How to choose a bowl for your dog or cat (stainless steel, ceramic, slow feeder)?

When choosing a bowl, three materials dominate the market: stainless steel, sturdy and easy to disinfect; ceramic or melamine, more decorative but more fragile; and slow-feeder models, designed for pets that gulp down their food too fast. The right choice mostly depends on your dog's or cat's eating habits, rather than on one universally better material. Taking a few minutes to watch how your pet eats, its speed, its posture, the shape of its muzzle, often helps guide this choice far more effectively than a purely decorative criterion.

1. Stainless steel, ceramic, melamine: which material to choose

Material	Advantages	Points to watch
Stainless steel	Very sturdy, easy to disinfect, does not hold odours	Can slide without a non-slip base; some pets are wary of seeing their reflection in it
Ceramic	Heavy and stable, decorative, many designs	Can crack if dropped; check it is dishwasher-safe
Melamine	Lightweight, impact-resistant, good value	Scratches over time, which can trap more bacteria if not cleaned well
Plastic	Affordable, lightweight	Can absorb odours and cause minor chin irritation in some sensitive pets

For sturdy everyday use, a heavy, non-slip stainless-steel bowl remains a safe bet. For a more refined interior, a ceramic bowl combines good looks with stability thanks to its weight. Browse all the models in the stainless-steel bowls collection.

2. My dog or cat eats too fast: the slow-feeder bowl

Some dogs and cats swallow their meal in a few seconds, which can lead to regurgitation or discomfort after eating. A slow-feeder bowl, with raised shapes that force the pet to work around obstacles to reach the food, naturally slows down eating without changing the amount served. A plastic slow-feeder bowl or a more decorative bamboo version suit both dogs and cats, and a low cat-specific model remains an option when a slow feeder is not needed but the bamboo material is preferred. Find all these models in the slow-feeder bowls collection.

3. Bowl height, an often overlooked criterion

• Floor-level bowl: suits the vast majority of dogs and cats with no particular need.
• Raised bowl: can be more comfortable for a large dog, an older dog with joint pain, or a breed with long ears that easily dip into a low bowl.
• Low, wide bowl: preferable for a cat, whose whiskers are sensitive to repeated contact with the sides of a narrow, deep bowl.

If in doubt, especially for an older dog or one with joint pain, ask your veterinarian which height suits it best.

4. Double bowls, placemats and complementary accessories

A double bowl, with one compartment for water and one for food, simplifies serving meals for households that want to group both in the same spot. A placemat or bowl mat underneath protects the floor from water splashes and the odd kibble that always ends up on the side, while making daily cleaning easier. For outings or travel, a folding bowl or a bottle with a built-in drinking trough lets you offer your dog water even far from home, a point not to overlook on long walks or car trips.

5. How many bowls to have in a multi-pet household

In a home with several dogs or cats, each pet should have its own food and water bowl, placed some distance apart rather than side by side, to prevent a more dominant pet from monopolising access to food and stopping the others from eating at their own pace. This precaution also applies between a dog and a cat sharing the same home, since a dog often tends to quickly finish off the cat's bowl if nothing separates them during meals.

6. Everyday bowl maintenance

• Wash the food bowl after every meal, or at least once a day, to prevent residue and bacteria from building up.
• Change the water in the drinking bowl at least once a day, even if it still looks clean.
• Choose dishwasher-safe materials for easier, more regular cleaning.
• Check the bowl's condition regularly: a scratched, chipped or cracked bowl should be replaced, as it can trap bacteria even after cleaning.
• Remember to clean under the bowl and the bowl mat too, often overlooked despite collecting just as much food and water residue.

7. What about how long kibble sits in the bowl?

Beyond the choice of bowl, how long kibble is left exposed to open air also matters for the freshness of the meal, especially in a humid climate. To learn more on this point, our article how much kibble to feed your dog also covers good practices around serving daily meals.

Need help choosing the right kibble? Take our kibble finder quiz in two minutes to find the range suited to your dog or cat.