What Are the Best Types of Dog Bowls for Your Dog?

Dog bowls are available in all shapes and sizes, and are generally made of plastic, ceramic or stainless steel. Most dogs love food and do not care what material their dog bowls are made of, but their owners should know that some bowls are better than others. What are the best types of dog bowls for your dog, plastic, ceramic or stainless steel?

Plastic dog bowls are probably the most readily available and convenient for the average dog owner. They are able to be purchased just about anywhere, in grocery stores, discount stores and dollar stores. They are also the least expensive and most stores offer an assortment of colors and sizes.

Plastic dog bowls are also durable and unbreakable. However, some plastic dog bowls may be somewhat porous and develop scratches easily, causing bacteria to be harbored in the bowl. Dog who are left alone have also been known to chew on plastic bowls, sometimes digesting small pieces of plastic. Some dogs are allergic to plastic and can develop skin irritation, canine acne, hair loss and even discoloration of the nose. In addition, some plastic bowls may leach chemicals into your dog's food and water. For these reasons, plastic dog bowls may not be the best types of dog bowls for your dog.

Glazed ceramic dog bowls are very popular with dog owners since they are available in many sizes, colors and stylish designs. Usually the most costly of dog bowls, they are easily cleaned and are safe to put in the dishwasher. Although somewhat durable, wet ceramic dog bowls can easily slip out of the dog owner's hands and can easily become chipped, scratched or even broken. Just as with plastic, ceramic dog bowls can become a breeding ground for bacteria, so they also may not be the best types of dog bowls for your dog.

Stainless steel dog bowls are sturdy, long-lasting, unbreakable and dishwasher safe. They are relatively inexpensive, usually costing more than plastic, but less than ceramic. Stainless steel dog bowls may sometimes become dented, but they usually do not develop scratches for bacteria to grow. Although they are not available in an array of fashionable colors or designs, are these the best types of dog bowls for your dog?

What type of dog bowls are used by this author's dogs? Since my dogs do not care if their bowls are colorful or stylish and I am concerned about bacteria, it is the opinion of this writer that stainless steel dog bowls are the best types of dog bowls for your dog.