The Best Cat Bowls
With how hungry our feline friends seem all the time, you'd think the bowl itself would make no difference in the feeding process. Unfortunately, if you're a new cat owner, you'll quickly find that this isn't the case. Get a bowl that's too narrow, and your kitty will likely scoop out the food into the floor, leaving you a nice mess to clean up in the mornings and evenings. Get one that's too deep, and you may stress out your cat's whiskers as they try to get their fill. And the material matters as well — while plastic bowls are affordable, they can also breed bacteria over time. We've gone ahead and done the research to help you find the perfect plate to help pamper your puss.
What to Look For
In our research, we found that the best cat bowls are durable, simple to clean, and easy for your pet to use. If you own a rambunctious cat, we think the Neater Feeder is an excellent choice. It’s equipped with two reservoirs that capture food and water spills. If you’d like something that’s both stylish and practical, consider Y YHY’s ceramic cat food bowls set. The elevated design allows your cat to easily access their food. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.
Neater Feeder Express Mess Proof Pet Feeder
Keep it in the bowl
Few things make pet owners happier than pleasing their furry friends. And when it comes to their happiness, dinner time never fails to disappoint. But in all that excitement, things can get pretty messy. If you have a not-so-tidy tabby, then consider getting a special cat bowl like this one by Neater Feeder. Feed two cats at once with the double bowl setup, or keep your water and food in one convenient feeder. Whichever way you choose, the dual-reservoir design keeps away mess. Spilled food is contained in the upper reservoir, while any water spillage drains into the lower reservoir. The feeder even has non-skid rubber feet to help keep your kitties stable while munching on their kibble.
Pros:
- It’s good at preventing bumps and water spills, thanks to the leg grips.
- The dishwasher-safe components make this feeder easy to clean.
- It’s elevated, so it will help minimize messes and prevent digestion problems.
Cons:
- If you own a curious cat, the plastic construction could make it easy for them to push the top and bottom apart.
Hubulk Stainless Steel Pet Bowl
Easy to clean
Though we should avoid spoiling our pets, a few luxuries here and there never hurt. One of the simplest ones that we sometimes don’t have time for is keeping those food bowls clean after every meal. Not only will you get your cat to enjoy their food more, but you’ll also keep away any bacteria or germs which may have developed throughout the day in the leftover food bits. And because cleaning can be a pain, we prefer to buy a feeder that makes that task easier right from the very start. The Hubulk Stainless Steel Pet Bowl is our top choice for easy cleaning because every component of it is dishwasher-safe. Easily removable from the stand, the bowls can be wiped and cleaned after every meal in between deeper machine washes. Plus, the bone-shaped silicone stand holds the stainless steel bowls in place while your kitty munches, preventing extra bits from getting on the floor, too.
Pros:
- The raised edges are great at preventing spills.
- The non-slip silicone keeps your cat’s bowls stuck in place.
Cons:
- When full, the bowls are hard to carry in the silicone stand.
Y YHY Ceramic Cat Food Bowls Set
Stylishly practical
One factor pet owners often neglect is the material of the bowl itself. While plastic bowls are cheaper and easier to find, they’re easily scratched and can harbor bacteria over time. Additionally, plastic bowls tend to absorb old food smells, which may make your cat less eager to chow down. Instead, we prefer ceramic bowls like this cute-shaped set by Y YHY. Rust-free and more sanitary than plastic or stainless steel alternatives, these bowls will keep your kittens healthy for longer. And because they’re microwavable as well, you can further cater to your furbaby’s needs without jeopardizing their safety.
Pros:
- This is more for the owner than the cat, but we think the cat-shaped bowls are cute.
- These bowls are elevated fairly high, so your cat should experience less neck strain.
- They’re easy to hand wash or throw in the dishwasher.
Cons:
- The bowls may be too deep for older cats.
Dr. Catsby Cat Food Bowl
A wiser width for whiskers
All cats are not created equal. Their bowls shouldn’t be either. If your kitty has a flatter, shorter face, then a deep bowl is likely to cause unwanted neck strain and whisker fatigue. Because cats’ whiskers are very sensitive, they often pull back their whiskers when eating to avoid painful contact with the sidewalls of the dish, resulting in an unpleasant dining experience. One of the ways to prevent this from happening is getting a shallower, wider bowl like this cleverly designed feeder by Dr. Catsby. Without deep corners, your cat’s food will remain in the center of the bowl, helping them eat slower to digest their food properly. And because they won’t have to dip their faces all the way in to get at the bottom bits, they’ll also have less food left on their chin, preventing feline acne from forming.
Pros:
- Given the bowl’s width, your cat should experience less whisker fatigue.
- It doesn’t hold smells, and it’s super easy to clean.
- The detachable, anti-skid silicone base ensures the bowl will not easily slip around.
Cons:
- It’s more expensive, and it only comes with one bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my cat’s bowl always be full?
Unfortunately, not every cat responds to the call of dinner, which may make you tempted to leave food out all day. But this may lead to overeating and digestive problems. That’s why experts recommend feeding your kitty once or twice a day at a set time. And if you’ve got a finicky eater, then try adding a bit of stimulation to dinner time. For example, you can put some of their food in an activity ball.
Can two cats share the same food bowl?
If you have several cats at home, you may think it’s easier to have a bigger food bowl and water bowl for all of them. However, this goes against the nature of cats. Because cats are wired to be protective of their food, making several share the same bowl can lead to overeating, fighting, and possessive behavior that will translate to other social interactions. While more aggressive cats can still take over other cats’ food portions, you can prevent this by staggering their feeding times or feeding them in different rooms.
About the Author
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Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.