When it comes to feeding your new addition, finding the best puppy bowl is one of the most important things to tick off your checklist. After all, getting puppy food that will help your new addition grow big and strong is top of the list and you'll need a suitably sized bowl to house it in.
There are plenty of dog bowls on the market, but some are marketed towards tiny mouths (with big appetites) and some even help shape your pup's feeding habits from an early age - from slow feeder bowls to encourage your little one to properly digest their dinner to elevated bowls that make it easier for teeny tiny pups to chow down their puppy food in those ever so important first months.
Best puppy bowls are a glance:
• Best puppy bowl for small breeds: Pecute Dog Bowls Non Slip - View now on Amazon UK
• Best puppy bowl for messy eaters: Mess Free 15° Slanted Bowl for Dogs and Cats - View now on Amazon UK
• Best personalised puppy bowl: Etsy Personalised Pet Bowl - View now on Etsy
In this guide, we've helped find the best puppy bowls on the market. There are loads on offer, with differences in material, design and purpose. You are going to be spoiled for choice: small, personalised dog bowls in a holder, and raised bowls for larger pups. The possibilities for your puppy to snaffle its dog food are endless.
Best puppy bowls
Best puppy bowl for small breeds
This dinner set from Pecute is low to the ground making it perfect for smaller puppies that can struggle to reach the big bowls. The set comes with a silicone mat that keeps the bowls from skidding on the floor when your pet is eating - making it impossible to knock over the bowl.
Customer review: "My pup would empty his food bowl in seconds, but now he takes minutes and seems very happy with the challenge and my other dogs can eat in peace."
Pros
- Less mess
- Great value for money
Cons
- Too small for big pups
| Dimensions: | 45 x 26 x 4 cm |
Best puppy bowl for large breeds
Not only is this Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Bowl a great size for your large pup's food but they features meal-lengthening ridges to help slow down your dog’s eating time - perfect for those quick greedy pups.
Customer review: "I have a very greedy lurcher pup who would eat so fast it was scary. This is the only thing that has slowed her down. She can't tip it, it doesn't slide across the floor, it's deep but with her long snout she can still get all the food. Probably wouldn't advise for a pug etc but ideal for my pooch."
Pros
- Prevents too fast eating from a long age
- Shapes eating habits
- Good quality
Cons
- Plastic bowl is not chew-proof
| Dimensions: | 29.85 x 29.85 x 6.73 cm |
Best puppy bowl for messy eaters
This ergonomic 15 Degree Tilted Dog Bowl makes the food concentrate on the bottom of the bowl, making it easier for your pup to reach their food. The angle of the bowl also reduces the risk of bloat and indigestion. Available in loads of different colours and designs.
Customer review: "It’s a lovely little bowl, but, be aware - that for the price I was expecting and adult dogs bowl, this bowl is tiny, and can only fit a very young puppy’s amount of food in. But it’s a beautiful colour and exactly as pictured."
Pros
- Metal bowl removable so easy to clean
- Less mess
Cons
- Very small
| Dimensions: | 14.22 x 13.97 x 7.98 cm |
Best for multiple puppies
If you're still weaning multiple puppies, they have a tendency to all feed together (a habit that they learn from feeding from their mum), so investing in a weaning bowl can allow feeding space for three to four puppies at a time.
Customer review: "Bought this bowl to be able to wean our puppies. Works well and there’s enough room for all the puppies to get around. This bowl size is suitable for small breed puppies only, highly recommend."
Pros
- Good for transitioning to solid foods
- Great value
Cons
- Too small for large breed pups
| Dimensions: | 30 x 20 x 3.5 cm |
Best personalised puppy bowl
www.etsy.com
Dog owners love anything cute and unique for their fur babies, and we love this simple personalised pet bowl from Etsy. You can select your very own colours and symbols, and small or large bowls are available.
Customer review: "Best purchase I have ever made for my fur baby. I love it she loves it and it looks great. In my opinion these bowls are more hygienic compared to others. Thank you I absolutely love them design is perfect just the way I wanted."
Pros
- Handmade
- Unique
Cons
- None
| Dimensions: | Height 5.5cm; Diameter 15cm; Depth 4.5cm |
Best ceramic puppy bowl
Coming with a vintage-style design, this Mason Cash Cane Ceramic Dog Bowl offers a timeless feel to any kitchen. 13cm in diameter, this ceramic accessory is bite resistant and its thick sides prevent chipping. We love this bowl as it’s crafted from heavy stoneware, which provides durability and tipping. Plus, it’s fridge, freezer and dishwasher safe.
Customer review: “Sturdy, easy to clean, doesn’t slide around the floor like some and looks great. This is my second set of these, and I wouldn’t buy anything else. Great value and a trusted brand!”
Pros
- Vintage, retro design
- Durable and bite-resistant
- Fridge, freezer and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not shatterproof
| Dimensions: | 13 x 13 x 5.5 cm |
Best sustainable
www.petsathome.com
This Beco Pets dog bowl is made from plant-based materials including bamboo to help reduce our dependence on petroleum plastics. It features an easy pick-up handle, a non-slip base and is available in four assorted colours to suit the personality of your pup.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Low down to the ground
Cons
- Not shatterproof
| Dimensions: | 5.8 x 15.5 x 15.5cm |
Best value
Stainless steel pet bowls are a great choice for puppies, as they're lightweight and easy to clean. This bowl could even be good for on-the-go. They come in different sizes, too.
Pros
- Small, medium, large and extra-large sizes
- Durable and simple
- Dishwasher-safe and lightweight
Cons
- May slip on a hard floor
| Dimensions: | 25.65 x 25.65 x 7.11 cm |
Best puppy bowls FAQs
What should I look for in the best bowl for puppy?
It's sad to think about, but your puppy really won't be small for long, so choosing the best bowl to shape their eating habits is really important. It is completely up to you whether you choose to buy a special puppy bowl for them in their first months.
Puppies are adorably messy little creatures and elevated bowls with silicone mats tend to prevent loads of spills as they munch on their breakfast and dinner. It is also important to note that puppies eat more often than adult dogs, so find a bowl that is easy to clean and wipe over. Some puppies will pick up bowls and treat them like a toy so you could. either go for something quite heavy like a ceramic bowl or something non-breakable like a stainless or silicone dog bowl.
What types of bowls are there for puppies?
Stainless steel bowls are durable, dishwasher-safe and usually skid-proof. Though they don’t come in any fancy designs or quirky patterns, they’re practical, inexpensive and last longer. However, take care of your stainless-steel dog bowls and avoid leaving them outdoors as they can rust.
Ceramic bowls are a favourite as they often come with funky designs and have a lovely, retro-vintage feel to them. We love that they’re mostly dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. However, they’re not shatterproof and can harbour bacteria in the cracks. So, make sure to keep an eye on it.
Plastic bowls are not recommended for dogs. Though inexpensive, these bowls can be easily scratched and chewed up by your pup. Plus, some dogs can get allergies to plastic. So, look elsewhere.
Automatic bowls allow your pup to be fed at regular intervals if you’re out for a while. Automatic pet feeders are the ultimate convenient tool for your pooch. Some are app-controlled, too. Smart.
Slow-feeder bowls can help food-obsessed dogs take their time during dinner and engage them while they munch. These bowls can have a positive impact on your pooch’s mental and digestive health.
Elevated bowls have advantages in larger and older dogs. However, it can affect the eating speed of your puppy. We’ve summed up our thoughts below in our dog bowl FAQs.
Silicone bowls are great for on-the-go. They’re easy to clean, generally dishwasher friendly and can be quite durable. However, they aren’t a long-term solution as a big gnasher can mess them up.
[Travel dog bowls]{href='https://takeabreak.co.uk/pets/dogs/dog-travel-water-bowls-bottles/' } are handy additions to your trips abroad, hiking or long walks that involve a few stops along the way. After all, your pup needs to stay hydrated and kept fed on the go – just like you.
Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Take A Break. She has been working in the Journalism industry for over a decade and has written for an array of brands including John Lewis, Daily Mirror and Grazia. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle.