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What Shape Dog Bowl Best SuitsLooking for the latest advances in dog bowl technology? |
Breakthroughs in ergonomic technology are happening in all areas of our lives. And there’s no reason why our four legged friends shouldn’t benefit from them, too!
As part of our mission to help dog owners provide the very best care possible for their canine pals, we’ve gathered together all the information you’ll need to
make the right selection for your specific pooch.There’s some creative new thinking in the design of your dog’s eating dish that targets the individual needs and requirements of your type of pup.
These new bowl designs take into account not only cleanliness and convenience for your dog ... but also how position and comfort effect the sensitive digestive system of domesticated dogs.
Your Choice Should Be Based On
Your Dog’s Individual Needs.
Dog bowls have come a long way. And there are certainly a good number of options to choose from. But it’s always best to consider your dog’s unique physical attributes first.Short nosed-dogs and puppies will do best eating from a shallow dog bowl. You want to make sure that your puppy doesn’t damage his sensitive throat while diving into a deep dish for the last few pieces of kibble.
Whereas long-nosed dogs could easily use a deep dog bowl. If your dog’s feeding area is a little cramped, you to can take advantage of the vertical space by using a taller, narrower bowl.
For long-eared dogs ... like the Basset Hound and the Cocker Spaniel ... a steep sided dog bowl with a narrower opening is essential to keep their ears from falling into their food or water.
Your dog’s ears, when dampened or covered with dog food, create the perfect environment for dog ear mites to thrive. For the continued good health of your dog it’s always best to avoid these conditions.
Vets recommend that large or tall dogs be fed from an elevated feeder. Eating at a more natural level will help to minimize bloat and digestive problems.
Not having to crouch down to eat also reduces strain on your dog’s joints and muscles. And an elevated feeder will certainly provide some welcome relief for an arthritic senior dog.
In the end the type of dog bowl you choose should be based on your dog’s individual needs.
Dog Bowl Options
Let’s start by reviewing the most common types and styles of dog bowls.Dog bowls are most commonly made from stainless steel ... ceramic ... or plastic. And like most things in life each has its pros and cons.
Stainless Steel Feeding Bowls
Top on our list is the stainless steel dog bowl. These bowls are usually not high on style ... but are easy to clean & sanitize, long lasting, and nearly indestructible.
If your darling pooch is hard on his dog bowl you may want to consider a set of stainless steel dog bowls.
One of our dogs used to consider her empty bowl fair game. If it wasn’t full of food or water ... it was hers to destroy.
After she completely destroyed her first plastic dish we bought her a set of stainless steel bowls. She was never able to damage them ... but she still loved to work them over every now and then.
This brings up another good feature. Look for a dog bowl that’s wider at the bottom than the top ... they’re harder for a dog to tip or knock over. You could also try a weighted bowl. But if your dog is really determined, these features may just slow her down a bit.
A non-skid bottom is also another plus ... but again it may not last very long if you have a dog like ours.
Ceramic Feeding Bowls
Ceramic bowls are available in many stylish designs and colors so it’s easy to coordinate them with a room’s décor. And many times you can also get a dog treat jar to match the bowls!A ceramic bowl is also heavier than stainless steel or plastic which makes it less prone to tipping or sliding across the floor as your dog eats his dinner.
One downside to a ceramic dog bowl is that it’s a very porous material. It’s best to clean and sanitize a ceramic dog bowl regularly.
A cracked or chipped bowl is a perfect breeding ground for unwelcome bacteria ... so it’s recommended that you replace a bowl that has become chipped or cracked.
So, if your dog likes to get rough with his food bowl ... or thinks it’s a toy when empty ... or is just not very graceful ... then maybe a ceramic dish is not the best choice.
Plastic Feeding Bowls
Plastic bowls are lightweight, unbreakable and they’re available in a wide variety of colors.
But if your dog is a chewer ... then a plastic dog bowl is probably not a good choice.
Depending on the breed and her determination she could easily destroy it ... and swallow some of those little plastic pieces. You’d be much better off with a stainless steel bowl.
Heated Feeding Bowls
It’s very important that our dogs always have access to fresh water. This is also true even in cold weather.
But if you live in a climate that has cold winters, like I do, I’m sure you know that it doesn’t take very long for the water in your dog’s bowl to freeze solid.
One way to ensure that the water in your dog’s bowl won’t freeze on frigid days is by using a heated bowl.
Now For Feeders & Waterers
Self-Feeders
Do you keep your dog’s bowl full of kibble around the clock and let her “feed at will”?
If so you may really like the convenience of a self-feeder. Just fill it up and it will continuously dispense dry kibble for your pooch.
A self-feeder is not a good option for a dog that gobbles up her food just because it’s in her bowl. Letting this type of dog “feed at will” will most likely quickly lead to obesity.
Automatic Feeders
If you have an irregular schedule, why make your pooch wait for her meals?
With a programmable dog feeder you can set it to dispense food at certain times of the day. Great for dog owners with varied schedules who don’t have a pet sitter at their disposal.
Continuous Flow Bowls
These are fantastic! If you’re ever worried that your pooch will run out of water when you’re away from home consider getting a continuous flow water bowl.
My dog Max can be quite clumsy at times ... knocking over his water bowl seemed to be part of his daily routine.
Since I switched from a regular water dish to a self-watering system I don’t worry about him running out of water anymore.
If he knocks into it and some water splashes out, his dish is automatically refilled from the reservoir.
Are Dog Bowls Important To YOU?
What kind of puppy bowl would you recommend to a new pet owner?
So many newbies have to go through the same dog bowl evolution that the seasoned dog person can now take for granted. What's the best .... what's the worst?
What advice would you give to someone just starting out and facing the many shelves full of all types of dog feed bowls and dog water bowls at the local pet shop?
Send us your story and photos of your dog with a favorite bowl and we'll create your own personal story page on our website for you to share and show to your family, friends and our whole dog community.
Why not help the newbie dog owner benefit from your experience with puppy bowls so they can jump ahead of the learning curve and maybe not waste some money that can be used for things that are more important when you own a dog.
Or even give some of your thoughts on the benefits/problems of adult dog bowls like elevated dog feeders or an automatic dog feeder.
Do YOU Have A Dog Bowl Story?
Just fill out the easy form (and Free, of course) to start the ball rolling so we can all share YOUR story.
YOUR Dog Bowl
Stories, Tips, & Questions
Click on the links below to read what other Dog Owners from our Community have shared about THEIR dog bowl experiences. As this forum grows you're sure to find a potpourri of helpful tips… product reviews… requests for help… heart warming stories and down right funny antics!
My Dog Bowl Conundrum
I have spent many a long hour pondering the dog bowl conundrum.
I've been up valley and down dale, seeking out the perfect bowl.
I've interviewed ...
Elevated Dog Feeders: For The Comfort & Good Health Of Your Dog
Elevated Dog Feeders Promote Digestive Health And Ergonomic Comfort ... Does Your Pooch Painfully Crouch Down To Eat? Learn The Benefits Of Raised Feeding
An Automatic Dog Feeder Is A Must For The Dog Owner On The Go ...
Automatic Dog Feeder: Care For Your Dog When Stuck In Traffic Or Late At Work ... Learn Benefits Of Scheduled Feeding ... Helps with Obesity, Dog Diabetes ...
