Before purchasing a dog bowl, consider a few things like the size of your dog and its type of ears and snout. Knowing their habits, you're probably aware if you’re dealing with a messy eater or fast eater. Or a picky one maybe? Accordingly, you can choose from a wide variety of dog feeder bowls to make the feeding more convenient. Here are different types of bowls designed according to the canine’s needs and eating preferences.

Shallow bowls are the recommended type for puppies, small and medium-breed dogs. The shallow dish allows for smaller dogs to reach all the way into it. This makes the eating process more comfortable and effortless, with no pressure on the throat.

This dish is suitable for large dogs and dogs with long snouts. It allows them to safely and successfully reach the food, not chasing it around like when using a shallow bowl.

Elevated or also known as raised bowls, are a great choice for larger breeds, and for dogs with physical limitations. They can be found in different heights and sizes, allowing your pet to eat comfortably, with no need of changing the posture. It prevents unnecessary strain on joints while bending to eat or drink. Also, this bowl is very convenient for senior dogs because the design itself improves the ease of swallowing. According to some studies, elevated dog feeders help the digestive system and prevent many health problems that might be caused by eating out of another type of dish. If purchased in the correct height, your dog will not drop as much food on the floor.

These are bowls that were specially developed for dogs with a tendency to eat very fast. This isn't a positive habit because it can make their weight difficult to manage. Besides, it can cause serious issues like vomiting or even choking. Food-gulping might cause a dog to take in air that will lead to gas, or in the worst case, to bloat (which can be a life-threatening gastrointestinal problem). These feeder bowls are designed in a specific shape with a concavity in the middle, which helps to control and to slow down food consumption.

Now, this is a perfect choice for long-eared dogs. The design is fairly deep and with a narrower opening at the top. The sides are angled inward and prevent the dog from dragging their ears through the food. It allows comfortable mealtime and clean and dry ears.

If you're not around during your pet's mealtime, you better opt for automatic dog feeder bowls. Some automatic feeders are programmable and will conveniently dispense food into your dog’s bowl at the time you’ve set. The non-programmable ones are recommended for keeping water available to your pet at all times. However, when using one of these for food, you're less likely to pay attention to your dog’s eating habits. That being said, you’ll need to monitor its weight more closely.

These are ideal for taking your dog for a car ride, ensuring sufficient water and food all the time. Easily portable, once emptied, these bowls can be folded to smaller sizes. They're really worth it when travelling with your pet.

After you’ve decided about your furry friend’s type of bowl, it’s time to consider materials. As your pet is part of your home, its serving bowl becomes part of your home's decor. When looking at so many well-designed dog feeder bowls, search for the one that fits your pet's surroundings best. But you also need to consider durability and how easy the different bowls are to clean. To decide, considering the quality of these common dog bowl materials.

This is usually the cheapest option, while also being lightweight and handy. Plastic bowls come in a wide range of shapes and colours and are suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. There is a rubber ring at the bottom which prevents slipping around, so dog food will not be all over the place. You'll need to be more careful around dogs that are prone to chewing because they can find it tasty and small plastic pieces might end up in their stomachs. The material is easy to scratch and possibly accumulate bacteria and germs, therefore cleaning and disinfecting it regularly is needed.

Stainless steel bowls are considered the most hygienic and long-lasting choice as they are bite-resistant. Since breaking the bowl is almost impossible, it’s less likely to collect bacteria in cracks. Make sure to have it protected in case of keeping it outside as the material takes on heat or cold. These bowls are produced in many different shapes and can serve as a sophisticated touch to the surroundings.

Ceramic bowls are found to be the most visually appealing ones due to being available in many colours and designs that can give a chic, vibrant touch to your space. However, this type of bowl can’t be dragged around easily, something that many dogs will dislike. And it's not a chewable alternative, too. The material requires frequent washing and is breakable, but only if dropped.

Dirty pet bowls can lead to health risk and skin infections, not only for your pet but for the whole family as well. That being said, pet dishes need to be cleaned properly and on a daily basis. If washing them in the dishwasher, use your regular detergent and the highest heat setting. It’s up to you if you’re going to wash them at the same cycle with other dishes or not.

Handwashing is an option too, by using hot water, regular detergent and a selected sponge, only for your dog’s bowl. That way you will prevent bacteria from transferring any further.

As for sanitizing, once a week is fairly enough. Soak the dishes in a solution of ¼ cup of bleach to one gallon of water for 10 minutes and then wash them with hot water or in the dishwasher, at the highest heat setting.

Keeping pet bowls in place and cleaning the area around them is significant for ensuring high levels of hygiene. Placemats are a great solution, but they need to be cleaned along with the bowl, with soap and water only, if not rinsed.

And as a final note, be careful not to make any food storage mistakes that can badly affect the health of your pet.