FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for cats

An opened bag of dry food is best used within about a month to six weeks, kept tightly closed in a cool, dry place. Food kept longer loses aroma and nutritional value, and the fats can go rancid.

Give wet food in portions the cat eats straight away and throw out leftovers immediately. Microchip or automatic feeders with a lid also protect food from flies, and keep bowls away from open windows.

Outdoors, heavy, unbreakable steel or thick plastic bowls that are easy to wash work well, along with shelter from rain. Regularly collect dirty bowls and uneaten food so you do not attract pests.

Many cats naturally eat many small meals, so they do not always finish everything at once. This is normal as long as the cat keeps a healthy weight; if its appetite suddenly changes, talk to a vet.

Food straight from the fridge often seems less appealing to cats, since cold food smells less. Let it reach room temperature or stir in a little warm water, but do not heat the food so no hot spots form.

Long-haired cats quickly get food on the fur of their chest and face in deeper bowls. Wide, shallow bowls or plates are more comfortable for them, and it is worth checking after meals that the fur has not been left sticky.

Insulated double-walled bowls warm up more slowly, so on a hot day the water stays cooler for longer. They are useful in summer or warm rooms, but the water still needs changing daily.

Bowl size does not have the effect on a cat that it has on people – a cat eats what it is given. Accurately weighed portions, several meals a day and slow-feeding aids help control weight.

Better not: can edges are sharp and can cut the cat’s tongue or face, and its whiskers touch the narrow sides. Move the food to a clean bowl or plate, and cover the rest in the can and keep it in the fridge.

Serve meals at the same time and place every day, and remove uneaten dry food after about half an hour. Most cats adjust to the rhythm within a few days; split the daily amount so the cat is not left hungry.

Ball-valve bottles made for rodents are awkward for cats and do not let them drink naturally, so a cat may drink too little. Always offer a cat water in an open bowl or fountain.

Yes, with several bowls you can put out a clean one straight away and wash the used one or load it into the dishwasher later. This helps keep things hygienic, especially when feeding wet food several times a day.

No, zoogidas.lt sells nothing – it only compares the prices of Lithuanian online pet shops. Once you choose a product, you buy it on the shop’s own website.

Prices are collected about daily, and each product shows when its price was last checked. Check the final price on the shop’s website before buying.

Yes, the product page shows price history, so you can judge whether the current price of a fountain, feeder or filters is usual or a discount is on right now.

Divide the pack price by the number of filters and consider how long one filter lasts. A larger pack is often cheaper per filter, but make sure the filters fit your exact fountain model.

Some cats link eating with their owner’s attention and calm, or feel safer when a person is nearby. It is not a problem if the cat eats enough; try moving the bowls to a quieter spot and staying nearby for a while at mealtimes.

There is no need – a fountain is designed to run continuously, and cats often drink at night. If the pump noise disturbs your sleep, choose a fountain with a night or intermittent mode, but do not leave the water standing without circulation for long.

Using mineral water all the time is not recommended, as it can contain high levels of minerals a cat’s urinary tract does not need. Cooled boiled water is fine, but clean tap or filtered water is usually enough.

Many feeders have a plastic bowl, but a removable stainless steel bowl that is easy to wash in the dishwasher is more hygienic. If your cat gets chin acne, look for a feeder with a steel or ceramic bowl.