What shape bowl is best for dogs

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

Best Dog Bowls Guide: Food, Water & Accessories

Yes, the food you put in your dogs bowl matters. But so does the bowl you use. Some breeds eat too quickly, while others make quite a mess while eating food and drinking water. Depending on your dogs size and eating habits, a special dish may help them eat more comfortably and safely. The best dog bowl is Peggy11s stainless steel, but we have several other options for various needs.

At A Glance: Best Dog Bowls

Below are some of the most commonly sought-after dog bowls, but for a complete list of our top dog bowl picks for food and water, check out below the table.

Best Overall Dog Bowl: Peggy11 Review

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Are you looking for a no-frills, traditional bowl for your pet? This set of two stainless steel bowls is stain and rust-resistant, so theyll withstand the test of time. The rubber base reduces scratches on the floor and keeps the bowl from sliding around while eating. It comes in five different sizes, so you can find the best one for your pup. They stack for easy storage and are dishwasher safe. For under $20, you cant beat the value of these bowls.

Pros	Cons
Affordable	Some complaints of the bowls rusting
5 sizes available
Safe for wet or dry food and water
Dishwasher-safe
Long-lasting

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Best Automatic Feeder: PETLIBRO Review

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Are you away from home when your dog needs feeding? Or maybe you want to space out several small meals throughout the day. This automatic pet feeder is the solution for feeding your dog or cat while youre away. You can schedule up to six meals a day with this feeder. The portion can range from 1/24 cup to 2/3 cup.

Pros	Cons
Holds over 8 cups of food	Cannot use with kibble larger than 15mm in diameter
Wireless (runs on 3 D batteries) or wall adapter
Control panel is hidden, so pets cant change the schedule
Secure rotor design keeps food fresh and ants out
If it gets knocked over, kibble doesnt spill out everywhere

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Best Elevated Bowl Set: URPOWER Review

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Raised bowls in a tray help your dogs neck and posture when eating. Your canine will love having his food closer to his height, and you can refill and wash the stainless steel containers easily. The non-slip stand has three height positions (2.8, 8, and 12), so it can be adjusted as your dog grows. You can easily remove the legs and tuck them into the sides of the platform for easy storage.

Pros	Cons
Legs store away under the tray	Not ideal for smaller dogs
Includes 2, 1.5L stainless steel, removable, dishwasher-safe bowls
Reduces strain on joints

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Best Slow Feeder: Outward Hound Puzzle Review

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Dogs who eat too fast can struggle with canine bloat, regurgitating, and overeating. Using a slow feeder like Outward Hounds can help slow his pace down. The maze-like design creates enough of a barrier to prevent your dog from inhaling his food in a few seconds. This dish holds up to four cups of dog food and can slow your dog down tenfold.

Pros	Cons
Holds 4 cups of food	Confusing for some dogs
BPA-free
Top rack dishwasher safe
Can be used with wet or dry food

Our Personal Experience

Our dog eats so fast that he chokes himself, so we got this bowl to slow him down. He now eats at a normal pace, and the dog trainer also told us it will help to tire out his super active puppy brain! Win-win.
Michelle Schenker, cofounder of Canine Journal and rescue dog parent

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Best Custom Bowls: Generic Review

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If youd like to personalize your dogs food bowl with his name and breed on it, check out this custom ceramic dog bowl. It works for wet and dry food and water. These can make for fun gift ideas for the pet parents in your life.

Pros	Cons
Custom engraving is permanent, not printed, so it wont peel	Can break if you drop it
Dishwasher safe

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Best Filtered Water Fountain Veken Review

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Your pet deserves the best. Thats why you should get your dog his very own water fountain, supplying a steady stream of fresh, filtered water. The four-stage filtration system delivers fresh, hygienic water to your pets. Plus, this fountain can easily be used for multiple pets.

Pros	Cons
BPA-free	Must replace filter and sponge every 2-3 weeks
6-foot long cord	Requires electricity outlet to operate
Modern, quiet design
Holds almost 12 cups of water
Provides continuously clean water
Filter catches hair and other particles

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Best Automatic Water Dispenser: Petmate Review

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This automatic water dispenser has a gravity-feed design for dispensing the water for your pet without spilling or overflowing the dish. It holds three gallons of water, among the largest we found in our research (many others are only one gallon). If youre away from home for long periods or have a thirsty dog, this water bowl is ideal for you.

Pros	Cons
Holds 3 gallons of water	Not the easiest to clean
Non-skid rubber feet keep it in place
Easy to refill
BPA-free
No leaking

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Best Outdoor Heated Water Bowl: K&H Review

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If your pup is outside during colder months, this is the pet water dispenser for you. This bowl keeps water from freezing, even at -20F. The 56 electrical cord is chew-resistant for your pets safety. The thermal bowl is energy efficient, using only 25 watts of energy.

Pros	Cons
Holds 96 ounces of water	Difficult to add an extension cord since most are not weather resistant and/or pet safe
BPA-free
MET safety listed

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Best Collapsible Bowl: SLSON Review

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These collapsible dog bowls can hold food or water on the go. The bowl is made of silicone, making it easy to wipe it clean after use.Since its collapsible, it takes up less space for travel. Attached is a carabiner to hook the bowl onto a bag, your belt, or something else. The bowls are lightweight, so youll barely notice youre carrying them.

I purchased these for my dog to use when we travel, camp, hike, or go for long runs. Its nice to have compact, collapsible bowls to pour food and water into. She eats and drinks easily out of the bowls, and they take up very little space.

Pros	Cons
Holds up to 12 fluid ounces or 1.5 cups of dog food
Space saving
BPA-free
Dishwasher safe

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Best Food & Bowl Mat: PetFusion Review

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This dog bowl mat really tidied up my dogs eating and drinking area. Instead of water splashing all over my floor, its more centralized on the mat. Thanks to the silicone material and anti-slip bumps, it also keeps her bowls in place. The raised outer lip prevents food and water from spilling off the mat too.

Before I had this, my dogs food dish would end up in the middle of the room because she licks every millimeter of her food dish clean. Ive had this mat for several years now, and its still in great condition and keeps her dishes in place.

Pros	Cons
Dishwasher-safe	Difficult to clean
Anti-slip
Works with elevatedor regular bowls

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Best No-Spill Water Bowl: Slopper Stopper Review

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Another option if your dog is a messy drinker is a spill-proof (and splash-proof) bowl. The patented design helps eliminate messes by over 85%. Say goodbye to wet socks due to puddles left behind by your dog. The amount of water released is limited, so it keeps more of your dogs face clean, which prevents splashing and messes. See how it works in the video below.

Pros	Cons
Available in multiple sizes	Lid is confusing for some
Prevents spills and splashing	Some pets can outsmart it
Lid design keeps the face, snout, ears, beard, and feet dry	Stops spills but not slobbering
Slows drinking pace

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Best High End: Yeti Dog Bowl Review

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Yetis Boomer dog bowl is a top-of-the-line dog bowl that works with both food and water. The Yeti dog bowl is double-walled and non-insulated, with a seamless design. Made from stainless steel, it is puncture, rust, and dent-resistant. Yetis dog bowl comes in a 4 or 8-cup size. The bowl is designed not to tip over and has a Bearfoot non-slip ring on the bottom. With an excellent selection of colors, the Yeti Boomer dog bowl is a long-lasting, well-performing investment.

Pros	Cons
Very durable	Expensive
Easy to clean	Some owners say their bows have rusted
Keeps water fresh
Customizable, multiple colors, and 2 colors
No-tip design
Double-walled and non-insulated
Highly reviewed
Reliable company
Warranty

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Full Yeti Dog Bowl Review

How To Pick A Dog Bowl

Consider your options and list your dogs needs to choose from the best dog food bowls. Does he need something to help keep the dish in place? Is he outside and needs water to keep from turning to ice? Consider all lifestyle criteria when deciding which type of bowls to buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does My Dog Move His Food Bowl?

Is your dog prone to scoot their bowl across the floor while eating? Its because they use their snout to push the food around in the bowl to get it in their mouth. Since they cant use their paws as hands as we do with utensils, they are challenged to pick up every bite and might end up in a bit of a battle with their bowl. If this is the case with your dog, consider the food and bowl mat above, which keeps the bowls more secure.

Are Stainless Steel Bowls Safe For Dogs?

Yes, stainless steel dog bowls are perfectly safe for pups to eat and drink out of. The material is less susceptible than plastic or glazed pottery to leach potentially dangerous chemicals into their food. Theyre also more durable than plastic or silicone, which your dog might be tempted to chew on. Stainless steel is dishwasher friendly and easy to clean. But, watch out for rust as it can appear over time (although that is rare unless your dog bowls are outside exposed to the elements like rain, heat, and sun).

Where Should I Put My Dogs Food Bowl?

It would help if you put your dogs food bowls away from foot traffic so people dont trip over them. If you have a cat in your house, you might need to feed your dog at a specific time and then remove any unfinished food or fence off an area to ensure feline friends cant get to it. Always keep your dogs food bowls in the same spot to help them know where meal time takes place. This will also help you contain any mess in one area should your pet spill while eating.

Wondering What To Put In Your Dogs Bowl?

While hunting for the best dog food bowl, we suggest you reevaluate the food youre feeding your dog. Fresh dog food is becoming an increasingly popular choice among pet parents. The Farmers Dog is human-grade dog food made with fresh ingredients. We have a review about The Farmers Dog so you can learn all about it and whether itd be a good fit for your dog. If you choose to change your dogs food to something new, youll want to transition food slowly to ensure your dog doesnt get sick.

Tagged With: Comparison

15 Best Dog Water Bowls (Reviews Updated 2022)

Looking to buy the best water bowl for your dog? Youve come to the right place.

Weve reviewed dozens of the so-called best dog water bowls in order to find the very best ones. Our rankings are based on a combination of material, sizing options, brand name, quality, price, and Amazon ratings.

Theres a few different types, so scroll through until you find the one youre looking for. Then click on the name or picture to learn more.

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Best Dog Water Bowls

Here are the 15 best water bowls for dogs.

The Petmate Delux Fresh Flow provides a constant source of water to encourage pets to drink. The automatic water dispenser also has a charcoal filter to keep water clean. The electric cord is easily detached for quick cleaning.

This pet waterfall dispenser offers a continuous flow of fresh water.
The water reservoir and power cord are easily detachable for convenient hand washing.
The automatic water bowl is also equipped with a submersible pump and charcoal filter to oxygenate water.

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The AmazonBasics can hold up to one gallon of water and features no-skid rubber feet to keep the pet feeder in place. The extra-wide bottle attachment keeps water flowing. And, the highly rated water dish is easy to wash in the dishwasher.

The extra-wide-mouth bottle holds up to one gallon of water.
The non-skid rubber feet keep this bowl easy to secure and to clean.
The dimensions of the bowl measures 12.4 by 6.9 by 12.1 inches.

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The Bergan Standard Dog Bowl is made up of non-rust stainless steel for extra durability. The wide based bowl is also dishwasher safe to ensure hygiene. And its wide opening and wide base make this dog bowl versatile for nearly any dog size.

constructed from 18/8 stainless steel, the YETI is puncture resistant, rust resistant, and tough enough to handle any dents and dings.
The Bergan water bowl as a wide opening and wide base.
The Bergan is dishwasher safe.

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The Upsky water bowl is a no-spill water bowl that allows dogs to drink as much water as they want without spilling. Its inventive two piece design also helps prevent dirt and debris from falling into the bowl. This design is suitable for all dogs, small to large, and can act as your standard water bowl and is easy to transport for trips.

The Upsky features a waterproof edge strip and floating disk dual design to prevent water from overflowing.
The dimensions of this bowl measure 8.8 x 7.2 x 2 inches and holds 35 ounces.
The UPsky seperates into two pieces with a disk wierded design to prevent dust, dirt, and pet hair from falling into the water.

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The Petmate Replendish Gravity WAterer has a unique microban antimocorbial protection to prevent bacteria from cgorwing along the edges. The Preflectish also slowly dispenses water to prevent water from sitting in the bowl and attracting particles.

The pet water bowl dispenser slowly dispenses filtered water to prolong time between refills.
The microban antimicrobial product protection helps prevent the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria.
The Petmate Replendish is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.

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The Van Ness Stainless Steel dish is a tried and true dog bowl. With a skid-proof rubber bottom, the Van Ness stays in place. Easy to wash, the Van Ness can hold up to 96 ounces of water at a time.

This bowl ideally sized for large sized dogs with a 96-ounce capacity
The Van Ness is made of durable 6 gauge polished stainless steel.
The Van Ness features skid-proof bonded rubber on the bottom.

The YETI Boomer can handle even the most aggressive dog. It is rust proof and ding proof to stand up to time. ITs non-slip bottom holds it in place and the YETI can hold up to 8 cups of water at a time.

constructed from 18/8 stainless steel, the YETI is puncture resistant, rust resistant, and tough enough to handle any dents and dings.
The YETI holds up to eight cups of water.
The barefoot no slip ring prevents the YETI from sliding around.

Road Refresher is perfect for the dog on the go. The patented floating design offers enough water for your dog to drink without excess spillage to keep your car or RV dry! And the Road REferher is easy to clean and is dishwasher safe.

The patented Floating plate design offers enough water for your dog to drink, yet keeps jowls from sopping up excess slobber.
The Road Refresher is dishwasher safe and constructed from from heat resistant polypropylene.
The Road Refresher is travel-friendly and resistant to spills.

The PetSafe is made from BPA-free plastic to keep your pet healthy. This water bowl dissembles for easy cleaning and is dishwasher safe. The bowl is available in multople sizes for every breed of dog.

The PetSafe is available in 64, 128 or 320 ounce water capacities
The reservoir is made of durable BPA-free plastic and locks in place.
The PetSafe disassembles for easy cleaning; the stainless steel bowl is dishwasher safe.

PetSafe Drink Well is a unique, multi-tier drinking fountain that keeps water moving and encourages drinking. The motor is submersible and quiet, so it does not interript your daily living. This fundation is also BPA-free and dishwasher safe.

The PetSafe stream entices dogs and cats to drink more water.
The low-voltage submersible pump helps provide a quiet operation.
The water fountain is BPA-free and top-shelf dishwasher safe.

The Max and Neo bowls are made from the highest qualirt stainless steel so they stay in place. Additionally, the bowls have a full rubber bottom, not just the sides, so the bowls stay secure to the floor. Max and Neo is socially conscious; for every dog bowl sold, they donate one to a pet in need.

Max and Neo dog bowls are made from high quality thick stainless steel and are thicker and heavier than other bowls.
For every dog bowl sold, Max and Neo donates a dog bowl to a dog rescue.
All bowls have a full rubber bottom, not just a rubber ring on the outside.

The MidWest Stainless Steel Water bowl is crafted from high-quality stainless steel to prevent rusting. To prevent slippage, the Midwest locks securely in place. This dog bowl is available in multiple sizes and can be used for both water and food!

The MidWest locks securely in place to reduce water and food spilling.
The MidWest is constructed of quality, rust-proof brushed stainless steel.
The MidWest is available in multiple sizes

The YML dog bowl is elevated and sits at the dogs level to eliminate neck strain and is perfect for older dogs. The stainless steel surface is completely dishwasher safe. And the elegrant wrought iron stand adds a decor flair to your pets eating area.

The elevated feeding position of the YML helps prevent gastric upset and relieves neck and back strain.
YML features an attractive wrought iron stand with stainless steel dog bowl.
The stainless steel bowl provides a completely sanitary eating surface and is dishwasher safe.

The Themal Bowl is thermostatically controlled to prevent water from freezing at even the most sub-zero temperatures. This bowl can be used both indoors and out. And the cord is safely wrapped to prevent your pet from chewing and to eliminate shock.

All electronics in the K&H Thermal-Bowl are safely sealed inside and the cord is steel wrapped to prevent abrasion and to deter chewing.
This dog bowl is thermostatically controlled and uses extremely low power consumption.
The therma-bowl protects drinking water from freezing even at sub-zero temperatures.

The Loving Pets Bella bowls are made with an attractive poly-resin exterior that is naturally bacteria resistant. The rubber base prevents the bowl from skidding around. And because the rubber base can be removed, this bowl is also easy to clean.