Last updated Apr 21, 2023
Your cat is a natural born hunter and his feeding experience should reflect that.
While what you feed your cat is more important than what you feed him in, the way your cat’s meals are presented makes a difference. It’s worth considering your cat’s evolutionary instincts and natural behaviors when deciding how to feed him.
It matters how often you feed your cat, where you feed him, and the bowl you use to dish out his food.
The best cat bowl is one that makes your cat’s feeding experience more pleasant, and it might make life just a little bit easier for you as well. In this article, you’ll learn what to look for in a great cat bowl.
Let’s take a quick peek at our top picks for the best cat bowls then explore why we chose them.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Cat Bowls
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
KatSupreme Tilted Cat Food Bowls
- Platform is raised to improve comfort for older cats
- Comes with two stainless-steel bowls tilted at 15°
- Anti-skid rubber feet and incorporated anti-spill technology
Feeder-Robot Glass Bowl
- Hygienic glass material is dishwasher-safe
- Wide and shallow, making it very cat-friendly
- Designed for use with or without the Feeder-Robot
OurPets Dura Pet Stainless Steel Non-Slip Cat Bowl
- Reasonably priced in three different sizes
- Made from hygienic stainless steel
- Shallow design is comfortable for cats
Dr. Catsby’s Whisker Relief Cat Food Bowl
- Wide, shallow design comfortable for cats
- May help reduce whisker fatigue
- Made from hygienic stainless steel
Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl
- Two 10-ounce stainless-steel bowls
- Plastic tray captures spills and messes
- Comes in two colors (grey and white)
Doc and Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Feeder Kit
- May help keep cats mentally and physically active
- Comes in a set, great gift for cat lovers
- Developed by a veterinarian
Petlibro Granary Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder
- Silo-shaped hopper is very secure
- Program up to 6 meals a day
- Can help control portions for weight maintenance
Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder
- Allows up to 4 scheduled mealtimes
- Two ice packs to keep wet food fresh
- Easy to wash, bowl/lid are dishwasher-safe
Top Picks Explained
The 4 Qualities of the Best Cat Bowls
1. The Best Cat Bowls Are Made From Hygienic Materials
Your cat is going to be eating all of his meals out of this bowl, so it’s important to consider the materials carefully. The right material keeps your cat safe and is easy to clean while the wrong material could harbor bacteria and other pathogens that might make your cat sick.
The best materials for cat food and cat water bowls are stainless steel, ceramic, and glass. These materials are nonporous, so they don’t trap bacteria, and they are generally dishwasher-safe.
Avoid plastic cat bowls. They scratch easily, creating an environment in which bacteria can grow. The biofilm that accumulates on the surface can also contribute to chin acne in cats.
2. The Best Cat Bowls Are Shallow and Wide To Prevent Whisker Fatigue
When shopping for cat bowls, many cat owners look for dishes that don’t take up a lot of floor space. This generally means something small, narrow, and deep. The problem is this design forces your cat to put his face deep into the bowl to reach the food. As you might imagine, it isn’t very comfortable for your cat, but it can also contribute to another issue: whisker fatigue.
Whisker fatigue is the idea that eating from a small, narrow dish causes your cat’s whiskers to make contact with the sides of the dish when he eats. Your cat’s whiskers are incredibly sensitive, so some experts suggest it causes overstimulation.
Repeated issues with overstimulation may cause your cat to stop eating from that type of bowl – this is one theory behind why some cats become fussy eaters.
While there’s no scientific evidence supporting the existence of whisker fatigue, there’s some substance to the theory. Dr. Pete Wedderburn, DVM, suggests it’s worth considering your cat’s comfort when choosing a cat bowl. He recommends observing your cat’s eating habits and, if he seems to be averse to narrow, high-sided bowls you might want to choose something else.
3. The Best Cat Bowls Have a Non-Slip Bottom
Not only should you consider your cat’s comfort when choosing a cat bowl but think about the eating experience. Wouldn’t you find it maddening if your plate kept sliding across the table as you tried to eat? That’s the benefit of choosing a cat bowl with a non-slip bottom.
Something as simple as a rubber base or even a few stick-on rubber feet can keep a cat bowl in place. This saves your cat from having to chase it across the room and it may make mealtime a little less messy.
4. The Best Cat Bowls Are Designed To Fit Your Cat’s Specific Needs
After considering essential factors like materials, shape, and size, you may want to take additional factors into consideration. If your cat is getting up in years and suffers from arthritis, a slightly raised cat bowl may be more comfortable for him.
Cats who have a tendency to wolf down their food (and then vomit it up) may benefit from a slow feed cat bowl. These bowls are designed to slow down the process of eating by dividing the food into small sections or by making your cat work a little harder to access it. Slow feed bowls are also great for providing your cat with a little extra mental stimulation.
Also Read: The 6 Best Anti-Vomit Cat Bowls
Finally, think about an automatic feeder if you want to control your cat’s portion sizes and keep him on a regular feeding schedule. They’re also great for short absences from home.
Our Top Picks for the Best Cat Bowls
Now that you have a better understanding of how we came to our top picks, you’re probably eager to see them!
Here are our top 8 picks for best cat bowls:
#1 Overall Best: KatSupreme Tilted Cat Food Bowls
In our number one position is a two-bowl set that includes multiple convenience and cat comfort features. The KatSupreme tilted cat bowl set includes two bowls set in a raised base. An adjustable 15° tilt may make them more comfortable for some cats to eat from, and the raised base could be of benefit for senior cats with arthritis.
Recommended by veterinarians, the stainless steel bowl material is non-porous, helping it to resist bacterial accumulation and reducing cat acne. Compared to bowls with flat bottoms and sharp angles, the round bowls limit food buildup, making both eating and cleaning easier.
The raised platform features an anti-skid base and an anti-spill system as well, making it a great choice for enthusiastic eaters. The materials for the base are fairly lightweight which some customers like, though others comment that the base could be more durable.
While these tilted cat bowls are unique in concept, some customers find that the raised platform isn’t high enough for very large cats. Some also comment that the bowls themselves are very deep and may not be wide enough to prevent whisker contact.
What We Liked:
- The base is raised to improve comfort for older cats
- Comes with two stainless-steel bowls tilted at 15°
- Anti-skid rubber feet and incorporated anti-spill technology
What We Didn’t Like:
- Bowls are fairly deep and could be wider
- Raised platform may not be high enough for some cats
#2 Premium Pick: Feeder-Robot Glass Bowl
If you’re a fan of automatic cat feeders, the Feeder-Robot by Whisker is definitely one to consider. This Wifi-enabled automatic feeder utilizes anti-jam technology for reliable function and has a 24-hour backup battery as well. You can create a custom feeding schedule and monitor your cat’s food intake through the Connect app which also works with the Litter-Robot automatic self-cleaning litter box.
Whether you choose to invest in the Feeder-Robot or not, the glass bowl upgrade is a great option for your cat. At $25 it’s a pricier pick, but it’s durable and the glass material won’t harbor bacteria. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
The Feeder-Robot glass bowl measures about 7.25 inches in diameter, so it’s wide enough that your cat’s whiskers won’t be constricted by the sides. It’s fairly shallow as well, which makes it a cat-friendly choice.
What We Liked:
- Hygienic glass material is dishwasher-safe
- Wide and shallow, making it very cat-friendly
- Designed for use with or without the Feeder-Robot
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fairly expensive at $25
- Glass material should be handled with care
#3 Budget Pick: OurPets Dura Pet Stainless Steel Non-Slip Cat Bowl
As a slightly more economical option, the OurPets Dura Pet Stainless Steel Non-Slip Cat Bowl comes in three different sizes with the smallest being priced under $6. This bowl is one of best cat bowls for messy eaters on the market today.
Again, this bowl satisfies all of the general requirements we’re looking for in a cat bowl. It is made from stainless steel, and it has a rubber bottom to keep it from sliding around. In fact, the non-slip bottom on this bowl was the most effective of the cat bowls tested. It also has a nice, shallow design.
The sides of this bowl are only about 1-inch in height and the design of the bowl is nice and wide so your cat can easily stick his whole head inside to eat without feeling uncomfortable.
The biggest downside of this cat bowl is that it comes with a large sticker right in the middle of the bowl. Many customers find that it leaves a sticky residue, and it can be very difficult to remove effectively.
What We Liked:
- Reasonably priced in three different sizes
- Made from hygienic stainless steel
- Easy to wash in the dishwasher
- Doesn’t slip on the floor
- Shallow design is comfortable for cats
What We Didn’t Like:
- Sticker placed inside the bowl can be difficult to remove
#4 Best for Whisker Fatigue: Dr. Catsby’s Whisker Relief Cat Food Bowl
This stainless-steel cat bowl from Dr. Catsby’s is our top pick because it checks off all the boxes for what we look for in a good cat bowl.
It’s relatively shallow which makes it easy for your cat to eat from, it’s stainless-steel which makes it easy to clean, and it has a silicone mat that keeps it from sliding around on the floor.
Dr. Catsby’s Whisker Relief cat bowl is specifically designed to prevent whisker fatigue which, as we’ve already discussed, is a controversial topic in the vet industry. The claims made on the Dr. Catsby website about the cat bowl are a little bit dramatic, but the bowl’s design is still very cat-friendly.
This bowl doesn’t have the typical raised edge design – it’s simply a dish with a shallow depression where you place your cat’s food. Your cat’s whiskers don’t make contact with the dish during eating, so it may help prevent overstimulation.
Dr. Catsby’s Whisker Relief cat bowl has a generous 12-ounce capacity, but the shallow design isn’t great for containing food. If your cat tends to be a vigorous eater, things could get a little messy. It’s also a little on the expensive side, priced at $19.95.
What We Liked:
- Made from hygienic stainless-steel
- Easy to wash in the dishwasher
- Doesn’t slip on the floor
- Shallow and comfortable for cats to use
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not appropriate for cats who eat larger quantities of wet food
- Messy eaters may spill food over the sides
#5 Best Double Feeder: Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl
One of the more expensive cat bowls on this list, the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is a double feeder. It features two stainless steel bowls set side-by-side.
While many double feeders set the bowls in some kind of rubber or silicone, this cat bowl features a tray made from polypropylene plastic. Rubber and silicone tend to get pretty grimy pretty quickly but this plastic design does a good job of containing messes without being difficult to keep clean on its own.
This feeder comes with two 10-ounce bowls, so you can use them for two different types of food or food on one side and water on the other.
Not only does the plastic tray keep messes contained, but it also protects the floor in your feeding area. All three pieces are easy to hand-wash, but they are also dishwasher-safe.
What We Liked:
- Made from hygienic stainless-steel
- Easy to wash in the dishwasher
- Captures crumbs and spills in the tray
- Hard plastic tray is easier to clean than silicone
- Shallow and comfortable for cats to use
What We Didn’t Like:
- Expensive compared to other bowls
#6 Best Hunting Feeder: Doc and Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Feeder Kit
Cats have a natural instinct to hunt, especially when it comes to feeding. If your cat doesn’t get the exercise or mental stimulation he needs, it could contribute to behavioral issues.
That’s where Doc and Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Feeder Kit comes in. It’s designed for cats who eat dry food and could use a little extra exercise and stimulation. It features three feeder “mice” which engage your cat’s instincts to hunt for food.
This kit was invented by veterinarian Dr. Liz Bales to engage your cat’s predatory instincts instead of just eating straight from a bowl.
Each mouse contains about 1.6 tablespoons of food, or about 1/6 of your cat’s daily intake. The idea is to scatter the mice around the house each morning and evening so your cat can find them and eat throughout the day.
Numerous customer reviews confirm that these feeders help resolve behavioral issues like aggression and for cats who keep their owners up overnight. They can also be helpful for overweight who could use a little extra exercise to lose weight.
What We Liked:
- May help keep cats mentally and physically active
- Can help resolve issues with stress
- Comes in a fun set, makes a great gift for cat lovers
- Plastic feeders are dishwasher-safe
- Developed by a veterinarian
What We Didn’t Like:
- Only compatible with dry food
- Made from plastic, may scratch over time
- Some cats simply won’t catch on
#7 Best Automatic Feeder (Dry) : Petlibro Granary Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder
While many cats are able to self-regulate their food intake, others will empty their bowl no matter how full it is. An automatic feeder enables you to monitor and control your cat’s intake, automating their daily meals and portions.
The Petlibro Granary Automatic Dog & Cat Feeder is unique among automatic pet feeders in that it features a silo-shaped hopper that helps protect the food against moisture, mold, bugs, and even determined cats. It dispenses up to 6 meals a day into a stainless steel bowl in portions ranging from 1 ⅓ tablespoon to 4 cups.
Though not the most advanced automatic feeder on the market, this model offers reliable performance and nails all the basics at a fraction of the price you’ll pay for many newer models.
What We Liked:
- Silo-shaped hopper is very secure
- Program up to 6 meals a day
- Can help control portions for weight maintenance
- Includes a stainless-steel bowl
What We Didn’t Like:
- Not the most advanced in terms of features
- Customizable playback recording is a little muffled
#8 Best Automatic Feeder (Wet): Cat Mate C500 Automatic Pet Feeder
Whether you’re going away for the weekend or want to control your cat’s portions or feeding schedule, an automatic pet feeder is an excellent solution. The Cat Mat C500 Automatic Pet Feeder is perfectly sized for cats with five separate meal compartments.
This automatic feeder can be used with any type of food, even wet food. It features twin ice packs to keep wet food fresh, a feature that is somewhat rare in automatic feeders.
The Cat Mate C500 allows you to program up to 4 mealtimes as well as an immediate feed. While this model may not offer as many mealtimes as an upright feeder, its wet food compatibility improves your feeding flexibility.
Automatic feeders are notoriously tricky to clean because of all the separate parts, but the bowl and lid for this feeder are dishwasher-safe to make things a bit easier.
What We Liked:
- Compatible with all types of food, treats, and medications
- Allows up to 4 scheduled mealtimes
- Comfortable for cats compared to other models
- Comes with an ice pack to keep wet food fresh
- Easy to wash, bowl and lid are dishwasher-safe
What We Didn’t Like:
- Feeding bowls are plastic
- Food gets stuck in the corners of the bowls
- Programming the feeder can be confusing
- Not as many settings as other automatic feeders
The right cat bowl can make your cat’s mealtimes more comfortable while making clean-up a little bit easier on you. If you have a favorite cat bowl, let us know in the comments below or tell us what you think after trying one of the cat bowls we’ve recommended!
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you clean your cat bowl?
It’s best to wash your cat’s bowl after every meal to prevent the growth of bacteria. Wash the bowl wish hot water and mild dish soap.
Can you wash cat bowls in the dishwasher?
It depends. Many cat bowls are designed to be dishwasher-friendly, including stainless steel, ceramic, and glass cat bowls. Refer to the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to be sure.
Are elevated cat bowls safe for cats?
Feeding your cat from an elevated cat bowl may promote a more natural neck position during feeding. This could help your cat digest more easily which may be beneficial for cats who often regurgitate after eating. For most cats, however, an elevated cat bowl is not necessary.
