Choosing Food and Water Dishes for Your Cat

There are many different types of food and water dishes that you can buy for your cat.  Some dishes are for large cats, some for small.  There are dishes that are meant for multiple cats, as well as ones for single cats.  The dishes you choose should depend on several factors.

Start off by making a list of the things you want in a cat food dish.  Does it need to automatically dispense food while you’re away during the day?  Will it feed one cat or two?  Will you be using wet food or dry?  All of these things will make a difference when you choose your cat’s food dishes.

Do the same for your water dishes.  When you have your list of the features you’d like for your cat, you’re ready to hit the pet store.  Don’t try to go to a bargain store for these items, because the selection won’t be great, and you may end up settling for something your cat really doesn’t like.  Additionally, most pet stores allow you to bring your animal into the store with you, so you can get your cat’s opinion as well.

If you’re going with dry food, it may make sense to get the dishes that automatically dispense food and water.  Try to avoid the ones that are connected, however.  Cats will often utilize the water in their dish to help clean, and if water splashes into their food, they won’t eat it.

If you’re using wet cat food, there are other considerations to make.  The food dish should be dishwasher safe and durable; because it will need to be washed more often than if you’re using dry food.  Any designs on the food dish should be resistant to constant washing as well.

In fact, you need to be sure that any designs painted on the cat dish are completely non-toxic – some porcelain food dishes are more for show than for use.  The dishes should also be shallow enough that the cat can eat and drink easily without strain and without stepping into the dishes.  Be sure that the dishes you choose are both pretty and healthy for your cat.

Water dishes are another matter.  It’s very tempting to buy the ones that dispense water automatically utilizing a small, upturned bottle.  However, if you only have one cat, these can become problematic, as the water will often become stale before your cat can drink it.  If this happens, your cat may behave as if it hasn’t gotten any water at all.  If you decide to go with these convenient water dishes, make sure it has a small bottle for water that can be refilled daily without waste.

In the end, the food and water dishes you choose for your cat must be customized to your needs.  Just make sure your cat likes it as well.  When picking out these items, don’t forget things such as a mat to place underneath the dishes to protect your floor, or perhaps a cushion for your cat to rest on while they eat.