The purchase of a pet is always accompanied by the purchase of various accessories necessary for a comfortable stay of the animal. If we are talking about cats, then, of course, you can not do without quality bowls.
Features
Bowls for cats, first of all, should not cause any difficulties for pets in getting water or food. Experts do not recommend combining two containers into one, since such designs cause problems in animals. Usually double bowls have high sides, which prevent cats from eating food in a reclining position or hurt their mustache. The second point is especially relevant for flat-faced Persians and exotics.
Kinds
Separately, it is customary to allocate bowls for water. Since their shape is of great importance, drinking utensils should be taken specific. The sides of such a container should be low, and the bottom usually has a large diameter. The size of the dishes for drinking can be compared with a soup plate.
As a rule, several copies are purchased, which are placed throughout the apartment, but always away from working equipment.
As an alternative, you can install a room fountain in which water will constantly circulate, attracting pets.
Car feeders sold in various variations are popular. For example, it can be a self-replenishing structure, into which feed is quickly supplied. It is usually made of high quality plastic.
As a rule, an automatic feeder is equipped with a timer, several containers and a dispenser.It works both from a wall outlet and from a battery or even batteries. More modern versions can be activated by voice message.
There is also an intelligent feeder designed for slow feeding. This variety is relevant if the animal has problems with eating. For example, it swallows food too quickly, practically without chewing it.
A double bowl means either using one container for two kittens, or one part is filled with food, and the second with water. The triple bowl has even greater functionality: water is poured into one compartment, dry food is placed in the second part, and wet food in the third.
Quite often, bowls on the stand are chosenwhich animals are much easier to use. An interactive bowl allows you to further develop your pet. The feeder is endowed with round spikes resembling blades of grass, and the animal must get pieces of food between them with its paws.
The non-spill bowl has a rubber ring as the base - it is it that prevents the movement of the container on the floor surface.
It looks very unusual tumbler toyinto which dry food is poured. A food puzzle can be of various shapes and have a different structure. Some models can be made independently at home, for example, by placing on a wooden base various tubes, containers, attaching boards and sticks. Finally, one should not forget about the heated plates.
Materials, shapes and sizes
Bowls for cats are most often made of plastic, stainless steel or ceramic. In addition, porcelain or glass can be used. Plastic containers are the most popular and affordable. Both cheap and rather expensive models are available for sale.
Low cost feeders have a specific smell, ability to absorb odors, and sometimes emit hazardous substances. As a rule, they bend rather quickly and crack. Expensive models lack such disadvantages and last much longer.
However, experts do not recommend purchasing plastic containers, since the porous structure of the material becomes an ideal medium for the growth of bacteria.
Metal bowls are characterized by durability and durability. For convenience, the base is often covered with rubber - so the container will not slip on the floor surface. Such dishes are safe for the health of the animal, but sometimes the movement of the pieces irritates the animal.
These bowls belong to the middle price category. Ceramic and porcelain options are environmentally friendly and safe. However, they beat fast and also glided across the floor.
Equally important is the choice of the correct form of dishes. Most often, the feeder is a moderately deep plate with high sides and a medium-sized diameter. In some cases, it has a slight narrowing up.
Manufacturers Overview
One of the most popular cat bowls is the melamine model. Cibo by Savic. She is very beautiful and modern, made in black or white. Such a container can be used both for feeding and for drinking. The melamine from which the dishes are made is an absolutely safe and resistant material, which is very easy to care for.
A plus of the tank is a rubberized base, thanks to which the feeder does not slide on the floor.
If we talk about plastic containers, you should definitely mention other Bowls brand Savic. The convenient elongated shape is most suitable for kittens and adult animals with a flat face. The embossed bottom prevents animal feed from being scattered.
Trixie Metal Bowl made of stainless steel. Thanks to the rubberized bottom, it is very stable. The volume of the container is 450 ml - this is enough for both feed and water.
Dezzie bowls have an unusual shape. The container itself is made of stainless steel and is placed on a special plastic stand. A special advantage of this feeder is the convenience for the animal, which does not even have to strain his neck.
Fish Shaped Dezzie Bowls look very stylish and organically fit into the kitchen interior. This model is made of stainless steel and mounted on a special stand made of nubuck. In addition to durability and ease of use, users also note the antibacterial properties of the tank itself.
If there is a need for a feeder with two sections, then you can pay attention to the Japanese company Hello kitty. The ceramic feeder is stable. The containers themselves are located at some distance from each other, which prevents the process of getting the feed into the water.
Ring metal cups Available in red and black. Their round shape looks quite stylish, and the bottom is protected from slipping due to the material used. However, often such a feeder rattles heavily and thereby scares pets.
Bowls ROGZ are made of melamine and have an original design. The convenient shape of the dishes prevents touching the mustache of cats, and additional sides prevent spraying of food and liquid. The bottom of the tank is made of non-slip silicone, and it is not toxic due to the use of melamine with anti-corrosion characteristics.
How to choose?
To begin with, many owners prefer to place bowls not on the floor, but on special stands or rugs. They give stability to the plates, visually enclose the food intake area and prevent the spread of crumbs and pieces of food throughout the room.
Some models can be attached to the wall, freeing up space on the floor.
However, not all favorites react normally to such an accessory. For example, the sides of the stand can create difficulties for the animal to access the bowl from different angles. It is better to buy a rug or stand only if the animal prefers to eat while sitting or standing.
A cat's bowl should not move on the floor during operation, so the choice should be either in favor of massive models, or on stands, otherwise you will have to buy a rug. The form should, first of all, be suitable for the cat, and then the owner should like it. For example, a bowl in the shape of a cat's face may look very unusual, but the food will clog into the “ears”, where the animal cannot reach normally.
The oval and the circle are the most successful forms, while the depth of the bowl should be medium.
Despite the purpose of the bowl, it should be moderately spacious and wide. A double bowl is more suitable for two animals, because if you adapt one to water and the other to food, then a not too neat pet will start throwing crumbs into the water. In any case, you should observe the behavior of the cat and, with any inconvenience, acquire a replacement.
The size of the bowl, of course, is determined depending on the characteristics of the pet. So much food should be placed in the container so that the cat is enough for one meal. Water should be enough to take it all day. If the bowl is too narrow or deep, the animal will be uncomfortable to eat, as the muzzle does not fit. For small kittens, it is worth taking a feeder that resembles a saucer in shape and size.
In addition, the choice of a bowl also depends on the type of food: dry will fit perfectly in a plate with raised sides, and for a canned version, designs without such high devices are suitable.
Where to put?
Experts recommend always putting bowls in the same place. It should be away from the stove, sink, and the main passage to the kitchen. Dishes should always be placed on the floor, and not on elevations, for example, on a nightstand or window sill.
Never place bowls next to the tray.Do not forget that the selected area should be easily cleaned.
It is important that the cat always has free access to liquid, but it is better to replenish the food container at a certain time in the amount of the required portion. Hygiene rules require daily washing of dishes: it is enough to clean the liquid dishes once a day, and the feeders after each use.
In the video below, you can learn more about how to choose dishes for a cat's table.
