best Bowls for dogs
Updated December 2020
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Why Trust MyDogWantsThat?
Here at MDWT, you can trust that you’re getting the best information for your dog, because we’re dog owners ourselves. We carefully assess the best (and worst) dog products on the market, giving you a full breakdown of what’s out there so you as an owner can make informed choices when it comes to your dog.
- As Good As It Gets
- Best On A Budget
Premium 7" Elevated Dog and Cat Pet Feeder, Double Bowl Raised Stand Comes with Extra Two Stainless Steel Bowls
Bottom Line
An adjustable feeder for every life stage made of 100% natural wood.
A premium looking bowl elevated to prevent spillage, leaks, and neck strains. Ideal for pets with arthritis, neck, and back problems.
Ideal for all life stages, this adjustable bowl reduces joint stress and gives a healthier dining experience.
This double feeder is handcrafted and very stylish and is a beautiful addition to a modern home.
A unique, high-quality hand-made bowl crafted from Mango wood.
Pros
Easy to assemble.
Adjustable height prevents neck strains, especially for senior dogs.
Sturdy.
Good value for the price.
No-spill design.
Easy to clean.
Sturdy and well made.
Modern design.
Allows returns.
Adjustable height.
Easy to store.
Easy to clean.
Can be used for all life stages of any breed.
Very stylish design.
Easy to clean.
Comes with color options.
Dishwasher safe.
Rust-resistant and doesn’t hold odors.
Well designed.
Affordable price.
Cons
Can topple over.
Wood can get moldy if left wet or moist.
Messy drinkers and eaters will still cause spills and leaks.
Molds can form on wet wood.
Pricey.
Not too sturdy on the tallest setting.
Doesn’t prevent spills or leaks.
Very expensive.
Wood quality is not worth the price.
Open bottom design might not appeal to everyone.
- As Good As It Gets
Emfogo Dog Bowls Elevated 3 Heights 4in 8in 13in Wood Raised Dog Bowl Stand
Bottom Line
An adjustable feeder for every life stage made of 100% natural wood.
Pros
Easy to assemble.
Adjustable height prevents neck strains, especially for senior dogs.
Sturdy.
Good value for the price.
Cons
Can topple over.
Wood can get moldy if left wet or moist.
- Best On A Budget
Premium 7" Elevated Dog and Cat Pet Feeder, Double Bowl Raised Stand Comes with Extra Two Stainless Steel Bowls
Bottom Line
A premium looking bowl elevated to prevent spillage, leaks, and neck strains. Ideal for pets with arthritis, neck, and back problems.
Pros
No-spill design.
Easy to clean.
Sturdy and well made.
Modern design.
Allows returns.
Cons
Messy drinkers and eaters will still cause spills and leaks.
Molds can form on wet wood.
Pricey.
Pet Zone Designer Diner ADJUSTABLE Elevated Dog Bowls
Bottom Line
Ideal for all life stages, this adjustable bowl reduces joint stress and gives a healthier dining experience.
Pros
Adjustable height.
Easy to store.
Easy to clean.
Can be used for all life stages of any breed.
Cons
Not too sturdy on the tallest setting.
Doesn’t prevent spills or leaks.
Bowsers Artisan Diner Double Dog Feeder
Bottom Line
This double feeder is handcrafted and very stylish and is a beautiful addition to a modern home.
Pros
Very stylish design.
Easy to clean.
Comes with color options.
Cons
Very expensive.
Wood quality is not worth the price.
Brave Bark GF Pet Mango Wood Dog Bowl
Bottom Line
A unique, high-quality hand-made bowl crafted from Mango wood.
Pros
Dishwasher safe.
Rust-resistant and doesn’t hold odors.
Well designed.
Affordable price.
Cons
Open bottom design might not appeal to everyone.
How We Decided
To find the best dog bowls out there, our experts here at MDWT scoured thousands of online reviews and let our team of dog owners provide their expert opinion after extensive real-world testing. Here’s how we chose the best dog bowls:
23
Models Considered
8
Hours Researched
1
Experts Interviewed
5
Consumer Consulted
Buying Guide For The Best Dog Bowls
Feeding time is probably the favorite time of day for every dog, with nap time coming in a close second, of course. The food you serve matters a lot but so does the dog bowl you offer it up in. Dog bowls may seem like inconsequential objects – they’re just bowls, after all – but the right bowl can go a long way to having a healthier, happier pup.
Dog bowls can help keep dog food fresh and free from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. The right bowl can also prevent spills and leaks, and will be made of food-grade materials that won’t leach toxins or break down over time.
Slow-feeder bowls prevent dogs from eating too fast, a behavior that can lead to digestive problems. Then elevated bowls prevent joint and neck strains especially for bigger or senior dogs, while smaller bowls allow for even the tiniest pups to nosh comfortably.
Buying Guide For The Best Dog Bowls
Feeding time is probably the favorite time of day for every dog, with nap time coming in a close second, of course. The food you serve matters a lot but so does the dog bowl you offer it up in. Dog bowls may seem like inconsequential objects – they’re just bowls, after all – but the right bowl can go a long way to having a healthier, happier pup.
Dog bowls can help keep dog food fresh and free from harmful bacteria and other microorganisms. The right bowl can also prevent spills and leaks, and will be made of food-grade materials that won’t leach toxins or break down over time.
Slow-feeder bowls prevent dogs from eating too fast, a behavior that can lead to digestive problems. Then elevated bowls prevent joint and neck strains especially for bigger or senior dogs, while smaller bowls allow for even the tiniest pups to nosh comfortably.
Key Considerations
Caution
Some dog bowls are made of materials that can be dangerous to your four-legged companion. Plastic bowls may contain BPA while ceramic bowls may contain lead. Both BPA and lead are harmful and can cause serious health issues. So make sure you’re using a lead-free and BPA-free bowl for your dog. The easiest way to confirm this is to look for ‘food grade’ certifications on products: though the standards are specific to humans, if it’s good enough for us, it’s good enough for your dog.
Dog Bowls Features
Some dog bowls are just meant to be a place where food will be placed before it disappears. But there are bowls that have additional features that you should consider if your dog has specific needs.
Elevated dog bowls function like a tabletop and are beneficial to senior dogs or those with musculoskeletal problems. Since dogs no longer have to bend their necks to eat from a bowl on the floor, it reduces the pressure on their joints and on the neck.
Electronic feeders dispense a certain amount of food at a specific time only. This is useful when you’re out during their feeding time. This also aids in weight loss or weight management because you’re able to portion their food accurately each time. They also help in training, since mealtime is the same time every day: a clever pup will even learn to sit patiently in the minutes before their meal is dispensed.
Whatever kind of bowl you’re looking for, what’s important is that it’s made from safe materials and you get one with the feature that benefits your specific dog the most.
Expert Tip
Dog bowls need to be cleaned regularly. But just because they look clean, doesn’t mean there aren’t any germs hanging around. Sanitizing dog bowls will help kill any germs left. All you need to do is put hot water with bleach (10-to-1 ratio), leave it to soak for 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. There are bowls on the market with antimicrobial coatings, but there’s no real substitude for a proper cleaning.
Dog Bowls Prices
Our pick of dog bowls has a wide range of prices, from $20 to more than $150. But generally speaking, bowl prices are driven by the material and any additional specialized features it has.
Simple plastic or stainless steel dog bowls are inexpensive, while you will be paying a premium for ceramic bowls that have a more stylish design. Also, elevated and electronic dog bowls are more expensive as well due to all the added features and materials.
While it’s perfectly fine to get a simple and inexpensive dog bowl, all pet parents have to make sure that they’re getting one that’s free from harmful materials or chemicals, and that allows their dog to eat safely and comfortably.
Tips
- Not all dogs need an elevated feeder. If you have a small and short breed, eating from a bowl placed on the floor will not cause any health problems.
- Some dogs are really messy eaters or drinkers. If you have a wooden stand or holder for your bowl, water and moisture can cause mold to form. Always wipe it dry when the wood gets wet.
- Even though some bowls are dishwasher safe, you still need to check if they’ve been cleaned properly. Depending on the material, other bowls might require additional cleaning and sanitation.
- Get a bowl appropriate for the size of your breed. Some bowls are too lightweight that they tend to move or topple over from heavier and bigger dogs. Puppies need a smaller bowl proportional to the amount of food they eat.
other products we Considered
We liked a lot of bowls but we had to choose our best picks. However, there are other products that are still worth your attention even if they didn’t make our top five.
Ethical 9-1/2-Inch Stoneware Crock Dog Dish: If you want something stylish that will blend in with your interiors, a ceramic bowl is your top choice.
URPOWER Dog Bowls Stainless Steel Dog Bowl with No Spill Dog Food Bowl: For the messy eater and drinker, this stainless steel dog bowl comes with a silicone mat to catch spills and prevents it from skidding on the floor.
FAQ's
What’s the best material for a dog bowl?
There’s no single best material for a dog bowl because it comes down to personal preference and style. If you’re looking for something easy to clean, plastic and metal bowls are the way to go. If you want something more stylish, then you should go for ceramic or wooden bowls.
There’s a bowl for every dog, what matters is you get a bowl that’s safe and free from harmful materials or chemicals.
What’s the correct bowl size for my dog?
The amount of liquid a bowl can hold is usually indicated in the product description or packaging. So depending on the size of your dog, you need to choose one that can hold the right amount of food or water every time your dog eats.
Ideally a bowl should never be more than half full with food or water: this allows the dog to get their mouth below the lip of the bowl and prevents spillage.
Are elevated dog bowls better?
Yes, elevated bowls are better than normal bowls that are set on the floor, especially for bigger dogs. Elevated bowls shorten the distance between the mouth and the food so that your dog doesn’t have to bend down too much to eat. This aligns their mouth and esophagus to the rest of their digestive tract, making it easier to eat and lessening any strain on their neck (and knees if they’re a tall breed).
The Team That WOrked on This Review
Nitin Gupta
Chief Content Officer
JJ Resnick
Director of Growth
Erik Adler
Editorial Director