Are stainless steel water bowls better for dogs
We Tested the Best Slow-Drinking Water Bowls for Dogs: Heres Which Ones Stop Gulping
Disclosure: Our recommendations are based on our testing, research and analysis. We may earn a commission on products purchased using links on this page.
Often our dogs can get a little too excited and drink water too quickly. This can lead to a sick dog (like a dog throwing up from drinking too much water), a wet floor and a messy house.
Fortunately, human ingenuity has solved this canine problem slow drinking water bowls have been designed to stop gulping. Theyre also great for reducing unwanted water on floors after all, if a dog cant get to a big bowl of water, they cant splash it around.
I ordered and tested a number of the top bowls on the market, and I found that some were vastly better than others. Either way theyre mostly different, and you should get one that meets your needs.
Methodology
I purchased all of these products from Amazon, assembled them, photographed them, and tested them with my pets. I paid retail for all of these items, and none were provided promotionally. We will receive a fee if you buy something thru one of our links on this page.
Deep Dives:
This was my favorite dog bowl of the set I tested. I found it to be the largest, easiest, most aesthetic (I like steel, so I understand if thats a niche opinion), and is the easiest to manage. Unlike some of the competition, it does not have a top piece to pop on and off (and ultimately wear out) and seems like it will do well in the dishwasher. Additionally, it did not require any consumables or electricity, which is always a plus.
Unlike some of the comparable plastic items, it does not have a replaceable filter that can get moldy. This has one plastic piece (which appears to be dishwasher safe) and one steel piece so theres much less to break, shatter, or warp.
You will have to add the anti-moving strips yourself to the bottom of the bowl, but it only takes a moment.
We believe this item has the best design, and is great for people looking for an anti-gulping water bowl to sit on the floor.
UPSKY 3L Dog Water Bowl 101oz Stainless Steel- No pieces that require replacement
- Strong capacity for most dogs
- Aesthetic steel looks great and is dishwasher safe
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02/18/2024 10:22 pm GMT
Due to the high quality of the materials, and lack of unnecessary filters, and lack of parts that can break/difficult assembly process, this is our number one choice for this category.
This Road Refresher bowl was a strong choice for travel use cases, for a number of design decisions & smart features.
First off, the packaging tells us enthusiastically that it has been advertised on television, and it won the Pet Products News award for New Products in 2009.This tells me its been thru a few iterations of design improvements.
Their packaging also claims it reduces slobber by up to 90%, which, while great, was not a claim we were able to confirm or deny.
The bowl is 3 pieces, mostly plastic. You do have to pry off/pop off the black plastic ring at the top, which takes some force. As youll have to take this off for cleaning (but not necessarily for refills), its not totally clear how this will hold up over time.
It has a foam insert which you are not supposed to remove. Its easy to think this is packaging trash (I sure did), but the back instructions tell you to leave it there. Its not clear to me how this will hold up or get moldy over time and exposure to water.
The bowl is three pieces. It is relatively small, only 54 fluid ounces (or 1.4 liters) , which if you have a larger dog, could mean several refills per day so your dog can get their full daily ration of water.
Where this bowl stands out is how thoughtful it is about travel (it is, after all, in the name). Its a good size for packing, and instead of non-slip rubberized feet, it has a hook-and-loop fastener at the bottom of the bowl:
It of course includes another piece of hook and loop, so if you were looking for a bowl you could put in your car and wouldnt slip around, getting water everywhere, this would be a great choice.
Prestige Pets Road Refresher- Our number one pick for a travel bowl
- No replaceable/consumable pieces
- Great for travel with hook-and-loop fasteners on bottom
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02/18/2024 10:43 pm GMT
The UPSKY plastic bowl is one of the most popular items on Amazon in fact, when we ordered another, different branded bowl on Amazon, we received this one as well. Its unclear if this was an Amazon error or simply this bowl being sold under multiple brand names.
The UPSKY bowl includes both a carbon filter that the water does not pass thru and a prying tool. The prying tool works to take off the outer plastic ring, that allows assembly, filter insertion, and cleaning. Youll need to keep this tool for future cleaning, as youll need to change out the filter.
The filter is a little confusing the water doesnt actually flow thru filter, but rather around it. It doesnt seem to actually filter the water, but definitely needs replacement and can get moldy. The documentation from UPSKY suggests that you replace the filter every 2-3 months.
It was easy to pick up off the ground due to the side cut-outs, and has a good 2 L capacity.
Due to the filter, the prying tool, and the generally unaesthetic design, we dont recommend this bowl over others, although it seems to be a fine no-spill dog bowl.
The ElsPet diamond floating bowl is nicely designed but has usability flaws that prevent it from getting our number one ranking.
First of all, the package, like the (other square one) includes a white piece of plastic. What could this do, you may ask? Well it turns out the plastic outer ring is so hard to take off, you need that white thing to pry it out.
Youll need to keep this for as long as you want to take this out (maybe you could use a butterknife), but youll need to keep this to clean the top piece of the water feeder.
Additionally, this water bowl features a filter:
As an astute reader, you may observe that the water does not actually flow thru the filter, despite it being there. As these filters need replacements (the packaging suggests every 3 months), its not entirely clear to me what this could do to help the quality of the water, beyond getting moldy. If you live somewhere with potable water this is likely unnecessary, and if you live somewhere with non-potable water its unlikely this will help.
Additionally, it is somewhat difficult to pick up due to the lack of cut-aways in the sides. Its not a huge issue, but yet another usability flaw in an otherwise nice looking bowl.
ELS PET No Spill Dog Bowl- Nice design with paw inset and circular base
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02/18/2024 11:27 pm GMT
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Ceramic Dog Bowls vs. Stainless Steel Dog Bowls: Which to Choose?
Dog bowls come in a wide variety of materials, all of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Most commonly, they come in plastic, glass, ceramic, and stainless-steel forms. Unless you have a young puppy, plastic bowls should be avoided, as dogs will chew these up in a matter of minutes and potentially ingest bits of plastic, which can cause a host of health problems, both dental and digestive. Glass can break easily due to an enthusiastic pooch and should be kept for older, calmer dogs.
That leaves two optionsceramic dog bowls and stainless steel dog bowls, as the most common and well-tested choices. But which is the right option for your dog? We put both these options to the test to find out which material really reigns supreme.
Ceramic Dog Bowls
Ceramic dog bowls are widely available, come in a wide variety of sizes and styles, and are often beautifully designed and aesthetically pleasing. These bowls are usually glazed on the outside, making them easy to clean and dishwasher safe. Ceramic bowls are heavy, so are less likely to be scraped along the floor while your dog is feeding, and your pooch will likely be unable to carry them away to the far reaches of your house or yard.
Before buying a ceramic dog bowl, make sure that it is labeled as food safe or lead-free, as some of the glazes used to seal these bowls can contain lead and other potentially harmful ingredients. Ceramic bowls can easily chip or break when dropped, and these small cracks and chips can collect harmful bacteria, even after thoroughly washing them. These cracks can also create sharp edges and shards, which could hurt your pooch while feeding.
Ceramic bowls are also comparatively expensive, especially the bowls with complicated patterns and designs.
- Widely available
- Come in a wide variety of colors and styles
- Customizable
- Dishwasher safe
- Heat-resistant
- Wont move while feeding
- Can chip and break easily
- Cracks and chips can harbor harmful bacteria
- May end up with sharp edges
- Expensive
Stainless-Steel Dog Bowls
Stainless steelis the go-to choice for dog bowls. They are by far the most durable and widely available and are easy to clean and dishwasher safe. They also will not rust, wont easily scratch or dent, and are resistant to high temperatures. Stainless-steel dog bowls will survive a fall off a countertop and are lightweight too. They are also affordable, as being so widely used drives prices down. Because stainless steel does not scratch or crack easily, it is the most hygienic option, as bacteria cannot easily survive on the surface. Thorough cleaning will remove any potentially harmful bacteria quickly and easily.
Make sure you buy a stainless-steel bowl with a non-slip rim to prevent the bowl from sliding across the floor while feeding, causing spillage! Also, be sure to buy food-grade stainless-steel bowls that are specifically made for pets. Some stainless steel bowls may contain lead or other metal toxins. While stainless-steel bowls arent that much to look at and dont come in the variety of colors and designs that ceramic bowls do, they are durable and long-lasting and have stood the test of time among dog owners.
- Durable
- Wont crack or scratch easily
- Resistant to high temperatures
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
- Hygienic
- May slide around without a non-slip rim
- Do not come in a variety of colors or designs
Other Considerations
While the construction material is arguably the most important factor to take into consideration, the style of bowl that you purchase is important too. Dogs with long muzzles and ears will appreciate a deeper bowl, while dogs with flat faces like Pugs will do well with shallow bowls. Large dogs like Great Danes will benefit from raised or elevated bowls. These consist of a raised platform with a bowl embedded inside, and they are believed to help prevent gastrointestinal issues and are more comfortable for these giant breeds.
If you have a dog that tends to gobble up food in seconds, you may consider purchasing a slow-feed bowl. These bowls contain raised ridges inside the bowl to force your dog to take smaller bites of food at a time and thus eat slower.
Conclusion
In conclusion, stainless-steel dog bowls offer the best durability, are the most hygienic, and are the most cost-effective option for a bowl for your dog. They are also lightweight and wont rust, and even the biggest dog is unlikely to break a stainless-steel bowl.
That being said if you own a small, calm, or older dog, a ceramic dog bowl still has benefits, as well as pleasing aesthetics. Lapdogs are unlikely to break these bowls, and they are perfectly fine if kept clean.
Featured Image Credit: Jan Dix, Shutterstock
