CHOOSE YOUR BOWL
BE WATER, MY FRIEND!
Did you know? In comparison to us humans, dogs are recommended to drink twice as much water. That’s why it’s all the more important that your furry-friends consume enough fluids daily. Based on our experiences, we know that some dogs have certain preferences regarding the delivery method of their water source.
THE WATER
Have you ever experienced your dog refusing their water bowl and instead going to the watering can in the garden? Many dogs prefer stale rainwater to our tap water. For dogs, rainwater tastes more natural and pure. But since rainwater usually sits in many puddles, it could be contaminated by other animals, soil or humans and therefore carry traces of unwanted bacteria and viruses. Our tap water, on the other hand, contains traces of chlorine or fluorine, which can be easily and quickly identified by the dog’s sensitive nose. So feel free to test out your dog's preferences, but be wary of cloudy puddles and stagnant water.
THE BOWL
The choice of bowl can also be important for many dogs. The shape of the dog bowl should allow the dog’s snout to reach the bottom of the bowl easily; however, it should also have a wide enough opening to catch any water droplets that may result from big gulps. As a general rule, the dog’s water bowl should be able to hold enough liquid to last at least 24 hours. Additionally, we also recommend giving an allocated place for the bowl to allow the dogs to know where to quench their thirst.
THE MATERIAL
The question remaining is the suitable material for each dog.
The classic stainless steel. Simple, easy to clean, dishwasher safe and unbreakable. However, there are many dogs that refuse to come near let alone drink and eat out of stainless steel bowls. We assume that this is due to the dog's extraordinary sense of smell, which crystallizes the light metallic taste.
+ Easy to clean
+ Dishwasher safe
+ Robust
+ Free from harmful substances
The recommended alternative to stainless steel is ceramic dog bowls, which are odorless and neutral. However, it is important to pay attention to the quality as cheap ceramic bowls can contain heavy metals in the glaze.
+ Odourless and neutral
+ Dishwasher safe
+ May contain heavy metals in the glaze (quality!)
- Potentially fragile
If you want to be 100% sure, opt for a porcelain bowl, as the locking glaze on porcelains is absolutely free of heavy metals. Even if it doesn’t sound like it, porcelain has extremely robust characteristics. We recommend opting for thicker and heavier porcelain to ensure that it won’t be easily knocked around. Bonus points: the porcelain dog bowl will certainly be an eye-catcher in your home interior. When opting for porcelain, please ensure that the edges are smooth and no chips are to be found as a chipped glazing could be very sharp and dangerous.
+ Odourless and neutral
+ Dishwasher safe
+ Free from harmful traces
- Can chip with potentially sharp edges
The production of enamel usually requires a carrier material such as steel. This enamel coating then enhances the material which allows it to be food-safe and heat-resistant. For example, enamel coating is used to line bathtubs. However, it is important to ensure that the enamel coating is undamaged. Chipping or scrapes expose the materials underneath which can be sharp-edged, leading to potential injuries.
+ Odourless and neutral
+ Dishwasher safe
+ Free from harmful traces
- Can chip with potentially sharp edges
Our tip: When deciding which bowl to buy, pay close attention to the materials, whether it is food safe as well as the origin to prevent spending money on the low quality products. After all, quality comes with a cost and we all want the best for our four-legged friends.
For more dog tips have a look at our Magazine