One of the essential aspects of pet parenting is feeding your pet dog. To ensure your pet has a healthy lifestyle, you must learn what is suitable for your pet and check the list of ingredients in their food. While we can be experts in selecting the right food for our pets, most pet parents overlook the importance of dog bowls.

In the post below, we’ll go over the best bowls for dogs, their benefits and features, and how to select the suitable bowl and pet feeders for your fur babies.

A few facts about your pet dog's age, size, jaw structure, breed, jaw length, and typical behavior should be considered when selecting the perfect bowl to provide your pet with the optimal feeding experience. With countless options for dog bowls on the market, it is even more critical to choose the best one for your pet.

What to Think About Before Purchasing Dog Bowls and Feeders?

There are several things to consider before making any purchases. Consider the following issues before purchasing a dog bowl or feeder.

Space

If you have enough space in your home, getting a much bigger bowl than you feel you will require would be better. It slows your dog down and helps them avoid overeating. Also, it is easier for them to pace themselves when their meal is spread out on the bottom of the feeder.

Feeding Frequency

If you have to feed your pet multiple times a day, an automated pet feeder may be a good investment because it allows you to schedule all of your pet's meals. However, smaller, more regular meal portions can benefit many dogs. Puppies, for example, should be fed this way (about 3-6 times daily) to help regulate their glucose levels. Four months and older dogs fare great with one or two large meals per day, but smaller and frequent meals can also help obese or overweight dogs.

Bowl-washing Frequency

Dishwasher-safe bowls can help ensure that your dog's bowls are cleaned regularly. However, even if they appear clean, harmful microbes, especially bacteria, can grow in your pet's food and water bowls. Therefore, it's best to wash them daily, or at least every couple of days. However, if your dog feeds on raw food, you must wash their dishes twice daily. Hand-washing your dog's bowls may be more accessible in this case, allowing you to select nearly any style and material.

Your Pet's Age

When buying your pet’s bowl, it's critical to consider their age and any ongoing medical conditions. Age will help you determine how much your aging dogs can bend towards their bowl and eat. Every life stage has some challenges and requirements, whether puppies, adults, or seniors.

• Senior dogs or cats have various medical issues that make it difficult for them to bend. Arthritis is one of these issues, and it is critical to select bowls that can fit a specific height.
• Puppies require a shallower bowl so that their tongue can reach every corner of the bowl, and they finish their food quickly.
• Adult dogs' jaws vary in size. Shallow bowls will suffice for the long snouts. These bowls keep their flappy ear outside and provide enough space to reach for their food.

Your Pet's Energy Level

If your dog is a more energetic breed, you might want to consider slow feeders for dogs. They can assist in stimulating dogs who require more exercise.

Bowl Placement In Your House

Most parents place pet bowls on hardwood or tiled flooring. However, we recommend putting them on a placemat. All dogs, especially adult dogs, can lose their footing on slick or smooth floors. In addition, the traction provided by a mat makes feeding more accessible to them and provides a place for them to lay down while eating, something some dogs enjoy doing.

Your Dog Breed

Your dog breed is another crucial factor to consider when selecting a bowl for your pet dog. Every breed is unique in terms of body structure, jaw size, and, most importantly, energy.

Your Dog's Chest-to-Waist Ratio

Each dog breed has a unique body structure and thus a unique chest-to-waist ratio. As a result, bloating in dogs can be caused by an uneven eating posture, which is especially common in barrel-chested dogs. "Barrel-chested" implies that your dog has the shape of a barrel, with a broader top and a lean or smaller bottom.

What Is the Best Bowl for Your Pet?

Here are the major factors to consider when selecting the best bowl for your beloved pet. We have made an effort to include both the advantages and disadvantages of each bowl type.

Steel vs. Ceramic vs. Plastic Bowls

Pros: Buying a metal dog dish shows you're serious about your pet. Unlike low-quality plastic dishes, these bowls will not break under pressure and are very accessible when cleaning. Even if your dog is energetic and messy, these dishes will last quite a long time. Ceramic dog bowls, however, can provide a stylish bowl design. In addition, ceramic is durable and comes in a much wider variety of styles and colors. Both types are excellent options for your pet.

Cons: Stainless steel dishes can be noisy, especially if your pet is a messy one. Plastic dog bowls of lower quality can bounce and slide on your floor. Hence it is best to avoid them long-term. On the other hand, Ceramics can crack without proper care and hence are not intended for use in extreme temperatures.

Hand washing and rinsing your ceramic dishes is usually a good idea to keep your dish in good working order. However, poor-quality ceramic dog bowls have been linked to lead poisoning, so opt for a lead-free, high-quality dog bowl.

Metal vs. Wood Bowls

Pros: Wooden and metal bowls are typically more contemporary than ceramic or stainless-steel options. Pet parents are learning more about quality in terms of dog products and now realize that the least expensive option at any point in time may cost them more in the long run.

Both metal and wooden bowls are a little expensive, but they are more durable and add some style to your household. In addition, metal bowls, just like stainless steel, are longer lasting than wood. Wooden bowls are also non-breakable and can complement the wooden furniture in your home.

Cons: Metallic bowls, just like stainless steel bowls, are excessively loud, occasionally making unpleasant noises. Wooden bowls are long-lasting, but the amount of leftover water that does not enter your pet’s mouth can cause them to become warped or stained. Also, we all know that when dogs drink, they drool and slurp, which can damage wooden bowls.

Stylish vs. Simple Bowls

Pros: Stylish dog bowls are often more expensive than traditional and straightforward bowls; however, more people recognize that your pet bowl is very much a part of one’s interior design. Furthermore, stylish bowls are usually better quality and will last ten years or more. Finally, simpler bowls are ideal for moving around your home, whether outside or indoors, downstairs or upstairs, or wherever it may be around your house.

Cons: Stylish dog bowls may be more costly. However, if high-quality, they will outlast cheaper alternatives. Simpler bowls might not be as durable, and the replacement cost can quickly add up.

Raised vs. Regular Feeders

Pros: Elevated dog feeders can help your dog's digestive system while also preventing numerous health issues that might occur when eating from a regular dish. Mega-esophagus and dog bloat are two examples. Unfortunately, both illnesses are fatal.

An elevated dog feeder is also easier to clean because it allows your dog to make very little mess on the floor. In addition, Fido will be more at ease and have improved body form if he eats from an elevated feeder. It is also easier for Bruno to swallow when eating from a raised feeder, which often helps your pet slow down.

Cons: Higher dog pet feeders are typically more expensive. Furthermore, you can find raised feeders of various heights, so ensuring you have the correct height is critical. However, you can prevent these adverse effects by checking the best height or size according to your dog and purchasing a more stable feeder.

Slow feeders vs. Regular dog bowls

Slow feeders may appear to be a fad, another way for manufacturers to take advantage of stressed-out pet parents. Slow feeders, however, are not a gimmick and are beneficial to your dog's health for a variety of reasons.

Pet parents of deep-chested breeds, i.e., pets who are more prone to bloat, are advised to switch to slow feeders or puzzle feeders to reduce the amount of air the dog consumes.

Slow feeders, such as the Pet Life ® 'Tumbowl' Slow Feeding Pet Bowl, have the potential to save lives by lowering the risk factor for bloat. In addition, a slow feeder reduces the risk of indigestion-related medical issues. There are numerous shapes, ideologies, sizes, and colors choices. In addition, these puzzles come in a variety of designs and are interactive enough to help improve your pet dog's mental abilities. The following are the primary advantages of slow feeders:

• They will grow accustomed to finishing their meals.
• Assist in enhancing their brain or mental level
• They will become enthralled by even the most mundane foods.
• Limit the number of spills.

Automatic Feeders vs. Gravity Feeders

Automated feeders store dry pet feed and can be scheduled to dispense a specific amount to your dog at a set time. Besides making it easier to feed your dog when you're not home, automatic feeders are excellent for overweight dogs. Most pet parents over-measure pet' food, so automated feeders ensure you aren't giving your pet excess food. Many automatic feeders come with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control feeding frequency from your phone.

Gravity feeders, such as the Pet Life ® 'Auto-Myst' Snail Shaped 2-in-1 Automated Gravity Pet-Filtered Water Dispenser And Food Bowl, are similar to automated feeders, the major difference being that the food dispensation is not regulated, and you have no control over how much feed it administers. The bowl automatically refills due to gravity just as your dog empties it. As a result, gravity feeders might not be suitable for dogs given to overeating. They're better suited to dogs with weaker appetites.

Travel Feeders

Are you planning a trip? Don't forget your dog's travel bowls, whether you're flying, hiking, or on the road. Most travel bowls, such as the Pet Life ® 'dual Folding' Food And Water Collapsible Pet Travel Cat And Dog Bowl, are made of lightweight materials like plastic, silicone, or fabric so that they won't add bulk to your luggage. In addition, they're built to last, are more accessible when cleaning, and are safe for outdoor feeding.

Double Bowls

Why not combine your dog’s meal and water for a cleaner and simpler look? Elevated double-dog dishes, just like the Pet Life ® 'Couture Sculptured’ Dishwasher Safe Melamine Food And Water Double Pet Bowl, exist in various styles. They usually include dishes with the same holding capacity, so you might want to go sizes higher if you have a particularly thirsty or hungry dog. When it's time to clean up, just throw everything into the dishwasher, and you’re good to go.

Conclusion

Dog feeders and bowls can significantly impact your dog's feeding habits and overall lifestyle. They can also last you years if you choose wisely. Putting your dog's personality, needs, and lifestyle into consideration will assist you in selecting a superb option.

Dog bowls come in various styles and sizes, so there's bound to be one that's perfect for your pet. You can easily select the suitable dog bowl for your pet by doing a little research and planning, providing years of healthy eating, fun, and style. Your veterinarian can help you create a meal plan appropriate for your pet. If you combine suitable bowls or feeders with the right food, your pet is very well on his way to eating healthily.