Why are there so many different types of dog bowls?
Walk into any pet store & you will see a wide variety of different dog bowls. Different sizes, different shapes, different heights, materials, colours etc. There’s a lot to choose from!
While ultimately the Colour & pattern are a personal choice, the size, material, height & shape are all functional things to consider when purchasing a good bowl for food or water for your dog.
SIZE: When choosing a size of bowl, you first want to consider the shape & size of your dogs head. Short faced dogs such as Pugs and Shih-tzus will need a wide bowl so they can comfortably eat and not be hitting the side of the bowl with their face. Also consider the amount of food per feeding. A growing puppy will generally eat larger meals than an adult, so when in doubt, size up.
MATERIAL: The most common materials for dog bowls are plastic, ceramic & stainless steel. All have their pluses & minuses.
PLASTIC is the most cost effective. It also is quiet when your dog is eating. Overtime, it will get scratches in the bowl which can lead to bacterial growth. If left outside it may crack or turn brittle when left out in the sun & cold temperatures. Plastic also is far from chew proof!
CERAMIC is easy to clean, sturdy and heavy so your pup won’t be able to easily push it around. Ceramic does crack or break if dropped from any height.
STAINLESS STEEL is easy to clean & very durable. It does tend to heat up in summer & cool down in winter due to its poor insulating properties so if used for water, you will have to refill and empty the bowl frequently due to freezing or heating up.
HEIGHT: Dogs should not have to lower their necks or stretch to reach their food or water. There should be a fairly straight line from their ears to their shoulders when they eat or drink. This stops excess air gulping which may lead to gas or even bloating. For this reason, many dogs do best with an elevated bowl. Set ups can be purchased from a store all ready to go, or you can make one yourself by placing the dish on a container, block of wood or even a cinder block.
SHAPE: While most bowls are a concave dome, some have added designs such as a top piece to stop water from going over the side, and to keep long eared dogs like Basset Hounds, from getting their ears in their food or water. Others also have raised designs to slow down fast eaters!
So while the Colour and pattern of your dogs bowls are certainly up to you to choose based on your color and design preference, consider the imformation above to pick the best bowl for your dog too!
Jamie @ The Joyful Dog