One of the most important parts of caring for a cat is choosing the right diet. It affects not only your cat’s mood but also its health and lifespan. But many people forget that good nutrition involves more than quality food: it also takes a good bowl.
There are three main types of cat bowls:
- metal (stainless steel);
- plastic (including melamine);
- ceramic and porcelain.
Each type has its own pros and cons, and a caring owner should know them to choose the best bowl for their pet.
Stainless steel bowls are among the most practical. They’re durable, easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, and they don’t hold onto bacteria or odors. Bowls with a rubber base are hard for a cat to tip over or push around. On the downside, metal bowls can clatter when they bump into things or tip over, which can startle nervous cats. When buying one, check the material: good-quality stainless steel will last for years, while cheap coated metal can chip or rust.
Plastic bowls are the most common. They come in the widest range of shapes, sizes and colors, so everyone can find what they need. They’re also the cheapest, so you can buy several: one for meals and another for treats. But plastic scratches easily, and bacteria can build up in the scratches, which is linked to feline chin acne. Low-quality plastic can also irritate some cats’ skin or hold onto smells. Plastic bowls are light and easily tipped over, too. If you choose plastic, pick sturdy, BPA-free plastic or melamine, and replace the bowl when it gets scratched.
Ceramic and porcelain bowls are probably the most versatile. They last a long time, cats like them, and they’re heavy and stable, so they’re almost impossible to knock over. Choose bowls with a lead-free, food-safe glaze, and replace them if they chip or crack, since bacteria can hide in the cracks. Ceramic bowls cost more than metal and plastic ones, but not so much that you’d have to rule them out.
Whichever type you choose, pay attention to the bowl’s depth. It shouldn’t be so deep that your cat has to eat in an awkward position. Shape matters, too: many cats don’t like their whiskers brushing against the sides of the bowl while they eat (sometimes called “whisker stress” or “whisker fatigue”). For these cats, choose a wide, shallow bowl or even a flat plate, and your pet will thank you.
You might also like: New kitten checklist: what to buy first.
10 Popular Cat Bowls Compared
Here are some popular models. Availability varies by country (many of these European brands are easy to find in the UK and online in the US), so use them as examples of what to look for.
Flamingo Ceramic Bowl: Our Top Pick
Ceramic is ideal for cat bowls. This heavy, stable white ceramic bowl has a playful design: a cat surrounded by fish skeletons on the bottom, with the same skeleton pattern around the outside. Your cat won’t be able to push it around while eating. It’s a good size: about 4.7 inches across, with sides about 1.4 inches high. Ceramic doesn’t absorb odors or corrode, and the bowl is easy to wash.
- Pro: made from a safe, natural material.
- Con: it can break.
Price range: budget ($).
The lineup:
- Savic Cibo: melamine bowls;
- Trixie stainless steel bowl with a rubber base;
- Ferplast Izar: a double ceramic bowl;
- Dezzie Arc: a raised bowl on a stand;
- Savic Whisker Water: for flat-faced cats;
- Dezzie fish-shaped bowl on a stand;
- a two-section character ceramic bowl;
- Karlie Flamingo Ring: stainless steel;
- Rogz Fishcake with a non-slip base;
- Trixie Cat Princess: ceramic.
Savic Cibo
These modern bowls from a Belgian manufacturer work for both water and food. They’re made of high-quality, non-toxic melamine, a sturdy plastic that’s easy to wash. The plain bowls come in white and black, and their only decoration is their original shape, with sides of uneven height. The rubber base makes them very stable, so they won’t slide even on smooth floors.
- Pro: lightweight.
- Con: on the pricier side for plastic.
Price range: mid-range ($$).
Trixie Stainless Steel Bowl with Rubber Base
This high-quality stainless steel bowl is especially stable. The rubber bottom keeps it from tipping or sliding across the floor. It holds about 15 fl oz, enough for a large adult cat, and works for both water and food.
- Pro: easy to clean.
- Con: can clatter, which may scare some cats.
Price range: budget ($).
Ferplast Izar
A double ceramic bowl with a fun design featuring “ears.” It’s good for serving water and food at the same time. It has rounded edges, cute ears and pictures of smiling kittens. Each section holds about 8 fl oz. It’s easy to wash and measures about 8.5 x 4.7 x 1 inches.
- Pro: dishwasher-safe.
- Con: food can fall into the water.
Price range: mid-range ($$).
Dezzie Arc Raised Bowl
A stainless steel bowl on a plastic stand. It holds about 5 fl oz. The raised design lets your cat eat and drink without straining its neck, which can be helpful for older cats with stiff joints. The bowl is easy to wash and dries quickly, and the stand has a non-slip base so your cat can’t push it around. It measures about 6.7 x 5 x 2 inches.
- Pro: convenient design.
- Con: small capacity.
Price range: budget ($).
Savic Whisker Water
The plastic Whisker Water bowl has a convenient oval shape. It’s best for flat-faced cats like Persians and Exotics, and for kittens. The bottom has a textured pattern that helps keep food from being pushed out. It measures about 7.5 x 6 x 2 inches.
- Pro: practical shape.
- Con: on the pricier side.
Price range: mid-range ($$).
Dezzie Fish-Shaped Bowl on a Stand
This designer stainless steel bowl sits on a faux-nubuck stand and can really dress up a room. Besides looking good, stainless steel is hygienic. The stand doesn’t fade in the sun and resists wear. It’s easy to care for: just rinse the bowl and wipe the stand with a damp sponge. It measures about 8.7 x 6.5 x 2.5 inches and holds about 7 fl oz.
- Pro: stylish look.
- Con: high price.
Price range: premium ($$$).
Two-Section Character Ceramic Bowl
This licensed ceramic bowl has two sections for food and water. It comes in bright red, decorated with a famous cartoon cat’s face and logo. The bowl is heavy and very stable, and the sections are set apart, so food won’t end up in the water. It’s easy to wash and won’t corrode. It measures about 10.6 x 5 inches.
- Pro: dishwasher-safe.
- Con: it can break.
Price range: mid-range ($$).
Karlie Flamingo Ring
The Ring stainless steel bowl has a perfectly round shape and is made of high-quality stainless steel. It holds about 8 fl oz, and each bowl is about 4 inches across. The base is made of non-slip material, and it’s easy to wash and clean.
- Pro: dishwasher-safe.
- Con: can clatter and scare some cats.
Price range: budget ($).
Rogz Fishcake with Non-Slip Base
This green bowl has an ergonomic, original design. Its special shape protects sensitive whiskers, and an inner rim helps prevent water and food from splashing out. It’s made of melamine, a durable, non-toxic plastic that won’t corrode, with a non-slip silicone base. It holds about 7 fl oz.
- Pro: won’t fade over time.
- Con: on the pricier side.
Price range: mid-range ($$).
Trixie Cat Princess Ceramic Bowl
This stylish ceramic bowl from a German manufacturer has a classic, elegant design. Ceramic is especially hygienic. It holds about 6 fl oz, and the base is about 4.7 inches across.
- Pro: dishwasher-safe.
- Con: it can break.
Price range: mid-range ($$).
