The Best Dog Food Bowls
Finding the perfect dog food bowl for your pet can make all the difference. Every pup is unique, so feeding them should be more than simply a part of their daily routine. We want dogs of all shapes and sizes to feel loved, so we've done some research to find the best dog food bowls on the market. Read on to find the best one for your furry friend.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best dog food bowls are durable, easy to clean, and, perhaps most importantly, not an eyesore. One of our favorites is PetSafe’s food station. It doesn’t take too much floor space, and its cute bone-shaped silicone mat ensures it stays put. If you need something more on-the-go, Kytely’s large collapsible dog bowls are a great option. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks. We think you’ll find the right bowls for your canine companion.
PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station
This dog food bowl from PetSafe uses gravity to help feed your dog. Simply pour food into the top, screw it shut, and your dog will be set for a few days. Available in two sizes, you’ll be able to fit either two or four pounds of food into your feeder. The slim and modern design will fit perfectly into your home wherever you have space. And there’s even a matching water dispenser that you can buy to sit alongside this practical bowl.
Pros:
- Getting home in time to feed your dog in the evenings can be a struggle if you work a full-time job. This feeder will ensure they are staying healthy even when you’re away from home.
- Puppies need a lot of love and nourishment as they grow, which means they need a lot of food. This dog bowl is an easy way to offer them food without making their feeding schedule too rigid at such a young age.
Cons:
- The feeder has a narrow mouth, which makes it hard to pour food into the container.
Hubulk Stainless Steel Dog Bowls with Non-Skid Mat
It may be adorable to see your dog’s face light up when you tell them it’s time to eat, but watching them tip over their food bowl and cleaning up after them is not as enjoyable. These bowls come with a non-skid silicone mat that not only keeps their bowls from sliding on the floor but also catches extra food that may not make it into their mouths. The stainless steel bowls are very durable and are removable for easy cleaning.
Pros:
- The silicone mat can be folded in half, even when the metal bowls are inserted into the slots. This makes it easy for storage and travel.
- If you have a small puppy that can’t quite reach inside the bowls, you can put food directly on the mat for them to eat. Scatter the food all over the mat with the included scoop to keep them interested and satisfied.
Cons:
- The non-skid mat is too flimsy to be carried flat when the bowls are full of food or water.
Kytely Extra Large Collapsible Dog Bowls
Snacks on the go
From hikes to road trips to family gatherings, these collapsible dog food bowls make it easy to feed your dog wherever you are. Each set comes with two large silicone bowls with carabiner clips to attach to a bag or even your dog’s leash. The bowls hold a little over four cups of food and are dishwasher safe to make your life easier than ever.
Pros:
- If you use these bowls for water while you’re out and about, they dry out very quickly, so there is less mess. If you are feeding your dog and there are extra crumbs in the bowl, rinse it out with water to get it extra clean before storing.
- The dog food bowls aren’t easy to push around when filled with food or water, so your dog will be able to eat in one spot and will make less mess.
Cons:
- These large bowls are not big enough to feed dogs over 100 pounds, such as Newfoundlands and Great Pyrenees.
Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Elevated Dog Bowls
From tall to small
From the puppy stage to adulthood, these adjustable dog food bowls do the trick. Two stainless steel bowls fit perfectly into the durable plastic tray. Set the tray directly on the floor for smaller pups, or add the included legs to increase the height of the bowls. Bending down to eat can harm your dog’s joints and digestive system over time, so this set will be helpful and make mealtimes more enjoyable.
Pros:
- The stand is made from high-quality plastic that is super easy to clean. Simply remove the legs to wash each piece to get ready to set back up or store flat.
- Some dogs tend to get more food and water on the floor than in their mouths. By setting this stand at the correct height, your dog’s mouth will be closer to their bowls and shouldn’t make as much of a mess.
Cons:
- The dog bowl stand is a little wobbly and needs to be up against a wall for best results.
Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl
Slow and steady
If your dog comes from a large litter, it’s likely they had to scramble to get enough food from their mother. As they grow up, it is important they learn to eat more slowly and know that you will always be there to feed them. This dog food bowl from Outward Hound is the perfect training tool for dogs of all ages. The bowl holds up to two cups of food at once, dispersing it between the raised grooves to make it more of a challenge for your dog and helping them to decrease their speed by ten times.
Pros:
- The non-slip base will keep this bowl in place, no matter how much licking and nudging they do. The bowl is designed for wet, dry, and raw food diets, so they’ll be able to get out every last bite.
- The dog food bowl is made from plastic that is BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free. Due to the high-quality plastic, it can be washed on the top rack of the dishwasher.
Cons:
- Some dogs may have trouble eating from this bowl, depending on the shape of their snout. For example, dachshunds have longer noses that make it easier to reach tight areas, while pugs have shorter, flatter noses that may not be able to reach in small spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean my dog’s food bowl?
It may seem like a lot, but you should be cleaning your dog’s food bowl after each meal. We would never think of reusing a dirty dish, so why would we let our dogs? By cleaning your dog’s food bowl regularly, you are limiting the risk of infection from bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. This is especially important if your dog eats primarily wet food or is on a raw diet.
Where should I store my dog’s food?
Finding an airtight container to keep your dog’s food in is one of the first steps when becoming a pet parent. Bags of dog food can vary in size, so you can fill up the container as much as possible and keep the rest in a dry place until the container has more room. This way, your dog’s food will stay fresh without the possibility of attracting bugs or growing mold. Plus, you’ll be happy because you can save money and use each bag of food until the last morsel.
About the Author
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Since 2008, DogTime has served as a leading resource for millions of dog owners and pet lovers alike. Our goal is to give every dog and pet a happy, healthy home by providing owners with all the information they need to be the best pet parents possible. Our experts share their insights and recommendations to make caring for your beloved pets a breeze.