Best Cat Bowls in 2024: Safe And Convenient Food Bowls For Your Kitties

Cats are not just picky eaters. They can be very finicky about their turf, which includes their playground, litter, and pet food bowls. That’s right, kitties want ‘em dishes clean! But getting the cutest or most expensive cat food bowl just isn’t enough. Safety, convenience, and durability must be the priority when choosing the right food and water bowls for your feline friends. 

The best food bowls for cats are made with durable and safe material, slightly elevated to avoid straining your cat’s neck, wide and shallow, and easy to clean.

In this article, we have come up with a list of the best food bowl options in various materials, styles, and functions that suit your needs, taste, and budget. Moreover, we’ve included a buyer’s guide that provides tips and other stuff you need to know about cat dishes.

What To Look For In The Best Cat Bowls

Pet owners will always have the prerogative when it comes to buying cat food bowls. More often than not, they make a choice based on their buying capacity and design preference.

This is all well and good. But there are certain qualities in food bowls for cats that are non-negotiable. Here are the qualities to look for when choosing the right cat food bowl.

Safety

Without a doubt, safety is the first priority in choosing your cat’s food bowl. After all, the safety of our furry friends is always our first concern.

Cat dishes must be made of safe materials, without any toxic substance as part of the finished product, and with a design that won’t cause any injury or harm to your cats. 

Some materials may be made with toxic chemicals, which over time may be mixed with the food. Some poorly-made designs may have sharp edges that could cause injuries.

Ceramic bowls are prone to breakage, causing certain parts to mix with the cat food, or sharp chips to get swallowed by cats. The broken edges may wound your kitties too. 

Plastic dishes, on the other hand, are prone to scratches, which could also cause some tiny bits of plastic to mix with the cat food too. Stainless steel bowls are the safest.

But poor-quality stainless steel bowls may also be mixed with cheap materials that are toxic and not as durable as high-grade steel, which when damaged, may also crack and expose sharp edges of the steel. So choose a good-quality stainless steel bowl from a reputable maker.

Durability

Whichever material of the cat dish you choose, you’d want it to remain in good condition for at least a year or two. You surely wouldn’t want to keep changing your cats' food bowl every so often. Again, the most durable is a stainless steel bowl. It will take a strong impact or hit to scrape or dent stainless steel bowls. 

Plastic pet bowls are pretty durable too, especially those made with thick and good quality plastic. The problem with plastic is that it is susceptible to scratches, which allows bacteria to dwell in, and causes some plastic particles to mix with the cat food or water. But most plastic bowls don’t crack easily. 

Ceramic bowls can easily crack when it falls to the floor or when impacted by a hard object. Chips of ceramic material may come off the bowl and also mix with the cat food. But unlike plastic, it’s not easily scratched.

Need

There are several types of cat bowls and cat feeders to choose from, all with different features and benefits. But an essential consideration is the essential need of your feline friends. For example, if you have multiple cats, you may want to get a multi-feeder even if your cats share food bowls. 

If you’re mostly out of the house with no one to feed your cats, you may opt for an automatic feeder or a gravity filler feeder. If your cat is obese or a quick eater, she may be better off with a slow-feed cat bowl. If your tabby needs some stimulation, get her an interactive cat feeder. There is a right cat food bowl or feeder out there for your cat’s needs.

Convenience

Convenience is a quality you surely would want in pet bowls – for both your cat and yourself. For your cat, the pet bowl must be easy to use and doesn’t cause any discomfort.

Slightly elevated cat bowls are preferred to help in digestion and to avoid straining the neck and joints when the cat eats. This also helps older or injured cats in reaching their food with ease. 

A wide and shallow cat dish is also ideal to prevent whisker fatigue, which happens when the cat’s whiskers touch the pet bowl when eating or drinking. Cat’s whiskers are very sensitive. When these repeatedly touch any surface, cats feel a sensory overload, which stresses them. 

Deep bowls also cause some discomfort to most cats, who prefer to see their surroundings while eating. It may also help if the elevated bowl is slightly tilted towards the cat’s face for easier feeding. 

For your convenience, have a cat dish that’s easy to clean and carry – just the right weight, size, and handles. Choose an easy-to-clean surface that oil, dirt, or bacteria are not able to dwell on.   

Cleanability

Speaking of cleanability, it surely is more convenient for you if the bowls were dishwasher-safe. As mentioned earlier, cats are quite fussy about their cat dishes. So you must regularly wash their cat bowls with soap and water to get rid of any dirt, oil, or microorganisms. 

This is particularly true if you feed your kitty with wet cat food. Leftover wet food tends to attract bacteria and insects.

Cuteness

Although not exactly a necessity, it also helps that your cat’s pet bowls are attractive enough as these are part of your house interior.

1. Dr. Catsby's Whisker Relief Bowl
2. PetRageous Designs Frisky Kitty Oval Ceramic Cat Dish
3. Petmate Ultra Plastic Bowl
4. Van Ness Ecoware Non-Skid Cat Dish
5. Neater Pets Neater Feeder Deluxe
6. Necoichi Extra Wide Ceramic Elevated Bowl
7. Frisco Multi Pet Feeding Station
8. PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station
9. Petmate Pearl Replendish Waterer with Microban
10. SureFeed Microchip Feeder
11. IRIS Slow Feeding Bowl
12. PetSafe SlimCat

2024 Best Cat Bowls And Feeders

Best Stainless Steel Cat Bowl

Dr. Catsby's Whisker Relief Bowl

Absolutely one of the best cat food bowls you can ever give your cat is Dr. Catsby’s Whisker Relief Non-Skid Stainless Steel Cat Bowl. It’s specially designed to bring eating convenience and pleasure to your beloved pets. 

First of all, this stainless steel bowl is designed to relieve cats of whisker fatigue through a thorough study of cats’ faces. It’s made wide and shallow enough that the whiskers don’t touch the stainless surface. 

Also, the bowl’s surface is designed in such a way that the dry cat food always stays in the center to make it even easier for your kitties. And it’s absolutely classy and modernistic in design. 

Food-grade and BPA-free stainless steel is used for this best food bowl for cats. And for your convenience, there is a side cut-out for easier handling, as well as a silicone bottom cover to prevent skidding across the floor.

But even with its unique design and features, it also has its share of criticisms from cat parents that have used it. For one, they didn’t like that the silicone bottom cover is not attached to the bowl. The bowl merely sits on it like a mat. Secondly, runny wet food like soups, tend to spill when moved.

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Best Ceramic Cat Bowl

PetRageous Designs Frisky Kitty Oval Ceramic Cat Dish

For ceramic bowls, one of the best cat bowl choices you can find is PetRageous Designs Frisky Kitty Oval cat food bowl. Not only are the designs cute (they come in two colors) but also highly durable. The ceramic cat food bowls can complement your home decors well. 

The production process is outstanding. First of all, it’s made of the best quality ceramic. Secondly, each bowl is hand-painted and oven-fired to prevent fading and chipping.

Additionally, the food bowls for cats are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. It’s also microwaveable for convenient heating. 

Moreover, the cat food bowls are pretty shallow to counter whisker fatigue. You can have two ceramic cat bowls – one for water – in different designs. 

This ceramic pet bowl received so many good reviews from hundreds of online customers via Chewy. Most of them find the cat bowl too cute.

Many also love the ceramic material as easier to clean and the food odor easily comes off. But some cat parents find the cat food bowl too small.

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Best Plastic Cat Bowl

Petmate Ultra Plastic Bowl

Some pet owners still prefer plastic bowls over the vet-recommended stainless steel or ceramic bowls. Of course, plastic dishes are the most economical and at the same time very durable.

Fortunately for cat parents, there are some good quality plastic bowls available in the market, and one of them is PetMate Ultra Plastic food bowls. 

Made from fine-quality plastic, this cat food bowl has a simple but modern design that suits any home interior, with two color options.

It has side-notches to make it easier for handling and moving. It’s also dishwasher-safe. Also, this cat bowl can be used to hold water too. The size is just right for most cats.

Many cat owners like the durability of this cat food bowl. It’s also very affordable. The only common complaint is that it tends to slide because of the absence of a rubber bottom.

There are also some complaints about being hard to detach from a stack of other similar bowls.

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Best Eco-Friendly Cat Bowl

Van Ness Ecoware Non-Skid Cat Dish

Of the best cat food bowls on this list, the Van Ness Ecoware cat food bowl is our favorite. And that’s because it’s made of 47% bamboo, which is a renewable source. It is highly durable and the polished finish surface looks absolutely adorable. 

This cat bowl is wide and shallow to prevent whisker fatigue. The bottom has a non-skid base made of high-grade silicone to keep from sliding on the floor. It’s also easy to hand wash.

The online reviews for the Van Ness Ecoware cat food bowl have been remarkable so far, with very few critics. They especially love that this earth-friendly food bowl is budget-friendly too.

The most common complaints are that the bowl size is smaller than expected and that it’s too light, which makes it easy to knock over.

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Best Elevated Cat Bowl (Stainless)

Neater Pets Neater Feeder Deluxe 

Most adult cats, especially larger breeds, have difficulty bending down to eat from a shallow cat food bowl on the floor. Their body posture makes it challenging for digestion too.

This is why most vets would recommend elevated cat bowls that can offer more comfort and convenience to your furry kids while eating. 

An elevated cat food bowl minimizes straining the neck and joints, and also makes it easier for digestion. We find Neater Pets Neater Feeder elevated double feeders as among the best in the elevated cat food bowl class.

The design is spectacular in such a way that it keeps from spilling food and water on the floor because of the built-in protective walls and basin. No more messy eaters! 

The even better news is that this unique feeder has an upper reservoir that holds spilled food that can, later on, be easily gathered.

As for the spilled water, this product has a gentle slope so the water can flow down through a filtering system into a lower reservoir for easy disposal. Your floor will be totally spared from the mess. 

Two stainless steel bowls sit on top of the basin, which serves as food and water bowls. Both the bowls are dishwasher-safe. 

Most customers that tried this feeder are very satisfied with the results, especially in controlling their messy eater kitty. Most of the complaints were about the two stainless steel bowls being too small.

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Best Elevated Cat Bowl (Ceramic)

Necoichi Extra Wide Ceramic Elevated Bowl

When it comes to ceramic bowls, very few can hold a candle to a Necoichi raised cat bowl. Known for its premium-quality ceramic cat bowls, Necoichi features this extra-wide food bowl to lessen whisker fatigue. This elevated cat food bowl is also designed to reduce stress on the neck and joints. 

Speaking about the design, it also features an inner lip to reduce food spillage, and a curved shape to keep the cat food-centered for more convenience. The overall look is charming too. 

Furthermore, the cat food bowl is made of non-absorbent and FDA-approved porcelain that’s safe for both dishwasher and microwave use.

Porcelain is actually denser and more durable than regular ceramic material. Two ceramic pet bowls for your kitty's food and water are marvelous choices.

This elevated cat bowl received so many friendly reviews on Chewy.com. Pet owners particularly like the height of the elevated bowl, which they say is perfect for senior cats.

They also like the lip on the side that prevents food spillage, and also the wide rim that keeps the whiskers from touching the surface. 

Some customers however noted certain issues like the non-skid silicone base that keeps coming off and is not easy to attach. A few find the bowl too shallow, deeming it unfit for messy eaters.

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Best Multi-Cat Feeders

Frisco Multi Pet Feeding Station

If you have multiple cats in your home, this multi-pet feeding station from Frisco is a must-try. The neat-looking round feeding station features four stainless steel bowls that sit steadily on a durable wire base. The cat bowls are perfectly placed in wired cylinders to keep them from tipping and spilling. 

You can feed four cats at the same time with enough distance and space between them, or you can have two sets of food and water bowls.

The wire base is easy to clean by hand and is low-maintenance, while the stainless steel cat bowls are dishwasher-safe. Also, the wire base has a handle in the center for easy moving.

Most pet parents love the convenience of using this multiple cat feeder especially when they have to carry all the cat bowls.

Some also said that ants are no longer a problem. However, quite a number of customers thought the stainless steel cat bowls were too small for their kitties. 

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Best Gravity Refill Food & Water Bowls

1. PetSafe Healthy Pet Food Station 

Cat owners that are away from home for most of the day can have a good use for a gravity refill pet feeder as they can store dry food enough for a whole day or even for a couple of days. 

This one from PetSafe is one of the best cat food gravity fillers in the market today as it comes with a removable stainless steel cat bowl, which is the preferred material by most veterinarians. 

The hopper is made of BPA-free durable plastic and is equipped with a twist-lock lid to keep the dry food fresh and prevent food spillage. All parts of this gravity filler cat feeder are dishwasher-safe too. 

It’s available in different sizes that suit your pet. However, this is not suitable for heavy eaters or obese cats as they might try to empty the hopper in a single meal.

For many pet parents, this cat feeder works. They also like the durability and cleanability of this product. But there have been complaints about the kibble not pouring down smoothly into the stainless steel bowl and that it needs some shaking to fill up the dish.

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2. Petmate Pearl Replendish Waterer with Microban

Also designed for busy cat parents, Petmate Pearl Replendish Waterer with Microban is a great water gravity filler for pets. Aside from the convenience of not having to fill the water bowls daily, this special water filler is equipped with a replaceable charcoal filter to eliminate unwanted pathogens from the water.

This waterer has a Microban layer around the water bowl that controls the growth of bacteria. And the material is made of PET plastic that’s safe for pets. It’s indeed among the best cat water fillers you can give your cats.

Although the majority of reviews for this water filler have been friendly, it also has its share of critics. Some of the critics have stated that the water level is too low for their liking, making this probably not ideal for larger pets like dogs.

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Best Automatic Cat Feeder

SureFeed Microchip Feeder

Here’s another great cat feeder for busy cat parents – SureFeed Microchip Cat Feeder. This is surely one of the best automatic cat feeders ever developed. It’s programmed to open its food dish only to a designated pet via a microchip or RFID collar tag. 

This unique automatic feeder presents many benefits including unsupervised feeding and preventing other pets from stealing others’ meals. It is also ideal for pets on a prescription diet, and for those that are trying to reduce weight. 

Moreover, it’s applicable to wet or dry food. And when the designated pet is not close by, the lid remains closed to keep the food fresh and safe from insects. The automatic feeder is compatible with all microchips and has the capacity to program up to 32 pets.

Unique among many automatic cat feeders, SureFeed Microchip has been favorable to many users according to reviews on Chewy.com. Among the comments were that the automatic cat feeder has kept away bully cats, obese cats, and pests from touching the food. 

But this premium automatic feeder has some issues too, according to some unhappy customers. Price is definitely an issue because of its high price tag.

But there were also reports of malfunctioning lids that remain open even when the designated pet has left. Others are not pleased with the use of 4C batteries.

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Best Slow Feed Cat Bowl

IRIS Slow Feeding Bowl

If you’re looking for a slow feed cat bowl for your fat cat, Iris Slow Feeding cat bowl is among the best food bowls for slow feeding.

Unlike other slow-feeding bowls, this one has a simple design with raised portions in the center of the bowl that influences your pet to slow down. 

Other slow-feed cat bowls are so complicated that it becomes annoying for your pets. Since the objective is just to slow down and not to prevent from eating, Iris slow feed cat bowl is just right. It’s made of BPA-free plastic with a rubber base to keep from skidding on the floor.

Most pet parents that tried this slow feeder said it worked in slowing down their eager-eating pets. The most common complaint is about the rubber base that apparently does not have a strong grip on the floor. 

Other cat owners said their cats have such a hard time getting to the food that they use their paws instead, which results in spillage.

Make sure that you get the short-snouted type, as getting the long-snouted version of this bowl will definitely make it harder for cats to eat their food.

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Best Interactive Cat Feeder

PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Feeder

Fat cats and bored cats can greatly benefit from an interactive cat feeder. Obesity and boredom are common issues in indoor cats.

Some cats eat so fast that they vomit almost instantly after. This is why it helps to use an interactive cat feeder for both purposes – slow down your fat cat’s eating or keep your bored cat active and entertained. 

It’s a great way to stimulate your cats by dispensing treats via the interactive cat feeder. However, most interactive cat feeders are not applicable to wet cat food.

PetSafe SlimCat interactive cat feeder is a feeding ball that dispenses kibble when moved around, which is a fun and healthy (some exercise) way to get food. 

By the way, the holes are adjustable according to the kibble size. It’s made of BPA-free plastic and is dishwasher-safe. And, it comes in four fun colors.

As expected, this interactive cat feeder received encouraging reviews from online reviewers. Many said their kitties love batting this ball around, with or without dry food. They said it has helped their lazy and fat cats work for their food. 

There have been some reports of the locking mechanism for the adjustable holes not working well. And of course, there are cats that are just not interested.

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Also Read: Best Cat Water Fountains

About Cat Bowls

Issues With Plastic Bowls

Plastic bowls are not terrible but just not preferred due to a few issues. Firstly, some cats have developed an allergy to plastic, which triggers a skin condition known as chin acne. This happens when the cat’s chin rubs with the plastic bowls. 

It’s believed that the scratches in the plastic irritate the skin, possibly also due to bacterial contamination from the plastic surface, causing inflammation in the hair follicles that end up as chin acne. 

Secondly, the scratches and scrapes on the plastic surface tend to become a habitat for bacteria and other microorganisms that may pollute the food or water in the food bowls.

Thirdly, the tiny fragments of plastic and paint that peel off may also contaminate the food or water. And lastly, plastic isn’t environment-friendly.

Cleaning Cat Dishes

Cats hate a dirty food bowl. Both dry and wet food leave a mark in the food bowls, which when left unwashed for a few days, could harbor germs and bacteria too, or attract insects like ants, cockroaches, and flies.

Wet food can easily turn rancid and elicit a bad odor. So it is necessary to wash the food bowls at least once daily. 

Simply wash with soap and water, or use a dishwasher if the food bowl is dishwasher-safe. Make sure the soap is all rinsed.

It’s not necessary to use a brush unless there’s something too sticky that cannot be removed by your hands alone. Hard brushes could scratch the surface of the food bowl, especially plastic bowls.

Conclusion

For many cats, the right food bowl is just as important as the cat food itself. If your kitty comfortably eats on a certain cat bowl then it has to be a good cat food bowl. The best cat food bowl is one that suits your cat well.

The size and shape will depend on your pet’s comfort zone. A wide and shallow dish can help avoid whisker fatigue, which is uncomfortable for cats. An elevated food bowl can help prevent neck and joint strain and is also easier for digestion. 

The non-skid rubber base will largely help in skidding or sliding across the floor. A food mat can also help in skidding and keeping food and water off the floor.

For other purposes, like when cat owners are mostly away, automatic cat feeder options are available too. For stimulation and weight control, slow feed cat bowl and interactive feeder options are available too. Stainless steel is the most recommended material by vets.

Aside from getting the best cat food bowl, the water bowl is equally important. Cats don't drink too much even when they must. Water fountain bowls help entice cats to drink more.

Finally, keep the food bowls and water bowls always clean. And place them in a clean location that’s not a busy area in your home so your cats can comfortably take their meals.