Nowadays, cat parents have a wide variety of cat bowls to choose from in the market. Whether it’s plastic, glass, stainless steel, or ceramic, the options are plentiful.
But which one is the best and healthiest choice for your beloved feline friend? Well, it’s definitely not the plastic variety.
According to the American Pet Products Association and their National Pet Owner Survey, approximately 44% of cat owners opt for plastic cat food and water bowls.
While these plastic bowls may be the most budget-friendly option available, they are not the ideal choice for our cats due to the numerous potential dangers associated with plastic.
3 Main Reasons Why You Should Avoid Using Plastic Cat Bowls
I believe that every cat parent wants the best for their beloved feline companions. Since food and water bowl choices are crucial for their well-being, let’s begin by discussing why you should avoid using plastic bowls.
1. Chemicals From Plastic Can Leach Into Cat Food
It’s no surprise that plastic can pose dangers, not only for our cats but for us as well. But, why is that so?
Most plastic bowls contain toxic chemicals such as phthalates or Bisphenol A (BPA). The primary issue with plastic lies in the fact that these harmful chemicals can leach into food through a process known as leaching.
Leaching can occur more rapidly when plastic bowls or containers are frequently used or exposed to high temperatures, including sunlight.
When these toxic chemicals leach into the food, they can lead to severe health problems, including liver and kidney damage, harm to other organs, and reproductive issues.
Therefore, it’s crucial to choose your cat’s bowl wisely, as it’s always better to be safe than sorry!
2. Plastic Bowls Can Cause Feline Acne
Believe it or not, cats can have acne too! Feline acne is a medical condition characterized by inflammation and the formation of blackheads, bumps, and lesions on a cat’s chin or face.
What you need to understand is that plastic bowls can be the root cause of feline acne. Wonder how?
Bacteria residing within the scratches (which may also irritate your cat’s tongue) and cracks in plastic bowls can aggravate a cat’s skin and trigger feline acne. Fortunately, this condition is treatable, but it can also progress to more severe infections.
Because of that, if your cat is dealing with acne issues, it would be best to stop using plastic bowls and consult your vet for the necessary medical treatment.
3. Plastic Bowls Can Never Be Fully Sanitized
Cleaning your cat’s food and water bowl is of great importance, but did you know that plastic ones can never be completely sanitized?
I was surprised when I first heard this as well. No matter how often you clean the plastic bow, it’s impossible to fully sanitize it. This is because, over time, plastic bowls develop tiny cracks and scratches where bacteria tend to thrive.
As a result, all your cleaning efforts can be in vain, leaving your cat at risk of ingesting lingering bacteria. If you wish to keep your cat healthy, then it would be best to use a different type of bowl.
As Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences says:
“Plastic food dishes tend to harbor microbes, so we recommend that owners switch to metallic dishes and clean them daily.”
These are just a few of the drawbacks associated with plastic cat bowls, but they are certainly among the most significant. So, to help you out, here are some of the best alternatives for plastic cat bowls that you can buy and use.
3 Best And Safest Cat Bowls
I’ve already mentioned that there are various types of cat bowls, but if plastic ones are bad for our cats, which ones are the best and safest?
Undoubtedly, the best cat bowls are those made of stainless steel, glass, or high-quality ceramics. While such bowls may be more expensive than plastic ones, choosing the right cat bowl is essential for maintaining your cat’s health.
1. Stainless Steel Unbreakable Pet Bowl
- Sturdy valuable stainless steel and BPA-Free
- Non-slip and removable rubber base
- Easy to wash and keep clean
If you wish to keep your cat healthy, then this stainless steel pet bowl is a must-have. This product includes two cat bowls made of sturdy stainless steel, and they’re BPA-free.
These bowls are ideal for every cat parent, particularly for indoor use due to their rubber base, which prevents slipping, and it can also be removed if needed.
The bowls are also super easy to clean, and you don’t have to worry about scratches, cracks, or bacteria growth. With this cat bowl, you can enjoy watching your cat savor a delicious meal without any concerns.
2. Ceramic Cat Bowl
- Wide and shallow design
- Whisker fatigue relief
- Easy to clean and non-toxic
Besides stainless steel cat bowls, ceramic ones are also a good alternative to plastic ones. While there are many ceramic cat bowls on the market, I recommend purchasing this one as it has proven to be the best option for my kitties.
This ceramic cat food bowl by BiteKing is wide and shallow, which has helped reduce whisker fatigue for my furry boy Freddie. By eating from this ceramic bowl, his whiskers no longer brush against the sides, allowing him to eat stress-free.
Furthermore, this bowl can also help prevent feline acne, primarily because it’s shallow, non-toxic, and eco-friendly.
The best part about having this cat bowl is that it’s very practical, stylish, and easy to clean. It’s perfect for both wet and dry food; however, it’s so shallow that it’s not the most suitable for water.
3. Raised Glass Cat Bowl
- Made of non-toxic harmless glass
- Raised and angled bowl
- Easy to clean
Finally, if you wish to buy your feline friend a glass bowl, then my absolute favorite is this raised and angled glass cat bowl by AHX.
This cat bowl is made of harmless and non-toxic glass, which is very easy to clean and wash. The bowl comes with a sturdy iron stand that elevates the bowl and provides stable support.
This is a perfect bowl, especially for older cats, because it’s raised and angled, but it also comes in two different sizes that you can choose from.
If you choose this one, I’m sure you won’t regret it – it can significantly improve the quality of your cat’s life!
Final Words
While there are many other cat bowls made of stainless steel, ceramic, or glass that are great choices for your cat, I’ve shared my three favorites with you.
You can always consult with your vet or another professional about the best bowl choice. However, it’s essential to stop using plastic ones for the sake of your feline.
In addition to selecting the best material for the cat bowl, remember that it’s crucial to keep the bowls clean. This way, you’ll avoid potential bacteria, infections, and other issues that may harm your cat.
Do your best to provide your feline friend with a tasty and, of course, healthy meal!
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