Before we even start creating a purposeful bowl of food, it’s important to ensure the bowl is:
- The correct bowl for your dog’s drinking and eating style
- Fresh, clean, and ready to complement our Raw Dog Food.
There are shelves full of options in shops and online, with many retailers promoting Instagram-worthy bowls and meals. The choice is endless and can be confusing for new dog owners, so here is our guide to help you.
When selecting, consider the following criteria:
Size
The size and depth should be appropriate for your dog's breed and size to prevent neck strain and or messy eating
Material
- Stainless steel is often recommended for its durability and hygiene
- Ceramic is a good alternative, though it can break if the dog isn’t a gentle eater
- Plastic is a lightweight and durable option. Provided your dog has past the chew everything phase, this bowl type may provide extra enrichment for your dog.
- Silicone is a flexible material, making it a good and easy pack for travel.
Stability
For dogs that are rapid eaters, choose a bowl which are sturdy with a non-slip base to help prevent messy chaos.
Eating Style
All dogs are unique with their own feeding style and approach to food. If you have a foodie that is a gulper, rapid eater, verging on an inhaler of food, a slow feeder is a great option, as it will encourage them to slow down and enjoy the food experience, regardless of the type of food your dog loves.
Even if you have the same dog breed, the eating style of each dog may vary. When apprentice Buster the miniature schnauzer was on board a few years back, his eating style we would class as the gulper and inhaler of food. While Dave a similar in breed and lover of food takes a lick appreciation and calm enjoyment approach.
With Buster racing to finish his bowl so, he could steal from Dave's bowl we had no option but to mix up the bowls to slow Buster in his tracks with a slow feeder bowl bringing his pace of eating to the same pace as Dave's (dog food wars diverted).
Placement of Bowl
Where you place your dog's bowl is also key to ensuring your dog eats comfortably and safely. Having a set area for your dog will help your dog easily find their food and water source.
During the hot summer months, having a few spare water bowls out will ensure your dog hunts down a clean bowl full of fresh water rather than scavenging for a water source that may not be good for them.
Helpful extra's to consider:
- Messy Eaters - place a feeding mat under the bowl to collect any food mishaps and save your surfaces.
- Breed specific - some dog breeds don’t like stretching their necks to the floor to reach into the bowl. If this is your dog opt for an elevated bowl option or place the bowl on raised surface to help them. We created our own raised surface for Dave so, we could still mix up and vary the bowl type for him.
Connecting you to a New Dog Bowl
Looking for a new dog bowl, while we don’t sell them. Here, is a great small New Zealand company that provides an amazing range of bowls to suit different dog's and their eating styles and needs, coupled with a service focused on helping you to select the right bowl for your dog:
With summer and warmer weather heading our way dog owners opting for Dave Fave Raw Food we recommend checking out the insulated slow feeder that will help keep the food fresh while your dog eats and the non-spill drink bowl.
These bowls were prepared for Augie's CEO Boaz, featuring Dave's Raw Dog Food enabling Boaz to thrive throughout his working business days.
Creating New experiences with Nature's Bowls (outdoor dining recommended)
Keeping the Nasties Away from the Dog Bowl
Dog bowls, if not cleaned regularly, can harbour harmful bacteria. With uncleaned or unmaintained dog bowls creating health problems for your pooch, like gastrointestinal issues, infections, and even more serious illnesses.
Dog Food Bowls should be washed after every meal, and water bowls cleaned daily to prevent algae and mold buildup. Washing your dog’s bowl in hot, soapy water with a designated sponge for your dog’s bowl will prevent cross-contamination. Once washed wipe the bowl with a clean, dry cloth and leave it to air dry.
It's important to note that just washing the bowl, though, doesn’t mean the bowl is fully clean (nasty-free); we recommend an end-of-week clean with disinfectant for both food and water bowls.
Dogs that enjoy a Raw Dog Food diet, please take extra care to clean and disinfect regularly with Pooch & Me Bowl & Toy Cleaner.
Pooch & Me is a safe, NZ-made food-grade cleaner designed to sanitize without harming your pets. A great product available in our shop and online store.
Oh, and if you have a pup or dog still learning to dine or is prone to a feeding whoopsie while dining, try Pooch & Me Stain and Odour Remover and save your floors and surfaces.