12 Best Cat Food Bowls of 2023: Old-School, Raised & More

Cats are wired to be protective over their food. Thus, you need to get a bowl for each one that forms part of your family. It does not end there, though. You need to invest in a high-quality bowl too. They should be able to withstand cat claws and be made using safe materials for pets.

With that in mind, we have compiled a list of the best cat food bowls that you can buy in the market. Read through our review and pick the one that suits you most.

7 Best Cat Food Bowls: Review

1. Best Overall: Upsky 0018

• Size: 15 x 9.6 x 2.4 in.
• Materials: PP resin and stainless steel
• No. of Bowls: 2
• Item Weight: 11.2 oz.

With its raised design, premium construction, and no-spill edges, Upsky's 0018 is our best of the best in this cat food bowls review. It consists of two bowls that are elevated 0.8 inches from the ground using a PP resin base. This helps to reduce the neck burden so that your cat can eat and swallow comfortably.

The bowls have a premium stainless-steel build quality, and each one has a 1.5-cup capacity. They allow you to feed and hydrate your pet at the same time. On the other hand, the resin bottom has a W-type design with a raised lip to keep food from spilling over to the floor.

All two bowls are dishwasher-safe for easy maintenance and they detach easily from the base when you want to clean them.

You also get rubber feet to keep the base steady on the floor, but the anti-spill design does not separate food from the water.

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2. Most Affordable: Van Ness ECW20

• Size: 5.25 x 5.25 x 1.25 in.
• Materials: Bamboo, Silicone
• No. of Bowls: 1
• Item Weight: 1.6 oz.

Some cat food bowls are very affordable and Van Ness' ECW20 is the perfect example. Though it comes as a single bowl, the product has a decorative high-polish finish that is easy to clean. Additionally, this makes it resistant to cracking, breaking, or chipping under normal use.

Kitchen-grade silicone is fitted to the underside to prevent skidding, sliding, scratching the floor, and ultimately, spilling.

That said, the bowl is made using 47% eco-friendly bamboo material. Both this and the silicone section are chemical-free, BPA-free, and heavy-metal-free.

The only problem is that the unit is not listed as dishwasher-safe. It might not be safe to clean it this way, so we recommend handwashing.

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3. Best Mess-Proof: Neater Feeder Express

• Size: 12.9 x 8.75 x 4.75 in.
• Materials: Stainless steel
• No. of Bowls: 2
• Item Weight: 20.16 oz.

If you are looking for the best cat bowl for messy eaters, we highly recommend Neater Feeder's Express. It has a mess-proof design that separates the spilled food and water into different containers. Food is contained at the top, while water flows down to the catch basin.

These components form the base, which elevates two stainless steel bowls to a comfortable 2.75-inch feeding height. All these parts, including the top and bottom basins, are 100% dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

The bottom basin is fitted with rubber feet for non-skid performance. On the downside, the product is expensive, but it has a heavy-duty and durable design that is ideal for indoor & outdoor use.

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4. Best Elevated: Petkit Cybertail

• Size: 13 x 6.3 x 5 in.
• Materials: ABS, Stainless steel
• No. of Bowls: 2
• Item Weight: 24.32 oz.

Petkit's Cybertail features a practical elevated design with two bowls held 1.97 inches above the ground. These bowls can be held flat or tilted at a 15º angle, which reduces the strain of leaning bodies. Additionally, this inclined surface prevents spilling, while bottom rubberized grips keep it stable.

The bowls are made using premium quality stainless steel. They are removable from the base, dishwasher-safe and harmless to pets.

Another benefit is the wide 5.4-inch opening of each bowl that prevents whisker fatigue. On top of this, they have rounded edges, which make it easy for your cat to get to all the food. Overall, this is the best-elevated cat bowl.

However, the bowl lacks a spill collection system and it is quite expensive.

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5. Best Whisker-Friendly: Kitty City CM-10065-CS01

• Size: 5.38 x 3.25 x 4 in.
• Materials: Plastic
• No. of Bowls: 2
• Item Weight: 11.2 oz.

The CM-10065-CS01 has a unique 5.38-inch-wide oval opening that gives enough room for and cat's mouth and whiskers to fit.

Additionally, the front is cut a bit lower than the back for easy access, and it is held by a pedestal at a 2.875-inch height from the ground on the front done. All in all, this creates a whisker-friendly and ergonomic slanted design for your pet.

That said, you get two bowls per set: one in teal and the other in pink. Each is made using pet-safe plastic and holds 6.5 oz. of food. They are top-rack dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.

On the downside, the pieces lack rubber feet to prevent slipping, which minimizes spilling.

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6. Best Ceramic: Y YHY Cat Bowl

• Size: 5 x 5 x 3.6 in.
• Materials: Ceramic
• No. of Bowls: 1
• Item Weight: 23.68 oz.

As the best ceramic cat food bowl, this unit is built using sturdy ceramic material that is microwave and dishwasher-safe. On top of this, ceramic is cleaner as the material does not host a lot of bacteria.

The bowl has a heavy, stable base that keeps the bowl from tipping and creating a mess. It is elevated and slanted at the front to allow your pet to eat, drink and swallow in a comfortable upright position.

This tilting also makes the unit suitable for flat-faced cats. The only problem is that the bowl is fragile. You must handle it with care.

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7. Best to Prevent Overfeeding: CatGuru Cat Food Bowl

• Size: 6.6 x 6.6 x 1.2 in.
• Materials: Melamine
• No. of Bowls: 2
• Item Weight: 12.3 oz.

CatGuru's cat food bowls have a 5-oz capacity that holds just enough food to prevent overfeeding. On top of this, it has a wide opening to prevent whisker fatigue and keep your pet's face clean.

The pieces are built using melamine material, which is pet-safe (BPA-free), does not make as much noise as stainless steel, and does not absorb smell like plastic does.

Each bowl has a cutout for easy pickup and drop-off. They have a ripple design on the inside to keep food from sliding, while silicone legs keep them from slipping.

However, the units are not elevated for comfortable swallowing and they should not be used in the microwave.

Other Recommended Cat Food Bowls

8. Lesotc Cat Bowls

With a height of 1.2 inches, this product is one of the best kitten food bowls in the market because it keeps food close to the ground where these young pets can reach. That said, it comes as a set of three bowls that are made using safe, food-grade melamine material.

Each one has an angled design with a shallow depth that prevents whisker fatigue and an adorable kitty ear design. The pieces also have anti-slip silicone legs for stability on the floor.

Key Features

• Low 1.2-inch height.
• Three-bowl set.
• Angled design with a shallow depth.
• Anti-slip silicone legs.

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9. Y YHY Cat Food Bowl

If you prefer bowls with traditional stands, you should check out this cat food bowl. It consists of two bowls held by a metal frame, which has rubber feet to keep the food and water bowls steady.

The bowls are made using sturdy ceramic material that is rust-free, healthier, and more sanitary as compared to stainless steel. Additionally, the material makes the piece microwave and dishwasher-safe.

Key Features

• Traditional metal frame stand.
• Anti-slip rubber feet.
• Sturdy ceramic food bowls.
• Microwave and dishwasher-safe.

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10. Necoichi DC-0712-SC01

Necoichi's DC-0712-SC01 has a unique, extra-wide design that prevents whisker fatigue. What's more, it is elevated to minimize body strain when eating, drinking, and swallowing. The edge of the dish features a subtle ergonomic lip for reducing spills and making it easy to scoop.

When it comes to safety, the bowl is made to FDA/EC&ECC European standards. It is lead and cadmium-free, as well as dishwasher and microwave-safe.

Key Features

• Extra-wide design. Prevents whisker fatigue.
• A subtle, ergonomic lip around the dish.
• Made to FDA/EC&ECC European standards.
• Lead and cadmium-free.

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11. Upsky Peto

Upsky's Peto is one of the best food bowls for cats because it has a 0 - 30º free-tilt design that adjusts the bowl's position to suit your cat's best feeding posture. It gives you the option of three adjustable angles at a 2.5-inch height.

The bowl is removable from the base and is made using food-grade melamine material, which is non-toxic to your pet. You also get four non-slip rubber mats at the bottom of the base to maximize stability.

Key Features

• 0 - 30º free-tilt design.
• Food-grade melamine construction.
• Non-slip rubber mats.
• Elevated at a 2.5-inch height.

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12. YY Foreyy Food Bowl

Coming as a 2-piece set, these cat food bowls have non-skid silicone loops to prevent slipping on the floor. The two are built using ceramic material that is healthy and sanitary to use. It is lead & cadmium-free, as well as microwave and dishwasher-safe.

Each piece is elevated 4 inches from the ground to promote easy swallowing and a healthy digestive system.

Key Features

• 2-piece set with non-skid silicone loops.
• Lead & cadmium-free.
• Microwave and dishwasher-safe.
• Elevated 4 inches from the ground.

How to Buy the Best Cat Food Bowls

1. Types of Cat Food Bowls

Old School Bowls

These are the simplest form of cat food bowls. They have a regular, non-elevated bowl design, and can be made using stainless steel, ceramic, wood, melamine, or any other material. Some have anti-skid bottoms to prevent slipping.

Raised Bowls

Raised bowls have a base or pedestal that elevates the bowl to a comfortable eating and swallowing height. They promote healthy digestion, reduce neck pain and body strain. The bowls can contain multiple, removable parts for easy cleaning, or come as one full piece.

Automatic Feeders

Though expensive, automatic feeders eliminate human input at least for a couple of days before a refill is required. They are programmable to release a certain amount of food at different times during the day. As such, they come in handy if you have to travel for a few days and there is no one to take care of your cat.

Buying Guide: You should consider buying elevated bowls over the old-school type because they are healthier for your pet. For this, we recommend Petkit's Cybertail. However, if you travel a lot without your cat, consider getting an automatic feeder.

2. Size and Shape

Big bowls are good because they can hold more food. However, there is the danger of overfeeding, which can lead to obesity. Therefore, if you are trying to control your pet's weight, small pieces like CatGuru's cat food bowls are ideal. They have a capacity of only 5 oz.

On the other hand, the shape of the bowl matters for one important reason: whisker friendliness. Wide bowls allow a cat's mouth plus its whiskers to fit easily so that he/she can eat/drink comfortably. In this case, the CM-10065-CS01 stands out due to its oval 5.38-inch opening and a slanted design.

3. Materials

Cat food bowls can be made using a wide variety of materials. They include plastic, bamboo, ceramic, melamine, stainless steel, glass, etc.

Plastic bowls are very affordable, but absorb and hold the smell of food for a long period. Also, the material is not eco-friendly. If you like conserving the environment, a bamboo bowl is the best choice.

Ceramic pieces are quite good too, primarily because they don't absorb the smell of food and are very clean. They don't hold a lot of bacteria. However, they are fragile.

Melamine is a slightly better version of ceramic, but such bowls are not microwave-safe. The material absorbs radiation, which causes its polymer bonds to break down, then seep toxins into the food.

Stainless steel bowls should also not be used in the microwave because metal and radiation can cause explosions. Such bowls are a bit noisy, but overall, they are very sturdy, durable, and easy to clean. Glass is rarely used because it is very fragile.

Buying Guide: As you can see, each material has its pros and cons. Selection should be based on personal preference or your requirements.

4. Safety

Following up on the material type, you should ensure the food bowl you buy contains nothing toxic. Also, for those made using soft materials like bamboo, ensure they are solidly built in such a way that your cat cannot chip it and swallow a piece.

5. Convenience

Convenience is mostly associated with ease of cleaning. While handwashing a bowl is not difficult, it is more convenient if it is dishwasher-safe.

6. Durability

This factor is usually determined by the material used and as stated above, stainless steel bowls are the sturdiest and most durable types. Therefore, if you have very playful or rough cats, consider getting Upsky's 0018.

Q&A

1. Where Should I Place My Cat's Food Bowls?

The ideal place is in a quiet, open space so that your pet feels safe when eating or drinking. However, if he/she has a favorite spot in the house, place the bowls close by.

2. Can Cats Share Food Bowls?

Yes, they can, but we do not recommend this for two main reasons. First, these pets might have different preferences and therefore, you need to use separate bowls for each type of food. Secondly, cats are territorial and prefer eating alone.

3. Is It Okay to Leave Cat Food Bowls Out All Day?

It is not okay. Exposing them for long periods can lead to damages because cats are very playful. This is even worse if you leave them out all day with food in them. Bacteria and other microorganisms might start growing inside.

Try to develop eating schedules and bring out the bowls at the specific eating times. However, you can leave water bowls out and keep them filled so that the cat never gets thirsty.

4. How to Clean Cat Food Bowls?

This depends on the product. Some are dishwasher-safe, but others require handwashing. You have to be extremely careful when dealing with ceramic or glass bowls because they are fragile. That said, ensure you wash them daily or after every meal if you are worried about your pet's health.

Buy on Etsy

Y YHY Cat Bowl Anti Vomiting, Raised Cat Food Bowls, Tilted Elevated Cat Bowl, Ceramic - Walmart Link

VENTION Stainless Steel Whisker Relief Cat Food Bowl, Shallow Metal Cat Bowls Set, 10 Oz - Walmart Link

Y YHY Cat Food Bowls Set,Raised Cat Bowls for Food and Water,Ceramic Elevated Pet Dishes - Walmart Link

Roysili Double Dog Bowl Pet Feeding Station, Stainless Steel Water and Food Bowls with - Walmart Link

Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl Collection_Stress Free Pet Feeder and Waterer - Walmart Link

Cat Bowl Cat Food Bowls Non Slip dog Dish Pet Food Bowls Shallow Cat Water Bowl Cat - Walmart Link

MILIFUN Double Dog Cat Bowls - Pets Water and Food Bowl Set, 15°Tilted Water and Food - Walmart Link

CatGuru's cat food bowls - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

Y YHY Cat Bowl Anti Vomiting, Raised Cat Food Bowls, Tilted Elevated Cat Bowl, Ceramic - eBay Link

VENTION Stainless Steel Whisker Relief Cat Food Bowl, Shallow Metal Cat Bowls Set, 10 Oz - eBay Link

Y YHY Cat Food Bowls Set,Raised Cat Bowls for Food and Water,Ceramic Elevated Pet Dishes - eBay Link

Roysili Double Dog Bowl Pet Feeding Station, Stainless Steel Water and Food Bowls with - eBay Link

Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl Collection_Stress Free Pet Feeder and Waterer - eBay Link

Cat Bowl Cat Food Bowls Non Slip dog Dish Pet Food Bowls Shallow Cat Water Bowl Cat - eBay Link

MILIFUN Double Dog Cat Bowls - Pets Water and Food Bowl Set, 15°Tilted Water and Food - eBay Link

CatGuru's cat food bowls - eBay Link

Conclusion

In summary, we recommend Upsky's 0018 as the best cat food bowl overall due to its two elevated pieces plus an anti-spill base. In addition to this, the bowls are made using premium quality stainless steel.

That said, Neater Feeder's Express offers the best mess-proof design, making it ideal for messy eaters. It has a mesh screen and collector basin to separate spilled food from spilled water.

Elevated designs are also important for comfortable eating. Petkit's Cybertail takes this up a notch by having tilting bowls (up to 15º).