9 Best Dog Bowls for Your Dog’s Food and Water + Buying Guide
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It’s cute watching your dog push his bowl across the kitchen floor while he eats, but it’s no fun cleaning up the mess afterward.
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Top Pick
At least that’s how I feel. That’s why I went in search of the best dog bowls for convenience and preventing messes. At the end of my search, the URPOWER Stainless Steel Dog Bowl emerged the winner.
Its non-skid bottom and mat for catching spilled food/water are the perfect solution for enthusiastic eaters. It’s also affordable and ideal for dog parents who want less of a mess.
Of course, the URPOWER bowl isn’t the only top-rated dog bowl worthy of your attention. In our best dog bowls review below, you’ll find all the best quality dog bowls for different dog types and occasions. Let’s get started finding the perfect one for you and your pup!
URPOWER Stainless Steel Bowls come in a set. You get two stainless steel bowls and a silicon tray that prevents the bowls from sliding around while your dog dines. This combination makes it the best dog water bowl and food bowl all rolled into one convenient and pet-friendly dining set.
Key Features
Two rust-resistant stainless-steel bowls
Silicone tray for the bowls
The tray is available in bone shape and erect dog-ears shape
Suitable for small, medium or large-sized dogs
I love that the URPOWER Dog Bowls come as a full dining set, and if you have more than two dogs, they can have a bowl each and share the no-mess tray.
The silicon tray prevents messes by stopping the bowls from sliding around or tipping over while your dog eats. It also catches food and water that spill out from the bowl. This leaves you with a clean floor and fewer worries whenever feeding time comes around.
It’d be nice if there was a larger bowl size for really big dogs with huge appetites, though.
Pros
Affordable price offers great value
Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
The non-skidding, non-flipping and no-spill tray minimizes messes
Rust-resistant stainless-steel bowls are durable
The bowls are suitable for dogs of various sizes
Cons
Larger dogs may need a bigger bowl
The Verdict
These URPOWER bowls feature a simple yet effective dog bowl design that lets your voracious dog satisfy his appetite without making a mess. The affordable price also makes this a great value dog dining set.
This elevated dog dining set comes highly recommended for small dog breeds and puppies. Its design stops your pups from falling into the bowl or tipping it over during feeding time.
Key Features
Available in a variety of interesting colors - tea green, sky blue, and rose red
Stainless steel bowls that can each hold 11 ounces of food
Non-skid rubber platform for the bowls
The platform catches spills
The UPSKY Double Dog Bowl comes as two detachable stainless-steel bowls and an elevated tray. The tray is perfect for catching food or water that may spill out while your dog eats. Its non-skid rubber bottom also stops your dog from moving the bowls around while eating.
Aside from puppies, this elevated dining set is ideal for aged dogs or big dogs with neck or back pain. This is because the height of the bowl reduces how far your dog has to bend to eat.
All in all, it’s an attractive and affordable option, but the bowls may be too little for very large dogs.
Pros
Elevated design makes for a more comfortable eating experience
Bowls are detachable for easy cleaning
Tray minimizes messes
Great choice for puppies and small dog breeds
Non-skid rubber feet keep the bowls in position during feeding
Cons
You can’t get the bowls in a larger size for big dogs
The Verdict
This is a great product at an affordable price, as long as your dog isn’t a big guy with a large appetite.
This is one of the best stainless-steel dog bowls you can get if you are on a budget. It’s affordable and as a straightforward design that makes it easy to clean and use.
Rubber base that keeps the bowl stationary during feeding
Made with durable stainless steel
Can hold up to 38 ounces of food or water
The AmazonBasic’s dog bowl is suitable for all dog sizes, ranging from small to large dogs. It's made with durable, high-quality steel, making it a hygienic alternative to plastic bowls that can suffer scratches and accumulate stains and odors.
It doesn’t come with a tray that catches spillover from the plate, though, making it unideal for messy eaters.
Pros
Available as one plate or two plates
Rubber base keeps the bowl from moving during feeding and protects your floors from scratches
A durable, rust-resistant bowl that can last for years
The design stops the bowl from tipping over
Suitable for small and big dogs
Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning
Cons
No tray for catching messes
The bowl’s shallow inside might not be ideal for long-snouted dogs
The Verdict
AmazonBasics delivers a simple yet durable bowl for dogs with big appetites with this product. You can save a lot of money by choosing to buy one of these.
This looks a lot like the URPOWER Dog Bowl but comes with a smaller tray. Also, unlike the URPOWER Dog Bowls, you can get this one in your preferred size – either small, medium, or large.
Key Features
Two heavy-duty stainless steel bowls
Available in different sizes for different dog breeds
One non-skid silicone tray for catching messes
In this dining set, you’ll get two stainless steel bowls and a non-skid tray for the bowls. Since you can get the bowls in your preferred size, you won’t have trouble getting one that’s a perfect fit for your dog’s appetite. They are also dishwasher safe and rust-resistant, which is great if you leave your dog’s dish outside during the day.
The bowls aren’t elevated, though, which can be troublesome if your dog has a neck or back injury.
Pros
Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Durable rust-resistant bowls
Affordable price
No-spill silicone platform keeps feeding time neat
Cons
Might not be suitable for dogs with neck or back pain
The silicone mat is a bit small and can catch only immediate spills
The Verdict
The Friends Forever bowls are a good choice if you need a durable dining set for your medium or large-sized dog.
Do you live where it’s cold? If so, you’re familiar with the inconvenience of your dog’s water freezing within minutes. The KH Pet Thermal Bowl fixes this with its unique design that keeps the contents of your dog’s bowl warm.
Key Features
Can hold up to 96 ounces of food or water
Uses only 25 watts of electricity
All electronic components are safely sealed within the bowl
Comes with a five-foot chew-resistant cord to prevent accidents
This bowl keeps water ice-free by using electricity to keep its contents from freezing. It’s safe, convenient, and surprisingly affordable, in spite of its fabulous features. It is the perfect solution for pet parents living in cold regions. Simply plug it in, and it will keep water frost-free without hurting your dog.
Unfortunately, the length of the cord does limit where you can place the bowl, though.
Pros
Keeps water frost-free
Big bowl, which makes it suitable for medium to large-sized dogs
Made with pet-safe components
Cons
It doesn’t have a non-skid bottom, which means your dog can push the bowl from where it’s plugged
Needs to be plugged to work
The Verdict
This is one of the best dog bowls for winter use or if you live in a cold region, and your dog spends time outdoors during the day.
Elevated dog bowls come highly recommended to protect your dog's neck and prevent indigestion while feeding. The IRIS Elevated Feeder is a sturdy platform that raises your dog’s bowls off the floor so that he can eat at a more convenient height.
Key Feature
Plastic stand and two stainless steel bowls
An airtight storage unit at the bottom for storing dried foods
Available in one of three sizes for small, medium or large dogs
Each bowl can hold two quarts of water
Unlike other elevated feeders, the IRIS Elevated Feeder is sturdy and not prone to tipping. This makes it ideal for rambunctious eaters.
As a dining set, the IRIS Elevated Feeder comes with two stainless steel dog bowls, a plastic stand that keeps the bowls in place while your dog eats, and a containment unit for storing dry dog food.
The plastic stand and the stainless-steel bowls are durable and easy to clean, and you can get this dining set in one of three heights to match your dog’s needs.
The feeder isn’t small, though, making it unideal if you have limited space in your home.
Pros
Suitable for dogs of all sizes
The attached storage unit on the bottom can store up to 64 cups of dry pet food
The entire feeder is easy to clean
The elevated design of this feeder keeps your dog comfortable and aids digestion
Suitable for home or outdoor use
Cons
A bit pricey
The bulky design may be unideal if you have limited space at home
The Verdict
If you want your dog eating from a healthy position, you should consider getting this feeder.
If you have a big dog that can’t eat without making a mess, consider getting the Neater Feeder Deluxe Elevated Bowl.
Key Features
Available in different colors
Comes with two stainless steel bowls and non-skid inserts for keeping it stationary while your dog eats
The bowls are mess-proof
Has a bottom tray for catching spilled water
This feeder can hold two bowls and forces your dog to slow down during chow time. It keeps the bowls 8 inches off the floor, making it suitable for dogs weighing 30 to 100 pounds.
Its elevated design is also ideal for minimizing the chances of your dog having joint issues, gastric torsion, or bloating while eating. However, if you want to extend the height of the feeder further, you need to buy its extendable legs separately.
Pros
Keeps the house clean while your dog eats
Its no-slip design prevents floor damage
The bowls are large enough to contain enough food for big dogs
Protects your dog’s health
Dishwasher-safe bowls
Cons
It’s a bit pricey
Not suitable for small dogs
The Verdict
You can worry less about your big dog making a mess during meals by opting for this option.
Do you and your dog regularly go on trips? Packing a steel or hard plastic water/food bowl takes up too much space. With the COMSUN Collapsible Dog Bowl, such problems are no more.
Key Features
Comes with a clip that you can use to attach the bowl to your dog’s collar or harness
Bowl can be collapsed and folded
Available in a variety of colors
Made of durable silicone
Usable for dogs of all sizes
You can collapse this bowl into a flat disc when it’s not in use and pack it with ease. When ready to use it, extend it into a bowl that can hold 12 ounces of dog food or water. It’s easy to use, hygienic, lightweight yet durable, and affordable.
I love that this bowl is designed to be carried by your dog with ease. Just collapse it, use the clip to attach it to your dog’s collar, and you’re good to go. It’s an excellent option for hiking or long walks, too.
On the downside, its lightness means your dog can push it around while eating. Your dog might also be tempted to chew on it.
Pros
Easy to clean and dishwasher friendly
Super affordable price
Suitable for all dog sizes
Portable and convenient
Can hold lots of food and water
Made with safe and durable silicone
Comes with a lifetime 100 percent money-back guarantee
Cons
Not resistant to chewing
The Verdict
This is one of the best collapsible dog water bowls on the market. It is the perfect lightweight and convenient solution for when heading outdoors with your pooch. Its affordable price also means you can buy several.
If your dog eats too fast, it can lead to choking, indigestion, bloat, and a terrible mess on your floor. Mr. Peanut’s Interactive Slow Feeder has a unique design that forces your dog to slow down his chowing.
Key Features
Suitable for dry or wet food
Made with non-toxic and shatterproof stainless steel
The interactive design of the bowl slows down your dog’s eating but still makes sure your dog can lick his plate clean. The inside of the bowl has obstructions that force your dog to patiently eat his way around them, eliminating the dangers of rushing a meal.
There’s no non-spill tray for catching food or water that spills out, though, which is less than ideal.
Pros
Protects your dog from hurting himself while eating
Suitable for dogs of all sizes, the medium size can hold 16 ounces of food and the large bowl 28 ounces
Makes mealtime more engaging and fun for your dog
Affordable price
Cons
Absence of a non-flipping or no-spill tray
The Verdict
If you want to slow down your dog’s eating pace, this is one of the best dog bowls you can get.
Overall Rating - 4.5 stars out of 5
Dog Bowl Buying Guide
How to Choose the Best Dog Bowl
There are various types of dog bowls out there. Picking the perfect one for your dog can be a tricky affair if you don’t know what to look out for.
To help with this, here are the top features to look out for if you want to select the best bowl for your pooch.
Material
Your dog’s bowl has to be made of a material that is durable and safe. Rust-resistant stainless steel is a popular option because it’s tough, easy to clean, and your dog is unlikely to try chewing it.
There are also plastic, silicone, and ceramic options. You can find them in various colors, but they are not as durable as stainless-steel bowls. Plastic bowls are especially tricky because they are not scratch-resistant.
Shape and Size
A big dog needs a big bowl. For a small dog, you don’t want a bowl that’s so big the dog has to climb into it to eat.
The shape of the bowl is also important. For instance, dogs with a short snout are better off with flat bowls, while dogs with long snouts need deep bowls. This will reduce the risk of your dog accidentally inhaling food or struggling to pick up food.
Specialized Dog Bowls
Depending on your dog, you may need a specialized bowl. For instance, slow feeder bowls are designed to slow down dogs that rush their food, minimizing the possibility of health complications from eating too fast.
An elevated feeder is a great choice if your dog is tall and/or has back or neck pain issues. With the elevated height of the bowl, the dog won’t have to bend too deep to eat.
Ease of Cleaning
The easier it is to clean up after your dog is done eating, the better for everyone. It’s best to go for a bowl with a non-spill tray that catches spilled food. This ensures that you don’t have to clean the floors, just the bowl and tray.
Are Stainless Steel Bowls Better for Dogs?
Stainless steel bowls are highly recommended because they are durable and non-porous. Non-porous means the bowl can’t absorb odors, stains, or bacteria, keeping your dog safe and healthy. This makes them suitable as both drinking bowls and food bowls.
Stainless steel bowls are also easier to clean, and many of them are dishwasher safe. Your dog can't chew it, and no matter how many dents it gets, it's still very safe for use.
How High Should a Dog’s Food Bowl Be?
The proper height for a dog bowl depends on the height of your dog. For small dogs or puppies, having the bowl on the floor is alright.
But for a large dog, such as a German Shepherd, Labrador, or larger, the plate should be a bit elevated from the ground. Not as high as your dog, but high enough that your dog doesn’t have to bend to the floor. 6-inches lower than your dog’s shoulder height is adequate.
If your dog doesn’t have to bend all the way to the floor to eat, it’ll minimize the risk of developing neck or back pains, as well as digestive issues.
Final Thoughts
There are a variety of dog bowls to choose from for your best friend, but if you want a durable one that’s convenient for everyone, be sure to pick one from our above list of best dog bowls.
Just remember that the best dog bowl for your dog will depend on your dog’s size and how he eats. The URPOWER Dog Bowl is ideal for dogs of all sizes. It’s also pet-friendly and durable, making it an excellent pet feeding solution.
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