The majority of us believe that good nutrition is essential for all pets However, have you considered your pet’s bowl? Most likely not. Your ever-hungry lab has no problem being selective regarding where their food comes from. Paper plates? Problem solved! What about the trash can? You bet! Pets don’t think about any other food options than those they can readily consume.
Your selection of food and water bowls is important due to a variety of reasons such as health. To help you select the right pet bowls, learn more!
Kinds of Water and Food Bowls
When picking a bowl to use it is the material that counts. You can typically pick between plastic, ceramic, as well as stainless steel ones. Each has its own pros and drawbacks.
Plastic is usually the least expensive however, it is susceptible to deterioration in time and leave behind plastic pieces that could be eaten. Plastic also creates biofilm (that is a slick layer of food, saliva, as well as bacteria) and should be regularly scrubbed. Similar is the case for ceramics. They are broken and may include paints or substances that could pose a risk (avoid cheaply-made ceramics).
Bowls made of stainless steel with rubber non-slip surfaces are highly recommended as they are easy to clean and durable. They also won’t slide across the floor while your pet eats. (Unfortunately they could be loud in the case of an active eater.)
Does height matter?
In the majority of cases the cat or dog does not require an elevated bowl elevated bowls don’t (as some people suggest) decrease the chance of bloat, an emergency that can be life-threatening for dogs that may cause gastric torsion. However elevated water and food bowls are usually recommended for people who have orthopedic problems that hinder them from comfortably bending their knees or sitting down. In this instance, you can make sure that the bowl is adjusted to your pet’s comfort level by purchasing bowls that are elevated or placing the bowls on a stand that is short or table.
Breeds with large size could be supported better by elevated bowls.
Discouragement of Fast eaters
Dogs who eat a lot of food (and isn’t that what most dogs do?) aren’t only at risk of eating too much as well as bloating. Do not feed your dogs a single huge meal, consider portioning portions of food using one of these food puzzles:
Trixie Play Chess Activity Dog Toy
SlimCat Interactive Cat Feeder
Aikiou Interactive Dog Bowl
Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble Dog Toy
You could also consider bowls that are designed to stop eating fast, such as animal bowls that are not gulp-proof.
Encouragement of Hydration
You may be shocked to find out that dehydration among pets isn’t common. It’s actually common for cats that are fed an ad hoc diet that isn’t able to take advantage of the greater levels of moisture found in canned food.
A water fountain for your pet is among the best methods of entice your cat (and sometimes even your dog) since most pets like drinking water that is moving. If you do have an ordinary water bowl, ensure that you clean the bowl and refill it with clean water every day.
An Clean Bowl is a Healthy Bowl
In terms of cleanliness bowls for pets, bowls must be cleaned and disinfected each week (check to find out whether your bowls can be washed in the dishwasher). This helps reduce biofilm and prevents bowls from becoming food grounds for bacteria as well as other organisms which could harm your pet.
We hope that this review of water and food bowls can help you select the best one for your pet. If we can help with any additional questions or offer suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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