In addition to choosing the right dog food, it is essential to choose the right bowls to keep your dog healthy. It can be surprisingly easy to pick the wrong type of bowl and risk your dog’s health.
Wash schedule
Prefer to hand wash bowls with soap and water.
- Food bowls should be washed after every meal
- Water bowls should be washed every 2-7 days
✅ RECOMMENDED
Material: Stainless steel
A high-quality metal bowl is easy to clean, will last a long time, and is safe if you have a rambunctious dog.
Yeti Dog Bowl
Amazon Basics Dog Bowl
⚠️ USE WITH CAUTION
Material: Ceramic
A high-quality ceramic bowl is also easy to clean and long-lasting. The only catch is it can be more prone to breaking with dogs that like to play with their bowl.
Ceramic Dog Bowl
Slow or puzzle feeders
Food bowls that require more effort to eat can promote better digestion for dogs that eat too fast and enrichment for dogs that need extra mental stimulation. These are just harder to clean and some dogs can cause a mess!
Outward Hound Slo Feeder
Automated time feeders
Feeding your dog is one of the most important ways to bond, especially with puppies. Automatic feeders should only be used when you simply cannot feed your dog yourself.
Water tanks & fountains
Dog water tanks or circulating water fountains can be a convenient way to avoid having to refill them often. However they can be prone to fungus and bacteria and is important to wash them regularly and avoid standing water for too long.
❌ NEVER USE
Material: Plastic
Plastic dog bowls are prone to wearing down over time and can result in your dog ingesting toxic chemical and microplastics.
Elevated bowls
Elevated dog bowls or feeders increase the risk of bloat, a very dangerous condition, especially for larger dogs. Unless specifically prescribed by a vet, it’s best to steer clear of these.