There are many different types of bowls. Remember that other countries have different manufacturing standards for products used by humans, but few actually have standards for products that are used by dogs and other animals. This means that a ceramic bowl made in China may contain lead, toxins and possibly carcinogenic contents. When your dog drinks or eats from a bowl that contains lead the lead leaches into the water and food. Make sure all bowls are labeled for human consumption. If you want to keep a bowl, but you’re not sure if it is safe or not, place a stainless steel bowl inside so your pet will be safe.
- Stainless steel bowls are the safest material for your pet
- Plastic, rubber, and silicone bowls are fine. But in some cases some dogs may develop a rash around their nose and muzzle from the plastic or material
- Never use rubber bowls made for livestock since they are heavily petroleum based and the oils and petroleum distillates can cause toxicity
- Collapsable travel bowl, fabric bowls, and silicone bowls are very convenient but make sure they are manufactured using safe material
- Raise food and water bowls to about half the height of your dog’s front legs. The dog should have its neck straight out from its body and parallel to the ground. There should be a slight drop down to the bowl (See diagram)
- Do not raise the bowl so high that it causes the dog to reach up for the food or water
- Make sure the stand or box you use to raise up the food and water bowls is steady and will not fall over if the dog bumps it
- Dogs and many animals in nature will lie down while eating so that they are close to the food
- This will prevent intake of gas and air which can lead to gastric torsion, twisting of the stomach. Gastric torsion, commonly referred to as bloat, requires emergency surgery
