FAQ: Bowls & Feeders for dogs

Stainless steel and ceramic are easy to clean and last long. Plastic bowls are lighter but can scratch over time.

Its ridges make the dog eat more slowly. It is often chosen for dogs that gulp their food.

Yes, good-quality stainless steel does not hold smells, does not absorb fat and is easy to clean, even in a dishwasher. Choose food-grade steel and avoid very thin bowls that dent quickly.

A ceramic bowl is heavy, so the dog cannot easily tip it over, and the glazed surface is easy to wash. A cracked or chipped ceramic bowl should be replaced, because bacteria collect in the cracks and sharp edges can cause injury.

A plastic bowl is not dangerous in itself if it is made of food-safe plastic. However, it scratches easily, bacteria build up in the scratches, and in some dogs it can irritate the skin on the chin.

Chin acne or irritation is often linked to dirty or scratched plastic bowls where bacteria multiply. A daily-washed steel or ceramic bowl helps, and if the rash does not clear up, it is worth asking a vet.

Silicone bowls are light, flexible and often collapsible, which makes them especially handy for travel. They suit calm dogs for daily use, but a chewer can damage them, so steel or ceramic is more often chosen for home.

Tempered glass bowls are hygienic and do not hold smells, but they can break if the dog knocks them onto a hard floor. They are better for small, calm dogs or for bowls that sit in a stand.

Melamine is a hard plastic often used for decorative bowls or their outer shell. It is fine for dry and room-temperature food, but should not be heated or washed very hot, which is why it is often paired with a removable steel insert.

Bamboo fibre bowls are made of plant fibre mixed with a binder, so they are light and look natural. They are less resistant to chewing and hot washing, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions and replace them once cracks appear.

Poorly made glazes can sometimes contain unsuitable substances, so choose bowls labelled as food-safe. If the glaze starts to crack or peel, it is better to replace the bowl.

A rubber ring or pad underneath stops the bowl sliding across the floor and reduces clanging while the dog eats. Before putting it in the dishwasher, check whether the rubber is removable and heat-resistant.

Most stainless steel and ceramic bowls are dishwasher-safe, while plastic and bamboo ones are best washed by hand unless the manufacturer says otherwise. You can wash dog bowls with other dishes as long as you scrape off food remains first.

Thicker stainless steel bowls usually last longest, because they do not break and do not scratch as easily as plastic. Ceramic also lasts a long time as long as it is not dropped on a hard floor.

Good-quality stainless steel does not rust, but very cheap bowls or a damaged surface can sometimes develop rust spots. If the bowl has started to rust, it is better to replace it than to try to clean it.

The slimy film on the inside of the bowl is a layer of bacteria built up from saliva and food remains. Daily washing with warm water and a brush removes it, whereas simply topping up the water does not.

A bowl used for wet or raw food should be washed after every meal. A bowl for dry food should be washed at least once a day, because leftover fat quickly turns rancid.

Change the water at least once or twice a day and rinse the bowl each time, and more often in hot weather or when food bits get into it. Dogs are more willing to drink fresh, cool water.

Hot water, ordinary dish soap and a separate brush or sponge used only for pet dishes are enough. Rinse the bowl well afterwards so no detergent smell is left, as it can put the dog off.

Occasionally a bowl can be disinfected with a weak bleach solution following the product label, but it must then be rinsed very thoroughly. For everyday cleaning this is not needed, hot water and dish soap are enough.