Dish Up! The Best Dog Bowls for Every Kind of Dog

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If you’re looking for the best dog bowl to dish up your pet’s daily meal, you already know the choices before you are endless. What’s the best material: Stainless steel, plastic, ceramic? How about size, and shape? Elevated, or no? What about dog bowls for certain breeds, or special activities such as camping or travel? Do you have a messy eater, a fast eater, or a downright picky eater? What’s the best dog bowl for them?

To save you the hassle of sorting through thousands of online products, we’ve put together this list to help you find the ideal dog bowl, whether you’re looking for something for a large breed dog, something functional that won’t slide around on the kitchen floor, or something to get your picky eater interested in their kibble again.

Best Dog Bowls for Fast Eaters

If your dog inhales their food without chewing, a puzzle or slow feeder can help moderate the pace of their frenetic feeding.

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl

The curved walls inside the bowl force hungry dogs to work a little harder for their food. The extended chow-time prevents bloating, regurgitation, and overeating.

This food-safe plastic bowl has a non-slip base and is durable, dishwasher-safe (in the top rack), and free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates. While this is the bowl’s standard design, it is also available in other patterns and colors.

Outward Hound is one of Rover’s trusted brands.

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Snuffle Feeding Mat

While it’s not technically a bowl, snuffle mats are similar to puzzle bowls in that they encourage the dog to work for the food, which ultimately slows down mealtime. These are great for dogs who like to put their sniffers to good use, and can also be a fun mid-day activity to keep your dog mentally stimulated.

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The Hyper Pet Lick Mat (Verified Review)

Lick mats can also be used as slow feeders; though again, technically not a bowl, it can help slow down dogs eating canned, wet food because the mat acts a puzzle toy and it simply takes a while for a dog to extract all that mushy goodness.

I’ve used these mats on my dogs with great success (read my in-depth review here). An additional benefit to these feeding mats is that the repetitive licking for the dog can be calming and help to reduce anxiety.

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Best Bowls for Dogs With Short Snouts

Any breed with a shorter snout can benefit from a raised feeder. Breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Pekingese tend to swallow more air while eating, and bringing their food to standing height can reduce air intake for less choking and bloating.

PetFusion Elevated Dog Bowls

These aluminum raised bowls are available in two heights and are easy to clean. Elevating your dog’s food and water bowls promotes better digestion and reduces slouching of the neck.

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Elevated Magnetic Dog Feeder

This feeder by PetFusion comes in singles, which is space-saving but gives you the flexibility to connect (via magnets) as many bowl units as you need to customize your pet’s feeding area (or keep it simple with just one). The acrylic lucite is strong and durable, and blends into any home decor.

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Elevated Dog Feeder

This raised dining set

adds a sleek look to your dog’s dining area. The base is built from bamboo, which is durable and holds up well against small spills. The bowls sit four inches from the floor, making it easier for your pet to enjoy his meal and digest it properly. The set comes with four stainless steel bowls—holding 1.5 cups each—so you always have a clean set at the ready.
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Best Bowls for Older Dogs

Stainless Steel Bowl With Silicone Non-Slip Bottom

This stainless steel bowl

comes in two sizes and is a sturdy option that offers stability for senior dogs who may be unsteady on their paws. The silicone bottom keeps the bowl from sliding around under the nose of a hungry, eager dog, and it holds up well in the dishwasher.
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Tilted Raised Feeder

This no-spill dog bowl is angled at 15 degrees which concentrates food at the base, making it easier to access. It’s a stable option and both the stand (sturdy melamine) and bowl (stainless steel) are dishwasher safe. It’s available in a range of sizes for small to large dogs.

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Best Bowls for Tall Dogs

If you have a tall or large-breed dog, a higher feeder can reduce strain on your dog’s neck (as opposed to having to bend awkwardly to eat their food on the ground). Making your large dog’s meals easier to eat can also be beneficial to their digestion.

Rustic Wood Elevated Dog Stand

If you have a large breed dog, this is a great option to grow with them, from puppy to adult. This stand is made from solid wood and is adjustable with three height options. The stainless steel bowls are removable for easy cleaning, and the rustic look will fit in with any home decor.

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Elevated Pet Feeder

If you’re looking to add elegance and comfort to your dog’s dinnertime, this feeding station

is an ideal option. The elevated base helps food go down smoothly, and it’s made from solid New Zealand pine. Anti-slip feet underneath keep the platform in place, and rubber cushions keep bowls keep from rattling during feeding time. The two stainless-steel bowls each hold seven cups of food. They’re easy to remove and safe to put through the dishwasher.
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A Durable Bowl for Active Dogs

If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the great outdoors with your canine companion, you’ll want something that’s going to stand up to wear and tear.

Yeti Boomer Bowl (Verified Review)

The Yeti brand is well-known for its quality, well-insulated coolers, and the Yeti Boomer Bowl delivers the same level of quality. Sturdy and dependable, this bowl holds up to 4 cups of kibble or water, is dishwasher safe, and has a non-slip ring on the base. It’s puncture and rust-resistant and is available in multiple colors and size.

For more about this bowl, see our video review here.

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Best Bowls for Messy Dogs

Sloppy eaters can create quite the mess around mealtime. These bowls will help you contain the mess for less cleanup on your part.

Neater Feeder

If your dog spills during mealtime, this is a quality option to consider. Flying food is contained within the walls of the feeder, and excess water or liquid drains into a tray below. The unit is made from recyclable polypropylene plastic and is easy to clean (safe in the top rack of the dishwasher). Plus, there are multiple sizes and color options, too.

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Stainless Steel Bows with Bone Spill Mat

A great bowl set

for puppies and small dogs. The silicone mat catches spills and keeps bowls in place, even with the most excited eaters. The stainless steel bowls are rust-resistant, and every piece in the set is dishwasher safe.
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Spill Mat

If you already have bowls that work well, putting a spill mat beneath them will catch any water splashes or food spills. These mats are easy to clean and can protect your floors from stains and drips.

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Best Dog Bowls for Small Breeds and Puppies

If you have a puppy, you’ll want to invest in a bowl that’s strong, because there’s a good chance it’ll get chewed on at least once!

Shallow Stainless Steel Bowl

A shallow bowl is a great option for puppies when you first bring them home. Lower sides will prevent them from pressing their neck against the edges and makes for a more comfortable mealtime. This bowl also works well for small adult dogs.

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Anti-Slip Rubber Dog Bowl

If your puppy is in the beginning stages of learning to wear a collar, they can often become scared when their ID tag hits the side of a metal bowl when eating or drinking. This rubber bowl is a good choice to start with and can be used all the way into adulthood.

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The Best Bowl for Picky Eaters

If you have a picky eater, you know how hard it can be to excite your dog about mealtime. This bowl aims to solve food boredom by enticing your dog through scent.

Enjoy-a-Bowl (Verified Review)

If you have a picky eater, the Enjoy-a-Bowl allows you to put delicious smelling human food underneath your dog’s kibble. It allows the scent of the food to come through, making the kibble more enticing.

I used it on my exceptionally picky senior Dachshund with her usual kibble (pro tip: I didn’t even have to prepare any human food to entice her with a scent; I used a paper towel that had bacon grease on it which worked really well). My only concern was the size we used (small) was still a little large for a small dog like my Dachshund, so she had to put in a bit more effort to eat her food.

Other than that, this dog bowl is a great way to hack your picky dog’s appetite.

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Best Dog Bowls for Traveling

If you’re hitting the road, it’s important to have a quality dog bowl on hand that’s easily accessible but also compact and doesn’t take up too much space. One of these bowls is a must-pack for any road trip in substitution for your regular bowls.

Collapsible Ruffwear Dog Bowl

For active dogs and owners, this Ruffwear Bivy Bowl

makes it easy to keep your pup hydrated while walking, hiking, or camping. This bowl is lightweight and durable and can hold several cups of food or liquid. It collapses easily when you’re done using it, and lays flat when you’re on the move.
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Silicone Travel Bowls

This set of travel bowls

makes it incredibly easy to feed and water your pet away from home. The food-grade silicone is lightweight, easy to wipe clean, and collapses flat. The carabiner allows you to clip the bowl easily to a leash or bag. When flat, the bowl doubles as a frisbee!
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How to Choose the Best Dog Bowl

When making your decision, take into account your dog’s eating style, age, breed, and size, as well as your own routines and habits, and be honest about what you both need.

Easy-going pets will do well with more stylish options, but eager eaters might need a slow feeder for a healthy boost. If you’re regularly tidying up after your pet, you may want a set that can captures the mess over several meals to make your job easier. Ultimately, the goal is to match your dog-loving lifestyle with the most practical option for your pup.

Happy shopping!

Further Reading