The Best Dog Bowl Based on Your Pet's Feeding Style

Every dog has his own eating style: Some gobble down their food fast, while others like to take their time. They can be messy eaters, fast eaters, slow eaters, or picky eaters. And the type of bowl that you serve their food in could improve the way your dog eats.

When shopping for a dog bowl, consider the cost, style, safety, purpose, durability, and ease of cleaning. If you think about it, your dog's bowl is an important part of his basic nutritional health. Stainless steel bowls are by far the most durable, and we also like the fact that they're dishwasher-safe. Plastic bowls are affordable and unlikely to break if dropped, though they're not recommended for aggressive chewers. Ceramic bowls come in a protective glaze and are unlikely to tip over, but they can chip or crack (which harbors bacteria) over time. Elevated bowls are comfortable for bigger breeds and senior dogs, and their use can help prevent gastrointestinal problems like bloat. Automatic bowls are attached to a reservoir that will, on cue from your programming, dispense kibble at designated mealtimes. These are great options for working pet parents.

"For fast eaters, slow feeders such as Harmony Navy Plastic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl and Hyper Pet LickiMat Playdate Blue Slow Feeder Mat for Dogs incorporate inset obstacles that aid in slowing down the feeding process and help prevent bloating and vomiting," recommends Jarett Antoque, Petco's merchandise manager. "For messy eaters, placemats like Harmony Mint Rubber Placemat are key, as lifted edges help contain messes and keep bowls and food in place. Bowl sets such as Harmony Silicone Double Diner Dog Bowl Set and Neater Brands Bronze Elevated Dog Diner are also great options for keeping any messy meals isolated to one area."

To help make feeding your pup even easier, we found the best bowls for your dog based on their specific eating style. Mealtime is an even more enjoyable experience when their food bowls are chosen to suit their specific needs.