In the search to find the best cat products for your furry friend, it’s worthwhile to do some research to help you find the ideal option for their purr-references. If you’re unsure which type of cat bowl is best for your cat, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you out. Below, we break down the different materials, sizes, and depths of bowls to make choosing the most suitable one super simple.
To avoid any cat-astrophes, continue reading to find out what the best type of bowl for cats is!
Bowl materials
When considering which cat bowl to choose, the material of the cat bowls you choose all have their different pros and cons. The most popular materials include:
Plastic
Plastic bowls are a very common option for cats due to being relatively inexpensive, lightweight, and easy to clean. However, they are also prone to scratches and can cause cat acne due to their tendency to develop bacteria buildup. You may get good mileage out of a plastic bowl, though there are other materials that you can choose that offer more longevity and that prevent bacterial growth much more effectively.
Ceramic
Ceramic bowls are another common material for bowls, which often feature cute designs that look great in your home. These are often heavier, meaning that they’re much less likely to be overturned and are also easy to clean. There is the risk that they will break once dropped, though they are otherwise a reliable option.
Stainless steel
When choosing cat bowl materials, stainless steel is our recommended choice. Though sometimes more expensive than plastic bowls, stainless steel bowls are a worthwhile option as they are highly durable, modern-looking, easy to clean, and often the most hygienic option.
Importantly, they also prevent cat acne from occurring because they are more resistant to the buildup of bacteria. Cat acne is a skin condition that causes dark marks around your cat’s face and under their chin, which can lead to inflammation over time. If your cat appears to have developed this condition, visit your vet for appropriate treatment.
Bowl size and depth
Another key aspect to consider when choosing the best cat bowl is the bowl’s size and depth.
For size, you should consider the size of the bowl for the size of your cat. If you have a larger cat, you may need a larger bowl as they will have bigger appetites, and vice versa. Choosing a smaller bowl can also be useful for preventing your feline friend from eating portions that are too big.
Do cats prefer deep or shallow bowls?
In terms of cat bowl depth, a wide and shallow bowl is the best option for your cat.
This is because the sides of deeper bowls will touch against your cat’s whiskers as they eat, which can cause whisker fatigue. This is when a cat’s whiskers, which are very sensitive, become overstimulated, which can feel uncomfortable for your cat.
A wide and shallow bowl means your cat will have much more room for their whiskers and will enjoy their mealtimes more as a result. In a similar way, a plate or a dish offers this same benefit.
For our MiBowl microchip feeder, you can choose a shallow MiBowl bowl, which is the ideal choice for keeping mealtimes as enjoyable and comfortable as possible for your cat.
The best type of bowl for cats: Automatic cat feeders
By considering all of the options above, you will be able to find the purr-fect standard bowl for your pet. However, for those looking to upgrade their existing cat bowls, we consider the best cat bowl to be automatic cat feeders.
These innovative devices are the ideal option for making feeding your cat convenient and simple for many reasons. These include:
Automatic feeding
Making much less work for you, automatic cat feeders are designed to dispense cat food automatically. This means that topping up your cat’s food can be done much less often, with the benefit of providing food for your cat even while you’re away from home or asleep.
This has the benefit of creating a regular meal routine that your cat can come to expect and ensures it is stuck to consistently.
Portion control
If you’re looking to have better control of your cat’s feeding habits, an automatic feeder can be particularly useful. This is because they offer a controlled amount of food each time, with no risk of overeating.
Preventing cat acne
Many of our automatic cat feeders at Closer Pets come with stainless steel bowl inserts or are compatible with the ones from our pet feeder accessories. As mentioned above, this is a highly effective method of preventing cat acne due to it being a non-porous material and, therefore, a much more hygienic option.
Keeps food fresh
The airtight design of our automatic cat feeders means that they can keep food fresh for much longer and protect against any contamination or pests that could affect it.
Compatible with dry and wet food
Most of our available models are compatible with wet and dry food. This way, you can pick from many of our options regardless of your pet’s preference or even switch between the two if they enjoy both!
Automatic cat feeders at Closer Pets
With this all-encompassing guide, you now know all about the best type of bowls for cats to make their meals that much better. Standard bowls can be a simple and useful way to feed your cat, though an automatic cat feeder can make your moggy’s mealtimes much more practical and straightforward for you both!
If you’re interested in products to make drinking as well as eating more suitable for your cat’s preferences, our cat water fountains provide filtered, naturally oxygenated water that your furry friend will love.
Want to know more about the many quality cat products we provide? Get in touch with us today, and we’ll be happy to help you out however we can!