Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By
Dr. Lorna Whittemore
Veterinarian, MRCVS
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
You might think that choosing a cat bowl is as easy as picking a design you like and filling it with your cat’s favorite food. Not all cat food bowls are created equally, and not all cats will take to any old bowl. If you’ve been a cat owner for some time, you know how picky they can be, so it’s important to take your time when choosing a new food bowl for your pet.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and confused with all of the different food bowl options out there, we can help. Keep reading to find our reviews of the ten best cat food bowls in Canada as well as all the factors you should consider as you begin your search for the perfect, kitty-approved bowl.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Upsky Premium Stainless Steel Double Pet Bowls
Large capacity bowls
Affordable price tag
Stainless steel prevents bacteria growth
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Best Value
Van Ness Pets Whisker-Friendly Cat Bowl
Very affordable
Easy to clean
Base is skid-free
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Premium Choice
Neater Feeder Deluxe Cat Food Bowls
Bowls are dishwasher safe
Keeps food area clean and dry
Comes in a variety of size options
Check Price
Best for Kittens
PetRageous Stoneware Cat Food Bowl
Made to FDA standards
Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
Check Price
Y YHY Ceramic Raised Cat Food Bowl
Easy to clean
Different color and size options
Cute design
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The 10 Best Cat Food Bowls in Canada
- Upsky Premium Stainless Steel Double Pet Bowls – Best Overall
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Materials: Resin and stainless steel
Size: 1L x 26.9W x 6.4H cm
Capacity: 11 ounces
Upsky Premium Stainless Steel Double Pet Bowls is an easy to clean, a no-spill system that’s affordable and efficient. Its double bowl design features unique rimming around the outside that will prevent any food spills. This product is the overall best cat food bowl in Canada thanks to its large capacity, high-quality construction, and dishwasher-safe materials. The bowls are slightly elevated to provide a more comfortable eating position for your cat. This might be especially handy if your cats are older or have joint or arthritis issues. It is important to note that cats prefer to have their water bowls away from their food bowls. So this double bowl may be best in multicat households.
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Materials: Resin and stainless steel
Size: 1L x 26.9W x 6.4H cm
Capacity: 11 ounces
This feeding system comes in seven different bright color options so finding one that goes with your home décor should be a breeze.
Pros
Large capacity bowls
Affordable price tag
Stainless steel prevents bacteria growth
Reduces neck burden
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Bowls may be too deep for some cats
- Van Ness Pets Whisker-Friendly Cat Bowl – Best Value
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Materials: Bamboo plant material
Size: 3L x 13.3W x 3.2H cm
Capacity: 8 Ounces
If you’re hunting for a standard cat bowl without any bells and whistles, this Van Ness Pets Whisker-Friendly Cat Bowl is it. This product is the best cat food bowl in Canada for the money as it costs just a few dollars.
Large capacity bowls
Affordable price tag
Stainless steel prevents bacteria growth
Reduces neck burden
Dishwasher safe
- Large capacity bowls
- Affordable price tag
- Stainless steel prevents bacteria growth
- Reduces neck burden
- Dishwasher safe
Bowls may be too deep for some cats
- Bowls may be too deep for some cats
Materials: Bamboo plant material
Size: 3L x 13.3W x 3.2H cm
Capacity: 8 Ounces
While it looks like a regular ol’ food bowl, this product has been thoughtfully designed with cats in mind. It features a wide opening to allow your cat to easily access his food and also prevent whisker fatigue. It can hold eight ounces of food (or water) and has a high-polish finish that makes cleaning even crusty wet food off a breeze.
The manufacturer uses renewable plant sources in the construction of this bowl, making it safe for your pets and better for the environment. The bowl is free of BPA, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Pros
Very affordable
Easy to clean
Base is skid-free
A shallow design prevents whisker fatigue
Cons
Bowl may be better suited for kittens than adult cats
- Neater Feeder Deluxe Cat Food Bowls – Premium Choice
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Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 6L x 22.9W x15.2H cm
Capacity: 1 cup food bowl, 1.5 cup water bowl
These Neater Feeder Deluxe Mess Proof Elevated Cat Food Bowls are the perfect pick for cats who tend to get a little messy with their food and water bowls. This product is designed to be kick- and spill-proof. Excess food will stay inside the feeding system, while water spills drain below instead of onto your flooring.
Very affordable
Easy to clean
Base is skid-free
A shallow design prevents whisker fatigue
- Very affordable
- Easy to clean
- Base is skid-free
- A shallow design prevents whisker fatigue
Bowl may be better suited for kittens than adult cats
- Bowl may be better suited for kittens than adult cats
Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 6L x 22.9W x15.2H cm
Capacity: 1 cup food bowl, 1.5 cup water bowl
The system is elevated to provide a better eating posture for better digestion and joints. You can also purchase leg extensions from the company to elevate the feeder even more, but we didn’t find that this was necessary with cats. The leg extensions could be great for people with bigger dog breeds, though.
The Cat Deluxe feeder has shallow bowls designed to prevent whisker fatigue and also comes in a wide variety of colors to suit your home décor.
Pros
Bowls are dishwasher safe
Keeps food area clean and dry
Comes in a variety of size options
Contoured design provides easy access
Cons
May need a bigger size for adult cats
- PetRageous Stoneware Cat Food Bowl – Best for Kittens
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Materials: Stoneware
Size: 14L x 14W x 4.4H cm
Capacity: 3 ounces
When your cat is a kitten, they need a bowl that’s specially designed for its small stature. This PetRageous Stoneware Cat Food Bowl features a shallow saucer-style design that allows your kitten to reach his food and water without dirtying their face. The bowl has an oval shape that was selected to prevent whisker fatigue while eating and drinking.
Bowls are dishwasher safe
Keeps food area clean and dry
Comes in a variety of size options
Contoured design provides easy access
- Bowls are dishwasher safe
- Keeps food area clean and dry
- Comes in a variety of size options
- Contoured design provides easy access
May need a bigger size for adult cats
- May need a bigger size for adult cats
Materials: Stoneware
Size: 14L x 14W x 4.4H cm
Capacity: 3 ounces
The bowl is made with 100% ceramic stoneware that has been glazed to ensure a non-porous surface. This will help prevent any potentially harmful bacteria growth.
The bowl comes in either pink or white designs, both with cat ears on top of the bowl and a cute cat face emblazoned in the center.
Pros
Made to FDA standards
Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
Whisker-friendly design
Perfect size for kittens
Cons
Fragile construction
- Y YHY Ceramic Raised Cat Food Bowl
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Materials: Ceramic
Size: 12.7L x 12.7W x 9.1H cm
Capacity: 5 ounces
This Y YHY Ceramic Raised Cat Food Bowl comes in three different colors (gray, blue, or white) and two sizes (5-inches or 7.2-inches). The tilted design of the bowl makes getting every last morsel of his meal easier as the food will center itself in the middle of the bowl instead of along the edges. This makes it a great pick for pet owners with flat-faced cats as their whole faces can enter the bowl to get at their food. The wide design will prevent whisker fatigue, too.
Made to FDA standards
Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
Whisker-friendly design
Perfect size for kittens
- Made to FDA standards
- Dishwasher safe
- Microwave safe
- Whisker-friendly design
- Perfect size for kittens
Fragile construction
- Fragile construction
Materials: Ceramic
Size: 12.7L x 12.7W x 9.1H cm
Capacity: 5 ounces
The raised lip of the bowl stops food spills. The wide base provides stability and will make tipping the bowl over difficult. The bowl is made from a sturdy ceramic material that’s both microwave and dishwasher safe.
Pros
Easy to clean
Different color and size options
Cute design
Raised design is easy for senior cats
Sturdy construction
Cons
Expensive
Fragile
- Petstages Kitty Slow Feeder Cat Food Bowl
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Materials: Polypropylene
Size: 97L x 13.97W x 2.54H cm
Capacity: ¾ cup
Does your cat tend to scarf down his food within seconds only to regurgitate his meal minutes after eating it? When cats eat their dry food too fast, the kibble can absorb water and swell up. When this happens, a memo gets sent to your cat’s brain that they’ve overeaten and then vomiting occurs.
Easy to clean
Different color and size options
Cute design
Raised design is easy for senior cats
Sturdy construction
- Easy to clean
- Different color and size options
- Cute design
- Raised design is easy for senior cats
- Sturdy construction
Expensive
Fragile
- Expensive
- Fragile
Materials: Polypropylene
Size: 97L x 13.97W x 2.54H cm
Capacity: ¾ cup
If this is an issue with your cat, a slow feeder bowl could be the answer. This Petstages Kitty Slow Feeder Cat Food Bowl will naturally slow down your cat’s eating pace while simultaneously providing an enriching experience as they forage for their food. This bowl has a non-slip base so it won’t slide all over the place as your cat is eating.
Pros
Available in other design options
Prevents bloating and regurgitation
Provides enrichment and mental stimulation
BPA-free
Affordable
Cons
Smart cats may need more of a challenge
Crumbs can get into corners and crevices
- Vinker Cat Food Bowls with Stand
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Materials: Bamboo and ceramic
Size: 35L x 17.5W x 11.9H cm
Capacity: 25 cups per bowl
This beautiful bamboo Vinker Cat Food Bowls with Stand feeding station adds a classy touch to your home. The stand is elevated and slightly tilted to promote a healthy eating posture. It comes with anti-slip feet for the bottom of the stand to ensure your pet won’t move it from its designated spot in your home.
Available in other design options
Prevents bloating and regurgitation
Provides enrichment and mental stimulation
BPA-free
Affordable
- Available in other design options
- Prevents bloating and regurgitation
- Provides enrichment and mental stimulation
- BPA-free
- Affordable
Smart cats may need more of a challenge
Crumbs can get into corners and crevices
- Smart cats may need more of a challenge
- Crumbs can get into corners and crevices
Materials: Bamboo and ceramic
Size: 35L x 17.5W x 11.9H cm
Capacity: 25 cups per bowl
The bowls have a smooth surface that makes clean-up after meals a breeze. They’re made with a food-safe ceramic material that allows for dishwasher and microwave use.
The cat-ear design near the holes for the bowls is not only cute but functional as well. The ears provide a spot for you to stick your fingers to remove the bowls after mealtime.
Pros
Simple to clean
Dual bowls for multi-cat homes
Beautiful design
Dishwasher safe
Cons
Bowls could be deeper for water
Takes up a lot of space
- Dr. Catsby’s Food Bowl for Whisker Relief
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Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 4L x 18.4W x 3.2H cm
Capacity: 5 cups
Dr. Catsby’s Food Bowl for Whisker Relief has a uniquely wide and shallow design that is meant to prevent whisker fatigue without restricting your cat’s access to his food. It has a non-slip mat made with food-grade silicone underneath that adds stability and prevents your cat from pushing his bowl around the room.
Simple to clean
Dual bowls for multi-cat homes
Beautiful design
Dishwasher safe
- Simple to clean
- Dual bowls for multi-cat homes
- Beautiful design
- Dishwasher safe
Bowls could be deeper for water
Takes up a lot of space
- Bowls could be deeper for water
- Takes up a lot of space
Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 4L x 18.4W x 3.2H cm
Capacity: 5 cups
The stainless-steel design makes the bowl very easy to clean and can prevent acne-causing bacteria from forming in your cat’s food dish.
There is a finger hole on the side of the bowl so it’s easy to pick it up and put it down without spilling any of your pet’s food.
Pros
Bowl and mat are easy to clean
Aesthetic design
Bowl won’t move around
Helps cats get all of their food
Reduce cat acne
Cons
Recommended for dry food only
Expensive
- Kitty City Raised Cat Food Bowl
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Materials: Plastic
Size: 7L x 27.9W x 8.9H cm
Capacity: 5 ounces per bowl
Kitty City’s Raised Cat Food Bowl is a stylish and modern design that provides an ergonomic way for your cat to enjoy his meals. This set comes with two bowls that can both hold 6.5 ounces as well as a non-skid mat that will keep these bowls in place.
Bowl and mat are easy to clean
Aesthetic design
Bowl won’t move around
Helps cats get all of their food
Reduce cat acne
- Bowl and mat are easy to clean
- Aesthetic design
- Bowl won’t move around
- Helps cats get all of their food
- Reduce cat acne
Recommended for dry food only
Expensive
- Recommended for dry food only
- Expensive
Materials: Plastic
Size: 7L x 27.9W x 8.9H cm
Capacity: 5 ounces per bowl
The pedestal bowl design promotes a healthy eating posture to reduce neck tension. The oval shape of the bowls also prevents whisker fatigue, which can be quite stressful for your cat (more about this later).
The mat is made with a TPR material to resist spills and has raised edges to prevent any water from leaking onto your floor.
Pros
Bowls are dishwasher safe
Mat is easy to clean
Feline-friendly design
Bowls are easy to access
Cons
Bowls are very lightweight
Plastic design can harbor bacteria
- PetFusion Premium Cat Food Bowl
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Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 8L x 17.8W x 5.1H cm
Capacity: 13 ounces
This 13-ounce PetFusion Premium Stainless Steel Cat Food Bowl is over 5 centimeters deep to provide plenty of space for your cat’s favorite food. It has a brushed nickel finish for a premium look and is made with a high-grade 304 stainless steel for durability and corrosion resistance. This material also helps prevent kitty acne that can be caused by lingering bacteria left in food bowls.
Bowls are dishwasher safe
Mat is easy to clean
Feline-friendly design
Bowls are easy to access
- Bowls are dishwasher safe
- Mat is easy to clean
- Feline-friendly design
- Bowls are easy to access
Bowls are very lightweight
Plastic design can harbor bacteria
- Bowls are very lightweight
- Plastic design can harbor bacteria
Materials: Stainless steel
Size: 8L x 17.8W x 5.1H cm
Capacity: 13 ounces
The bowl is simple to clean and can be tossed in your dishwasher. The outer rim extends from the bowl to make picking it up and cleaning it even easier.
This item can be used alongside PetFusion’s raised feeding stations that are sold separately.
Pros
Wide and shallow
Nice appearance
Prevents whisker fatigue
Sturdy and durable
Cons
Cats can scoop food out
Scratches easily
Hard to get all the wet food out
Wide and shallow
Nice appearance
Prevents whisker fatigue
Sturdy and durable
- Wide and shallow
- Nice appearance
- Prevents whisker fatigue
- Sturdy and durable
Cats can scoop food out
Scratches easily
Hard to get all the wet food out
- Cats can scoop food out
- Scratches easily
- Hard to get all the wet food out
Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Cat Food Bowl in Canada
While choosing a cat bowl might at first seem like an easy task, there is a lot of thought that should go into selecting the perfect option for your cat. It’s not as easy as picking a bowl that fits with your home’s décor and hoping your cat will like it. Read on to learn about the different factors you should consider when purchasing your cat’s next bowl.
Size
There is no one-size-fits-all rule for cat bowls. Every cat is different, and each will have its own size preference. What works for one of your cats might not for the other cats under your roof. So, as you begin your hunt for the best bowl, be patient and let your cat dictate the size he prefers.
The size of the bowl should be large enough to hold all of your cat’s meals. The cute and dainty bowls might be adorable but could be too small for an adult cat to get their head into comfortably to eat. Bowls that are too narrow can also cause whisker fatigue which can be a huge turn-off for your cat.
The perfect bowl will be wide but not too deep and should have sides that gradually slope. Bowls that have 90-degree angles can create “corner traps” where your cat’s food gets stuck, and they cannot get at it.
Materials
Some cat food bowl materials will be more hygienic than others.
Stainless steel is a great material choice as it is simple to clean, easy to disinfect, and more capable of preventing bacteria growth. Stainless steel bowls will also be difficult or impossible to break so there is a lot of value in your investment.
Ceramic, stoneware, and glass bowls are also very easy to clean and durable. They will come in a wide variety of colors and designs which may or may not be important to you. The one issue with bowls made of these materials is that they’re easier to break. You must treat your bowls carefully to prevent any chips or cracks that could eventually cause bacteria growth.
Some materials, such as plastic, can harbor bacteria growth and could cause feline acne. Plastic bowls are also prone to scratching, which can become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. If you choose a bowl made of plastic, clean it diligently but carefully to prevent any scratches from forming.
Design
You may have clicked on this article thinking that every cat food bowl came with the same generic design. At this point, you probably know that that’s just not the case.
Pet food bowls come in all different shapes, sizes, and designs. The design you ultimately choose will depend upon your cat’s size and needs.
Some bowls have an elevated design that could potentially help cats with digestive issues. It’s thought that elevated bowls can help pets swallow as well as make mealtimes easier for senior cats or those with arthritis. There are no scientific studies that can prove or disprove these claims, however. Some cats prefer raised feeders, and some might turn their noses up at them.
Bowls or feeding stations with non-slip bottoms are great as the bowls won’t move around as your cat is trying to eat from them. The skid-proof bowls can also keep your feeding area tidier as your pet will be less likely to tip their dishes over.
Puzzle feeders are a great pick for cats who love their food a little too much. They can prevent your pet from eating too fast while simultaneously stimulating their emotional wellbeing.
Whisker Fatigue
You’ve heard the term “whisker fatigue” countless times in our guide so far and are probably wondering what it is.
A cat’s whiskers act as an antenna that brings in signals to their brains and nervous systems. They are ultra-sensitive, and the proprioceptors at the base of each whisker help your cat learn about his world. They give him information about where they are in their environment and help them maneuver around in dark places. Their whiskers assist with hunting as they can sense any minuscule changes in air currents that fast-moving prey can cause.
Whisker fatigue occurs when the sensory system of the whiskers becomes overstimulated. When your cat’s whiskers touch their food bowls, their brains get overloaded with sensory messages. This overload can cause extreme stress to your cat and can make them not want to eat.
The most common signs you’ll see if your cat is suffering from whisker fatigue include:
Refusal to eat or drink from their bowls
Pacing in front of their bowls
Meowing near their bowls
Trying to pull their food or water out of their bowls
Acting aggressive with treats or food offered outside of their regular dishes
If your cat is struggling with eating from their bowls, you’ll need to select one that is designed to prevent whisker fatigue. These dishes will have a wider opening and are shallower than traditional food dishes. These seemingly small design changes will prevent your kitty’s whiskers from brushing against their bowls and make them interested in mealtimes again.
- Refusal to eat or drink from their bowls
- Pacing in front of their bowls
- Meowing near their bowls
- Trying to pull their food or water out of their bowls
- Acting aggressive with treats or food offered outside of their regular dishes
How Should I Clean My Cat’s Food Bowl?
Did you know that your pet’s food bowls are the fourth germiest place in your home? Pet bowls can harbor mold, yeast, and all sorts of different bacteria so you must make cleaning them a part of your everyday chores.
Your cat’s food and water dishes should be washed after every feeding. You can use hot water and dish soap to scrub away any leftover food residue and then rinse off the remaining soap with hot water.
Some people prefer running their food dishes through this dishwasher which is another viable cleaning technique. You will want to use the hottest setting your dishwasher allows to ensure the bowls are sanitized and completely cleaned after washing. Be sure the bowls you choose are dishwasher safe before you put them in the washer and always use the top rack.
If you prefer a more natural cleaning solution, mix equal parts baking soda, warm water, and salt to create a cleaning solution. Scrub the surface of the bowls in a circular motion with this solution and then rinse well.
Where Should I Put My Cat’s Food Bowl?
Your cat’s food and water bowls should live in an area of your home without much foot traffic or noise. Most cats prefer a calm and quiet space to eat, so the best spot to keep your cat’s food dish is somewhere they can have peace during mealtime. This place will vary from home to home, but you probably already can think of an area in your house that will be most comfortable for your cat.
Never place your pet’s bowls near their litter box. You wouldn’t eat a meal in your bathroom, so your cat shouldn’t either. The main reason to keep them separate is to prevent any cross-contamination that may occur when your cat covers their feces or urine. Litter particles in their food dishes can cause illness. Cats also prefer their water bowl to be separated from the food bowl.
Final Thoughts
Based on our reviews, Upsky Premium Stainless Steel Double Pet Bowls took our best overall award for their large capacity and stainless-steel design. The Van Ness Pets Whisker-Friendly Cat Bowl won our best value award thanks to its affordable price tag and shallow, whisker fatigue-proof design.
We hope our reviews and buying guide have helped make choosing the best cat food bowl for your kitty a little easier. Don’t be discouraged if your cat doesn’t take to his new bowl right away; he may just need a little extra time to get used to his new dish.
You might also be interested in:
- 10 Best Cat Beds In Canada
- 7 Best Cat Litter in Canada
Featured Image Credit: Sweetlouise, Pixabay
