Choosing among the many bowls for dogs that exist on the market is never so obvious. Anyone would be tempted to buy the simplest one in plastic that costs a few euros, but after a few days, it is easy to understand that it is not always the best solution. A good bowl must be robust and made of quality materials.
However, these two factors do not count. In fact, the size, ease of cleaning, and, even if it may seem strange, the health and emotional condition of your dog is also important.
Right below we had selected some of the latest and advanced models of dog bowls for you.
Buyer Guide to Choose the Best Dog Bowls
The above ranking should have already helped you understand the various possibilities you have when looking for the right bowl for your dog.
However, before making the final choice, we advise you to read the section below, where we will answer the most frequently asked questions posted by those who, like you, are looking for information on dog bowls.
What Are Dog Bowls and Are They Important?
They are containers of various sizes, materials, and colors, specially designed for the dog to eat, be it dry or wet. Obviously their main task is ‘only’ to contain the food, but in reality, they can do much more, such as helping to eat it with less enthusiasm, to lose weight and decrease any intestinal problems.
Are Your Dog’s Food Bowls Safe?
As absurd as it may seem, yes. For example, the Petco company had to remove its steel bowls from the market in 2012 because they were radioactive, according to Basis Pet.
In addition to verifying product quality standards, never choose a stainless steel bowl that is not suitable for the dishwasher or that only indicates that it is suitable “for domestic use”.
The formulas mentioned in the description of a dog bowl can hide that stainless steel is inferior to type 304 (also known as 18/8 stainless steel), the most common for food applications.
Why Is Hygiene for Dog Bowls Important?
Humans easily forget to clean their dog’s bowl by not thinking about how it can affect their best friend’s health. Many of us wouldn’t use the same dish for a week without washing it and the same should be done with the bowl. Otherwise, the bacteria that could cause disease in the dog to thrive.
This means more chances of suffering from stomach pain, diarrhea, or vomiting for your dog. Although animals have different immune defenses than we do, reactions are possible when the bowl remains dirty for a long time. So, remember: choose a bowl that is easy to clean and wash it as often as possible.
Importance of Anti Voracity or Anti-Anxiety Bowls?
There are dogs that don’t eat, they gobble. The risks, in addition to suffocation, are linked to various intestinal problems, such as digestive difficulties, vomiting, stomach pain.
These simple insert bowls force the dog not to put all the food together in the mouth. This in fact must be taken in small doses and our friend must forcibly consume it at a slower pace.
How to Choose a Dog Bowl?
If you’ve come this far, it’s because you’re aware that making the right choice for your dog’s bowl isn’t that obvious. You have to pay attention to more things, especially if you plan to invest some extra money in it.
The purchase criteria below will help you make the final decision, without regretting it. Also, have a look on the video guide.
Your Veterinarian’s Opinion
It sounds strange, but no one knows your dog’s physical condition better than your vet. He can tell you if it is appropriate to buy him a raised bowl if he feels it painful to bend over because he is elderly or injured.
Or he can recommend the bowl for voracious dogs if he knows that your friend tends to suffer from abdominal pain. There is nothing wrong with asking for your opinion.
Size of Your Dog
Obviously, Yorkshire does not eat the same quantities as a German shepherd. The producers take the size of the animal into account, so you will have no problem finding an S, M, or L bowl that fits your dog’s size, but don’t underestimate this aspect.
In general, it is best to buy a slightly larger bowl, as the volume of this can vary when you change the food. Dogs have a total of 18 muscles in the ear.
Material
In this guide, you have already seen that dog bowls are made of different materials. Even if we haven’t said it, know that they can also be made of wood.
Choose the material you think is the most suitable, but which is always of good quality, resistant and robust, and easy to clean. Quality stainless steel will always be a good option, don’t forget it.
Hygiene
We have already mentioned the importance of hygiene in another section, but this time we remind you to opt for an easy-to-wash dog bowl.
If you have limited time, it will always be better if it is also dishwasher safe. And remember not to clean it once in a while, but every two or three days at the most.
Accessories
The bowl itself is already considered an accessory in the pet sector. However, some products may include additional tools useful for the use of the bowl itself. One of these is the mat to be placed under the bowl.
They are generally treated against humidity and germs in which they can proliferate, but they also protect the floor of your home, or terrace, from scratching or getting dirty easily.
Score and Opinions of Buyers
When you buy online, most of the time you have the possibility of being able to evaluate the score and the opinions left by those who bought a certain bowl before you.
In addition to the rating itself, reading the reviews will help you understand how other people’s dogs found themselves and you will be clear about the strengths and weaknesses of each article.
Conclusions
The type of food you give to your dog is of great importance, but also an accessory such as a bowl becomes essential, especially on certain occasions, as if your four-legged friend is elderly or if he suffers from voracity, among the many possibilities.
Nowadays, a good bowl can help you feed your dog even when you’re not there or stop him from bingeing. Remember that the materials of the dog bowls also have a certain importance.
Consider carefully if you need a raised accessory or an electronic one that helps you feed your dog at the right times. If you love your pet, keep in mind all the criteria indicated in the previous sections before opting for a specific bowl.
