As a pet owner, finding durable and useful products for your dog is top priority. When it comes to buying something as important as pet food bowls, it makes sense to do your research ahead of time.

Spending on pet products is at an all time high, $66.75 billion in 2016, up $10.7 billion from the previous year. More pet products on the market make this the best time ever to find the perfect food and water bowl for your best pal.

Size Matters

Make sure to choose a bowl that is large enough to hold your pup’s entire meal, including his or her snout, without overflowing. A water bowl should be able to contain an entire day’s worth of water to ensure proper hydration.

Materials

Finding the right material is crucial to both your dog’s and your enjoyment of any pet food and water bowls. The types of materials most pet food bowls are made of are:

• Plastic – Plastic is typically low-cost and fairly durable, and can be perfect in a wide variety of situations such as outdoor use, camping, or traveling. Be aware that plastics do tend to leach their chemicals into whatever liquid is in them, so if this is a concern for you opt for a different material. Dogs that chew and gnaw on things should not be given plastic bowls, as they could chew pieces off and potentially swallow or choke on them.
• Stainless steel – Stainless steel is very sturdy, dishwasher safe, and tends to be easy on the pocketbook. Stainless steel pet food bowls can be used indoors and outdoors and higher quality bowls can complement the look of any room in the home.
• Ceramic – Due to the heaviness factor, ceramic bowls are perfect for dogs that tend to push their bowls around too much. Ceramic is porous and tends to attract bacterial growth; so regular cleaning is a must. If you have a toilet-bowl drinker, try a ceramic water bowl to encourage him or her to stay hydrated in the kitchen, not the bathroom.

Speciality Pet Food Bowls

• Elevated feeders – Elevated feeders allow your dog to eat at the right height for him or her, which may reduce stress on the neck and back muscles and aid in digestion. Older or arthritic pets especially benefit from raised bowls.
• Slow feeding bowls – These unique bowls are designed to slow down the rate of food intake (read: gulping) and encourage your dog’s natural hunting and foraging instincts.
• Electronic feeders – If you are regularly away from home at odd hours, try an electronic feeder to dispense the correct portion for your pet at designated times of the day
• Water fountains – Recycling pet water fountains provide a constant supply of fresh, filtered water. Perfect for cats and other pets who need help staying hydrated.

Your team at Schertz Animal Hospital is looking forward to seeing you and your pet soon, and answering any questions you may have regarding your pet’s diet or overall health. Bon apetit!