Often cat owners pay a lot of attention to the choice of food and do not think at all about the dishes from which their furry pets will eat. But this is also an important factor in the cat’s health and comfort. If you have ever noticed that your pet takes food out of its bowl and eats it from the floor, or often refuses food altogether, then you may want to think about changing the bowl.
Material
Typically, cat bowls are represented by the following materials:
Plastic
Plastic bowls The most common and inexpensive material for cat bowls. The quality of plastic varies from product to product:
- Cheap material can have an unpleasant odor, and also absorb the smell of food, bend, crack, and even release dangerous toxic substances - phthalates.
- More expensive and high-quality plastic does not have these flaws, and its service life is much longer.
However, be that as it may, in most cases this material has a porous structure in which pathogenic bacteria can multiply, even if you wash the bowl regularly. In particular, the occurrence of acne in cats is associated with plastic bowls. Plastic, especially cheap plastic, is not our option.
Metal bowls
Metal bowls are much more durable than all others.
They usually have a rubberized base that prevents the bowl from sliding on the floor. Stainless steel utensils are absolutely safe for health and easy to clean, but they are also much more expensive than plastic ones. There is, however, one aspect - dry food can rustle and ring in a metal bowl, which the animal may not like.
Glass, porcelain, ceramics
Ceramic and porcelain bowls do not have a porous texture, are safe for health, and are easy to clean both by hand and in the dishwasher. In addition, such dishes are available to everyone - probably every house has a couple of saucers or small plates lying around. However:
- such bowls can be accidentally broken (unlike plastic and metal ones);
- they can slide on the floor (as they are usually not equipped with rubberized legs or a base);
- If you preheat food in such a container, you or your pet may accidentally get burned.
Glass bowl We conclude - plastic is bad, glass, ceramics and porcelain are acceptable, metal is good, but expensive. But material is not everything! The shape of the bowl is of great importance.
Rating of cat bowls from Petstory
To understand which cat bowl is best, we rated the models and rated each on a 10-point scale. The evaluation took into account the quality of the material, the convenience of the design for cats, appearance and price.
1 place. Set of ceramic bowls 200 ml and 320 ml. Not double, with good side height, universal. (10\10)
2nd place. Bowl “Cats and fish” ceramic. Funny, correct and versatile bowls. (9\10)
3rd place. Petmax bowl, non-ferrous metal, rubber base. Doesn't slip, doesn't scratch, but rattles. (9\10)
4th place. Triol ceramic bowl “Snow White”. Low sides and a cute design with “ears”. (9\10)
5th place. VIPET silicone relief play bowl. Educational food puzzle. (9\10)
6th place. Metal bowl Triol on a stand. A simple and reliable set of two bowls with rubber feet. (8\10)
7th place. Ceramic bowl on a wooden stand. Beautiful, but can be uncomfortable. (8\10)
8th place. Set: bowls and tray “Felix”. Plastic budget bowls on a stand and tray. (7\10).
1st place – Set of ceramic bowls 200 ml and 320 ml
Grade: 10\10
Pros: Ceramic sippy bowls in two sizes: for food and water. The sides are the right height. Fun design. Dishwasher and microwave safe.
Cons: Not found.
Price at the time of publication: 990 rub.
https://www.ozon.ru/product/nabor-keramicheskih-misok-dlya-koshek-i-sobak-2sht-200-ml-i-320-ml-220749386/
2nd place — “Cats and Fishes” ceramic bowl, 380 ml
Grade: 9\10
Pros: Correct height of sides, several color options. Suitable for food and water. A universal option.
Cons: No rubberized bottom.
Price at the time of publication: 380 rub.
https://www.wildberries.ru/catalog/10333592/
3rd place – Petmax bowl, non-ferrous metal, rubber base, 240 ml
Grade: 9\10
Pros: Nice design, rubber base to prevent slipping. Lightweight, inexpensive.
Cons: It rings.
Price at the time of publication: 187 rub.
https://4lapy.ru/catalog/koshki/miski-kormushki-poilki-koshki/odinarnye/Petmax_Miska_dlya_koshek_tsvetnoy_metall_rezin__osnovanie_240ml_1018288.html
4th place – Triol ceramic bowl “Snow White”, 180 ml
Grade: 9\10
Pros: Low, comfortable sides, the bowl is suitable for kittens, cats with a flattened face and other breeds. Nice design. The bowl is round, and the “ears” do not create unnecessary corners in the bowl itself.
Cons: small volume suitable for wet food or one serving of dry food. Not suitable for water.
Price at the time of publication: 169 rubles.
https://store4pet.ru/triol-miska-keramicheskaya-belosnezhka
5th place — VIPET silicone relief bowl (fish) for slow eating of food
Grade: 9\10
Pros: a very useful bowl for developing cats intellectually and physically. Suitable for older cats and those prone to obesity. Does not allow you to swallow the entire portion at once.
Cons: the material is silicone, which can be damaged by a cat's teeth.
Price at the time of publication: 266 rub.
https://www.bethowen.ru/catalogue/cats/miski/odinarnye/miska-vi-pet-silikonovaya-relefnaya-rybki-igrovaya-dlya-medlennogo-poedaniya-korma-seraya-15sm/
6th place – Triol metal bowl on a stand, 250 ml
Grade: 8\10
Pros: Stainless steel, rubberized stand legs, thanks to which the bowls will not slide on the floor.
Cons: they ring when pouring food. Not very elegant design.
Price at the time of publication: 215 rub.
https://www.auchan.ru/product/miska-dlya-zhivotnyh-triol-na-podstavke-250-ml/
7th place - Ceramic bowl on a wooden stand, 400 ml
Grade: 8\10
Pros: beautiful and laconic design, non-slip stand. Suitable for water.
Cons: The sides are too high for some cats.
Price at the time of publication: RUB 1,478.
https://www.ozon.ru/context/detail/id/193904254/
Wet food for cats: rating of the best according to veterinarians
Wet cat food is an alternative to natural food. The high percentage of protein in this food provides all the necessary nutrients and a long-lasting feeling of satiety.
Pros and cons of wet food
There are three types of cat food. One is based on the consumption of natural food, which the person himself eats. The other two are commercial dry and wet food that are sold in pet stores.
Cat health is the result of proper nutrition
Pros of wet food
- Diet variety. High-quality food can be made from meat, poultry or fish, and also contain additives in the form of crab meat, shrimp, vegetables and fruits. You should only experiment with exotic treats if your cat is not allergic.
- Source of protein and fat. A cat's diet should include plenty of protein and fat to meet the animal's needs.
- Large amount of moisture. Dry food is only 10% moisture, so it is important to make sure your cat drinks enough water. When feeding moist (wet) food, which is 75% water, this is not necessary.
- Nutrients and taste appeal. Liquid cat food is less heat-processed. This retains more nutrients and has less impact on taste.
- Portioning. One sachet of wet product is designed for a single meal for an adult cat weighing 5-7 kg.
- Preventing overeating. Cats eat less when fed high-protein wet food, as it helps keep your pet well-fed.
Cat obesity as a result of overeating
Note! For sterilized cats, the number of kilocalories in the diet changes.
Flaws
There are fewer disadvantages to wet food than disadvantages:
- Price. Costs more than dry.
- Deterioration of the oral cavity. Long-term use leads to bad breath. Because the texture of the food is soft, it does not work as a toothbrush and does not prevent plaque and tartar buildup. In this case, the owner must monitor the cat’s oral hygiene himself using a special toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Perishable product. Wet food in a bag or bowl can stand at room temperature for no more than two hours, after which the contents are no longer suitable for feeding.
Veterinarians do not recommend basing your cat's diet solely on wet food. Only a combination of dry and wet gives a diet as close as possible to natural in nature.
Feeds are ranked by class: from economy to super premium. The difference comes down to the composition of the canned food for cats - the quality rating is presented below.
Important! You should not mix food from different manufacturers.
The best wet food for cats and economy class cats
The main advantage of such nutrition is its reasonable price. In addition, each brand has its own advantages.
Economy class food
Whiskas
The line includes meat and fish flavors, vegetable stew, and wet food for kittens.
- price 15-25 rubles per package*;
- vitamins and minerals included.
- high content of wheat, an allergen for cats;
- low percentage of protein content.
Perfect Fit Sterile
Created specifically for spayed and neutered cats. The recipe is based on controlling the weight and urine pH of a four-legged pet.
- price 25-30 rubles per package*;
- zinc and sunflower oil to improve wool quality;
- a complex of special minerals against the formation of kidney stones.
- Strong smell;
- cereals;
- proteins from animal flour and soy concentrate.
"Our Brand"
The best canned food in the low price segment due to the high level of natural animal protein in the composition of food in this category - at least 15%.
- price 25-30 rubles per 100 g*;
- prebiotic included.
- The basis of the food is corn, an allergen for cats.
Felix “Appetizing Pieces”
A wide selection of flavors will help diversify your cat's diet.
- price 25-30 rubles per package*.
- there is no information on the ratio of animal and plant proteins;
- flavorings, dyes.
Sheba
This wet food is also inexpensive.
- soy free;
- price 30-35 rubles per package*.
- offal and processed meat products.
Important! The advantage over analogues is the absence of cereals, a dangerous allergen for cats.
Friskies
Not the most recommended option for wet cat food, since the first ingredient in the composition is grains.
- Price 15-20 rubles per package*.
- offal, both meat and vegetables;
- unknown dyes and preservatives.
Rating of premium wet cat food
If your budget allows, you can switch your pet to a premium diet. However, the opinion of veterinarians is that it is better to use these foods in cases where the cat has certain health problems.
Premium food
Dr. Clauder's Anti Struvit diet
Canned food is intended for the prevention of urolithiasis.
- high percentage of protein and low percentage of grains (rice only);
- two volume options: 200 g and 400 g.
- price 150 rubles per 200 g*;
Animonda
German manufacturer of wet food in canned and pouch formats.
- free of grains, soy, sugar, artificial colors and preservatives;
- for cats of different ages;
- natural proteins and fats.
- price 150-200 rubles per 200 g*;
- by-products among the ingredients.
Hill's
The American company Hill's has created three lines for cats: Prescription Diet for disease prevention, Science Plan and Ideal Balance for a daily diet.
- Available in the form of canned food and pouches;
- reasonable price 65-70 rubles per 85 g*.
ProPlan
Proplan premium food produced by Purina. Some factories are located in Russia, so the batches are tested by an independent commission of quality. Suitable for disease prevention and daily diet.
- The medicinal food contains natural meat;
- price 65-75 rubles per 85 g*.
- high percentage of soy and corn content;
- small amount of vegetables in the composition;
- animal fat, liver, offal flour.
Anti-rating of premium wet food
Food from some manufacturers causes deterioration in the health of cats. It’s worth knowing about this so as not to make mistakes in planning your diet.
Anti-rating of premium food
Royal Canin
The composition of the Kanin diet is, unfortunately, of low quality.
- components that cause allergies in cats;
- indigestion.
Brit Premium
Economy class ingredients.
- proteins are a mixture of chicken meat flour and dried chicken;
- rice and wheat included;
- the number of special ingredients (sources of vitamin B and MOS, herbal and fruit extracts) that increase the cost of feed is extremely small. It will not affect the cat's health in any way.
ProBalance
Composition of economy class products at a premium price.
- no palatability for cats;
- cereals;
- unpleasant odor;
- The guaranteed volume of vitamins is low and does not contribute to improving the health and appearance of the pet.
Eukanuba
Low quality composition.
- high price for such a composition;
- no meat, only animal proteins;
- unknown preservatives and antioxidants.
Note! Some veterinarians attribute the growth of cancerous tumors in animals to the consumption of this food.
To keep your pet healthy, you need to choose the best canned food for cats.
Super premium wet food rating
As a rule, this is food with natural ingredients, however, finding it in stores can be difficult.
Super premium food
Leonardo
The composition of German canned food and pouches from Leonardo is completely natural. The food is one of the top 5 foods recommended by experts.
- 70-90% of the composition is chicken meat; the remaining 10% - seafood, fish, fish oil and offal;
- natural preservatives (tocopherols).
- Not sold in all pet store chains.
Applaws
Applaws fully meets customers' expectations of European quality standards. None of the diets presented by the UK manufacturer contain grains or gluten.
- high percentage of ingredients made from natural meat;
- All grains have been replaced with potatoes, which are easily digestible by the cat’s gastrointestinal tract;
- low price for food of this level.
- Not sold in all pet stores.
GimCat
Food for picky gourmets. Whole pieces of fish and meat, complemented by exotic fruits such as papaya and mango, set GimCat apart from others.
- up to 90% of the composition is natural fish and meat;
- low price with this composition 90-110 rubles per 1 jar*;
- only rice (3%).
- Once opened, it should not be stored for more than 24 hours.
Bozita
Swiss cat food undergoes strict state quality control. The diet contains an immune system stimulant.
- fish and meat ingredients;
- no dyes.
Opti meal
The composition consists of 80% meat and offal.
Note! To improve digestion, beans and carrots are added as fiber, and cranberries act as an antioxidant and help normalize the functioning of the urinary tract.
- high protein content;
- food is enriched with vitamins and minerals;
- prebiotics for digestion.
Rating of wet holisticists
These foods are made from products intended for human consumption.
Grandorf
It has an extensive meat menu. Belgian wet food manufacturer Grandorf offers 12 meat and fish menu options. The composition is transparent, like no other food: 75% meat and 25% own juice.
Additional Information! High-quality fillets are processed at low temperatures to preserve all beneficial properties.
- high quality composition;
- An acceptable price for such high-quality food is 90-100 rubles per can.
- Not sold in all pet stores.
Hill's Science Plan Feline Adult 7+ Youthful Vitality
Designed for aging cats over 7 years old. A balanced diet enriched with vitamins C and E is designed to maintain the health of an elderly animal by increasing immunity and slowing down the aging process.
- natural composition;
- 2 flavors to choose from: meat and fish;
- affordable price when purchasing food with a special formula - 70-80 rubles per package*.
- large pieces that are difficult for a cat to chew if they have dental problems that arise during aging.
Advice! It is worth following the manufacturer's recommendations when choosing food for your cat.
Solid Natura Selection
Canned wet food for kittens and adult cats, consisting of 97% meat, is produced by the Yelets meat processing plant. The diets are monoprotein and are based on veal, rabbit, quail, chicken and turkey.
- natural composition;
- no soy, GMOs, dyes.
- Due to the lack of taste and smell enhancers, some cats are reluctant to eat.
High-quality wet food is a good addition to your cat's diet. The healthiest food will be food made from natural animal protein, without grains and with natural preservatives. An option close to this composition can be found from manufacturers of each class. The list above will help with this.
With proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, all useful substances are absorbed, which affect the thickness of the coat, bone strength and the condition of the body as a whole. A healthy, well-cared-for cat can live 15-20 years and be a joy to its owner.
*Prices are current as of October 2022
Types of cookware
Depending on the material of manufacture, manufacturing companies produce the following types of bowls for cats:
- plastic;
- metal;
- ceramic;
- glass, etc.
Assortment of forms
The bowl for cat food should be in the form of a flat saucer that does not touch the cat’s whiskers when the animal eats. A common option is a relatively deep vessel with a small diameter and high edges. The bowl is wider at the base and narrows slightly at the top. Often, dishes for eating a pet's food consist of two or even three plates - for water and food, combined into one design. Triple or double bowls come in different designs and colors.
Most cats like to eat half-sitting, with their paws in a semi-bent position.
A deep bowl is not suitable for all breeds of animals.
And because of the high sides, they cannot take such a pose. Pets don't like it when their whiskers disturb the sides of the vessel. Vibrissae are sensitive organs of touch. Touching the bowl irritates the animal and even causes stress in some situations. Flat-faced breeds of cats—exotics, British or Persian—have the following difficulties. Therefore, the vessel should not be too deep.
With stands
Flat bowls have their own drawback: food periodically falls overboard. It creates a mess on the floor. Therefore, too flat dishes are also not very comfortable. Manufacturers of accessories for cats produce stands that are interesting in design and beautiful - wooden, plastic, etc. They give the dishes stability and prevent food from spilling on the floor. You can make them yourself, taking into account your pet’s preferences. An empty wooden stand is attached to the wall. However, not all pets like it.
A bowl of food on a metal stand is inconvenient for a pet because it cannot drink or eat on half-bent legs. Designs with a wooden stand, having niches for dishes or the shape of a tray, are also not entirely practical, since the animal has difficulty accessing the bowl. Some manufacturers produce bowl mats. The silicone coaster is one of these. Their disadvantage is the presence of an unpleasant odor, incomprehensible to the animal, which in some situations scares the pet away from the vessel. You can feed your cat using a stand if she likes to eat while standing or sitting.
Water container
If your pet likes running water, then with the help of a special design, drinking will always be available.
Choosing the right bowl for liquid is important. It should have a wide “mouth” and low sides, and its dimensions should not be too small. Sometimes breeders place several of these vessels in places accessible to the animal, but away from electrical appliances. Pets love running water, so manufacturers produce fountains for cats and dogs that have different interesting designs.
Material of manufacture
Plastic bowls
Such bowls for cats are common and inexpensive. Plastic plates come in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes. The quality of the material may vary. Often, cheap plastic has an unpleasant odor, can crack and deform, and even release phthalates, which are dangerous elements. The cat has allergic reactions.
It is better to choose dishes for your pet that are more expensive, but of high quality. It has fewer disadvantages and a longer service life. You can buy several plastic bowls for your cat - for food, for water and for treats. It is important to know that plastic dishes for cats can accumulate static voltage. This is noticeable in pets with long hair. An important point is that a plastic bowl does not retain heat well.
Iron plates
Such dishes will last longer for your fluffy, although they are more expensive than their plastic counterparts.
They are the most durable. They have a rubberized base that prevents them from sliding on the floor. Metal cat bowls are safe for health and easy to clean. However, their cost is higher than plastic ones. Iron utensils have one drawback - they create rustling and ringing noises while feeding the pet, which the animal may not like. A metal slow food bowl is practical because it helps retain heat. It is convenient to use if the cat has long hair, since it can accumulate static voltage. When purchasing such utensils, you need to pay attention to the type of metal: stainless steel has a long service life, and an iron bowl can rust in a short time.
Ceramic
Such dishes are safe for health and do not have a porous texture. A ceramic plate for a kitten or an adult pet is easy to clean in the dishwasher or by hand. Cats like it, it stands steadily on the floor, because it is relatively heavy, and it has a long service life. But ceramic food bowls have some disadvantages. They sometimes hit and slide across the floor. If you preheat food in such a vessel, you may accidentally burn yourself. The cost of ceramic and porcelain products is higher than metal and plastic, but is affordable for everyone.
Automatic feeders
Sometimes it is more convenient for the food to flow into the dish itself when it is emptied.
The gadget's operating principle is to automatically replenish portions of dry food from the container. The device has several compartments and a wide base. Automatic feeders are powered by electricity or batteries. Such cat feeding devices should not have sides that are too high. Manufacturing material: plastic. It is important that it is of high quality.
Form
An example of a proper bowl is a flat saucer that does not touch the whiskers. The most common form of a cat bowl is a more or less deep plate of small diameter with high sides.
Sometimes it is wider at the base and seems to taper at the top. Often two bowls - for food and water - are combined into one. And so the owner, satisfied and proud of himself, having acquired such a bowl, puts delicious food into it with a generous owner’s hand and... watches in disappointment as the cat pulls a piece out of the bowl and eats it on the floor. Why is this happening?
- Many cats prefer to eat as if reclining or sitting on half-bent legs (squatting), and high sides make it difficult to take their favorite position.
- Cats don't like it when the edges of the bowl... touch their whiskers! Vibrissae - tactile organs - are very sensitive, and excessive rough touches irritate the animal and can even provoke a stressful state.
- Flat-faced cat breeds, such as Persians and exotics, experience all of the above difficulties at once: the whiskers, you know, get hurt, and you have to put your whole head into the bowl.
A plastic bowl especially for Persian and British cats has low sides and a ribbed bottom. Thus, we conclude: the lower the sides and the wider the “mouth” of the bowl, the better. Ideally, this is the most common flat plate or saucer familiar to all of us. The box just opened! However, such a bowl also has a drawback - food can periodically end up “overboard”, so a bowl that is too flat is also bad. But that's not all!
Where is the best place to put a cat bowl?
Cats, like people, prefer to eat in a quiet environment. So it is better to place the bowl where no one will disturb the cat while eating - away from doors, places where children play and other increased activity.
It is worth taking into account that the cat will not eat near the place where its toilet is located. It is optimal to leave the cat's bowl in the kitchen. Many pet owners put away the food bowl, taking it out only during meals. However, make sure your cat always has access to fresh water. Also make sure your cat's bowls are always clean.
In some cases, cats have favorite places for eating, and she will hint at this through her behavior, for example, by trying to move her bowl there or taking food out of the bowl and dragging it with her paws to the right place, and then eating it. In this case, you just need to monitor your pet’s behavior.
Basic habits are developed in childhood, including habits related to eating.
The author's cat eats in the kitchen. Her bowls are under the radiator. I feed him twice a day and water is always available. The animal never expressed any protest or concern about the location of her bowl, although, frankly, no one asked her opinion. I simply chose this place as the optimal one, where nothing would interfere with the animal’s ability to eat in peace, and the animal would not disturb anyone while eating.
How does the cat breed influence your choice?
Does what breed a pet belongs to affect the choice of dishes? Yes!
And all this is due to the variety of cats' faces.
For example, the favorites of the British or Persian or exotic breeds have a flattened nose and a small “retracted” jaw.
Will such cats be able to reach the bottom of a deep bowl? Of course not!
Consider the long-haired beauty of the Norwegian forest cat .
The fluffy fur of such a cat will often get dirty if the animal is forced to eat from a shallow plate.
Therefore, it is recommended to choose a bowl based on the breed characteristics of your pet.
Important! Canned food and other soft foods are best served in containers with low sides, while dry food and liquids are best served in containers with high sides.
Everything has been decided with depth, but what to do with dimensions?
Surely it will not be news to every pet owner that for large pets (for example, the same caracals ) it is more practical to use large-sized dishes.
And for small cats such as bobtails, a medium-sized bowl is suitable.
Nowadays, stores are full of a variety of bowls; everyone can choose a product to suit their taste.
How to choose the right bowl for your cat
When choosing a bowl, you need to take into account the number of pets, their age and size. Wide and shallow plates are suitable for small kittens. The depth of the bowl for adult cats is 3-5 cm.
You should also take into account the appearance of the animal. Flat-faced cats prefer wide and shallow dishes. Similar plates are suitable for pets with long and fluffy hair.
If there are several cats in the house, it is more convenient to use several double plates. It is better to pour water into deep glass or ceramic dishes. Automatic fountains are very convenient.
Cats eat small meals throughout the day, so automatic feeders are preferable for them. In them, food is served in doses at regular intervals. The animal will be able to get food at any time, regardless of whether the owner is at home or not.
When choosing dishes for an animal, you should take into account its preferences. Some pets are afraid of automatic feeders and waterers, others like to play with bowls and scatter food from shallow dishes. You shouldn’t skimp on buying dishes for your pet. Cheap feeders are made from low quality materials that can be toxic to cats.
Do you need coasters and mats?
Examples of stands - wooden, metal and plastic The range of cat gadgets is full of different stands, ranging from plastic to wooden. Their purpose is to give the bowls stability, to please the owner's eye aesthetically, and to prevent food and crumbs from spilling on the floor. Some of them are attached to the wall, leaving space on the floor free. But as practice shows, many cats don’t like them. Why?
- Metal stands again prevent the cat from adopting a “half-bent” position; even if they are adjustable in height, they will still have to be lowered to the floor as much as possible - why not just do without them?
- Wide stands in the form of a tray or stands with niches into which bowls are inserted are also not liked by everyone, since they either raise the bowls higher or have a fairly large area, but limited by the sides, which makes it difficult for the animal to access the bowl from different sides.
- Rugs can have an unpleasant odor or scare the cat away from the bowl, since for the animal it is an incomprehensible substance that does not want to get its paws dirty. Although the item itself is useful - rugs can also absorb spilled water, some of them even have sensors that will prevent the robot vacuum cleaner from crawling into the bowls.
Silicone bowl mats are suitable for your pet if he prefers to eat while sitting or standing. If you want to keep the floor clean, but the cat does not perceive a beautiful stand or rug, you will have to accept it or use regular paper towels, changing them from time to time. Cheap and cheerful!
Types of cat bowls
Bowls for cats can be bought at any pet store or ordered online. However, if you seriously think about purchasing a cat bowl, you will find that they come in quite a wide variety. This concerns primarily materials and form factors. It is worth mentioning the most popular types.
A cat bowl is not only a necessary attribute for the animal itself, but also a means of self-expression for its owner
Plastic
Plastic bowls come in the widest range - you can find a bowl in almost any color, shape and capacity. Although in terms of shape, round bowls are the most common, and in terms of capacity, the range is not so wide, from 100 ml for kittens, to liter water bowls for large adult animals. In addition, this is the cheapest type of product - their price rarely exceeds 2-3 dollars.
However, plastic bowls made from low-quality materials can cause allergic reactions. It is virtually impossible to predict this, so it is worth carefully monitoring the animal’s condition in the first week after starting to use the new bowl. Experts call melamine the optimal material for plastic bowls, but products made from it cost about $40. Plastic also accumulates static voltage, so it is better not to use it for long-haired breeds.
Another disadvantage of plastic bowls is their lightness - it will not be difficult for an animal to move such a bowl from its place, and as you know, cats love to play with everything that can be moved, so such a bowl will have to be additionally fixed with Velcro or placed on a special mat. Well, if you suddenly feed your pet something warm, keep in mind that food in a plastic bowl will cool down much faster than in any other.
Even an ordinary food bowl can be used as a plastic bowl for a kitten.
Metal
Metal bowls are heavier, so it will be more difficult to move them. And they do not accumulate static electricity, so long-haired cats can safely use them. In addition, they are more durable.
Metal bowls are usually round in shape, although there may be exceptions. They are either not covered with any paint, which is preferable, or covered with enamel. In the latter case, you need to make sure that the enamel does not crumble, otherwise the cat may eat it along with its food. The cost of such products starts from 3-4 dollars and can reach 10 dollars, depending on the features of the particular product and brand.
The main disadvantage of metal bowls is that if the animal manages to move it, when moving, the bowl will make a characteristic sound that can scare the animal itself and wake you up, for example, if it happens at night. Also, when choosing, you need to look at the material and give preference to stainless steel products - they are the most durable.
Metal bowls have increased durability, but are not suitable for playful or shy animals
Ceramic
This type of bowl includes products made of clay, porcelain and glass. This is the most practical type of cat bowl because it is the most stable and weighty compared to other types.
These products also come in a wide variety, so there shouldn’t be any problems with choosing. The range of prices for ceramic bowls is the widest - you can see a very cute bowl for 2-3 dollars, and next to it an even nicer one for 15, although they will differ only in some small shaped details or even just in a design.
When choosing, you need to check the bowl for integrity, since ceramic products can be broken and this is perhaps their only drawback.
Ceramic bowls are the best choice in all respects
Twin-twin
Double and triple bowls are sold as a set and are usually slightly more expensive than if you purchased the same number of bowls one at a time. It's all about aesthetics - such a composition looks more harmonious. There is also a practical side - it will be much more difficult for an animal to move such a structure.
This type of bowl is used by owners of several cats or simply those who like to pamper their animal with beautiful accessories.
Double bowls are quite practical and at the same time have increased aesthetic qualities
On a stand
Bowls on a stand and separate stands for bowls are rather an invention of marketers who intimidate cat owners with the horrors of spinal curvature and ask rhetorical questions, such as: would it be convenient for you to eat from the floor?
It is convenient for cats to eat from the floor; it is natural for them. And one can only envy the flexibility of a cat’s spine. So bowls on a stand can be used for nothing more than beauty. They can only provide actual benefit if they fix the bowl, depriving the animal of the ability to move it.
A bowl rack is not necessary, but looks quite nice from an aesthetic point of view
Automatic
Automatic drinkers and feeders are an invention that came from the field of livestock farming. However, this is an excellent adaptation for owners of those animals who are prone to overeating. An automatic feeder trains them to eat at a set time, clearly measures their portions, and deprives them of the motive to beg for food from you. Also, these devices will help you out if you need to leave for several days and there is no one to look after the animal.
An automatic waterer will cost you at least $40, a feeder is about twice as expensive. Price is the main disadvantage of this technology. Well, the imperfection of the products themselves, however, in this case it is necessary to consider the products of each brand separately.
Automatic feeders relieve you of the need to tirelessly monitor your pet's feeding schedule.
Water bowl
The shape of the water bowl is very important, because getting a cat to drink water again is not an easy task. But in reality it's simple:
- The water bowl should have a very wide mouth and low sides.
- The container itself should not be very small - focus on a soup plate or small basin.
- It is better to purchase several of these “basins” and place them in accessible places (but away from electrical appliances).
You can also pay attention to automatic fountains - constantly circulating water attracts cats more than just a bowl of water. A variety of shapes and materials will allow you to purchase a fountain to suit every taste and budget. We examined automatic drinkers in detail in the article of the same name.
Main varieties
Next, let's try to figure out which shape of bowls is most convenient to use.
Regular
Round and oval bowls are suitable for most cats. They are stable, compact, and you can always choose a stand for them. Without a stand, it is advisable to use models that expand downwards, as if “sinking” into their own sides. For picky pets who do not tolerate contact of their whiskers with dishes, wide rectangular containers are suitable.
Curly
Designer bowls with intricate shapes in the form of fish, stars or birds look original, but are not practical to use. In such dishes, food gets stuck in the corners, the cat cannot get it out of hard-to-reach places, and washing shaped bowls is very inconvenient, especially if the container is small and your hand is large.
Double and triple
Many people find such models convenient, because you can immediately pour water into them and put different food in them. But in practice, it turns out to be the opposite - the food is constantly mixed, gets into the water, and all 2 or 3 compartments have to be washed, even if one is dirty.
Electronic feeders
“Sophisticated” electronic or automatic feeders may seem like a waste of money to some, but you simply can’t do without them:
- if the owners spend a lot of time outside the home and there is no one to feed the pet on time;
- if the cat sometimes stays at home alone for several days (business trips, travel).
As a rule, such feeders are equipped with dispensers and timers, thanks to which the pet follows its regime, receiving food at certain intervals and in the right quantity. The device can operate either from the mains or from a battery.
Gadget bowls
Automatic feeders should be selected according to the following principle:
- not very high sides;
- wide base;
- high-quality plastic (after all, as a rule, such feeders are made of plastic).
There are different types of automatic feeders:
- Some work on the principle of communicating vessels - as soon as the bowl is empty, the container throws out a portion of food.
- More advanced models run on batteries - recently one of our subscribers shared her experience of purchasing such an automatic feeder for six feedings, you can find it here.
There are also interactive feeders, or food puzzles. They are great for animals with eating disorders:
- swallowing food too quickly without biting the croquettes;
- aerophagia;
- vomiting of undigested food and so on.
We looked at the types of such feeders in this article.
Price
The cost of bowls depends on the material and the presence of additional elements, such as a tripod or tray. So, for example, metal products with a tripod cost from 500 to 3000 rubles, the cost of ceramic ones varies between 200-1000 rubles, plastic containers are the cheapest - about 300 rubles. Automatic feeders are the most expensive; their cost starts from 2000 rubles and depends on the set of functions and the complexity of the design.
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