Bowls for cats: a description of the species, the best models and features of choice
The acquisition of a pet is always accompanied by the purchase of various accessories necessary for comfortable living of the animal. If we are talking about cats, then, of course, can not do without high-quality bowls.
Features
Bowls for cats, first of all, should not cause any difficulties for pets in the issue of obtaining water or food. Experts do not recommend to combine the two into a single container, as such structures cause problems in animals. Usually double bowls have high sides that prevent cats from taking food in a reclining position or hurt their whiskers. The second point is particularly relevant for flat-mouthed Persians and Exotic.
Kinds
Separately taken to allocate bowls for water. Since their shape is of great importance, utensils for drinking should take some. The sides of such a container should be low, and the bottom usually has a large diameter. On the size of the dishes for drinking can be compared to a soup plate.
As a rule, several copies are purchased, which are placed throughout the apartment, but always away from the working equipment.
Alternatively, you can install a room fountain in which water will circulate constantly, attracting pets.
Popular feed feeders, sold in different variations. For example, it may be a self-replenishing design, which quickly enters the food. It is usually made of high quality plastic.
As a rule, the automatic feeder is equipped with a timer, several tanks and a dispenser. It works both from a power 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 kind of urgent, if the animal has a problem with taking food. For example, it is too soon swallow food almost without chewing it.
A double bowl implies either using one container for two kittens, or one of its parts is filled with food, and the second one - with water. The triple bowl has even more functionality: water is poured into one compartment, dry food is put in the second part, and wet food is placed in the third part.
Quite often selected bowls on the standwhich animals are much easier to use. Interactive bowl allows you to further develop your pet. The feeder is endowed with round spikes, resembling grass, and the animal should reach between them with its paws.
A non-spill bowl has a rubber ring as a base - it is this that prevents the container from moving along the floor surface.
Looks very unusual tumbler toyin which dry food is poured. Food puzzle may be of various shapes and have a non-uniform structure. Some models can be made independently in house conditions, for example, having placed various tubes, capacities on a wooden basis, having attached plates and sticks. Finally, we can not forget about the heated dishes.
Materials, shapes and sizes
Bowls for cats are most often made of plastic, stainless steel or ceramics. In addition, porcelain or glass can be used. Plastic containers are the most popular and affordable.There are both cheap and rather expensive models on sale.
Low cost feeders have a specific smell, ability to absorb odors, and sometimes release hazardous substances. As a rule, they quickly bend and crack. Expensive models are deprived of such shortcomings and serve much longer.
However, experts do not recommend acquiring plastic containers, since the porous structure of the material becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Metal bowls are characterized by durability and long life. For convenience, the base is often covered with rubber - so the container will not slide 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 average price category. Ceramic and porcelain options are environmentally friendly and safe. However, they quickly beat and slide on 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 upwards.
Manufacturers Overview
One of the most popular bowls for cats is the melamine model. Cibo by Savic. It is very beautiful and modern, performed in black or white. Such capacity can be used both for feeding, and for drinking. The melamine from which the dishes are made is an absolutely safe and resistant material that is very easy to care for.
A plus is a rubberized base, due to which the trough does not slide on the floor.
If we talk about plastic containers, then you should definitely mention other Savic bowls. Comfortable elongated shape is most suitable for kittens and adult animals with a flat face. The embossed bottom prevents animals from scattering feed.
Trixie brand metal bowl made of stainless steel. Thanks to the rubberized bottom, it is very resistant. The capacity of the container is 450 ml - this is enough for both feed and water.
Dezzie bowls have an unusual shape. The tank itself is made of stainless steel and is placed on a special stand made of plastic. A special advantage of this trough is the convenience for the animal, which does not even have to strain the neck.
Dezzie Fish Bowls They look very stylish and organically fit into the kitchen interior. This model is made of stainless steel and mounted on a special stand of nubuck. In addition to durability and ease of operation, users also note the antibacterial properties of the container itself.
If you need a trough with two sections, then you can pay attention to the Japanese company Hello kitty. Ceramic feeder is resistant. The containers themselves are located at some distance from each other, which prevents the feed from getting into the water.
Ring brand metal bowls Available in red and black. Their round shape looks quite stylish, and the bottom is protected from slipping due to the material used. However, such a feeding trough often rattles heavily and thus scares pets.
Bowls ROGZ Made of melamine and have an original design. The convenient shape of the dishes prevents contact with the cats' whiskers, and the additional bumpers prevent the splashing of food and liquids. The bottom of the tank is made of non-slip silicone, and it itself is not toxic due to the use of melamine with anti-corrosion characteristics.
How to choose?
We should start with the fact that many owners prefer to place the bowls not on the floor, but on special stands or rugs. They give stability to the plates, visually block off the eating 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 pets normally respond to such an accessory. For example, the sides of the stand can make it difficult for an animal to access the bowl from all sides. It is better to buy a rug or stand only in the case when the animal prefers to eat sitting or standing.
Cat bowl should not move on the floor during operation, so the choice should be made 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 cat-shaped snout can look very unusual, but the food will be stuffed into “ears” where the animal cannot reach normally.
The oval and the circle are the most successful forms, and 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 adjust one under the water and the other under the food, then a not very neat pet will begin to throw the crumbs into the water. In any case, you should observe the behavior of the cat and at some inconvenience buy a replacement.
The size of the bowl, of course, are determined depending on the characteristics of the pet. In the tank should be placed so much food that the cat enough for one meal. Water should be sufficient for its reception for the whole 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, in shape and size resembling a saucer.
In addition, the choice of the bowl depends on the type of food: dry perfectly placed in a plate with raised sides, and for the canned version suitable design without such high fixtures.
Where to put?
Experts recommend always put the bowls in the same place. It should be away from the stove, sink, and the main passage to the kitchen. Dishes must be placed on the floor, and not on elevations, for example, on the nightstand or windowsill.
It is strictly not allowed to put the bowls next to the tray. Do not forget that the selected area should be easy to clean.
It is important that the cat always has free access to the liquid, but here it is better to fill up the food container at a certain time in the quantity of the required portion. The rules of hygiene require daily washing of dishes: it is enough to clean the liquid bowls once a day, and the feeders after each use.
In the video below you can learn more about how to choose dishes for the cat table.