A good bowl is an essential piece of gear for all cat owners, but not all bowls are alike and not all cats benefit from the same type of bowl. For example, some cats are picky about the size, shape, or depth of their bowls. Some cats benefit from a slow feed or elevated cat bowl to aid with weight loss or digestive issues.
We reviewed dozens of cat bowls to identify the best of the best. We considered bowl material, size, and shape, as well as different options based on cats’ lifestyles and dietary needs to help you identify the perfect bowls for your cat.
Our top pick, and the obvious winner, is the Lorde Set of Shallow Cat Bowls. These bowls are shallow and wide to prevent whisker fatigue and keep your cat’s face clean, and they’re made of pet-safe, easy-to-clean melamine. Plus they’re super cute!
In This Article
The 5 Top-Rated Cat Bowls
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Lorde Set of Shallow Cat Bowls | 4.8 |
| Runner Up | Americat Company Set of Stainless Steel Cat Bowls | 4.8 |
| Best Budget Buy | Loving Pets Bella Bowl | 4.7 |
| Best Slow Feed Cat Bowl | OrderMore Slow Feeder Bowl | 4.5 |
| Best Raised Cat Bowl | Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl Collection, Stress Free Pet Feeder and Waterer | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: Lorde Set of Shallow Cat Bowls
The Lorde Set of Shallow Cat Bowls is a great general-purpose option for feeding your cat. The set includes two bowls, one white one and one in your choice of black or pink, both in a cute and decorative cat head shape complete with ears. They’re shallow with sloping sides for easy food access without whisker fatigue or mess.
The bowls are about 5.8 inches wide at their widest point and 4.8 inches front to back, and are about one inch deep. Each bowl holds up to eight ounces, or one cup, of food or water.
The bowls are made of durable, BPA free melamine which makes them non-toxic, non-allergenic, corrosion resistant, and easy to clean. In fact, they’re dishwasher safe. They also come with a money back guarantee. These bowls have legs with rubber feet to prevent sliding. These legs, plus the weight of the bowl, prevent your cat from inadvertently tipping the bowl.
Lorde Set of Shallow Cat Bowls Key Features:Â
- Non-slip legs
- Made from safe and durable melamine
- Dishwasher safe
- Attractive, comfortable design
Our Runner Up Pick: Americat Company Set of Stainless Steel Cat Bowls
The Americat Company Set of Stainless Steel Cat Bowls is another great option for those with larger budgets. The set includes two bowls made from solid, heavy 18/8 U.S.-manufactured stainless steel, which is easy-to-clean, dishwasher safe, and impenetrable by bacteria. The steel is also non-toxic, human grade, and food-safe, and is free of BPA and radiation. These bowls have also been third-party tested to show that they’re lead-free, mercury-free, and cadmium-free.
These bowls are heavy to prevent sliding. The shallow, wide shape prevents whisker fatigue, while rounded edges make it easy for your cat to get every bit of food. The bowls hold up to 16 ounces, or two cups, each. They are each 5.75 inches in diameter and 1.5 inches deep, plenty deep enough to contain your cat’s food without spilling.
These bowls are also available in sets of four and six bowls, great for feeding multiple cats. The simple, low-profile design and stainless steel mesh well with a wide range of home decor styles.
Americat Company Set of Stainless Steel Cat Bowls Key Features:Â
- Made in the USA from U.S. produced materials
- Made of safe, human grade steel
- Wide, shallow shape revents whisker fatigue
- Dishwasher safe
- Low profile design
- Doesn’t retain odors
Best Budget Pick: Loving Pets Bella Bowl
The Loving Pets Bella Bowl is, according to the manufacturer, the pet industry’s best selling bowl and it’s quite a bargain too. Only one bowl is included, but you can still get two for less than many other single bowls. And since Loving Pets has a patent pending on the Bella Bowl, you know no one else has a bowl quite like this one.
The bowl is made out of the safe, durable, and bacteria resistant stainless steel that vets recommend, but also has an attractively patterned poly-resin exterior to add more interest to the basic stainless finish. The bowl is available in multiple sizes and patterns, but the small, which is 5.5 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep, is perfect for most cats. The various pattern options make it easy to avoid mixing up food when feeding multiple cats with different dietary needs, plus they go with a variety of decor.
The bowl has a removable rubber base to prevent the bowl from sliding, reducing noise and minimizing the chance of spilling. Remove the rubber base and the bowl is completely top rack dishwasher safe.
Loving Pets Bella Bowl Key Features:Â
- Dishwasher safe
- Doesn’t retain odors
- Available in three sizes and four patterns
- Different patterns are great for feeding multiple cats
- Removable rubber base
Best Slow Feed Cat Bowl: OrderMore Slow Feeder Bowl
If your cat gulps down their meal far too quickly, then you need a slow feed cat bowl like the OrderMore Slow Feeder Bowl. Eating too quickly can cause health problems like choking, vomiting, bloat, gastrointestinal discomfort, and excessive weight, but the food side of this 2-in-1 food and water bowl features five nubs that your cat has to eat around, causing them to slow down. And, as an added, bonus, since your cat has to work more for their food, they also get valuable mental stimulation at every meal by simulating the way cats work for food in the wild.
The slow feeder bowl is made of durable, non-toxic, BPA-free food-grade PP resin. The other side features a removable stainless steel bowl perfect for putting your cat’s water in. Both parts can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher. The bottom of the OrderMore Slow Feeder Bowl features four non-slip pads to prevent the bowl from sliding.
This is a great bowl, but if you experience a problem or otherwise aren’t satisfied, it comes with a 12-month warranty and a 30-day full refund guarantee.
OrderMore Slow Feeder Bowl Key Features:Â
- Slows down fast eaters
- Provides mental stimulation at each meal
- Can be used to serve both food and water
- Four non-slip pads
- Dishwasher safe
Best Raised Cat Bowl: Kitty City Raised Cat Bowls
With most traditional cat bowls, cats are forced to crouch down to eat, forcing them to “squish” their stomach and eat with their head below the rest of their digestive tract, not to mention putting unnecessary stress on their bones, joints, and muscles, but the Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl Collection, Stress Free Pet Feeder and Waterer solves all of that.
The bowls feature a modern pedestal design in an oval shape that’s whisker-friendly. With an easy access front, the Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowls promote natural, healthy eating posture while looking stylish in your home. Each bowl holds 6.5 ounces, and they’re top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Made from pet-safe plastic, these bowls are durable and help to promote healthy digestion through an ergonomic design that’s ideal for your cat.
Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl Collection, Stress Free Pet Feeder and Waterer Key Features:Â
- Simple, minimalist style
- Oval shape prevents whisker fatigue
- Top-rack dishwasher safe
- Made of pet-safe plastic
- Ergonomic design promotes healthy eating posture
Who Should Buy a Cat Bowl
Obviously, anyone who owns a cat needs bowls for their feline’s food and water. But some cats are picky and not all bowls are the same. If you’ve been struggling with your cat at mealtimes, you may want to try switching it up.
Does your cat leave food in the edges of their bowl, then meow at you like their bowl is empty? Or maybe they flip their bowl and eat the food off the floor. If so, your cat may want a shallower bowl to avoid whisker fatigue – overstimulation of your cat’s sensitive whiskers, which often occurs when the whiskers touch the sides of a too deep bowl. Flat-faced cats also benefit from a shallow bowl, especially one elevated and with some tilt, which makes it easier for them to eat.
Overweight cats and cats with digestive problems may benefit from slow feeders, which force cats to slow down while they eat, or elevated cat bowls, which align cats’ digestive systems more naturally while they chow down.
Important Features to Consider
A cat bowl should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a bowl for your cat:
- Material. Cat bowls are available in a variety of materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common materials for cat bowls are plastic, steel, and ceramic, but you’ll find plenty of bowls made of other things as well. Which material is best depends on your budget, your preferences, and your cat’s preferences.
- Size and shape. Your cat’s bowl should hold at least one meal’s worth of food. The shape that’s best depends on what your cat likes. As a general rule, however, shallow bowls with sloped sides are generally more comfortable for cats to eat from, but straight-sided bowls are less likely to tip over. A heavy bowl is less likely to slide or tip over as your cat eats, but a bottom heavy bowl with grippy rubber on the bottom also works.
- Your cat’s particular needs. As we’ve already discussed, your cat may have personal requirements from their bowls, like a bowl that slows them down, an elevated bowl, or a bowl designed for their face shape. Some cats have negative reactions to plastic, so you’ll want to choose a bowl that’s made out of something else. If your cat eats outside, you may want a bowl that’s ant-proof or heated, but if you’re feeding your cat on the go, a collapsible bowl is a great option. If your cat needs to be fed at a time when you’re not home, an automatic cat feeder is probably the best solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should cat bowls be elevated?Â
Elevated cat bowls put your cat in a better position to eat by stopping her from crouching so much which not only allows her digestive system to stay in a more relaxed, natural position but also puts less unnecessary stress on her joints. Plus, since elevated bowls tend to use a frame to put them in the right position, cats are also less likely to spill their bowls this way.
What are the safest materials for cat bowls?Â
Cat bowls should be made from non-porous, non-toxic materials, like glass, stainless steel, and glazed ceramic and stoneware. However, be sure to periodically check that the glaze on ceramic and stoneware bowls is still intact because without it these materials are porous. Glazed bowls should be labeled lead-free and food-safe.
Plastic bowls can be a problem because they scratch easily and scratches can house and protect bacteria, even through washing. They can also leach chemicals into your cat’s food and water. If you do choose to go with plastic, replace them if they become scratched and only buy BPA free bowls.
Can cats share food bowls?Â
There are a few reasons to avoid sharing food bowls between cats. For one, it makes food a competition, whether the cats look at it that way or not. If one cat eats faster or has a bigger appetite, he’s taking food away from the other. Shared bowls also make it difficult to monitor how much each cat is eating at any given time anyway, making the early signs of illness less notable. And speaking of illness, shared cat bowls can spread disease from one cat to the other.
On the other hand, when each cat has its own bowl, it’s easy to give each cat the portion sizes they need, know how much they’re eating, and feed each cat the diet that’s best for its individual health.
As for water, unless you need to monitor one particular cat’s water intake or one cat is sick, it’s absolutely fine for cats to share water bowls. (To keep shared water cleaner for longer, you may want to try a cat water fountain instead of a traditional bowl.)
Is it okay to leave cat food out all day?Â
Canned cat food should be left out for no longer than about 20 minutes. After this time, package any remaining food in an airtight container and refrigerate it. Dry food gives you more leeway and can be left out for up to 48 hours.
However, beyond food safety, leaving food out all day for your cat to access whenever is not a great idea. The constant availability of food can lead to numerous health problems including, feline diabetes, obesity, kidney failure, and urinary problems.
Other Cat Bowls We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other cat bowls. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best cat bowls list, they’re the best of the rest and each is still a great option for your cat. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Raised Cat Bowls
- Slow Feed Cat Bowls
- Outdoor Cat Bowls
- Collapsible Cat Bowls
- Traditional-Style Cat Bowls
Raised Cat Bowls
iBard Dual Purpose Slanted Bowl
This bowl was designed with flat-faced pets in mind, but they’re not the only breeds that will appreciate how the angle of this bowl can be adjusted to make it easy for your feline to access all of their food.
Key Features:
- Adjustable tilt
- Made from safe, non-toxic resin
- Dishwasher safe
Cost:Â $16
This elevated cat bowl set comes with a beautiful bamboo frame, which is available with a flat top or an inclined top, and a set of each stainless steel bowls and ceramic bowls to give you plenty of options for your cat.
Key Features:
- Both sets of bowls are dishwasher safe
- The attractive bamboo frame has no detachable or removable parts for lasting durability
- Can be used with virtually any 5.4 inch diameter bowls
Cost:Â $28
MushroomCat Double Ceramic Elevated Cat Bowls
This elevated double cat bowl features a water-resistant iron frame with anti-slip feet and two high-grade ceramic bowls. The minimalist design goes with any decor.
Key Features:
- Completely dishwasher safe
- Durable, sanitary ceramic bowls
- Simple, attractive design
Cost:Â $23
Neater Feeder Deluxe Cat Mess Proof Elevated Bowls
Even the messiest cat (and messiest family) are no match for the Neater Feeder’s splash shielding wall, kick proof frame, and spill catching reservoir.
Key Features:
- Virtually mess-proof
- Protects floors and walls
- Contoured frame for easy, comfortable access to food and water
Cost:Â $22
Necoichi Raised Cat Food and Water Bowl Set
Cat owners will love how attractive and convenient this set of raised cat bowls are, while their cats will love that the sloped sides keep food centered in the bowl.
Key Features:
- Water bowl has volume markers to help you monitor water consumption
- Made from lead-free and cadmium-free porcelain
- Dishwasher safe
Cost:Â $30
PetFusion Elevated Aluminum Bowls
Thanks to anodized aluminum, this simple elevated bowl set is more lightweight and non-corrosive than steel, plus it’s color-infused, long-lasting, and easy to clean.
Key Features:
- Available in 4-inch and 8-inch heights
- Comes with two deep bowls and one shallow one to prevent whisker fatigue
- Rubber feet on the bottom and nubs on the bowl inserts to prevent sliding and spills.
Cost:Â $40
PetFusion Mix Match Elevated Bowls
The acrylic frames of these bowls use rare earth magnets to attach to each other so you can customize how many bowls and of what depth you use at once to suit your pet’s needs.
Key Features:
- Available in 4-inch and 9-inch height frames
- Available with 1-inch or two-inch deep bowls
- Anti-slip feet and bowl insets
Slow Feed Cat Bowls
The Pedy Pet Fun Slow Feeder’s food-safe and durable ABS material, flower swirl ridge pattern, and fun color make it an attractive yet practical way to slow down your fast-eating cat.
Key Features:
- BPA, PVC, and pthalate-free
- Non-skid bottom
- 180-day warranty
Cost:Â $9
Super Design Anti-Gulping Bowl
This slow feed bowl is available in four sizes, seven colors and patterns, and even as a food and water bowl set, so you’re sure to find an option that suits both you and your kitty.
Key Features:
- Wide base prevents flipping
- Non-skid bottom
- Dishwasher safe
Cost:Â $12
The wangstar Slow Feed Bowl is another great slow feed option that works for both cats and dogs.
Key Features:
- Non-slip design
- Four color options
- Made from sturdy, heavy-duty plastic
Outdoor Cat Bowls
This cat bowl will keep ants out of your cat’s outdoor food and water, saving it from being ruined by those pesky little invaders.
Key Features:
- Waterless ant-proof system
- Made from high-quality resin
- Dishwasher safe
Cost:Â $26
K&H Pet Products Thermo Kitty Cafe
If you have a problem with your cat’s outdoor food and water freezing, then you need this thermostatically controlled heated food and water bowl for cats.
Key Features:
- Stainless steel bowls are removable for easy cleaning
- One-year limited warranty
- Certified to exceed U.S. and California electrical standards
Collapsible Cat Bowls
Mr. Peanut’s Collapsible Bowls
These bowls are convenient and easy to travel with, plus the manufacturer donates a portion of their gross profits to animal welfare organizations, so you’re not just helping your cat when you buy them.
Key Features:
- Color coordinating carabiner for added convenience
- Set of four
- Dishwasher safe
Cost:Â $10
Prima Pets Collapsible Silicone Food & Water Travel Bowl
This collapsible bowl is made of food-grade silicone and has a BPA-free plastic rim to make the bowl easy for your pet to eat from.
Key Features:
- Convenient carabiner
- Available in pink, gray, purple, and aqua
- Available in 1.5 cup and 5 cup sizes
Cost:Â $7
This set includes two collapsible bowls, each with its own carabiner and a 34-ounce capacity.
Key Features:
- Available in two sizes
- .75 inches tall when collapsed
- Great for travel and other adventures
Cost:Â $11
Sabuy Collapsible Travel Bowls
These collapsible pet bowls are lightweight, convenient, and perfect for all of your travel and outdoor adventure needs.
Key Features:
- Available in green and blue or red and yellow
- Color coordinating carabiner
- Made of non-toxic food-grade silicone
Traditional-Style Cat Bowls
This set includes four shallow and wide stainless steel bowls, making it perfect for multiple cat homes or just serving multiple food types at the same time.
Key Features:
- Avoids whisker fatigue
- Bacteria resistant
- Corrosion resistant and durable
Cost:Â $21
These cute and colorful stainless steel bowls are easy to clean and feature a rubber ring around the base to prevent skidding and noise.
Key Features:
- Cute design
- Available in multiple color combinations
- Set of three
Cost:Â $16
Now Designs Cat Food and Water Bowl
This cat bowl is made from food-safe powder coated galvanized steel for all the perks of stainless steel with a pleasant, sky blue color.
Key Features:
- Easy to hand wash
- Anti-slip rubber ring around the base
- Matching tins are also available to store your cat’s favorite treats
Cost:Â $15
Petrageous Stoneware Pet Bowls
This stoneware cat bowl is not only durable and high quality, but it’s also a lovely addition to your home’s decor, no matter where you place it.
Key Features:
- Made to FDA standards
- Dishwasher safe and microwave safe
- Made from hand-crafted stoneware
Cost:Â $6
