How to Choose the Best Cat Bowl for Your Furry Friend
If you’re anything like me, your heart was stolen the moment you met your kitty. This means that when you start looking around at cat supplies like cat food and cat beds, you might find yourself overwhelmed by all the options available. When it comes to cats, you can never have too many supplies on hand or in the closet.
When you buy cat supplies at PETstock it can save you money, but be careful to only choose the best pet bowls and other products from trusted brands. We’ll help you find everything you need to keep your kitty happy and healthy!
How Big Should My Cat’s Water Bowl Be?
When deciding on what size cat bowl to purchase, consider your pet’s size and activity level. If your cat is a smaller breed that does not drink a lot of water throughout the day, you will likely want a bowl about 1/4 the size of its body. A larger breed with an active lifestyle needs a larger bowl to stay hydrated.
Generally speaking, most cats will do well with a 10-12 oz capacity when they are at home all day or playing indoors; but they need 2-3 times this amount when they’re outside in warmer weather or are more active as a larger kitty breeds tend to be more athletic and livelier than smaller breeds.
What Material Is Best For My Cat’s Water Bowl?
The most popular material is stainless steel, but ceramic cat bowls are also a good option. Plastic bowls can be a good budget-friendly option. Still, they are more likely to break and cannot be washed in the dishwasher like other materials.
Glass can be an attractive choice if your home has an old-fashioned or contemporary style and will add some much-needed elegance. You may want to ask yourself: Is this where my cat will drink water? Do I want my feline friend to eat from this as well? What color do I want my bowl to be? What kind of materials match my home’s décor?
Should I Use A Sipper Or A Lid On My Cat’s Water Bowl?
If you have a large cat and you don’t want them to splash water all over the floor, a sipper cup is your best option. The sippers are on a stick so they’ll stay clean and dry. When choosing between lids or no lids, it’s best to choose lids as they prevent your cat from spilling their water and slobbering while they drink. If you are worried about noise or how much space it takes up, no lid is going to be your best bet.
How Do I Clean My Cat’s Water Bowl?
Cleaning your cat’s water bowl can be a bit of a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. The most important thing is that you’re keeping your cat’s bowl clean so that it will continue smelling fresh and looking new. It also won’t have gross germs, which we all know is way more disgusting than anything else.
Here are some quick tips on how you can clean your cat’s water bowl:
- Start by washing the outside of the bowl with warm soap and water.
- Once you’ve done this, fill up your sink with hot water from the tap and add a few drops of dish soap.
- Gently place the dish into the water until it’s fully submerged and then allow it to soak for 5-10 minutes.
- After time has passed, take the bowl out of the sink, use a sponge or scrubber to get rid of any stuck-on food particles, rinse well under running water, then dry completely before putting back into place.
Is It Important To Sterilize My Pet’s Food Bowl?
With more and more cats contracting viruses like Bordetella, we need to be extra careful about keeping our food and water dishes clean. But many cat owners don’t know that you should be disinfecting these bowls with household cleaning products every time you wash them by hand.
It is also recommended to take care not only to keep your cat’s food bowl clean but its water dish as well, as a little bit of saliva or oil from your hands can go a long way towards bringing bacteria into the cat’s water dish.
Where Should I Put My Kitty’s Food And Water Dish?
Where you decide to put your kitty’s food and water dish will depend on several factors, including where they like to hang out in your home. They may prefer a bowl on a platform high up off the ground, or an elevated spot near their bedding where they sleep at night. The rule of thumb is that any time you place the food down, it should be as far away from the water as possible because the study shows that cat does not like eating when it is next to where they are drinking.
Are Plastic Or Stainless Steel Dishes Better For My Pet?
Choosing a bowl for your pet is one of the most important decisions you will make about his or her health. The material used for a cat dish should not come into contact with food, so it needs to be durable, dishwasher safe, and non-toxic. Stainless steel and plastic are two common materials used in dishes today.
Steel is usually more expensive, but lasts longer than plastic and is safe against BPA (Bisphenol A) exposure. Plastic is cheaper and easier to find, but often contains phthalates that can leach into your pet’s food. Additionally, stainless steel bowls are dishwasher safe while plastic ones need extra care.
Should I Use A Slow Feeder For Cats?
Many people make the mistake of assuming that cats will be okay with just any bowl. Of course, every cat is different and they have their personal preferences when it comes to feeding time. If you know your kitty doesn’t like eating too fast, then a slow feeder might be something worth looking into.
Conclusion
There are many options when it comes to cat bowls, which makes picking the right one for your furry friend a difficult task. However, with some research and patience, you will be able to choose the best one. The more features your bowl has and the larger it is, then it might be worth paying a bit more money. Additionally, always buy cat supplies at PETstock!
