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If you’re looking for the best dog bowl to dish up your pet’s daily meal, you already know that the choices are endless. What’s the best material: stainless steel, plastic, ceramic? How about size and shape? Elevated or flat? What about dog bowls for certain breeds or special activities, such as camping or travel? Do you have a messy eater, a fast eater or a downright picky eater? What’s the best dog bowl for them?
No matter what kind of dog you’ve got, we’ve put together this list to save you searching through the hoards of options online …
Best Dog Bowls for Fast Eaters
If your dog inhales their food without chewing, a puzzle or slow feeder can help moderate the pace of their frenetic feeding.
1. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl
The curved walls inside the bowl force hungry dogs to work a little harder for their food. The extended chow time prevents bloating, regurgitation and overeating.
This food-safe plastic bowl has a non-slip base and is durable, dishwasher-safe (in the top rack), and free of BPA, PVC and phthalates. While this is the bowl’s standard design, it is also available in other patterns and colours.
Outward Hound is one of Rover’s trusted brands.
Discover on Amazon2. Snuffle Feeding Mat
While it’s not technically a bowl, snuffle mats are similar to puzzle bowls in that they encourage the dog to work for the food, which ultimately slows down mealtime. These are great for dogs who like to put their sniffers to good use and can also be a fun midday activity to keep your dog mentally stimulated.
Discover on Amazon3. The Hyper Pet Lick Mat (Verified Review)
Lick mats can also be used as slow feeders; though again, technically not a bowl, they can help slow down dogs eating canned, wet food because the mat acts a puzzle toy and it simply takes a while for a dog to extract all that mushy goodness.
Our colleague Amber has used these mats for her dogs with great success (read her in-depth review here). An additional benefit to these feeding mats is that the repetitive licking for the dog can be calming and help to reduce anxiety.
Discover on AmazonBest Bowls for Dogs With Short Snouts
Any breed with a shorter snout can benefit from a raised feeder. Breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs and Pekingese tend to swallow more air while eating, and bringing their food to standing height can reduce air intake for less choking and bloating.
4. PetFusion Elevated Dog Bowls
These aluminium raised bowls are available in two heights and are easy to clean. Elevating your dog’s food and water bowls promotes better digestion and reduces slouching of the neck.
Discover on Amazon5. Elevated Magnetic Dog Feeder
This feeder by PetFusion comes in singles—which is space-saving—but gives you the flexibility to magnetically connect as many bowl units as you need, to customize your pet’s feeding area. The acrylic lucite is strong and durable, and blends into any home decor.
Discover on Amazon6. Elevated Dog Feeder
This raised dining set
adds a sleek look to your dog’s dining area. The base is built from bamboo, which is durable and holds up well against small spills. The bowls sit four inches from the floor, making it easier for your pet to enjoy his meal and digest it properly. The set comes with four stainless steel bowls—holding ~350ml each—so you always have a clean set at the ready.
Best for Older Dogs
7. Tilted Raised Feeder
This no-spill dog bowl is angled at 15 degrees, which concentrates food at the base—making it easier to access. It’s a stable option, and both the stand (sturdy melamine) and bowl (stainless steel) are dishwasher safe. It’s available in a range of sizes for small to large dogs.
Discover on AmazonBest Bowls for Tall Dogs
If you have a tall or large-breed dog, a higher feeder can reduce strain on your dog’s neck (as opposed to having to bend awkwardly to eat their food on the ground). Making your large dog’s meals easier to eat can also be beneficial to their digestion.
8. Rustic Wood Elevated Dog Stand
If you have a large breed dog, this is a great option to grow with them, from puppy to adult. This stand is made from solid wood and is adjustable with three height options. The stainless steel bowls are removable for easy cleaning, and the rustic look will fit in with any home decor.
Discover on Amazon9. Elevated Pet Feeder
If you’re looking to add elegance and comfort to your dog’s dinnertime, this feeding station is an ideal option. The elevated base helps food go down smoothly, plus it’s made from solid New Zealand pine. Anti-slip feet underneath keep the platform in place, and rubber cushions keep bowls keep from rattling during feeding time. The two stainless-steel bowls each hold ~1.65 litres of food. They’re also easy to remove and safe to put through the dishwasher.
A Durable Bowl for Active Dogs
If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the great outdoors with your canine companion, you’ll want something that’s going to stand up to wear and tear.
10. Yeti Boomer Bowl (Verified Review)
The Yeti brand is well-known for its quality, well-insulated coolers, and the Yeti Boomer Bowl delivers the same level of quality. Sturdy and dependable, this bowl holds up to 940ml of kibble or water, is dishwasher safe and has a non-slip ring on the base. It’s puncture and rust-resistant and is available in multiple colours and sizes.
For more about this bowl, see our video review here.
Discover on AmazonBest Bowls for Messy Dogs
Sloppy eaters can create quite the mess around mealtime. These bowls will help you contain the mess for less clean-up on your part.
11. Neater Feeder
If your dog spills during mealtime, this is a quality option to consider. Flying food is contained within the walls of the feeder, and excess water or liquid drains into a tray below. The unit is made from recyclable polypropylene plastic and is easy to clean (safe in the top rack of the dishwasher). Plus, there are multiple sizes and colour options, too.
Discover on Amazon12. Stainless Steel Bows with Bone Spill Mat
A great bowl set for puppies and small dogs. The silicone mat catches spills and keeps bowls in place, even with the most excited eaters. The stainless steel bowls are rust-resistant, and every piece in the set is dishwasher safe.
13. Spill Mat
If you already have bowls that work well, putting a spill mat beneath them will catch any water splashes or food spills. These mats are easy to clean and can protect your floors from stains and drips.
Discover on AmazonBest Dog Bowls for Small Breeds and Puppies
If you have a puppy, you’ll want to invest in a bowl that’s strong, because there’s a good chance it’ll get chewed on!
14. Shallow Stainless Steel Bowl
A shallow bowl is a great option for puppies when you first bring them home. Lower sides will prevent them from pressing their neck against the edges and makes for a more comfortable mealtime. This bowl also works well for small adult dogs.
Discover on Amazon15. Anti-Slip Rubber Dog Bowl
If your puppy is in the beginning stages of learning to wear a collar, they can often become scared when their ID tag hits the side of a metal bowl when eating or drinking. This rubber bowl is a good choice to start with and can be used all the way into adulthood.
Discover on AmazonBest Dog Bowls for Travelling
If you’re hitting the road, it’s important to have a quality dog bowl on hand that’s easily accessible but also compact and doesn’t take up too much space. One of these bowls is a must-pack for any road trip!
16. Collapsible Ruffwear Dog Bowl
For active dogs and owners, this Ruffwear Bivy Bowl makes it easy to keep your pup hydrated while walking, hiking or camping. The bowl is lightweight and durable, and can hold several cups of food or liquid. It collapses easily when you’re done using it and lays flat when you’re on the move.
17. Silicone Travel Bowls
This set of travel bowls makes it incredibly easy to feed and water your pet away from home. The food-grade silicone is lightweight, easy to wipe clean and collapses flat. The carabiner allows you to clip the bowl easily to a leash or bag. When flat, the bowl even doubles as a frisbee!
How to Choose the Best Dog Bowl
When making your decision, take into account your dog’s eating style, age, breed and size, as well as your own routines and habits—and be honest about what you both need.
Easy-going pets will do well with more stylish options, but eager eaters might need a slow feeder for a healthy boost. If you’re regularly tidying up after your pet, you may want a set that can capture their spillages over several meals to make your job easier. Ultimately, the goal is to match your dog-loving lifestyle with the most practical option for your pup.
Happy shopping!
