If your dogs are anything like mine, you can set your watch by when they start lining up for feed time. While making sure you select the best food for your dog is a major decision as a pet owner, so is selecting the best dog bowl for their food and water. There’s many things to consider, including whether or not your dog needs an elevated bowl, a bowl with a non-slip mat, or perhaps a slow feeder bowl. (If you’re looking for a bowl for your cat, we’ve covered the best cat bowls in another review.)
We reviewed dozens of dog bowls to help you in your search to identify the best of the best. We looked at a variety of features including the material each bowl is made of, whether or not it has a non-slip base, and ease of cleaning. We also considered whether the bowls had any special features, such as allowing your dog to eat from an elevated position. We took into account Amazon ratings as well, in order to identify the 5 top-rated dog bowls available.
Looking for cat food bowls? Check out our pet bowls, feeders and waterers articles.
Our Top Pick is the Stainless Steel No Spill Dog Bowl Set by URPOWER. This stylish set of 2 high quality stainless steel bowls comes complete with a stylish silicone stand which keeps the bowls secure and also prevents your dog’s food and water from spilling. The smart design won’t look out of place wherever you choose to feed your dog. The feed bowls and silicone stand are both dishwasher safe, meaning you can keep your dog’s feed station clean with the minimum of fuss.
The 5 Top-Rated Dog Bowls
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | URPOWER Stainless Steel Dog Bowls |
4.6 |
| Runner Up | IRIS Elevated Feeder | 4.5 |
| Best Budget Buy | NAIYO Dog Bowl | 4.4 |
| Best Metal Dog Bowl | Loving Pets Bella Bowl | 4.4 |
| Best Ceramic Dog Bowl | Bone Dry Ceramic Dog Bowl | 4.2 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: URPOWER No Spill Dog Bowl Set
The No Spill Dog Bowl Set by URPOWER is made from premium quality food-grade materials, which are of course non-toxic and BPA free. The unique design of the silicone mat means the bowls slot into raised holders, which keep them extremely secure as your dog eats and drinks. This set includes one silicone mat, and two dog bowls. This means you can set up a compact feeding station where your dog can access their food and water with ease. The raised edge of the silicon mat is designed to catch any spills, which helps keep your floor cleaner.
The stainless steel bowls are dishwasher safe, which means it’s quick and easy to keep everything clean and hygienic. The silicone mat can be rinsed or wiped down quickly. This set has over 2,000 customer reviews on Amazon, with the majority of these being positive. Customers noted how well the dog bowl and mat work together to remain stable and also prevent spillages. The mat also does a great job of preventing the bowls sliding around on tiled or wooden floors. Of course, if you choose to use the bowls by themselves, you also have that option.
URPOWER No Spill Dog Bowl Set Key Features:
- Bowls 6″ in diameter, 2.64″ high
- Suitable for dogs up to 70 lbs
- Each bowl has a capacity of 26.6 oz
- Mat measures 19″ by 11″
Our Runner Up Pick: IRIS Elevated Feeder
If you’re looking for a sturdy, well-priced elevated feeder for your dog’s food and water bowls, the IRIS Elevated Feeder is a great choice. It includes 2 stainless steel bowls, and a plastic stand with recessed holes for the bowls to slot into. The stand has raised rims to make sure that any mess like dropped kibble or spilled water is contained on the feeder for easy cleaning.
The durable plastic stand is easy to clean, as are the stainless steel bowls. This elevated feeder and dog bowls is also easy to assemble, simply slot the legs into the top of the feeder. The elevated position of the food is excellent for any dog, with a choice of 3 heights to suit all breeds. By raising the height of your dog’s food bowl, you allow them to eat with their neck in a more comfortable position, thereby helping to improve their digestion.
IRIS Elevated Feeder Key Features:
- Available in 3 heights: small, medium, and large
- Measures 12″ high, by 21″ long, and 11″ wide
- Each bowl is 2 quarts in size
- Easy to clean
Best Budget Pick: NAIYO Dog Bowl
Despite it’s low price, the NAIYO Dog Bowl is a high-quality and durable option for your dog. The wide base of the bowl is covered with a non-slip rubber base, designed to help the bowl stay in place while your dog eats or drinks. As an added bonus, if you have hardwood or tiled floors, this soft base prevents them from becoming scratched or damaged. The wide base of this bowl also prevents spillages, making this bowl the perfect choice for kibble, wet food, or fresh water.
The stainless steel finish is resistant to both rust and scratches, meaning this bowl will stay looking as good as new for a long time. When you want to clean it, simply pop it in the dishwasher. Many Amazon reviewers commented on how happy they were with both the quality of these bowls, especially given the price. It comes in 3 sizes: 8 oz. ($8.99); 16 oz. ($10.99); and 26 oz. ($11.99).
NAIYO Dog Bowl Key Features:
- 3 sizes available
- Dishwasher-safe
- Non-slip rubber base
- Odor and rust resistant
Best Metal Dog Bowl: Loving Pets Bella Bowl
If you’re looking for a stainless steel dog bowl with style as well as practicality, the Loving Pets Bella Bowl is the perfect choice for you. The patented design of this dog bowl makes it one of the best selling bowls in the dog industry. What sets these bowls apart from the majority of other stainless steel dog bowls is the attractive poly-resin exterior, which is available in 4 different colors, all of which feature fun icons such as paw prints and bones.
The stability and non-slip nature of this bowl is provided by the use of a rubber base, which helps to prevent spills. Once the rubber base is removed, the bowl can be placed in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Loving Pets Bella Bowl Key Features:
- Available in 4 sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large
- Veterinarian recommended
- Resistant to bacteria and odors
- Dishwasher safe
Best Ceramic Dog Bowl: Bone Dry Lattice Ceramic Dog Bowl
The stylish design on the Bone Dry Lattice Ceramic Dog Bowl is combined with plenty of excellent design features, making this our pick of the ceramic dog bowls available on the market today. The bold design is available in either a lattice or stripe print, which both feature a subtle paw motif within the pattern.
The base of this bowl is covered with non-slip silicone, which prevents it from sliding or tipping on hard floors. The ceramic finish is non-porous and won’t absorb odors, making this bowl perfect for keeping your dog’s food or water fresh and appetizing. Many Amazon reviewers commented on both the stylish design and high-quality finish of these bowls.
Bone Dry Lattice Ceramic Dog Bowl Key Features:
- Available in 3 sizes: small, medium, and large
- 5 colour options, including 3 lattice designs, and 2 stripe designs
- Dishwasher safe
- Silicone base
Who Should Buy a Dog Bowl
If you’re a dog owner, then bowls in which you put your pets food and water are an essential purchase. Whether your dog eats in the kitchen or outside, there’s a wide range of dog bowls available to suit every type of home, as well as every type of dog. From stylish and modern ceramic bowls, to practical and easy to care for stainless steel, there’s a huge range of choice.
Many of us with larger dogs choose to feed them from an elevated dog bowl. This prevents them from straining their neck as they bend down to eat, which in turn makes it easier for them to digest their meal.
If you have a dog who loves their food so much that it’s been eaten in the blink of an eye, then you may be worried about bloat, or the fact that your dog is not digesting their food properly. In this case, slow feeder bowls are an excellent way of persuading your dog to take a little more time over their dinner.
Important Features to Consider
A dog bowl should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a dog bowl to best suit the needs of your pet:
- Material. Dog bowls are available in a wide range of materials, with the most common being stainless steel, ceramic, silicone, and plastic. Plastic bowls are becoming less popular due to the fact that they can absorb odors and bacteria. Ceramic and stainless steel bowls are now more common, due to the fact that they’re easy to clean, and are non-porous, Silicone is often used to make collapsible bowls for travel, but it’s also frequently used to create a non-slip base on bowls made from other materials. Whichever material you prefer, be sure to check it’s food-grade quality.
- Elevated or not. Taller dogs benefit from having their food elevated off the floor, and many bowls are now available with integrated feed stations which elevate them in a secure position above the floor.
- Slow feeder. If your dog has a tendency to eat their food too quickly, as slow feeder bowl can make them take their time. These are usually available in either plastic, or stainless steel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of dog bowl is best for my dog?
This is really something that depends on your personal preference, but there are a few advantages and disadvantages of some of the materials that dog bowls are made from.
Plastic bowls are cheap, and come in a wide range of colors and sizes. One downside of plastic bowls is that they can get small scratches in them over time, which trap bacteria. Other plastics contain BPA which can leach into your dog’s food or water. And of course, if you have a dog who likes to chew on things, it won’t take them long to destroy a plastic bowl!
One of the safest materials for dog bowls is stainless steel. While it is more expensive, it’s a durable and dishwasher safe option. Ceramic bowls are also non-porous, which makes them easy to keep clean. One downside is that they can chip or crack, at which point they need to be replaced.
Are stainless steel bowls better for dogs?
Stainless steel dog bowls are an excellent choice for a number of reasons. Stainless steel is a non-porous material, which means they won’t absorb food odors or bacteria. They’re easy to keep clean, dishwasher safe, and long lasting. Even if they get a small dent, they’re still perfectly usable. Some stainless steel dog bowls have a non-slip, rubber base which means they won’t slide around when your dog is eating or drinking.
How high should a dog’s food bowl be?
While many of us feed our dogs on the floor, it can be beneficial for our dogs to eat without having to either lower or raise their neck too much. Depending on the size of your dog, you may want to consider raising their food bowl. To work out the best height for your dog, measure how high your dog is at the top of their shoulders. Subtract approximately 6 inches from this number, and that’s the best height for their bowl.
How do slow feeder dog bowls work?
Some dogs eat their food so quickly, they risk choking or developing bloat. To combat this, slow feeder dog bowls are designed to change your dog’s eating behavior, and increase the time it takes them to eat their food.
They do this by using raised patterns to separate the food, meaning your dog can’t eat as much food with each bite.
