Dogs were domesticated for a purpose, whether to aid in hunting, keep vermin at bay on the farm, or provide watchdog and protection duties. Times have changed, however, and dogs are now part of the family, with many owners viewing their dogs as  core parts of the family.

Naturally, we want to do the very best for our dogs, which includes giving them  the very best, including what they eat and drink from each day. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for dog bowls that are stylish, functional, and serve unique needs.

Check out the top 8 dog bowls for your fur kids, based on reviews from satisfied dog owners like you.

A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2024

The 8 Best Dog Bowls

1. Hepper Nom Nom Bowl – Best Overall

The Hepper Nom Nom Bowl may have been designed to help prevent whisker fatigue in felines, but it makes an excellent choice for the best overall dog food bowl as well! Why is it so great? Besides the fact that it’s two bowls in one, so your dog can have food and water in the same place, it has an exceptionally wide tray that helps keep your floors clean and clear of dog food messes. And because the bowls are raised, it makes it easier for your pup to eat on an even level, preventing neck strain.

However, the bowls do only hold 10 ounces at a time, so you might have to do refills for your dog often. This bowl is also a tiny bit pricier than some other dog bowls.

The Hepper Nom Nom bowl is made from pet-safe stainless steel that is dishwasher-safe for simpler clean-up. Overall, we think The Hepper Nom Nom Bowl is the best dog food you can find this year!

At Dogster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool pet company!

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2. Frisco Food Mat and Bowl Bundle – Best Value

The Frisco Mat and Dog Bowl Bundle is the best dog bowl for the money. The bundle includes a food mat to keep floors clean and two stainless steel dog bowls to rotate for cleaning. Both bowls and mat are safe for dishwashers, making cleaning a breeze. The mat has a raised outer lip to prevent messy eaters from getting food all over the floor, and the bowls’ rolled edges make it more difficult for dogs to flip over. The bowl also has a non-skid base to keep it from sliding around.

The stainless steel and silicone are stain-proof, rust-resistant, and hygienic. With two bowls, you can either keep one on deck while the other is cleaned or use one for food and one for water. The bowls also have a high capacity of 4¾  cups, so they fit all your large breed’s food in one serving. The bowls may be too big for small or toy breeds.

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3. PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Dog & Cat Feeder – Premium Choice

The PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Dog & Cat Feeder is the premium choice for a convenient and functional dog bowl. The dog bowl is fully programmable to ensure your pet is fed on time, whether you’re sleeping, at work, or away. The feeder has a conveyor belt that dispenses perfectly portioned food, and it has a 24-cup capacity to take care of feedings for days.

You can customize the feeder to handle ⅛ to 4 cups for each feeding and up to 12 feedings per day. The feeder works with dry kibble or semi-moist food, but isn’t suitable for wet or raw diets. If your dog tends to inhale its food, the slow feed option dispenses meals over a 15-minute period to prevent dogs from eating too quickly. The bowl itself is dishwasher safe and easy to clean. The automatic mechanism functions on 4 D batteries or a power adaptor, both sold separately. While this bowl is convenient, it’s not ideal for multi-dog households and may encourage fighting or resource guarding.

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4. Frisco Melamine Slow Feed Dog & Cat Bowl – Best for Puppies

Puppies tend to eat quickly, which can lead to digestive upset. The Frisco Melamine Slow Feed Dog & Cat Bowl is a great option for puppies to encourage slow eating and proper digestion. The bowl has raised columns inside to prevent your pup from wolfing down its food.

In addition to forcing your pup to eat slowly, the bowl also holds their attention longer as they work to get all their food out. Bowls are available in ½0 cup, 1½ -cup, and 3-cup capacities, so you can find the best size for your growing puppy. The melamine is BPA-free and hygienic to prevent bacterial overgrowth. For you, the bowl has a beautiful cream color with gold accents to enhance your décor. Some reviewers remarked that the bowls are too small for toy breeds.

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5. Fluff Trough Elevated Dog & Cat Feeder

The Fluff Trough Elevated Dog & Cat Feeder is a great dog bowl. Food is lifted off the floor, making it ideal for large dogs that struggle to eat from bowls on the floor. It also has high sides to prevent spills and splashing for messy pups.

If you’re worried about the bowl sliding around on tile or wood floors, it comes with a set of removable silicone feet to keep it firmly in place – no matter how boisterous your dog is about its meal. The bowl has an insert that blends into the structure, but can be washed in the dishwasher for quick cleaning and hygiene. The bowl can be used for wet, dry, or raw meals. The silicone construction is non-toxic, BPA-free, and FDA-approved. This may be too high off the floor for toy or small breeds, however.

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6. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl

The Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl turns dinnertime into playtime with a challenging maze design. If your dog inhales its food, a slow feeder encourages proper eating habits by forcing your pup to navigate nooks and crannies to get their food.

In addition to the fun maze design, the bowl has a non-skid base to prevent tipping and damage to your floors. Cleaning can be difficult, but the bowl is top-rack dishwasher safe for good hygiene. The bowl is constructed of high-quality, food-safe, BPA-free plastic. Some reviewers noted that their dogs struggled to find their food and became frustrated, either tipping the bowl or biting the edges. Keep this in mind when choosing a bowl for your dog’s personality.

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7. Neater Pets Neater Feeder Deluxe Elevated & Mess-Proof Dog Bowls

The Neater Pets Neater Feeder Deluxe Elevated & Mess-Proof Dog Bowls are the perfect choice for messy eaters. Each set comes with a food and water bowl surrounded by protective walls that keep food and water contained within the unit. If water spills, it flows down a slope through a filtering system into a lower reservoir, keeping it off your floor.

The bowls come in multiple sizes for small, medium, and large breeds. Each set has one smaller bowl for food and a larger bowl for water. Both bowls are made of BPA-free plastic for easy cleaning and better hygiene. The elevated design also prevents neck strain and deters pests. Several reviewers noted issues like the bowls flipping easily, the height being too much for small dogs, and the opening being too small for access.

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8. Necoichi Ceramic Elevated Dog & Cat Food Bowl

The Necoichi Ceramic Elevated Dog & Cat Food Bowl is a stylish addition to your home décor and a great way to reduce neck and joint strain for your dog. The bowl has an inner lip to reduce spilling, and the curved design helps the food stay in the center for easier eating.

The ceramic is FDA-approved and non-absorbent for hygiene and can be washed in the dishwasher. If you heat your pet’s food, the bowl is safe for the microwave. The bowl comes in several sizes and features a cute paw print design that runs along the side. Despite multiple size options, this bowl doesn’t have a capacity for large or giant breeds.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Dog Bowl

Dog bowls come in a wide variety of options, whether you’re looking for cleanliness, pet comfort, or just a cute design for your home. Choosing a dog bowl comes down to your pet’s unique needs, however. Here are some points to consider:

Material

Material is very important in choosing a dog bowl. Plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel are non-porous and more hygienic than some options, ensuring that bacteria doesn’t thrive in grooves and scratches. These materials are also built to last, so your dog bowl can be an investment for the duration of your dog’s life. Keep in mind that plastic must be food-grade and BPA-free, or you could be subjecting your dog to hazardous toxins. Ceramic also has the disadvantage of being breakable.

Elevated

Some studies suggest that an elevated feeder can help dogs with digestion and slow eating, especially for larger breeds that are prone to bloat and megaesophagus— two critical and potentially fatal health conditions. An elevated feeder also helps dogs with arthritis and may prevent neck strain from leaning down to eat. While more research is needed in these areas, elevated feeders may be able to help. Be sure to speak with your veterinarian about the best option for your dog.

Raised feeders also reduce mess and prevent a lot of food from ending up on the floor. These bowls are available in different sizes and heights, so make sure you get the appropriate one for your dog’s size. An elevated feeder that’s too high for your dog can create more problems than one that’s on the floor.

Slow Feeder Bowls

Slow feeder bowls have designs with mazes, columns, or holes that make your dog work harder to get the food out and help them eat slower. Dogs that eat quickly are prone to digestive upset and may inhale air, which can contribute to gassiness or bloat.

While slow feeders may help, keep in mind that you must know what’s appropriate for your individual dog. Older dogs with cognitive decline and puppies with a low attention span may become frustrated with a slow feeder. In addition, you must choose a feeder that’s the appropriate size and difficulty level for your dog. For example, a bowl with small, complex mazes may be too difficult for a large dog, and a large, open bowl doesn’t provide enough of a challenge for a toy or small breed.

Conclusion

Dog bowls come in a wide variety of options to suit different needs, décor, and pet sizes. The Hepper Nom Nom Bowl makes an excellent choice for the best overall dog food bowl! It keeps the eating experience comfortable and clean. For the best value, choose the Frisco Mat and Dog Bowl Bundle that gives you two stainless-steel bowls and a food mat. The premium option is the PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Programmable Dog & Cat Feeder, which takes all the hassle and guesswork out of dinnertime.

See also:

• 10 Best Whisker Relief Cat Bowls – Reviews & Top Picks
• Best Bowls for Toy Dog Breeds – Reviews & Top Picks

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Featured Image Credit: Karsten Wineagart, Unsplash