stainless steel dog bowls that are flushed into the table itself.
The legs of the Pet Zone elevated dog feeder can be adjusted up to 3 different heights to allow for better customization relative to the size or height of the pooch.
The overall design of the Pet Zone inadvertently makes us conjure images of bed tables. Perhaps this is the idea behind its conceptualization. Regardless, it is truly noteworthy that Pet Zone is also thinking about pooches’ correct posture while downing their favorite chow.
5 Mr. Peanut’s Collapsible Dog Bowls
- Collapsible design for convenient storage and transport.
- Non-toxic and dishwasher safe.
- Carabiner included for attaching to belt loops and bag straps.
- Made from premium quality, food-grade silicone.
- Perfect for cat food and water on walks.
Mr. Peanut’s collapsible food and water bowl is the perfect convenience product. It is sturdy, durable, and lightweight, making it the ideal travel bowl for any pet owner.
Though it would be too small to hold a full meal for larger dog breeds, it is still the perfect tool for providing your parched pooch with a bowl of water while out on a long walk.
The attached carabiner makes this an especially convenient bowl, as you don’t even need to be able to fit it into a bag. You can simply clip it to your belt buckle or bag strap and be on your way.
Mr. Peanut’s collapsible bowls are made using a food-grade, high-quality silicone that is microwave and dishwasher-safe and durably made to be reused repeatedly.
What’s more, you won’t just receive one bowl with this product, you have the option to select a pack of two, three, or four. Each in a different bright and cheerful color. A nifty, convenient, must-have item for any dog parent.
Check out our guide on the Best Collapsible Dog Bowls.
6 Dogit Go Slow Anti-Gulping Dog Dish
- Made of pet-safe plastics
- Designed to slow down feeding o drinking
- Dishwasher safe
- Available in 5 sizes and colors
Dogit’s Go Slow Anti-Gulping Dog Bowl is a colorful feeding vessel guaranteed to help pooches lessen their food intake by increasing the time they need to finish their meal.
Known as a slow feeder dog bowl inherently similar to the SloBowl Fun Feeder, the Go Slow is a 40.5-ounce capacity vessel with molded sections that help unevenly distribute food or water.
The unequal distribution of food means your dog has to eat slower, helping reduce the incidence of indigestion, bloating, or even vomiting.
However, compared to the Slobowl Fun Feeder, we find the Go Slow to be priced somewhat higher. Could it be because of its larger capacity? Regardless, you have another option should the SloBowl won’t appeal to you.
7 Our Pets Durapet Stainless Steel Bowl
- Made of crack-proof and scratch resistant stainless steel
- Classic bowl design with large 1.25 quart capacity
- Permanently-bonded rubber base
- Dishwasher safe
Designed in the classic metal canine bowl, there is not much that can be said about the Our Pets Premium DuraPet Dog Bowl.
It comes in classic stainless steel construction, making it free from corrosion. It is also a lot more hygienic. If any, the narrow bottom tapers outwards at the top, making the DuraPet seem more like an ordinary human food bowl than a no-spill dog bowl.
The great thing about the DuraPet is that it has a huge capacity, reaching a full 1.25 quarts.
However, we don’t think this is a necessarily good feature since filling the bowl with this much water simply means the drink will grow stale after some time. You don’t want to give your pooch stale drinking water, do you?
8 GPET Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
- Constructed of corrosion resistant stainless steel
- With rubber non-slip base
- Dishwasher-safe and odor-free design
If you’re looking for something fancy, a really cool-looking metal canine bowl, then we suggest getting the GPET Stainless Steel Dog Bowl with Rubber Base.
Aside from the fact that it comes with a dog bone ornament on the outer wall of the vessel, there isn’t anything else to distinguish it from other similar canine feeding accessories.
It is priced at the same level as the AmazonBasics and has a non-skid rubber base. If any, it is its 32-ounce capacity that you might find useful especially if your pooch happens to have a very hefty appetite.
9 COMSUN 2-Pack Collapsible Dog Bowl
- Made of food-grade silicone materials
- Fully expandable, reusable, and foldable design
- FDA approved
- Portable with accompanying carabiner
Designed like the IDEGG, the COMSUN Collapsible Dog Bowl is the perfect companion for outdoor adventurers and travelers who find more meaning in their pursuits if their pooch tags along with them.
The major difference between the COMSUN and the IDEGG is that, while the latter expands as an even-walled collapsible feeding bowl, the COMSUN comes more like an accordion type.
This creates an inverted staircase appearance, which might be an important part of its design, depending on how you look at it. It’s made of the same FDA-approved, food-grade silicone material, giving it exceptional safety, lightweight property, and durability. It has an integrated loop attachment for the carabiners that come with the package.
If you are interested in more items suitable for outdoor adventures and travels with your canine, check out our review of Best Dog Travel Water Bottles.
10 Kinn Kleanbowl Spill-Proof Pet Bowl
- Combination of recyclable and biodegradable refill and stainless steel bowl
- Frame is made of germ-resistant premium grade stainless steel
- Nourish-Pet refill is made from sugar cane fibers
The Kinn Kleanbowl for Dogs is a canine-feeding accessory system unlike any other.
The system has two important parts: a stainless steel frame and a recyclable and eco-friendly refill bag called the Nourish-Pet.
So, you insert the Nourish-Pet through the metal canine bowl frame, and voila! your pup already has the safest, cleanest, and healthiest food and water vessel to eat or drink from. Understand that the refill bags are designed to be fully disposable and, as such, are not intended to be reused.
They are fully recyclable, being made of eco-friendly sugarcane fibers. The whole system promises to be very environmentally friendly, minimizing the need for washing, reducing water wastage, and decreasing energy consumption from using your dishwasher.
Unfortunately, since you’d have to replace the Nourish-Pet every time your pooch feeds, it can be quite expensive. At least you’ll feel a lot more confident that your pooch is safe.
11 Neater Feeder Deluxe Elevated & Mess-Proof Dog Bowls
- Elevated feeder with catch basin
- Plastic stand and two stainless steel bowls
- Non-skid and kick-proof design
- The bowls and basins are dishwasher safe
If your pup is a messy eater that spills food and water all around their bowl, the Neater Feeder is a fantastic choice.
Constructed specifically to contain all the spills and messes, this elevated double feeder saves time and effort from cleaning after your dog.
There are three sizes available, with the medium to large model being perfect for canines standing over 9 inches at the shoulder.
The Neater Feeder is designed to separate and contain spilled food at the top, drain water into the catch basin below, keeping your dog’s feeding area clean and neat.
The plastic stand has a non-skid bottom and is kick-proof, meaning even the most mischievous dog won’t be able to turn it over. The stainless steel bowls are durable and dishwasher safe, just like the top and bottom basins are.
While not the cheapest on our Top List, the owners of messy eaters will find this feeder worth every penny as it saves a lot of time and energy cleaning after pets.
12 UPSKY Double Dog Bowl
- Slightly elevated feeder
- PP resin mat catches spills
- Two stainless steel bowls are dishwasher safe
Looking for a convenient double bowl feeder on a budget? Check out Upsky’s slightly elevated double pet feeder with a no-spill station.
Affordable and easy to clean, this feeder catches spills and messes on the resin mat, relieving you from the necessity to clean the floors (and sometimes the walls, too!) each time your pup eats. And because it’s slightly elevated, it also helps reduce the burden on your pet’s neck – perfect for senior dogs and those with neck pains.
The station is made of PP resin, so it’s easy to clean when it comes. There are two openings with rims to help keep the bowls securely in place and four non-skid mats that prevent slipping. It should be mentioned that the non-skid design works great for small dogs but may not be enough for bigger and more powerful pets – it’s not exactly impossible to slide or even turn the feeder over.
The bowls (11 ounces each) are made of stainless steel and dishwasher safe, which is always a welcome bonus.
13 MidWest Stainless Steel Snap’y Fit Dog Kennel Bowl
- Stainless steel bowl for kennels/cages
- Patented design keeps it in place and allows for easy removal
- Dishwasher safe
If your dog spends most of their time in their crate or kennel, it’s a good idea to keep their food bowl close by.
The Snap’y Fit Water and Feed Bowl is perfect for this, as it’s specifically designed to be attached to a crate/cage with two wing nuts. This patented design keeps the bowl firmly in place yet allows for easy removal when cleaning is necessary.
As a bonus, since you can attach the bowl to a wire mesh, you can also help promote elevated eating, which is healthier for most pets.
The bowl is made of stainless steel, holding up to scratches and wearing really well. It also naturally resists bacteria and odors, plus is dishwasher safe, making it perfect for fussy eaters.
A word of caution, though: while the design is incredibly convenient for cage use, if you forget to put the bowl in place (attach it to wire mesh), it can harm your dog by poking or scratching them. Needless to say, it’s vital to always attach the Snap’y Fit bowl.
14 Loving Pets Bella Bowls Pet Bowl
- Made of top-quality stainless steel
- Attractive poly-resin exterior
- Non-skid rubber bottom
- Dishwasher safe
Functional, durable, and beautiful, the Bella Bowl by Loving Pets is a no-frills dog bowl that suits pretty much all pets. Made of top-quality stainless steel (veterinarian recommended!) that is resistant to bacteria and odors, with an attractive poly-resin exterior, this bowl is as practical as it is beautiful, which should say a lot!
To prevent skidding and sliding on the floor, the bowl has a removable rubber base (soy based) which is strong enough even for large dogs. This rubber ring should be removed before you wash the bowl. There’s no need to manually clean anything here as the bowl is 100% dishwasher safe. There are four sizes and colors to choose from, so even the pickiest dogs (and owners!) are bound to be pleased.
15 Bone Dry Paw Patch and Stripes Ceramic Dog Bowl
- Two ceramic dog bowls
- Silicone rings prevent skidding and flipping the bowls over
- Dishwasher safe
If you’re looking for a quality feeder set that is both attractive and durable, definitely consider purchasing Bone Dry’s Ceramic Pet Bowls.
This duo is made of porcelain ceramic, which is perfectly safe for pets and easy to clean. To top it off, ceramic food bowls are some of the longest-lasting ones if you’re careful when handling them.
The design is super-convenient as the bowls have a silicone ring at the bottom, preventing them from sliding on the floor. This also helps keep them firmly on the ground and practically impossible to flip over.
Various sizes and designs are available, so it’s easy to find the bowl that perfectly fits your and your pet’s preferences.
Since the bowls are made of ceramic, they’re easy to hand clean and toss in the dishwasher – whichever is easiest for you. It should be said that although ceramic bowls are incredibly sturdy and long-lasting, they’re prone to chipping if you’re not careful. For this reason, they’re best suited for well-behaved dogs.
How to Choose the Best Dog Bowl
Picking a feeding or drinking bowl for your pooch can be simplified by understanding a few basic guidelines. We’ve interviewed experts on the subject matter to provide a thorough presentation of what you will have to think about when buying a dog bowl for your canine friend.
Most of us think a dog bowl is nothing more than a container that can hold our pooch’s favorite chow and /or drink. Some even use old, no-longer-used food bowls to economize. While this is more than feasible, you’ll find getting your dog its dinnerware a very satisfactory, fulfilling experience.
Unfortunately, just as choosing from an array of dinnerware for our dining table can be daunting, picking the right bowl for your pooch can be equally challenging. Not to worry, though, as we’re here to help. Here are some things you may need to carefully evaluate when picking the right type of doggie bowl for your canine friend.
The Correct Size
The dog bowl should be commensurate with the size of your pooch. If you have a Great Dane, it would be outrageous to have it feeding or drinking from a 20-ounce bowl. It simply isn’t fair. The same is true if you have a teacup-sized Chihuahua and you decide to give it a humongous 1.5-quart-sized bowl. Doing so will simply prevent your Chihuahua from drinking or feeding efficiently since the height of the dog bowl wall will simply be too great. Likewise, your Great Dane might not even fit its humongous tongue into the miniature vessel.
The point is to get a dog bowl that you can easily fill with food and leave plenty of space for your pooch to put its snout in. Be mindful that the food should not spill.
If you intend to use the bowl as a drinking station, we recommend going for just the right size and filling it with just enough water to last a couple of hours. We don’t recommend letting the water sit all day as bacteria, and other germs tend to proliferate once your pooch’s tongue and snout have already been dipped into the water. If you feel like leaving the drinking water for the rest of the day, you’ll be better off with a pet drinking fountain, which helps circulate the water, filter it, and keep it fresh and clean throughout the day.
The Preferred Material
Dog bowls come in a variety of materials, each with its distinct advantages and, sadly, disadvantages. Here, we’ll try to examine each one so you will have a better idea of what type of dog bowl you’ll need for your canine friend.
- Plastic
These are the cheapest and are, thus, highly valued for their practicality. These also come in various shapes, colors, and designs since acrylic is a generally moldable material. Many are also shatter-proof. Unfortunately, this strength does not extend to chew-proofing, as many plastic products can give in to the bite force of a tenacious chewer. Some may be scratch-resistant, although a greater number aren’t. When scratched, bacteria and other microorganisms can grow and proliferate in the spaces created by the scratch. Also, some dogs are somewhat allergic to plastic.
- Stainless Steel
These types of dog bowls are excellent if you’re after durability and strength. These have super slick surfaces making cleaning a breeze. They’re scratch-, rust-, and chew-resistant, too. Regrettably, these can be particularly loud, especially if you have a voracious eater. They are not particularly suited to those who require some fancy design or color in their dog bowls.
- Ceramic
Ceramic dog bowls are similar to stainless steel regarding durability as long as you can take good care of them. These provide a certain style that will look more like an expensive piece of desktop décor, especially when glazed and treated in various colors. They can also be molded into various shapes. Sadly, many are breakable. Additionally, poor-quality ceramics have been shown to contain lead. So be careful and choose only premium quality ceramics.
- Wood
There are manufacturers of dog bowls that use wood as their material. These are highly durable and can easily outlast any other type. They are relatively more expensive. However, if you require something that matches your existing interior décor, you’ll never go wrong with wood.
- Silicone
There is a growing trend toward silicone dog bowls as these offer exceptional flexibility, are lightweight, and are durable. These are a cross between a hybrid plastic and a hybrid rubber, giving it the amazing qualities of both materials. Many of the products made of silicone come with FDA certification that it is food-grade, so it won’t affect the quality of your pooch’s food.
Specialized Bowls
Aside from the materials used in manufacturing dog bowls, you might also want to look at their utilization. This can include the following.
- Slow Feeders
These dog bowls come in various mechanisms that can range from simple to very complex. The idea is quite simple enough, however. The point is to provide your dog access to its food in a controlled manner so that it eats at a much slower rate or that the feeder releases smaller quantities of food at a time.
Head to our Best Slow Feeder Dog Bowls review for more information.
- Automatic Waterers
Examples of these are pet drinking fountains that circulate the water through a mechanism that allows it to filter the drinking water, get rid of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms, and provide continuous aeration of the water to stay fresh, cool, and clean for an extended period.
- Elevated Feeders
These are dog bowls that are integrated into a table-like platform. Technically it is pretty much like a doggie table with fully adjustable height. These specialized dog bowls are primarily intended for senior pooches and dogs that may have musculoskeletal and articular problems. Since the dog bowl is elevated, it decreases the distance the dog’s head will have to travel to reach its food. This reduces the angle between joints, relieving pressure and providing more comfortable feeding. It also helps maintain posture and facilitates better digestion.
- Electronic Feeders
If you have a dog on a weight control program, the best dog bowl is fully integrated with an electronic mechanism that dispenses dog food in precisely measured amounts only at preset times. These are also helpful in feeding pooches while you’re away from home.
- Gravity Feeders
Gravity feeders are somewhat similar to automatic dog feeders, except that there is no portion control. Food falls into the bowl once it reaches a certain level. This fills the dog bowl with food.
Ease of Cleaning
Another factor you might want to consider when choosing the right type of dog bowl for your canine is the ease of cleaning. The easiest dog bowls to clean are those that are dishwasher safe. However, there are certain products that, although dishwasher safe, require some careful cleaning and handling protocols. You might want to check out the individual products’ ease of cleaning and maintenance before settling on a particular product.
Style
Depending on your personal preferences, you can always go simple or stylish. Stainless steel dog bowls remain one of the simplest, while ceramics and wood can come in various styles or designs. Simple dog bowls make for excellent indoor and outdoor feeding and drinking vessels. These are often cheaper, too. Stylish bowls, on the other hand, are typically more expensive but make exceptional pieces that can add to the overall aesthetics of your interior.
Sources:
1. Ken Tudor, DVM, It’s Official: Size Matters, PetMD
2. Dr. Sarah Wooten DVM, How Often Should I Wash My Pet’s Food Bowls?, Vetstreet
Frequently Asked Questions
The best material for a dog bowl depends on what you’re looking for. If you require exceptional durability and ease of cleaning, a stainless steel bowl is your best bet. But if you want something as stylish as durable, then your option can be either ceramic or wood. If it is a lightweight property with the addition of colorful styling, then your best bet will be either plastic or silicone.
The point is that everyone can have his or her interpretation of what is the best material. This is often a function of one’s inherent reason for buying a dog bowl.
Generally speaking, elevated or raised dog bowls are better than conventional types of feeding accessories. This has something to do with the maintenance of a dog’s posture while it is feeding. Let us take a closer look at the anatomical position of a feeding dog.
Normally dogs eat standing on all fours, although it is not uncommon to see certain pooches that sit while eating. Some also lie down to eat. As for those pooches that stand on all fours while feeding, the linearity of the digestive tract is somewhat angled acutely at the base of the neck. You must understand that the digestive tract of mammals and other living organisms is one continuous tube that starts with the mouth and terminates in the anus. If we had x-ray vision, the alignment of this digestive tract when a pooch is standing up is that it has a straighter alignment, typically parallel to the ground.
Now, when a dog eats in conventional dog bowls, this linearity of the canine digestive tract is changed somewhat. You still have a fairly parallel tract along the back of your pooch. However, the segment of the digestive tract that begins with the mouth and extends to the base of the neck is acutely angled. This means the food will have to be propelled upwards at an incline. This requires sufficient work from the musculature of the esophagus of the dog. The more acute the angle, the greater the force needed to move chewed food up the esophagus and into the canine stomach.
Increasing the height of the food bowl simply means bringing the food nearer to the mouth, providing for a near-straighter alignment of the digestive tract. Additionally, this eases the work of the smooth muscles of the esophagus, making it a lot easier for the chewed food to be moved toward the stomach. Since the food is facilitated toward the stomach, there is a lesser chance of bloating and gas forming. Moreover, since the chyme (partially digested bolus of food from the mouth) is transmitted more efficiently to the stomach, this helps minimize indigestion or stomach upsets.
But there is another reason why elevated dog bowls are preferred over conventional doggie vessels, and we’re pretty sure you can somehow relate to this. If you’ve ever found yourself experiencing a stiff neck after prolonged bending of your neck, you can somehow imagine how uncomfortable it is for your dog to be standing up, bending its neck just to reach its food. If you have a pooch that is already quite old and has joint problems, it can only exacerbate its condition.
Elevated dog bowls are not just a style. It has a purpose: to provide a more anatomically efficient manner of eating for pooches.
Before we answer this question, it is important to understand the difference between a true metal and stainless steel, although looking at many products today, they are often used interchangeably. Pure metal, like aluminum, is safe since almost all wet dog food come in aluminum cans.
On the other hand, stainless steel is a steel alloy that contains at least 10.5% chromium. While there have been safety issues in stainless steel in the past, these types of materials are generally safe and, as such, are not bad for dogs.
Look at professional kitchens where chefs prepare the food we eat or even the prep surfaces of medical professionals. These are mostly made of stainless steel. It is non-porous, non-leaching, easy to sanitize, and rust-resistant. They can only be considered bad for your dog when harmful chemicals are integrated into the steel alloy during fabrication. That’s why it’s imperative to choose products only from reputable companies.
Dogs need feeding bowls the same way we need plates whenever we eat. Choosing the right kind of dog bowl entails the determination of the right size, the preferred material, any special use, the preferred style, and the ease of cleaning.
With this list of the 10 best dog bowls, you can feel a lot safer that you’ll be giving your pooch something that it will enjoy feeding or drinking from.
