FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for cats

Some cats prefer running water to water standing in a bowl. A fountain keeps the water circulating and filtered, so it can encourage a cat to drink more.

Many cats prefer wide, shallow bowls where their whiskers do not touch the rim. Ceramic and stainless steel bowls are easy to clean and do not scratch as quickly as plastic ones.

Stainless steel and ceramic bowls are most often recommended: they do not absorb odours, are easy to wash and last a long time. Plastic bowls are lighter and cheaper but scratch sooner, and bacteria collect in the scratches.

A plastic bowl is fine if it is sturdy, BPA-free and replaced once it gets scratched. Some cats get chin pimples from plastic bowls, so for sensitive cats steel or ceramic is a better choice.

A stainless steel bowl does not break, does not absorb odours, is dishwasher safe and stays hygienic for a long time. Choose one with a rubber ring or non-slip base, as a light metal bowl can slide around and clatter.

A ceramic bowl is safe if the glaze is food-safe and it has no cracks. It is heavy, so it slides less and does not tip over. Replace a cracked or chipped ceramic bowl, as dirt collects in cracks and sharp edges can cause injury.

Tempered glass bowls are hygienic, do not absorb odours and let you see how much water is left. However, they can break if dropped, so they suit calm cats and places where the bowl cannot be pushed off a raised surface.

Silicone bowls are light, unbreakable and often collapsible, which makes them handy for travel. They are less suited to everyday use at home, as silicone can absorb odours over time and a cat pushes it around more easily.

Bamboo and melamine bowls look decorative but often cannot take hot water or the dishwasher, and when scratched or cracked they may release substances into food. Choose them only if clearly made of food-safe materials and replace worn ones.

For a messy eater, bowls with a higher back rim or an inward-curved lip that keeps kibble in, and a heavy non-slip base, work well. A mat with a raised edge under the bowl is also worth having.

It is the discomfort a cat feels when its whiskers keep touching the sides of a bowl. Such a cat may eat only from the middle of the bowl, pull food out with its paw or seem picky; a wider, shallower bowl often helps.

It is often a sign that the cat finds it uncomfortable for its whiskers to touch the sides, or that it cannot see or smell the remaining food. Try a wider, shallow bowl or plate – the cat often eats everything then.

For food, a small, shallow bowl about the width of a palm that holds one portion is usually enough. The water bowl can be larger and wider so the water lasts longer and does not have to be filled to the brim.

Separate bowls are handy, as the wet food bowl must be washed after every meal, while dry food can stay out longer. It also keeps wet food from spoiling the dry food or sticking to it.

Many cats find it easier to eat wet food from a flat plate, as their whiskers do not touch the sides and pâté is easy to lick up. A plate with a small rim keeps the food from being pushed onto the floor.

A double bowl is handy and tidy, but the water in it quickly gets dirty with food crumbs. Many cats also prefer to drink away from their food, so it is worth keeping water in a separate bowl elsewhere.

Cats are thought to instinctively avoid water next to food, since in the wild such water could be contaminated by prey remains. A water bowl placed further away often encourages a cat to drink more.

Put the bowls in a quiet spot without much foot traffic, away from the litter box and noisy appliances. Cats dislike eating next to their toilet, and while eating they like to be able to see what is going on around them.

It is useful to have at least two water bowls in different places, and one on each floor in a multi-storey home. More water stations encourage a cat to drink more often, which is important for the kidneys and urinary tract.

Some cats really do like drinking from a glass because the water seems fresher and higher up. If your cat does this, provide a stable, wider container of water in a spot it likes and change the water often.