When it comes to food and bringing home your new puppy, your focus may be on choosing the dog food that provides the most nutritional benefits for your growing dog. While this is very important, the bowls you use to serve food and water can be just as important. Food bowl choices vary based on material and design. Which bowl is best for your puppy depends on his size, breed and behavior.
Plastic, Ceramic or Steel
Dog bowls typically come in plastic, ceramic or steel. Plastic bowls are often the cheapest option, but often become chew toys for active chewers. Chew marks in the bowls harbor bacteria that can make your dog sick. Ceramic and steel bowls offer a chew-free alternative. Both are dishwasher safe and allow for easy cleaning.
Does Shape Matter?
When you look at the various bowls at your local pet store, they seem to come in every shape and size. These shapes tend to be breed specific and choosing which shape is best depends on your dog. Bowls that have a wide base and narrow opening are designed for floppy-eared dogs, keeping ears out of the bowl. Shallow bowls make eating easier for brachycephalic breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs. Deep bowls cater to long-nosed breeds, such as collies. If ants are a problem in your home, moat bowls allow you to fill the outside with water, keeping the bowls ant-free.
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Writer Bio
Deborah Lundin is a professional writer with more than 20 years of experience in the medical field and as a small business owner. She studied medical science and sociology at Northern Illinois University. Her passions and interests include fitness, health, healthy eating, children and pets.