Yes, the food you put in your dog’s bowl matters. But so does the bowl you use. Some breeds tend to eat too quickly, while others make quite a mess while eating food and drinking water. Depending on your dog’s size and eating habits, a special dog dish may help them eat more comfortably and safely.
Best Dog Bowls By Category
Best Dog Food Bowls
Basic: Mlife Stainless Steel Dog Bowls
Are you looking for a no-frills, traditional bowl for your pet? This set of two stainless steel bowls are scratch and rust-resistant, so they’ll withstand the test of time. The removable rubber base reduces scratches on the floor and keeps the bowl from sliding around while eating.
It comes in four different sizes so that you can find the best one for your pup. They stack for easy storage and are dishwasher safe. For under $15, you can’t beat the value of these bowls. Plus, if you and your pet don’t love them, they’ll give you your money back!
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- Set of 2 starts at: $9.99
Automatic Feeder: PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder Review
Are you away from home when your dog needs feeding? Or maybe you want to space out several small meals throughout the day. This automatic pet feeder is the solution for you to feed your dog or cat while you’re away.
You can schedule up to 12 meals a day with this feeder. The portion can range from 1/8 cup to four cups. A Slow Feed Mode also dispenses meals larger than 1/8 cup over 15 minutes to keep your pet from eating too fast.
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See The PetSafe Automatic Pet Feeder In Action (Video)
See the Slow Feed Mode in action with Rocco testing it in the video below.
Elevated: Suncast Feeding Tray Review
Raised dog food bowls in a dog bowl tray help your dog’s neck and posture when eating. Your canine will love having his food closer to its height, and you can refill and wash the stainless steel containers easily. (This bowl can also be used for cats.)
The only con we could find is that the stand isn’t the most sturdy. However, most reviews we read from customers stated the raised dog bowls were still worth the additional cost.
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Slow Feeder: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Review
Does your dog inhale its food before you’re even finished pouring it? Slow him eating down with this slow feed dog bowl. This slow-eating dog bowl is designed like a maze for your dog’s food.
Not only do these bowls slow your dog down, but they also prevent him from bloating, regurgitating, and overeating. This dish holds up to four cups of dog food and is the best slow-feed dog bowl.
Our dog eats so fast that he chokes himself, so we got this bowl to slow him down. He now eats at a normal pace, and the dog trainer also told us that it is will help to tire out his super active puppy brain! Win-win. – Michelle S., Canine Journal
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Personalized Bowls
If you’d like to personalize your dog’s food bowl with his name on it or some other phrase, check out this 3D printed dog bowl that can be completely customized for your pet. (Bowls will also work for cats.) The font can be printed in three different fonts and one of five colors.
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Best Dog Water Bowls
Filtered: IRIS Pet Water Fountain Review
Your pet deserves the best. That’s why you should get your dog his very own water fountain, supplying a steady stream of fresh, filtered water. Place the pump inside the chamber, add the filter, fill it with water, and plugin to start serving filtered water that helps prevent urinary and digestive disorders. Learn more in our dog water fountain reviews.
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Automatic: Petmate Pet Cafe Waterer Review
This dog water dispenser has a gravity feed design for dispensing the water for your pet without spilling or overflowing the dish. This dog water bowl is inexpensive, and it performs well, which is why it’s our pick for the best automatic dog water bowl. Bonus – it was designed in the USA.
The only downside we found is that it can be challenging to clean. If you’re away from home for long periods or have a thirsty dog, this water bowl is ideal for you.
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Heated: K&H Manufacturing Thermal-Bowl Review
If your pup is outside during colder months, this is the pet water dispenser for you. This bowl keeps water from freezing, even at -20°F. The 5’6″ electrical cord is chew-resistant for your pet’s safety. The Thermal Bowl is energy efficient, using only 25 watts of energy.
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Best Pet Bowl Accessories
Collapsible: Comsun Collapsible Dog Bowl Review
This collapsible dog bowl can hold food or water on the go. The bowl is made of silicone, which makes it easy to wipe the bowl clean after use. Since it’s collapsible, it takes up less space for travel. Attached is a carabiner for you to hook the bowl onto a bag, your belt, or something else.
I purchased these for my dog to use when we travel or go for long runs. It’s nice to have a collapsible bowl to pour water into and something compact, so it doesn’t take up much space when traveling. – Kimberly A., Canine Journal
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- 2 Pack (Blue & Green): Check Amazon for availability
Dog Food Mat: PetFusion Pet Food Mat Review
Does your dog’s food bowl slide all over the house when they are eating? Or maybe they make a mess, and you want to protect your floors. This dog bowl mat keeps bowls in place while keeping your home clean. It’s made out of silicone and is easy to wipe down.
The mat has anti-slip bumps on both the top and bottom sides to keep it and the bowls from moving around. It also has a raised outer lip to prevent food and water from spilling off the mat and is the best pet food mat we could find.
The photo pictured is of my dog’s setup. She likes to lick her food bowl clean, which can sometimes end up in the middle of the room. Ever since we started using the mat, the bowl has stayed in place. – Kimberly A., Canine Journal
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No-Spill Pet Bowl & Mat Set: WESEN Dog Bowl With No-Spill Mat Review
Another option if your dog is a messy eater is a spill-proof (and slide-proof) dog bowl and mat set. This set from WESEN comes with two removable, no-spill containers that are top-shelf dishwasher-safe and rust-resistant.
The silicone mat folds in half, with the bowls collapsing inside each other for storage or transportation. There is an elevated lip around the edge of the mat that keeps spills off the floor. This set comes in two sizes, so it is likely to work for most dog sizes.
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How To Pick A Dog Bowl
Consider your options and make a list of your dog’s needs to choose from the best dog food bowls. Does he need something to help keep the dish in place? Are they outside and need water to keep from turning to ice? Make sure you consider all lifestyle criteria when deciding which type of bowls to buy.
What To Put In Your Dog’s Bowl
While on the hunt for the best dog food bowl, we suggest you reevaluate the food you’re feeding your dog. All-natural, grain-free, holistic, raw diets, and dog food from big-name companies like Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo are all options you’ll want to consider.
Keep in mind that if you choose to change your dog’s food to something new, you’ll want to transition food slowly to ensure your dog doesn’t get sick. And don’t forget that dog food can go stale, so make sure you have a suitable storage container.
What are your dog’s eating habits?