At first glance, most cat and dog food dishes may look the same, but the subtle differences in design can make an impact on how your cat eats. Cat food bowls come in a variety of heights, angles, materials, and even aesthetic choices, so there’s no shortage of options to choose from. The bowls can even help avoid slips and spills.
Whether you have a household of messy eaters, elderly cats that have a hard time leaning down to eat, or spunky kittens that are prone to knocking over their cat bowl, we’ve narrowed down the five best cat bowls options on the market to help you find the bowls that are right for your pets.
Best Cat Food Bowls to Consider
If you’re in the market for a new cat food bowl, it can be hard to sort through all the options, but there are a few things you should consider when buying. One of the most important aspects of a cat food bowl is the height of the bowl.
Elevated cat food bowls can help promote a healthy eating posture to ensure proper digestion, and they can also make it easier for older cats with back problems to eat without leaning over as far. However, lower bowls can make it easier for kittens to reach their food without putting their paws on the raised bowl itself and tipping it over.
Another aspect to consider is the material the bowl is made of. While plastic bowls and ceramic bowls may be affordable options, stainless steel cat bowls remain as the gold standard for most kitchen and pet appliances. Stainless steel has a heavy-duty construction and it’s resistant to corrosion, making it perfect for safely containing your pet’s wet food and water.
If you’re a pet parent to some messy eaters, you may want to consider a cat food bowl with a feeding mat. Whether they’re made of silicone or another synthetic material, feeding mats and trays can help catch fallen food and prevent spills from trailing onto the floor.
Porcelain Cat Food Bowls
Coming in set of two, these ceramic cat bowls are on hand to add a touch of sleek style to your space. Designed with a chic color palette that’ll attract your kitty (OK, probably not, but the food you put in certainly will), this set of cat food bowls is ideal for both you and your felines. They’re dishwasher-safe, anti-skid, and made from porcelain ceramic for a truly high-end feel. We love that they’re raised, too, which is the must-have style when it comes to cat food bowls, since it helps reduce neck strain and stress while your kitties are chowing down. Sure, they’re on the steeper side, but you’re paying for exquisite style and practical features, here.
Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe
- Made of porcelain ceramic
- Chic colors
- Non-skid design
Cons:
- The depth may be too shallow for a full meal portion
Fido's Dinner Cat Bowl Set
Keeping your cat well-fed doesn’t have to break the bank, and this economic cat food bowl set from Fido’s Dinner proves it. At a reasonable price tag, these affordable bowls offer a straightforward design and a cute cat graphic at the bottom of the bowl.
They may not be the largest, but this small size is perfect for kittens and small cats. It offers great portion control, and it’s partially made with high-quality ceramic for a premium feel. Its smooth finish is easy to scrub clean, making it more sanctuary than other affordable options.
Pros:
- Great price
- Premium ceramic
- Easy-to-clean finish
- 2-pack
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer multiple sizes
- Fairly small
Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowls
Sometimes less is more, and the same can be applied to pet accessories such elevated cat bowls. More features doesn’t necessarily equate to a better product, and if you’re looking for a straightforward cat food bowl without any pricey add-ons, this no-frills bowl set from Kitty City does the job right.
With a modern aesthetic and a simplistic design, this set of cat food bowls offers a sleek look and practical performance. They have an oval shape, making it easier for cats to eat and drink without their whiskers getting in the way. They also come elevated, but at a lower price than most other elevated pet dishes. Whether you’re after a minimalist look or an affordable price, this set of bowls has it all.
Pros:
- Great price for a set of two
- Great height
- Whisker-safe oval design
Cons:
- Lightweight and easy to tip over
Gorilla Grip Slip Resistant Pet Bowls
When most of us cat owners were kids, we ate with a bib and a booster seat to help keep the messes to a minimum. If you’re looking to do the same for your cat but without all the hassle, this set of cat food bowls from Gorilla Grip may be just what you need to cut down on pesky spills.
This set of pet bowls includes a silicone feeding mat to help keep the dishes from sliding on the floor and to catch any spills from the bowls. The mat comes in six different colors to match your decor, but it also offers four different sizes of bowls for a variety of breeds. We love the stainless steel cat bowl touch, ensuring their meal stays clean and hygienic. Whether you have a newborn kitten or a Great Dane, there’s a bowl here that’s fit for your pet.
Pros:
- Great for catching messes
- Bowl and mat are dishwasher-safe
- Offers four different sizes of bowls
Cons:
- Slightly pricier than other options
PETKIT Raised Cat Food Bowl
Just like humans, it can get harder for cats to move around as they get older. In some cases, it can even result in chronic back pain and problems eating and drinking. If you want to help give your cat a better eating posture, these elevated food bowls may be just what the doctor ordered.
This set of elevated bowls from PETKIT is made from stainless steel for heavy-duty and sanitary construction. Each bowl can be adjusted at an angle of up to 15 degrees, so you can manually set up each bowl to be a comfortable height for your cat to eat from. Whether you want to reduce back pain or help prevent vomiting, this elevated bowl set is here to help.
Pros:
- Made with stainless steel
- The tilted design helps prevent spills
- Adjustable angle
Cons:
- Fairly pricey
- Can’t use in microwave
Frequently asked Questions
Can I use regular dinner bowls as cat bowls?
Absolutely, but they may not be as practical as cat food bowls. For starters, regular dinner bowls don’t have nonslip feet, so they’re prone to slipping around on the floor. Most are also fairly short, so your cats will have to lean down to eat from them. In a pinch, dinner bowls are fine to use, but for long-term use, cat food bowls are the better option.
What type of cat food bowl is easiest to clean?
Stainless steel bowls are typically the easiest to clean because of their corrosion-resistant material and their durable construction. Bacteria are unable to penetrate a stainless steel bowl’s tough exterior, making them more sanitary than plastic and ceramic bowls. All the bacteria stays on the surface, so it’s easy to scrub, clean, and refill with food in a matter of minutes.
Can I use the same bowl for food and water?
We don’t recommend using the same bowl for both your cat’s food and water. Most cats tend to eat their food relatively fast, while they sip water in small drinks throughout the day. For that reason, it helps to have separate bowls to make eating and drinking more convenient for your furry friend. It’s also more sanitary to keep food and water separate to prevent any bacteria from transferring from one bowl to the other. With a bowl for each, it’s easier to refill and clean whenever you want. You could consider investing in a cat water fountain if you’ve got some cash to splash, too.
What size cat food bowl is best for an average adult cat?
There’s no perfect size across the board, but you should purchase a bowl that can hold an entire meal-sized portion, which tends to be one to two cups of cat food. Some cats will always want more food, but filling up a bowl too much can result in overfeeding your cats. Instead, getting reasonably-sized pet food bowls and filling them with a proper meal portion can help ensure a proper diet for your pet.
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