How to Choose Dog and Cat Bowls, Feeders and Water Fountains

This guide is for dog and cat owners choosing what their pet eats and drinks from: everyday bowls, slow feeders, raised feeders, automatic feeders, water fountains and food storage bins. It covers materials, sizing, cleaning, the safety questions worth asking your vet, and how dogs and cats differ at mealtime.

The short answer: For most pets, a stainless steel bowl you can wash every day is the safe default. Add a slow feeder if your dog gulps meals, a fountain if your cat prefers moving water, and an automatic feeder only if your schedule needs it. Store dry food in its original bag inside a clean, lidded container, and ask your vet before switching a large, deep-chested dog to a raised feeder.

How we chose: picks are based on brand specs, the product listing and public reviews from named outlets linked on each product page. We have not tested these products ourselves.

Have a question about what to feed? See our sister site In The Kibble (food, treats and chews are covered there, not here). This guide sticks to the bowls, feeders and containers that hold it.

How to choose bowls and feeders

Material: stainless steel, ceramic or plastic

Stainless steel is durable, hard to chew and usually dishwasher safe. Ceramic and glass are also easy to clean but can chip or break. Plastic is light and cheap, but it scratches over time and those scratches are harder to clean. For cats in particular, a vet-reviewed PetMD article notes that cats eating or drinking from plastic bowls may be at risk of chin acne, and suggests switching to stainless steel, glass or ceramic dishes and keeping them clean (PetMD). Plastic still has a place in slow feeders and fountains, where shape matters more; just replace it once it is cracked or deeply scratched.

Size and shape for your pet

Pick a bowl that holds a full meal with room to spare, so food is not pushed over the edge. Flat-faced dogs and cats often do better with wide, shallow dishes, and many cats eat more comfortably when the bowl is wide enough that their face does not press against the sides. For raised feeders, brands size by weight and shoulder height, so measure your dog standing, from the floor to the top of the shoulder, and compare it with the brand’s chart before you order.

Slow feeders for fast eaters

The American Kennel Club warns that eating too fast can lead to vomiting and discomfort, and that dogs who gulp swallow more air, which it links to a higher chance of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening emergency). It suggests slow-feeder bowls, food puzzles, spreading kibble on a tray or splitting the daily ration into smaller meals (AKC). When choosing a slow feeder, match the size to your dog’s meal, look for a non-slip base, and check that the channels are not too deep or narrow for your dog’s muzzle. Deep mazes are harder to wash by hand, so a dishwasher-safe model saves time.

Raised feeders: helpful for some dogs, not all

Raised feeders can be more comfortable for tall dogs and keep bowls out of reach of other pets, and mess-catching designs help with sloppy drinkers. The bloat question is less settled. A 2017 evidence review in Veterinary Evidence found only two studies on feeder height and GDV and they conflict: one linked raised bowls to higher risk in large and giant breeds, the other found no effect. The author concluded that, until there is better evidence, the safest advice for at-risk dogs is to feed from the floor (Veterinary Evidence). If your dog is a large, deep-chested breed or has had bloat, talk to your vet before you buy a raised feeder.

Water fountains

Fountains keep water moving and filtered, and many cats seem to like them. The evidence on drinking more is mixed: a 2018 study in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery found no significant difference in average water intake between still, free-falling and circulating bowls, though a few individual cats clearly preferred one type (Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery). So buy a fountain because your cat likes it, not as a guaranteed fix. Compare capacity against the number of pets, check how often filters need replacing, look for a quiet pump, and put it near an outlet where the cord cannot be chewed. A fountain only stays fresh if you clean it on schedule.

Automatic feeders

Timed feeders help with early breakfasts, long workdays and portion control. Cats in particular do well on several small meals: the Feline Veterinary Medical Association recommends multiple small meals and puzzle feeding, along with a safe, quiet spot for each cat to eat (FelineVMA). When comparing models, check the hopper size, the smallest portion it can dispense, the kibble sizes it accepts, whether it has battery backup, and whether you want app control or a simpler programmable unit. Most automatic feeders handle dry food only. Watch your pet use one for several days before relying on it, and do not treat it as a substitute for a sitter on long trips.

Food storage containers

The FDA recommends keeping dry pet food in its original bag so you have the product name, lot number and “best by” date if there is a recall. If you use a bin, put the whole bag inside rather than pouring kibble in loose, or if you must pour it, use a clean, dry container with a snug lid and save the label details. The FDA also advises storing dry food somewhere cool and dry, under 80°F, and washing and drying the container between refills (FDA). Size the bin to your bag: check the brand’s stated capacity in pounds or quarts against the bag you buy, since kibble density varies.

Cleaning

The FDA advises washing food bowls and scoops after each use and water bowls daily (FDA). That is a strong argument for dishwasher-safe pieces and simple shapes. For fountains and feeders, check before buying which parts are dishwasher safe and how easy the pump or dispenser is to take apart.

Dog vs. cat differences

Dogs tend to eat quickly in one go, so slow feeders and sturdy, non-tip bowls matter most. Cats tend to prefer smaller, more frequent meals, quiet places to eat away from other pets, and wide, shallow dishes. In multi-pet homes, give each animal its own bowl and space so one pet does not eat another’s meal.

Our picks

Dr. Catsby’s Whisker Relief Stainless Steel Cat Food Bowl

A wide, shallow #304 stainless steel dish for cats that dislike deep bowls. It measures about 7.2 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches, holds about one 3 to 5 oz can of wet food, comes with a silicone non-slip mat and is dishwasher safe. Wet food can be pushed over the low rim by enthusiastic eaters.

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl, Large

A plastic maze bowl for dogs that gulp their food. The brand says its ridges can make meals last up to 10 times longer, and it comes in three sizes, from 3/4 cup up to 3 to 4 cups for the large. It is BPA-free with a non-slip base and is top rack dishwasher safe, though the narrow channels are fiddly to wash by hand.

Neater Feeder Deluxe Elevated Mess-Proof Dog Bowls, Large

A raised feeding station for messy dogs over 40 pounds with a shoulder height over 14 inches. Spilled food stays on the top deck while splashed water drains into a lower reservoir, and it comes with a 7-cup food bowl and a 9-cup water bowl in stainless steel. The feeding height is 8 inches, or 11 inches with optional leg extensions. Ask your vet first if your dog is a large, deep-chested breed or has had bloat.

Catit Flower Fountain, 3 L

A compact cat fountain that holds 100 fl oz (3 L) and offers three flow styles: gentle flow, a bubbling top or calm streams. Its Triple Action Filter combines cotton mesh, active carbon and ion exchange resin, and Catit says to replace it every 30 days. It needs a nearby outlet, and multi-cat homes may need to refill it often.

PETLIBRO Granary Smart Feeder, 5 L

A Wi-Fi automatic feeder for cats and small dogs on dry food. It holds 5 liters, schedules 1 to 10 meals a day in portions of about 1/12 cup, and sends app alerts for low food, jams and low battery. It runs on an adapter with 3 D batteries as backup (batteries not included) and has a stainless steel bowl. PETLIBRO says it suits small to medium pets, so it is not the right pick for large breeds.

IRIS USA 3-Piece Airtight Pet Food Storage Container Combo

A stackable pair of BPA-free bins: a 33 quart container on casters for the main supply and a 12 quart container on top for daily use, plus a scoop. Airtight seals and snap-lock latches help keep out moisture, pests and curious pets. Vetstreet puts the combined capacity at about 35 pounds of dry food. You need to lift off the top bin to open the bottom one.

PEGGY11 Nonslip Stainless Steel Dog and Cat Bowls, 2 Cup, 2-Pack

A plain, budget pair of stainless steel bowls with a full silicone base that reduces sliding and noise. This size holds 2 cups each, which suits cats and small dogs, and larger sizes are sold. They are dishwasher safe and stack for storage. Business Insider named it its budget pick and saw no scratching in its testing.

Necoichi Ceramic Elevated Cat Food Bowl, 15 Degree Tilted, Extra Wide

For cats that seem uncomfortable bending to a floor bowl. This porcelain bowl is raised and tilted 15 degrees, with a wide, shallow dish about 1.8 inches deep and a removable nonslip silicone ring. It is dishwasher and microwave safe. If your cat vomits often after eating, talk to your vet, since a bowl will not fix a medical cause.

LickiMat Classic Buddy Lick Mat, 8 x 8 in

For pets that gulp soft foods or need a calm activity. This 8 x 8 inch textured mat is made for spreads, purees and wet or raw food, and it can go in the freezer. It is hand wash only. The brand says to supervise use and to pick a tougher version if your pet chews the mat.

PETLIBRO Stainless Steel Cat Water Fountain, 101 oz (3 L)

A mostly stainless steel fountain for cats or small dogs that drink more from moving water. It holds 101 oz (3 L), uses a filter and a pre-filter sponge, and has adjustable flow that the brand says runs below 30 dB. Business Insider named it best overall among the fountains it tested, but it has no water level window or low-water shutoff, so check the level to protect the pump.

Road Refresher Non-Spill Pet Water Bowl, Large

For dogs that travel in the car or splash water around the house. A floating plate lets the dog drink but limits surges from braking, cornering or kicks, and the Large holds 1.4 L (54 fl oz). The hook-and-loop base grips carpet, and it comes apart for cleaning. Let your dog learn to drink from it before a long trip.

Ruffwear Quencher Collapsible Dog Bowl, Medium (1 L)

A fabric travel bowl that folds flat for a pocket or pack. The Medium holds 4.2 cups (1 L) with a 5.5 inch opening, and it has a waterproof lining and a wide-bottom shape meant to resist tipping. Hand wash it and let it dry fully before packing it away. It is not a chew toy.

Mistakes to avoid

• Keeping a scratched or cracked plastic bowl in use.
• Buying a raised feeder for a large, deep-chested dog without asking your vet.
• Choosing a slow feeder too small for the full meal, so food spills over.
• Letting a fountain filter or reservoir go weeks without cleaning.
• Trusting an automatic feeder on day one, before you have watched your pet use it.
• Pouring kibble loose into a bin and throwing away the bag with the lot number and date.
• Washing water bowls only when they look dirty, instead of daily.

FAQ

Are stainless steel bowls better than plastic?

For most pets, yes. Stainless steel is durable and easy to clean, while plastic scratches over time, and a vet-reviewed PetMD article links plastic bowls to chin acne in some cats.

Do elevated dog bowls cause bloat?

The evidence is mixed. One study linked raised bowls to higher bloat risk in large and giant breeds and another found no effect, so a 2017 review advised floor feeding for at-risk dogs. Ask your vet if your dog is a large, deep-chested breed.

Do slow feeders really work?

They make dogs work around ridges for each bite, which slows most fast eaters. The AKC recommends them, along with puzzle toys and smaller meals, for dogs that gulp.

Do cats drink more from a water fountain?

Some cats seem to, but a 2018 study found no significant difference in average water intake between fountains and still bowls. Choose one if your cat likes moving water, and ask your vet about other ways to raise water intake if needed.

Is it OK to pour kibble into a storage container?

The FDA prefers keeping food in its original bag and placing the whole bag in the container. If you pour it, use a clean, dry container with a tight lid and keep the label details.

How often should I wash my pet’s bowls?

The FDA advises washing food bowls after each use and water bowls daily.

See all bowls and feeders.