10 Best Dog Bowls for All Breeds and Sizes
The bowl your dog uses to eat is just as important as its food. Sounds strange? I’ll explain. Some dog bowls aren’t safe for use because they contain harmful chemicals or be prone to bacteria growth. If this gets into your dog’s system, it could threaten your furry baby’s health and well-being. So you see, it is essential that you only get the best dog bowls. So how do you know the best bowls to buy? Every brand out their claims that theirs is the right fit for you and your pup. How do you choose? Not to worry, you have us to break it down for you!
We have reviewed the top dog bowls for you, and we are convinced that our top picks are problem solvers and not just for aesthetics. Are you always cleaning up spills and splashes after your dog gets a meal? We have a bowl specially designed to prevent that. Does your dog gobble up food in seconds? This could lead to bloating, choking and other digestive issues; we have a bowl designed to slow Scooby down too. Without further ado, find the best dog bowls for you and your pup below.
Best Dog Bowls: Product Description
Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl – Best dog dishes
The Amazon basics stainless steel dog bowl comes in a set of 2 stainless steel bowls. This product is made from high-quality material and is leak-proof, lightweight and easy to clean. It features a rubber base that protects your floors and prevents the bowl from being moved by hungry dogs. This is the one to get if you’re hunting for the best dog dishes.
Features:
- This product is dishwasher friendly
- Each of them is capable of holding up to 38 ounces of food or water
- It has a no-tip design that is safe for your canine’s teeth and gum
- Made from high-grade stainless steel that is rust resistant
Pros:
- Has a slanted side that makes it hard for dogs to pick up
- Each of the bowls has a non-skid rubber base
- Suitable for cats and dogs
Cons
- It may be too pricey
Outward Hound fun feeder slow bowl – Best slow feeder dog bowl
The outward hound fun feeder dog bowl is one of the pet parents’ favourite dog bowls for fast eaters. This product is designed with maze-like patterns to provide a little challenge for your greedy pup, making it eat slower and reducing the chances of digestive problems like bloating. This dog feeder bowl slows eating up to 10 times.
Features:
- Capable of holding two cups of food
- Works great with wet or dry food and treats
- Made from food-safe plastic and has an anti-skid base
- It is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean
Pros:
- Available in 11 beautiful bright colours
- Suitable for fast eaters and dogs with obesity
- Engages your dog for longer periods
Cons:
- This product is medium-sized
Pet Zone designer diner dog bowl – Best dog food and water stand
The PetZone designer diner dog bowl is an elaborately designed dog food and water stand. It has three adjustable levels with lengths of 12″, 8″ and 2.75″, respectively. It is ideal for life stages and is easily collapsible and versatile. One of the benefits of an elevated dog feeding bowl is that it reduces strain on the neck and legs of your dog.
Features:
- Dog bowls made from high-quality stainless steel
- Provides a healthy feeding position that aids digestion
- This product is rust-resistant and easy to clean
- Each bowl has a capacity of 56 oz. or 7 cups of dog food
Pros:
- This product is perfect for aging dogs with mobility problems
- The adjustable heights make it suitable for all dog sizes at different life stages
- The stand is stable is skid-proof
Cons:
- It may be too pricey
Ourpets comfort diner dog bowl – Best dog feeder bowl
The Ourpets comfort diner dog bowl features two stainless steel cool dog bowls on an elevated plastic stand. This product is lightweight and great for messy eaters. Its elevated position prevents food from littering the floor and is suitable for small, medium and large dogs. Customers have testified that this is the best material for dog bowls.
Features:
- It features three height options; 12, 8, and 4 inches
- Provides a comfortable feeding position that aids digestion
- This product has two removable bowls
- Rust-resistant and easy to clean
Pros:
- Reduces stress on your dog’s body
- Removable stainless steel bowls that are dishwasher safe
- Has a manual and automatic operational mode
Cons:
- It may be too pricey
PetSafe Smart Feeder Automatic Pet Feeder – Best puppy bowls
PetSafe automatic pet feeder is the next-generation dog feeder for pet owners who work long hours. This feeder has smart programmable features that help you portion food and accurately feed your dog or cat. This smart feeder is Wi-Fi enabled for android or iPhone and is compatible with Alexa. This product was awarded the best electronic dog feeder in 2020.
Features:
- Capable of providing portion control of up to 12 meals daily
- The feeder sends a smartphone notification when it is running low or empty
- You can ask Alexa to feed your pet from anywhere in the house
- It has a slow food setting that dispenses food to fast eaters in small amounts
Pros:
- Automatically orders food from Amazon dash when the feeder is running low
- Dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning
- Made from stainless steel and is 100% pet safe
Cons:
- Requires an apple device of IOS 12.0 and a compatible 9.0 android smartphone
Welltobe Automatic Food Dispenser – Best automatic dog food bowls
The best dog bowl makes the feeding experience for your pet safe and stress-free. The WellTobe Food Dispenser Dog Feeder is one of the best currently on the market. This dispenser comes with two high-grade stainless steel bowls. It provides smart features such as voice recording to reassure and call your pets when it is time to feed them. This advanced puppy feeding bowl is the saving grace for busiest pet owners.
Features:
- Can be programmed to up to 5 meals every day
- Comes with a two-way splitter that can feed two pets simultaneously
- Powered by an adapter and a 4D alkaline battery that keeps the dispenser on during power outages
- A built-in infrared sensor that alerts when the bowl is full and low
Pros:
- Removable food and water bowl for easy installation
- Has a storage capacity of up to 13 cups of dry food
- Suitable for both dogs and cats
Cons:
- It may not be the best option for large-breed dogs
Indipets Stainless Steel Dog Bowl – Best dog bowl for fast eaters
You need a spill-proof food bowl if you have canines that eat with gusto and most of their food ends up on the floor. The Stainless Steel Spill Proof Splash Bowl is one of the best dog bowls that are spill-proof and splash-free. It has a simple design and is odour resistant.
Features:
- Made from high-grade stainless steel
- Has a wide rim underneath for catching food spills and water splashes
- This product is scratch resistant
- Has a unique design with a pick-up handle
Pros:
- The dog bowl is easy to clean
- It is safe to use
- Has no tip and is anti-skid
Cons:
- It may be too lightweight
Petsafe Drinkwell Automatic Water Bowl – Best automatic water bowl
Like you, water is incredibly important, and your dog needs to be hydrated. Drink well Gallon Fountain for Dogs is great for families with multiple pets and large-sized dogs. It features an open bowl fountain design that gives your canines access to water even when power is out. This product is suitable for pet owners needing a separate dog food and water stand.
Features:
- Made from premium quality plastic
- Has a water capacity of two gallons
- Adjustable flow control for quiet water operation
- Uses carbon filter, foam filter and replacement pump
Pros:
- This product encourages hydration
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Gives your pet betters access to water
Cons:
- It is quite pricey
Wesen Double Dog Bowls – Best puppy food and water bowls
The No-Spill Mat Set WESEN Dog Bowl comes in a 2-in-1 food and water bowl suitable for small, medium and large dogs. This product is durable and made from High-grade silicone material and stainless steel bowls. It features a foldable design convenient for travelling and other outdoor activities.
Features:
- Comes with two dog bowls of medium and large capacity
- Has a unique anti-skid silicone bottom
- This product is heat, corrosion and rust resistant
- It features an extra-large base with elevated edges that catch any food and water spillage
Pros:
- This product is dishwasher safe
- The bows are removable and easy to install
- It is leakproof and durable
Cons:
- The operation mode is manual
Milifun Double Water and Food Bowls – Best food and water bowls for small dogs
Milifun double water and food bowl is a 2-in-1 pet feeder. It is high off the ground, helping to reduce strain on the neck and back. It features one food bowl and one plastic bowl with an automatic water bottle. The automatic water bottle refills water into the dish and keeps the water clean. This feature comes in handy if you work long hours.
Features:
- Made from food grade bowl that is pet safe
- It has a tilted platform that provides the best feeding position
- The water bottle has 17 oz. water capacity
- This product is suitable for dogs and cats
Pros:
- This product is environmentally friendly
- It is easy to clean and is durable
- Features a 2-in-1 feeding and water bowl
Cons:
- Suitable for medium and small dogs
Best Dog Bowls Buying Guide
Choosing the best dog bowls for your canine is a task that every pet parent and aspiring pet owner should take seriously. The last thing you want is to change bowls every other month because your little terror chews on them, or worse, buy a bowl that would become the planet for bacteria to live in. Yikes!
Did you know that the best dog bowls can promote healthy digestion? It sounds far-fetched, but it is true! The best dog bowls can resist bacterial growth and would even help to make cleaning up after your pup easier. There are several factors to consider when choosing these top-tier dog bowls, including material, size, design, and durability. What makes for the best dog bowls? Let’s find out.
What do I need to consider before buying the best dog bowls?
Material
Different types of materials are used in making dog bowls, each of which has pros and cons. The best material for dog bowls depends on their usage, durability and ease of cleaning.
Plastic
Dog bowls made from plastic are lightweight and quite handy. They usually have a rubber ring underneath that prevents them from slipping while your pup eats with gusto. Plastic bowls are inexpensive, and they come in different shapes and sizes.
It is important to note that plastic dog bowls may be made from toxic chemicals. These chemicals get into your dog’s food and right into its body. While you may not notice your dog getting sick immediately, the chemical buildup in your canine’s system could lead to severe health problems over time. Plastic bowls are also prone to scratches and cuts that can harbour bacteria and become tough to clean.
Stainless steel
Dog bowls made from stainless steel are quite popular among dog owners because they are lightweight, easy to clean and hygienic. Stainless steel dog bowls are durable and are great for dogs who like to chew and gnaw at their bowls. They come in different sizes and designs – the most common being the double stainless steel bowls.
You must pay special attention when picking the best stainless steel dog bowl. There are different grades of stainless steel, and their usage differs. Some manufacturers use lesser grades of stainless steel to make cheap bowls; while this may be favourable to your pocket, it may not be the best option for your canine. If a product doesn’t disclose the type of stainless steel grade it is made from, then it is most likely an inferior product.
Avoid buying stainless bowls that aren’t dishwasher safe or are “for pet use only .”These are clear indications that they are made from inferior materials. The best dog food bowls should not contain any possible contaminants and must be of the best quality.
Ceramic Bowls
Dog bowls made from ceramics weigh more than most bowls. They are the perfect bowls for puppies who like to push their bowls around the floor while eating. Dog bowls made from ceramics are easy to clean and quick to dry. Most of them have clear sealant coatings that prevent bacteria from getting into the cracks and pores of the material.
You want to make that you pick a ceramic dog bowl that is not cracked in any way. Due to their heavy weight, ceramic bowls break and chip easily when dropped. Bacteria can grow in these cracks, and a wash in the dishwasher may not be able to get rid of it. These bacteria could get into your canine’s food and cause health problems. If you notice a crack in your dog’s ceramic feeding bowl, it is time to replace it immediately.
Size
The size of your dog’s food and water bowls is essential when choosing the best dog bowls. Your dog’s breed and eating habits would determine the size of the food and water bowls you get.
To get a feel for the right sizes, you need to calculate the approximate volume of food you serve your dog at each meal. The general rule of thumb is that the right-sized bowl should be approximately four times larger than the amount of food you serve.
Furthermore, you can use this rough guideline to help you make the best choice:
Extra small (XS) sized bowls are suitable for toy and miniature breed dogs with heights approximately up to 25cm like the; Chihuahua, Pekinese, Yorkshire terrier, etc.
Small (S) sized bowls are suitable for small breed dogs with heights of approximately 35cm, like the Maltese, Jack Russell Terrier, Tibet Spaniel, etc.
Medium (M) sized bowls are great for dog breeds with heights of approximately 45cm, like the Pomeranian, French bulldog, Beagle, etc.
Large (L) sized bowls are suitable for dog breeds with heights of approximately 55cm, like the Border collie, Standard poodle, etc.
Extra Large (XL) sized bowls are suitable for large dog breeds with heights of approximately 65cm, like the Golden Retriever, Dalmatian, Labrador, etc.
Finally, XXL food bowls are suitable for dog breeds with heights over 65 cm, like the Great Dane, Irish wolfhound, Caucasian Shepherd, etc.
What are the types of dog bowls?
Elevated dog bowls
These types of bowls are high and come in different sizes and heights. An elevated dog bowl helps your dog eat slower and aids digestion. It is great for large breed dogs prone to gulp food when eating. Elevated feeders are also great for dogs with arthritis; it reduces neck strain and makes feeding easier for aging dogs.
If you have dogs that are messy eaters, elevated feeders may help reduce mess and would prevent food from being all over the floor. Consider the height and size if you decide to go for this type of dog feeder bowl. One that is too high may cause problems, and one that is too low may not have much difference when compared to the bowls placed on the floor.
Slow Feeder dog bowl
This type of dog bowl is designed to make your dog work harder to get to its food. Some of the designs may be columns, holes or mazes. This type of dog bowl is a great option for fast eaters. If you have a dog that eats quickly, it may inhale too much air, which could cause bloating and digestive problems.
The puzzle dog bowl is a slow feeder that engages your dog’s cognitive abilities. But you must be conscious of your dog’s feeding habits. A puppy or an aging dog may find navigating through these slow feeder bowls hard. For instance, a small puzzle dog bowl with complex mazes will be too tasking for a large breed dog, and a larger bowl may not be challenging enough for a smaller breed.
Automatic feeders
These are dog bowls attached to a reservoir. It has a storage compartment where you can fill up dog food, and it dispenses into a bowl at a programmed time. This only gives your dog access to food at the set time. This feeder is great for people who may not also be around to feed their dogs.
There are automatic dog feeders that are non-programmable. But, I would not recommend it because you cannot accurately monitor your dog’s food intake. A programmable feeder is always the best choice if you work long hours.
Travel bowls
If you want to take your Scooby doo on a fun adventure like a trip to the park, excursions or long car rides, travel bowls are a great way to do that. These types of bowls are made from polyester or similar material, with interior linings made from nylon or plastic. They can be collapsed or folded easily into smaller sizes. Making it easy to take with you anywhere and compact enough to be stored in small spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the best time for me to replace my dog’s bowl?
A: It is time to replace your dog’s bowl when you notice any cracks, chips or scratches on it. Bacteria can nest in those cracks, and ordinary washing cannot get them out. Consider investing in dog bowls made from quality materials to avoid bowls that would quickly give in to wear and tear.
Q: How often should I wash a dog bowl?
A: To avoid bacteria buildup, food bowls used to serve moist food should be washed immediately after every meal. While water bowls should be washed and refilled with fresh water every day. Bowls used to serve dry foods like kibble, however, can be washed at the end of every day.