The main thing about a pet food dish is that it must be easy for your pet to access, easy for you to clean, and heavy enough so that your dog won't pick it up and carry it over to the dining room table.
Pets love beautiful dishes just like their owners do. Why not shop for a hand made and hand painted ceramic bowl to go with your kitchen decor? The ceramic bowls are great because they're heavy and easy to clean. They meet all the requirements of a good dog or cat dish. Stoneware or porcelain pet bowls are attractive and will make your four-legged friend feel good, even if she's eating the same old dry kibble! They also make a wonderful addition to your kitchen floor.
The variety of pet bowls available is stunning. You can get a bowl for hiking with your pet, one that is collapsible, and designed to fit into your pet's backpack for that long hiking or backpacking trip you're planning. There are food dishes for long-legged dogs that stand high off the ground so that your Great Dane or Irish Wolfhound doesn't have to hunch over their dog bowl trying to reach dinner. These are technically called pet feeding stands or feeding stations.
You can also find automatic pet feeders and pet water fountains so that your pets will have hours of food and plenty of fresh water even when you can't rush instantly home from the office to feed them and freshen their water bowl . Elegant sculpted bowls with patina finishes and brass accents are gorgeous and add a touch of beauty to your home.
Poly-resin bowls are strong and durable, even stronger than ceramic. Stainless steel bowls make cleaning up easy and quick. Stainless steel also provides your pets with a good, sanitary eating surface.
Pet bowls don't look complete on the floor without a special placemat underneath them. Pet placemats not only look good and complete your pet dish ensemble, but they also provide protection from water and food spills on your floor. They add a splash of color and make cleaning up the pet food area on your floor easier.
How big should your pet bowls be? It depends on the size of your dog or cat. Small dogs and cats need a bowl with a 2-3 cup capacity. Medium size and large dogs require a bowl that will hold approximately 6 cups. The most important thing to bear in mind when choosing your dog dishes is that you need to fill them regularly with nutritious pet food and clean fresh water.
