Choosing The Right Dog Bowl

You certainly have a choice when it comes to food and water bowls for your dog.

Quick Tips from www.4-legged.com

  • Use a stainless steel bowl if your dog is a nibbler.
  • Stainless steel bowls are the easiest to sanitize.
  • Ceramic bowls must be sanitized daily. Replace cracked or scratched bowls immediately.
  • Use heated water bowls during cold weather to avoid freezing.
  • Make sure to wash bowls with hot soapy water.
  • Keep a second set of dishes to use while the other is being cleaned.
  • Use a storage container or can covers to keep food fresh (and keeps critters out).

Bowl Types

  • Stainless Steel Bowls
  • Ceramic Bowls
  • Plastic Bowls
  • Weighted Bowls
  • Bowls For Long-Eared Dogs
  • Heated Bowls
  • Self-Feeders and Waterers
  • Cleaning Bowls and Feeders
  • Food Storage

Stainless Steel Bowls

Stainless steel bowls are durable, longlasting and are great if your dog tends to nibble on her bowl! They are easy to clean and are the easiest to sanitize, which is why they are the choice of many veterinarians.

Ceramic Bowls

Ceramic bowls and crocks are good for dogs that like to move their bowls around. Since ceramic is the heaviest of materials used for feeding bowls, your dog will eat her food without moving across the floor at the same time. These bowls are very durable and longlasting. Because they are very porous, it is critical that they be cleaned and sanitized daily. It is recommended that a cracked ceramic dish be replaced because it is likely to harbor bacteria in the cracks.

Plastic Bowls

Plastic bowls come in a variety of colors and are lightweight, unbreakable, and economical. Plastic bowls are not for dogs that tend to chew on their bowls, as small fragments of plastic could be chewed off and swallowed. You can use human plastic bowls.

Weighted Bowls

If your dog can’t stop tipping over the water bowl, try a weighted bowl, or one that is wider at the bottom. We can’t guarantee that your dog won’t outsmart the bowl, but it just might slow him down and take some of the fun out of tipping it over all the time! Maybe the corner bowls do the job.

Bowls For Long-Eared Dogs

Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels, Afghans, Poodles and other long-eared dogs have a unique problem. These dogs have difficulty with their ears falling into their food while they eat. Food bowls that are deeper and have a narrower opening allow the ears to hang to each side of the bowl instead of falling inside the bowl.

Self-Feeders and Waterers

Self feeders and waters are handy for the owner, who is gone for most of the day or even overnight. These types of bowls are best for dogs that are fed “free choice,” meaning that there is always food available for the dog to eat at any time. If your dog enjoys feeding “free choice”, and you don’t want your dog to have to depend on you to replenish the supply of food, then consider using a self feeder. However, if your dog tends to gobble up all his food just because it’s there, then a self feeder is not for your dog since this behavior could lead to obesity.

Cleaning Bowls and Feeders

All dishes should be washed with hot soapy water daily to avoid the growth of bacteria. Having a second set of dishes always comes in handy while the other one is being cleaned. Replace scratched dishes that can harbor bacteria.

Food Storage

When considering bowls for your dog to eat and drink from, don’t forget about a storage container and scoop if your dog eats dry kibble. Keeping the food in a container with a lid extends the life of the food, reduces the breakdown of vitamins, and maintains freshness. It also keeps unwanted critters from getting into the food (this may even include your own dog!). If your dog is a canned food lover, using a can cover will help keep the food fresher if you don’t use the whole can at one feeding.

Treats Storage and designer food dishes

Custom Treat Jar and dog/cat bowls – Original Design

Original pieces of art created just for you and your family pet!

These pet treat jars are individually hand-thrown, textured and hand painted. Each one is unique, no two are alike.

These treat jars and bowls are MADE-TO-ORDER from the photo you send us.

 

 

Puppy Bowls
design has a raised center to keep food at the outer edge where puppies can easily reach it.
Heavy Duty Stainless, Won’t tip when puppy decides to go “swimming!”


Different sizes to choose from

Check all food accessories here

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10 comments

  1. Pingback: Choosing The Right Dog Bowl | 4-legged.com/ Blog | GREAT LIFE FOR PETS
  2. 4-legged

    Patricia, thank you for making me laugh. I had the same problem with my daughter. I moved the bowls from one place to another but she always found it. Sorry, i have no advice but putting some barrier and trying to explain over and over again. I know she’s too young, but young kids are very clever…good luck

  3. Patricia

    I must admit that I did not know so much thought goes into purchasing the dog’s bowl, but now that you point it out. Stainless steel certainly makes sense. I like the idea of elevating it. That should be easier to keep clean. Do you have hints on how to get my granddaughter from playing in it? She is a year old and she loves the feel of the round kibbles through her fingers. We always have dog food on the floor. She also loves to splash in the water bowl. What a character she is! The dog loves her dearly because they have shared many a tasty snack.

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  4. John

    I agree that stainless steel is definitely the way to go. Those elevated diners look really cool but I got a pug and he has trouble enough getting into his bowl as it is with his short snout.

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