Buying the best dog bowl is an often underrated decision. After all, how important can a bowl of doggie chow be?
As long as your dog can eat comfortably and it can hold all the chow for a meal, it’s a no-brainer, right?
Wrong!
This seemingly-simple task deserves more attention than it often gets. Doggie food bowls can have specialized features.
If you have an old pet, an elevated dog bowl prevents neck strain. If you have a pet that gorges on food faster than they can swallow, then a slow feed dog bowl might be in order.
Stainless steel bowls prevent rust, stains and keep the nasties at bay.
Here are your best options.
Best Dog Bowls
1. Neater Feeder Deluxe Dog Bowl
More often than not, chow time for pooches end up in drool trails and spilled food. If that doesn’t sound like a biggie, wait till you have a 120 pound German Shepherd darting through the living room in excitement and inadvertently kicking the food bowl halfway across it.
Enter the Neater Feeder, a one-shot solution to all doggie, chow related problems.
The neater feeder keeps the food contained. Even better, it keeps the water contained. Most importantly, it doesn’t get tipped over courtesy gluttony muzzles or sloppy legs.
Sturdy, thoughtful design
The Neater Feeder measures a pleasant 21 x 13 x 14.5 inches (LWH). So, it can inconspicuously slip into a corner of your living room.
It is made of durable plastic and weighs 4.5 pounds with the two voluminous stainless steel bowls included in the design. Small dog breeds will find it impossible to kick or tip over. For larger breeds, it features slip-free legs that ensure that it stays put.
At 14.5 inches, the Neater Feeder is just the right height for small dogs and cats. It prevents neck and spine strain. For larger dogs, there’s a leg extension that’s available separately for purchase which extends it to the perfect height.
The stainless steel bowls are pretty deep and makes it easy for dog breeds with all muzzle sizes.
Perfect height, with an extendable leg
The big draw is the spill-preventer, which is a fancy name for a reservoir that ensures that spilled food doesn’t find its way out. Similarly, there’s a water reservoir that collects any spills and splashes.
The sides are slightly elevated which mean that drool-trails stay contained as well.
Apart from keeping the surroundings clean, it also prevents mold buildup and saves you a lot of effort otherwise spent in cleaning slimy drool all over the house.
Why we love it
- Easy solution to almost all doggie food problems
- Pocket-friendly price tag
- Height extendable
- Large bowls that hold sufficient food and water
- Food and water reservoirs to prevent spills
- No-slip feet
Reasons to complain
- Some customers have mentioned that the stainless steel bowls started to rust after a few months. But these have been sporadic incidents limited to one or two people at best. Just speak to the customer service team if you notice rusting.
Conclusion: This is the best elevated dog bowl in the market currently. Flawless customer reviews, great pricing and a well-rounded feature list.
2. Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Elevated Pet Feeder Raised Dog Bowls
The Designer diner table from Pet Zone is a stunner. Two large stainless steel bowls neatly integrated into a dining-table styled frame make for a very eye-pleasing addition to your living room.
The advantages though, go beyond the aesthetics.
It prevents bloating, reduces spills and also reduces the strain on the neck for dogs of all sizes.
Sturdy plastic frame
The Designer Diner elevated dog bowl stand is made from tough plastic. It isn’t the heaviest one though. So if you have a large dog that will push against the stand while eating, place this against the wall. It won’t budge.
The feet have rubberized soles so it won’t tip over either.
The finish is a glossy brown that easily blends in with your décor.
It can be height adjusted to three levels. So, you can keep it at 2.75” height for small dogs and cats, 8” for medium sized dogs and 12” for large dogs.
Easy assembly and collapses for storage
The Pet Zone Designer table is surprisingly easy to assemble. It doesn’t take more than 5 minutes at best.
The stainless steel bowls aren’t the best to be honest. But most people buy it for the height adjustable frame, that’s perfect if you have a puppy (grows with the puppy) or even a senior dog that can do without the extra strain on the neck.
On a positive note, the bowls are dishwasher safe and extremely easy to clean.
When not in use, the legs can be collapsed and it becomes compact for easy storage.
Why we love it
- Aesthetic design
- Height adjustable to three levels
- Non-slip rubberized feet
- Dishwasher safe stainless steel bowls
- Legs can be collapsed for storage
- Prevents bloating and reduces strain on the neck
Reasons to complain
- Once again, the stainless steel bowls tend to rust. That shouldn’t usually be the case. But the quality isn’t the best. But the bowls can easily be replaced. And they are cheap too.
Conclusion: A few minor grumbles aside, this is a great slow feed dog bowl. It looks great, prevents neck strain and grows with your puppy. What more can one ask for?
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3. AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
If you are looking for a barebones spill proof dog bowl that’s cheap and lasts forever, then here’s the AmazonBasics Stainless Steel dog bowl for you.
It’s a large no spill dog bowl that can accommodate up to 32 ounces of pet food. That more than suffices for dogs of all sizes.
Stain and rust free
We love the stainless steel quality on this slow feeder dog bowl. It has been around for years and there are no complaints whatsoever about rusting or staining.
It’s a much better choice than cheap plastic that leech chemicals into fido’s food.
32-ounce capacity and a wide open mouth allow dogs with all types of muzzles to eat comfortably without barfing.
The no-slip feet on the bottom keep it rock steady while the dog eats. There are customers who use this for their 150 lbs. dogs with no problems whatsoever.
This also prevents damage and scratching on your hardwood floors.
Dishwasher safe
The Amazonbasics stainless steel dog bowl can be tossed into the dishwasher when it’s time for cleaning.
And the surprisingly low price tag allows you to buy multiple ones if you have more than one pet at home.
Why we love it
- Durable stainless steel
- Rust, stain and odor resistant
- Cheap pricing
- Non-slip rubber feet
- 32-inch wide mouth
- Perfect for dogs with all muzzle sizes
Reasons to complain
- None
Conclusion: All in all, this is the spendthrift’s dream doggie bowl. Cheap, effective and feature-rich.
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4. Kyjen Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Feed Interactive Bloat Stop Dog Bowl
With over a million of these sold already, chances are that you might have seen the Kyjen Outward Hound slow feed bowl in action somewhere.
This is paws-down the most popular slow feeder dog bowl in the market. And it’s unlike anything else in the doggie-bowl universe.
It features a variety of mazes (depending on the design you choose) that will make your dog sweat for earning each kibble.
Let us explain.
Slowed eating, zero choking, better digestion
Outward Hound makes short work of one of the most difficult tasks on earth. To make pooches eat slow. The patterned mazes will make them work their tongue around to find their kibbles. And it is so effective that it slows down eating by almost 10x the normal time.
This greatly reduces choking and bloat. If doggie chow disappears in a few seconds, then Outward hound slow feed dog bowl is just what you need.
It is available in three sizes, small, large and extra small. Pick the one that works best for your dog breed size.
Variety of mazes
You can also choose mazes depending on their difficulty levels.
The large teal one is the most difficult one maze pattern and it is designed for large slobbery pooches who gorge like a blue whale.
The mini purple one has crannies that can hide kibbles. You will love your small dog trying to work their tongue around the maze patterns.
The large orange one has a warp hole styled maze that’s reasonably easier to figure out. Old large dogs might prefer this one.
The mini blue and tiny mint are kind of identical in their difficulty rating.
Why we love it
- Slows down doggie eating by 10x the time
- Helps improve digestion
- Variety of mazes that can be selected according to the difficulty
- Works for both wet and dry food
- Three sizes
- Rubberized feet keep the bowl from moving
- Reduces the risk of bloat and choking
Reasons to complain
- If you don’t use the dishwasher too often, then it can be difficult to clean because of the design. Makes it easier for mold buildup. That’s only for people who don’t use the dishwasher though.
Conclusion: If a slow feeder dog bowl is what you seek, look no further. This is slow-feeding perfection. Your dog will hate you.
5. URPOWER Dog Bowls Stainless Steel Dog Bowl with No Spill Non-Skid Silicone Mat
Last but not the least, we have the URPOWER dog bowls. This is a complete doggie dinner set with separate stainless steel bowls for kibble and water.
The bowls are neatly integrated into a large silicon base that prevents slipping.
The design looks simple and unassuming. But it is very effective.
Bone-shaped dinner set
The URPOWER dog bowls with the silicon base have a bone shaped design. It looks kinda cute with the bone-imprints on the silicon. The entire thing is 19-inches in length and 11-inches wide and the removable bowl itself is a spacious 6-inches in radius with a 26.46 oz capacity.
That can accommodate enough kibbles for a dog that’s up to 70 lbs.
The silicon mat has raised edges that do a reasonably good job at keeping spills contained.
Most importantly, the large slip-proof base prevents the mat and the bowls from skidding while your pet eats. This also prevents damage to hardwood floors.
Easy to clean and maintain
The stainless steel bowls are rust free and you can just toss it into your dishwasher. The silicone mat on the other hand can be wiped clean with a cloth.
It’s surprisingly easy to maintain.
No mess anywhere around the dinner set either.
Why we love it
- Compact, dinner set with bowls for both food and water
- Deep rust and stain-free bowls
- Silicon base that prevents slipping and tipping over
- Raised edges that contain spills
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher safe bowls
- Wipe to clean the silicon mat
Reasons to complain
- Once again, there has been a one-off incident where the bowls have rusted. Thankfully, the manufacturer issues a complete refund in such cases. So, you have nothing to worry at all.
Conclusion: Looking for a budget-friendly, raised dog bowl for your pooches? Try the URPOWER dog bowl. It has a spill-free design and is easy to maintain as well.
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How we selected the best bowls for your dog:
As we said earlier, dog bowls have specialized features that go beyond the obvious. The first thing that you need to consider is the intended purpose.
The Type:
- Slow feed dog bowl: A slow feed dog bowl usually has a narrower opening or has mazes or patterns, like the Outward Hound dog bowl. It reduces the speed of eating by 5-10% which helps improve digestion and reduces the risk of bloat. Can be particularly effective in puppies and senior dogs.
- Raised dog bowl: The purpose of a raised dog bowl is slightly different. It helps to keep spills and splashes contained. If you have a drool-machine for a pet, this will help contain the mess to an extent. Some raised dog bowls also have extendable or height adjustable legs, like the Neater Feeder or the Pet Zone Designer Diner. This can be particularly useful for pets with arthritis or ones that are obese and find it difficult to bend to eat food or drink water.
Features to look for
- No Slip feet: Rubberized feet will help keep the food bowl stable when the dog eats from it. On a bad day, it will protect the food bowl from being kicked all over the room when an excited pet is rushing to get to it.
- Stainless steel food bowls: Stainless steel bowls are impervious to rust and stains. They are dishwasher safe and do not leech toxic chemicals into your pet’s food.
- Raised edges: Raised edges will help contain some of the splashes and food spills.
Not all slow feed dog bowls will work for your pet. Here are our reviews of some of the most popular ones.
Recommended Reading:
- Best Dog Bed
- Best Dog Crate
- Best Dog House
- Best Dog Playpens
- Best Dog Food
- Best Dog Food for Sensitive Stomachs
- Best Dog Food for Allergies
- Best Wet Dog Food
- Best Senior Dog Food
- Best Dog Food Container
- Best Outdoor Dog Kennels
- Best Automatic Dog Feeders
- Best Dog Muzzles
- Best Dog Water Bowls
- Best Slow Feed Dog Bowls
