Choosing the Right Dog Bowl

The right food bowl is a fundamental part of the basic equipment for every dog.

Ideally, every dog should have two bowls adapted to its size, breed and its eating habits too. Here it’s important how often your dog is fed, whether it receives wet or dry food and whether it drinks too little or too much depending on the type of food.

Please bear in mind too that it’s better for your pet to drink from a large bowl rather than a smaller one.

In order to get a feel for the right sizes, calculate the approximate volume of food served at each meal. Based on our experience, the right bowl should be approximately four times larger than the volume of food served.

In order to get a feel for the right sizes, calculate the approximate volume of food served at each meal. Based on our experience, the right bowl should be approximately four times larger than the volume of food served.

Since dog breed and size are also decisive criteria as previously mentioned, we have put together a table of practical values for you that you can use as an additional rough guideline.

Bowl size	Withers height*	Breeds
XS	up to approx. 25 cm	Yorkshire Terrier, Pekinese, Chihuahua, Papillon and many more.
S	up to approx. 35 cm	Jack Russell Terrier, Maltese, Tibet Spaniel, Bolonka and many more.
M	up to approx. 45 cm	Pug, French Bulldog, Medium Poodle, Beagle, Pomeranian and many more.
L	up to approx. 55 cm	Standard Poodle, Border Collie, Kelpie, Schnauzer, Greyhound and many more.
XL	up to approx. 65 cm	Labrador, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog and many more.
XXL	over 65 cm	Irish Wolfhound, Great Dane, Leonberger, Newfoundland and many more.

*The withers height means the dog’s shoulder height. If the dog drops its head, the withers is the highest body part, which is why it is classed as the actual height for all dogs.

Although the right size is one of the most important criteria, the shape and material of the bowl need to be taken into consideration too. Hence, we would like to now briefly go through the most important styles.

Stainless steel bowls

Bowls made from stainless steel are particularly hygienic and easy to clean, coming in many different sizes and designs. Double bowls are especially popular. A stainless steel bowl is very long-lasting and can be cleaned very well, making it difficult for bacteria and residue to stick. Have fun looking for a bowl! Here you can find our selection of stainless steel bowls.

Plastic bowls

Bowls made from plastic are incredibly light and handy. The rubber ring attached to the bottom prevents them from slipping. Hence, this type of bowl is suitable for both adult dogs and rowdy puppies too. Plastic bowls come in many different shapes and colours and will definitely catch the eye in your home. Here you can find our selection of plastic bowls.

Ceramic bowls

Bowls made from ceramic are real classics. They are timelessly elegant and often feature attractive patterns – a gem for every feeding spot. Here you can find our selection of ceramic bowls.

Slow-feed bowls

Slow-feed bowls are particularly useful for dogs that eat very quickly. This special type of bowl was developed since many dogs don’t tolerate bolting their food very well. They are specially shaped and there is a concavity in the middle. This controls and slows down food consumption considerably. Here you can find our selection of slow-feed bowls.

Travel bowls

It’s particularly important when you take your dog with you on your travels to have sufficient water, food and snacks on hand. In order to save space, foldable silicon travel bowls, sealable drinking bottles with a water dispenser or sealable food barrels are useful. Simply take a look at what we offer to ensure you’re perfectly prepared for your next trip. Check out our selection of travel bowls.

You will find exactly the right bowl for your dog at zooplus! Choose your perfect dog bowl from numerous bowls made of different materials and in exciting colours. You can complement it with bowl stands, placemats and food containers.