In short
- Choose bowls by your animal's size, face shape and habits, then keep them clean and replace them when they chip, crack or wear.
- Fresh water should always be available unless your vet has told you otherwise.
- Treats are a small part of the day: read the label, mind the size and texture, and ask your vet how they fit with meals.
- Introduce anything new slowly, and change one thing at a time.
- For diet, weight and appetite, a veterinarian is the right person to ask.
Feeding time is one of the most predictable moments of a pet's day, and it is easy to stop noticing the small choices inside it: which bowl, how clean, how many treats, what is new. This piece looks at those choices in a general way. It cannot tell you what or how much your animal should eat. That depends on species, size, age, activity and health, and the person to ask is your veterinarian.
Choosing bowls
Most bowls are made of stainless steel, ceramic, plastic or silicone, and each has trade-offs.
- Stainless steel is usually easy to wipe and hard to break. Light ones can slide or tip, so look for a non-slip base.
- Ceramic is heavy, which helps with tipping, but it can chip or crack. Check for chips and cracks regularly, because they are hard to clean and can be sharp.
- Plastic is light and comes in many shapes. It can scratch with use, and scratches can be harder to get properly clean. Some animals chew plastic, which is a reason to stop using a bowl.
- Silicone and collapsible bowls pack flat for travel, but some are light and easy to tip, and some animals chew them. Check them often.
Size and shape matter as much as material. A bowl should be wide enough for your animal to eat comfortably and deep enough to hold a meal without spilling it. Cats, rabbits and other animals differ in what they find comfortable, so you may want to try a wide, shallow dish next to a deeper one and see which your animal prefers. Animals with unusual face or ear shapes may find some bowls awkward. Raised or tilted bowls are popular, but whether one is right for your animal is a question for your vet, especially for large dogs.
For multi-pet homes, give each animal its own bowl and its own space, so that nobody guards or rushes. If one of your animals eats very fast, ask your vet whether a slow-feeder bowl or a puzzle feeder would suit it.
Water, all day
Fresh water should be available at all times, unless your vet has told you otherwise. Refill bowls daily, and wash them rather than just topping them up, because a slimy film builds up inside bowls and fountains that you may not notice by touch. Put water in a spot your animal passes often, and in a larger home consider offering more than one bowl.
Gravity feeders, hanging crocks and automatic dispensers are handy, and they need the same attention. Take them apart for cleaning as the instructions describe, check the outlet is not blocked, and watch that your animal actually drinks from it. If you ever see a big change in how much your animal drinks, call your vet. You will find options in the Feeding and Watering section.
Keeping everything clean
Wash food bowls regularly with warm water and dish soap, rinse them well so no soap is left behind, and dry them. Moist food needs more frequent washing than dry food, because it spoils faster. Check the maker's instructions before using a dishwasher, because not every bowl is made for it. Wash scoops and storage containers too, and keep food sealed and dry. If a bowl is cracked, chipped, deeply scratched or chewed, replace it.
Treats: a small part of the day
Treats are most useful as a reward during training, a way to build trust or a small extra, and they add up. Many owners lose track of them, and then wonder why mealtime goes unfinished or weight creeps up. Count treats as part of the day's food, not extras, and ask your vet how many make sense for your animal. This is also the right person to ask about weight, since breeds and bodies vary a great deal.
Reading a label helps in a few general ways:
- Check which species the product is made for, and do not assume it suits another one.
- Read the ingredient list, especially if your vet has asked you to avoid something.
- Look at the size, hardness and texture of the treat compared with your animal's size and mouth.
- Note the storage instructions and the use-by date.
Chews and hard treats can break into pieces. Stay close when you offer them, take them away when they get small enough to swallow whole, and stop using any chew that splinters or that your animal tries to gulp. The Treats and Nutrition section lists the range, and our guide on making a home for a small pet or a bird includes chew items for small animals.
Changing anything: go slowly
New treats, new foods and new bowls can all unsettle an animal. Offer a small amount first, introduce one new thing at a time, and watch how your animal responds. For a main diet, ask your vet before you change it, especially for very young or older animals and for anyone with a health condition. If your animal seems unwell after something new, stop and call your vet.
Species matter too. Rabbits, birds, fish, reptiles and cats all eat differently from dogs, so research the species and ask a vet who knows it. If you are away from home, pack your animal's usual food, as described in the carrier and travel guide. Feeding is a quiet routine, but it is worth doing carefully.