The Best Puppy Bowls: Ranked and Reviewed

Written by Judie Sigdel
Updated: November 21, 2022
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With such an exciting event as taking care of a new puppy, you’ve got lots of decisions to make. Obsessing over the best bowls shouldn’t be one of them. We’ve researched, ranked, and reviewed the best puppy bowls available for each category so all you need to do is choose the right ones for your puppy.

  1. WHIPPY 2-Pack Stainless Steel Puppy Slow Feeder Bowls
    • Stainless steel, non-toxic, eco-friendly slow feeder puppy bowls
    • Space to feed a litter of puppies
    • Holds food or water
    • Bite resistant, durable, sturdy design
    Check Amazon
  2. Vivaglory Dog Stainless Steel Puppy Bowls with Non Spill Silicone Mat
    • Food-grade stainless steel dual bowls for small dogs and puppies
    • Skid-resistant cocked silicone mat to resist spillage
    • Dishwasher safe
    • Four size options with ten possible colors


    Check Amazon
  3. Bone Dry Paw & Patch Ceramic Pet Collection
    • Porcelain ceramic with non-skid bottom rim
    • Three sizes available for any age or size of puppy
    • Choose from single bowls or a bowl set
    • Five color options
    • Dishwasher-safe
    Check Amazon
  4. LumoLeaf Elevated Puppy Bowl
    • Elevated 3-inch stand with adjustable bowl from 0 to 30 degrees
    • Stylish design made with durable BPA-free plastic
    • Choose from single bowl or double bowls
    • Upper-rack dishwasher-safe


    Check Amazon
  5. Amazing Items Personalized Dog Bowls with Your Pet's Name
    • Ceramic personalized bowl
    • 15 designs
    • Two size options
    • Dishwasher and microwave-safe
    Check Amazon
  6. Y YHY Elevated Raised Pet Food and Water Bowls with Stand
    • Ceramic material with elevated stand
    • Shallow, wide bowls for ease of feeding
    • 12-ounce volume
    • No-slip rubber feet
    Check Amazon
  7. LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow Feeder Puppy Bowl
    • Made of microwave-safe ceramic
    • Five colors: purple, pink, orange, green, blue
    • Five unique slow feeder patterns
    • Dishwasher safe
    Check Amazon

The Top Picks for Puppy Bowls: Ranked

#1 Best Overall: WHIPPY 2-Pack Silver Stainless Steel Puppy Slow- Feeder Bowls

The WHIPPY 2-Pack Silver Stainless Steel Puppy Slow-Feeder Bowls earn A-Z Animal’s #1 ranking for the best overall puppy bowl.

Our research indicated it was true to its description of being non-skid, durable, and safe. It functions great as a slow-feeder for both individual puppies and litters, although it’s best for a litter of small puppies or one to a few larger puppies.

One of the most important benefits of this type of slow-feeder bowl is how the solid centerpiece affects the dogs’ eating behavior. Overeating, bloat, choking, and digestive issues are all things puppies can face while eating. The solid centerpiece encourages them to pay attention to get at the food along the edges, resulting in taking their time to eat. Hence, the name “slow-feeder.”

Some puppies might not take well to the stainless steel due to the metallic flavor it gives to food.

Pros and Cons of the WHIPPY 2-Pack Silver Stainless Steel Puppy Slow-Feeder Bowls

ProsCons
These durable stainless steel bowls come in a two pack, so you can put food in one and water in the other.Some puppies don’t like the metallic flavor that stainless steel gives food.
They’re food-grade, non-toxic, non-skidding, and easy to clean.
The design encourages slow feeding.
They’re available in three sizes — small, medium, and large — to accommodate puppies of different sizes or litters that eat at the same time.
WHIPPY 2-Pack Stainless Steel Puppy Slow Feeder Bowls
  • Stainless steel, non-toxic, eco-friendly slow feeder puppy bowls
  • Space to feed a litter of puppies
  • Holds food or water
  • Bite resistant, durable, sturdy design
Check Amazon

2. Best Stainless Steel Puppy Bowl: Vivaglory Dog Stainless Steel Puppy Bowls with Non Spill Silicone Mat

We’ve ranked the Vivaglory Stainless Steel Water and Food Feeder with Non Spill Skid Resistant Silicone Mat the best in stainless steel puppy bowls.

The two bowls make it easy for portion feeding and their being on a skid-resistant mat prevents movement and spillage on the floor. The stainless steel and silicone are both food-grade and dishwasher-safe, so you don’t have to wash them by hand. Four sizes and ten colors to choose from make them easy to identify and size for your puppy no matter his age.

Some buyers reported that their puppies managed to flip the silicone mats over easily. Another stated that the silicone attracted debris, making it difficult to clean.

Pros and Cons of the Vivaglory Dog Stainless Steel Puppy Bowls with Non Spill Silicone Mat

ProsCons
The bowls are made of food-grade stainless steel and the mat is food-grade silicone, both of which are dishwasher safe.This bowl/mat combination is designed for small and medium-sized puppies, so it’s not an option for larger pups.
The skid-resistant, cocked mat resists spillage.Some buyers reported that their puppies were able to flip the mats over, spilling the bowls’ contents.
This product is available in four sizes for optimal portion control.One buyer said that the silicone mat attracted debris, making it difficult to clean.
Choose from 10 colors.
Best Stainless Steel
Vivaglory Dog Stainless Steel Puppy Bowls with Non Spill Silicone Mat
  • Food-grade stainless steel dual bowls for small dogs and puppies
  • Skid-resistant cocked silicone mat to resist spillage
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Four size options with ten possible colors


Check Amazon

3. Best Ceramic Puppy Bowl: Bone Dry Paw and Patch Ceramic Pet Collection

The Bone Dry Paw and Patch Ceramic Pet Collection is our top choice for the best ceramic puppy bowls. Stainless steel is indeed very popular as an alternative to plastic. But ceramic has unique benefits that stainless steel does not.

For one thing, ceramic doesn’t impart a metallic flavor to food and water. It is safe to use and has more styles available, even personalized bowl options. However, it has a porous surface, so it’s not as easy to clean. It is also more fragile and expensive. On the other hand, if you have a small, calm, or older puppy, ceramic is a good choice.

With this in mind, we ranked the Bone Dry Paw and Patch Ceramic Pet Collection the best in ceramic puppy bowls.

Pros and Cons of the Bone Dry Paw and Patch Ceramic Pet Collection

ProsCons
Dishwasher-safe porcelain ceramic is durable and easy to cleanSince porcelain ceramic has a porous surface, it’s not as easy to clean as stainless steel.
You can choose a single bowl or a set.This material is more fragile and expensive than stainless steel.
The bowls feature a non-skid silicone rim on the bottom.
These bowls are available in three sizes, five color options, and a cool paw-and-stripe design.
Best Ceramic
Bone Dry Paw & Patch Ceramic Pet Collection
  • Porcelain ceramic with non-skid bottom rim
  • Three sizes available for any age or size of puppy
  • Choose from single bowls or a bowl set
  • Five color options
  • Dishwasher-safe
Check Amazon

4. Best Elevated Puppy Bowl: Lumoleaf Elevated Puppy Bowl

Elevated puppy bowls like our top choice, the Lumoleaf Elevated Puppy Bowl, make it easier for puppies to eat with less mess and less neck strain. Overstrain during physical development in puppyhood can result in issues later on, so this is an important consideration.

We ranked the Lumoleaf Elevated Puppy Bowl as the best in elevated puppy bowls. Instead of simply raising the bowl, unlike other elevated bowls, it has a 3-inch stand that is adjustable from 0 to 30 degrees to tilt the bowl as much as your puppy needs, minimizing digestive issues such as gas. The bottom has non-slip rubber and the design is stylish. You can choose from a single bowl or double bowls. Each can hold up to two cups of food or 10 ounces of water. Plus, it’s upper-rack dishwasher safe.

Some buyers reported that they expected the unit to be “sturdier and more slanted.”

Pros and Cons of the Lumoleaf Elevated Puppy Bowl

ProsCons
This product is designed to allow your pup to eat with less mess and less neck strain.Some pet parents were disappointed that the unit wasn’t “sturdier and more slanted.”
It features a 3-inch stand that’s adjustable from 0 to 30 degrees.
It’s stylishly designed from durable materials and the bottom features non-slip rubber.
Choose from single or double bowls.
They’re upper-rack dishwasher safe.
These bowls are size-appropriate for all puppies.
Best Elevated
LumoLeaf Elevated Puppy Bowl
  • Elevated 3-inch stand with adjustable bowl from 0 to 30 degrees
  • Stylish design made with durable BPA-free plastic
  • Choose from single bowl or double bowls
  • Upper-rack dishwasher-safe


Check Amazon

5. Personalized Puppy Bowl: Amazing Items Personalized Dog Bowls with Your Pet’s Name

We’ve ranked the Amazing Items Personalized Dog Bowls with Your Pet’s Name the best in personalized puppy bowls. After all, there are lots of puppy bowls with adorable designs on them. But they’re not as meaningful as having your puppy’s name on them. And the best material for personalization is ceramic.

Ceramic also allows for more designs than stainless steel, while the brand offers 15 designs in two sizes. It’s also dishwasher and microwave-save.

  • Ceramic material
  • 15 designs
  • Two size options
  • Dishwasher and microwave-safe

Pros and Cons of the Amazing Items Personalized Dog Bowls with Your Pet’s Name

ProsCons
These attractive bowls are personalized with your puppy’s name.None
They’re crafted from dishwasher- and microwave-safe ceramic.
Choose from 15 different designs and two sizes.
Best Personalized
Amazing Items Personalized Dog Bowls with Your Pet's Name
  • Ceramic personalized bowl
  • 15 designs
  • Two size options
  • Dishwasher and microwave-safe
Check Amazon

6. Best Puppy Bowl Set: Y YHY Elevated Raised Pet Food and Water Bowls with Stand

We’ve selected the we ranked the Y YHY Elevated Raised Pet Food and Water Bowls with Stand as the best elevated puppy bowl sets. Elevated or raised pet food and water bowls offer a variety of advantages, such as improving your puppy’s posture, slowing down fast eaters, making eating and drinking more comfortable, and more. This set features non-slip feet on an elevated metal stand and ceramic bowls that are drop and shock resistant, microwave and dishwasher-safe.

Some purchasers said that the bowls don’t sit in the metal frame properly.

Pros and Cons of the Y YHY Elevated Raised Pet Food and Water Bowls with Stand

ProsCons
The elevated metal stand features non-slip feet.Some purchasers said that the bowls don’t sit in the metal frame properly.
The ceramic bowls are drop and shock resistant, microwave and dishwasher safe.
The 12-ounce bowls are shallow and wide for easy access.
The design is cute and the bowls are available in three colors.
Best Bowl Set
Y YHY Elevated Raised Pet Food and Water Bowls with Stand
  • Ceramic material with elevated stand
  • Shallow, wide bowls for ease of feeding
  • 12-ounce volume
  • No-slip rubber feet
Check Amazon

7. Best Slow-Feeder Puppy Bowl: LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow-Feeder Puppy Bowl

Slow-feeder puppy bowls, like our top choice, the LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow-Feeder Puppy Bowl, are great for minimizing digestive issues in your puppy. We took the effort to make sure the best slow-feeder was ceramic, not plastic, which is the most widely available, so it would resist chewing from puppies. With all the chewing teething puppies tend to do, especially with slow-feeding, it’s the best material around.

Puppies with flattened muzzles, such as bulldogs, may not be able to access all the food from the bowl.

Pros and Cons of the LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow-Feeder Puppy Bowl

ProsCons
Constructed from ceramic, so puppies can’t chew it.Puppies with flattened snouts, like bulldogs and pugs, may have a hard time accessing all the food from the slow-feeder design.
This slow-feeder puppy bowl is available in four colors and slow-feeding patterns.
Best Slow Feeder
LE TAUCI Ceramic Slow Feeder Puppy Bowl
  • Made of microwave-safe ceramic
  • Five colors: purple, pink, orange, green, blue
  • Five unique slow feeder patterns
  • Dishwasher safe
Check Amazon

How to Choose Puppy Bowls

Look for bowls that are easy to clean and resist tipping over. Separate bowls for food and water are best to keep messiness down. And of course, the puppy bowls you choose also depend on your dog’s portion needs per his breed, size, and age. Normal bowls allow you to feed your puppy certain portions, while others are slow-feeder bowls. Consider also whether you will use them as hand-me-downs for other dogs or litters of puppies.

The Different Types of Puppy Bowls: Pros and Cons Compared

Stainless Steel

ProsCons
Stainless steel is the most durable, hygienic material.Stainless steel isn’t very customizable.
It’s dishwasher-safe.Bowls made of stainless steel tend to be very basic design-wise.
Stainless steel can make food and water taste slightly metallic.

Ceramic

ProsCons
Ceramic is durable and dishwasher and microwave-safeBecause ceramic is porous, it’s harder to clean.
It doesn’t impart a metallic flavor like stainless steel does.
It’s available in a wide variety of designs and is highly customizable.

Elevated

ProsCons
Elevated bowls reduce physical stress and digestive issues.The bowls may flip out of their stand or not fit the stand securely.
Many elevated bowl stands feature slip-resistant feet.The height of the stand is “fixed.”

Personalized

ProsCons
These bowls can be customized with your puppy’s name.Personalized bowls are only available in ceramic.
There are many designs to choose from.

Food/Water Bowl Set

ProsCons
Each set includes bowls for food and water.You cannot customize the food or water bowl.
If the set is in a holder, it will reduce mess around your puppy’s eating area.
The food and water bowls will match.

Slow-Feeder

ProsCons
This type of bowl reduces digestive issues by slowing down feeding.Flat-snouted puppies may find it difficult to eat from slow-feeder bowls.

Criteria and Experience — How We Chose the Best

We’ve taken the time to review some puppy bowls in each category of stainless steel, ceramic, elevated, personalized, food and water bowl set, and slow-feeder. We’ve researched options for durability, ease of cleaning, anti-spillage, skid-resistance, heat-resistance, and a variety of sizes, designs, and colors.

Each type has its pros and cons. While we love stainless steel, it’s not very customizable. Ceramic doesn’t impart a metallic taste, but it’s harder to clean. Elevated bowls reduce neck strain but many have a fixed height. Personalized bowls allow you to put your pup’s name on them. While a food and water bowl set conveniently comes together, it doesn’t allow you to customize each. Slow-feeder bowls prevent puppies from gulping down food but won’t work for flat-snouted puppies.

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About the Author

My passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality.

The Best Puppy Bowls: Ranked and Reviewed FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What bowl is best for a puppy?

We ranked the WHIPPY 2-Pack Silver Stainless Steel Puppy Slow Feeder Bowls as the #1 overall puppy bowl.

Do puppies need elevated bowls?

No, but they are great for reducing strain, especially if you have a large breed or older puppy.

Are slow feeder bowls good for puppies?

Yes, because they make them slow down when eating food.

What kind of bowls can puppies have?

They can have stainless steel, ceramic, elevated, personalized, food and water bowl set, or slow feeder bowls.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.