CHOOSING CAT BOWLS

What kind of bowls should we use for our cat’s food and water?

With the variety of bowls available, the answer to this question is often a matter of taste. It is recommended that you choose scratch resistant bowls that are dishwasher safe to reduce the level of bacteria and the risk of infection.

Stainless steel and crock bowls do not have the porous surface of plastic, so they are less likely to harbor bacteria. The metallic look of stainless steel may frighten some cats, however, and crockery is more costly and more prone to chipping, which may put off some cat owners. If you do choose plastic, you should wash your bowls daily and replace them when they become scratched.

All bowls should be wide and shallow enough so the cat’s whiskers do not touch the sides when he’s eating. Cats use their whiskers as sensory organs, and having them brush up against a hard surface during mealtime will be very disconcerting.

Automatic feeders are a good choice for pet owners who sometimes leave their cats alone overnight, since they release food in portions and provide several meals over the course of an extended period.

You may also want to consider automatic watering systems. These products re-circulate and filter water, keeping it moving and fresh tasting, two traits that cats really seem to value when looking for a place to drink.