Dishing Up the Facts on Dog Bowls

When shopping for dog supplies in the days prior to bringing your new pet home, at least two dog bowls should be added to the list. Since all animals should have access to fresh water at all times, you will need at least one bowl exclusively for water, and one for food. Plastic, stainless steel and ceramic are the three basic kinds of dog bowls, and we will explore the cost and some of the pros and cons of each type.

The least expensive and most readily found dog bowls are those made of a mid to heavy plastic. For as little as a few dollars, these dishes come in a variety of colors and are lightweight and, for the most part, unbreakable. Plastic bowls are not for dogs that tend to chew on their bowls, as small fragments of plastic could be chewed off and swallowed, and the scratches that are sure to end up in the dish can quickly become the home to bacteria. If this type of dog bowl is used they should be washed frequently, and can be inexpensively replaced on a regular basis.

Both stainless steel and ceramic dog bowls are a fair bit more expensive than plastic ones, anywhere from five to over fifty dollars apiece. Stainless steel bowls are durable, long lasting and easy to clean and sanitize, as they are always dishwasher safe. While ceramic bowls are also durable and long lasting, they are also very porous, so it is critical that they be cleaned and sanitized often, and a cracked ceramic dish should be replaced before bacteria can settle into the cracks. Check the label on the ceramic dish before putting it in the dishwasher, or use hot and soapy water to hand clean daily. Both stainless steel and ceramic are heavier, and therefore good for dogs that push their dish all over the place while eating, especially those bowls that have skid proof matting attached to the bottom.