The bowl we choose to feed our pets can significantly impact their feeding experience, digestion, and more. Not only does a food bowl serve as a functional tool, but it can also contribute to a pet’s overall health and well-being. Today, we’re sharing our guide to selecting the best dog and cat bowls and how often they should be washed. As professional pet sitters and dog walkers, we can tell you first-hand that choosing the right food bowl for your cat or dog can sometimes feel like an uphill battle but these best practices should help.
Pet Food Bowl Materials
- Ceramic: Known for their durability and resistance to scratches, ceramic bowls and plates are a popular choice. They are also easy to clean and come in a variety of styles and colors.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel bowls are highly durable and rust-resistant. They are easy to clean and can be dishwasher-safe. When selecting a stainless steel bowl, opt for food-grade or 18/8 stainless steel to ensure the highest quality.
- Silicone: Soft and flexible, silicone bowls are gentle on your pet’s chin and whiskers. They are also non-slip, making them a good option for pets that are prone to tipping over their bowls. Again, look for premium, non-toxic food grade silicone. One of our favorite pet food bowls is the Mine Pet Platter, which encourages dogs and cats to engage in healthier more natural eating behaviors.
- Plastic: While affordable, plastic bowls can be prone to scratches and may contain harmful chemicals. It’s essential to choose BPA-free plastic bowls and inspect them regularly for signs of wear. When a plastic bowl scratches, it can hide bacteria and other pathogens that could make your pet sick.
Pet Food Bowl Features
- Size: The bowl should be large enough to accommodate your pet’s food or water without spilling. For cats, check out our recent blog about whisker fatigue and how to gauge your cat’s ideal bowl or plate size.
- Quantity: The number of pet bowls you have will depend on how many pets you have. Each pet should have a bowl to themselves at feeding time. And, you should have an extra bowl or two for back-up use when your primary bowl is being washed.
- Material: Consider your pet’s preferences and the ease of cleaning. Always invest in a high quality material and keep in mind that a high quality pet bowl should last at least ten years.
- Non-Slip Base: This feature can help prevent spills and messes and is particularly important for ceramic and stainless steel bowls.
Pet Food Bowl Best Practices
- Food & Water Combo: While it may seem practical to have both the food and water next to each other on your pet’s food mat, many cats do not like to eat where they drink. For cats and finicky dogs, separate the food and water into different bowls and place them in different places of the home.
- Raised Sides: While dogs don’t mind raised sides, cats may prefer lower sides. Watch your pet’s feeding patterns and, if you notice that the food is only being eaten from the middle, consider a bowl with lower sides.
- Elevated Bowls: For pets with arthritis or joint issues, elevated bowls can reduce strain on their necks. The jury is still out on whether or not elevated bowls prevent a potentially fatal condition known as bloat. If you have a large or giant breed, read this for more details.
- Slow Feeder Bowls: For pets that eat too quickly, slow feeder bowls can help prevent air ingestion and other digestive issues. These bowls have raised sections or obstacles that slow down eating. While slow feeder bowls can be very helpful, they may frustrate your pet, therefore, ease your pet into their use.
Pet Food Bowl Maintenance
As a general rule, wash your pet’s bowls daily. Pet food, just like human food, is perishable. If you wouldn’t eat off a day-old plate that’s been sitting out with food residue on it, neither should your pet. Plus, because cats and dogs are so sensitive to smell, residue on used plates could put them off their current meal, causing them to refuse the food and waste your money.
Water bowls can be washed weekly but it doesn’t hurt to wash them more often, especially if you have a slobbery drinker. Learn more about what’s lurking in pet’s water bowls here.
Pet Food Bowl Cleaning
- Hot Water and Soap: Use hot water and a mild detergent to clean the bowls thoroughly.
- Vinegar Rinse: To remove any lingering odors or bacteria, rinse the bowls with a vinegar solution.
- Dishwasher: Many bowls are dishwasher-safe, but check the manufacturer’s instructions first. If your bowl is dishwasher safe, consider running it through a sanitation rinse once a week while maintaining a daily hand wash routine.
- Rinse Thoroughly: No matter what you use to wash your bowls, remember to rinse well.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Avoid using harsh chemicals that can leave residue or harm your pet. Remember that your pet will lick the bowl while eating and some harsh chemicals cannot be rinsed entirely.
By choosing the right bowls and cleaning them regularly, you can help ensure your pet’s health and happiness. At Animal Admiration Pet Care Services, we strive to leave your home in as-good or better shape than we found it. For this reason, we take the time to wash bowls and maintain feeding areas during every visit. We believe that every pet in our care deserves a clean feeding space and delicious, enjoyable meals. Don’t you?!
You can learn more about our policies and review our FAQs on our website.
New clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Our team of outstanding pet care providers offers quality care dog sitting, cat sitting, and dog walking in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress.
Existing clients schedule services here. We look forward to providing exceptional care for your pets!
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