The infinite variety of dog bowls available online and in-store will perplex any dog owner. Are specific dog bowls better for outdoor or indoor use, and should your Cavapoos size or age influence your purchasing decision? Find all the answers here.
Your Cavapoo’s height, age, and health will affect your dog bowl choices. It is sensible to consider the durability and safety of the bowl as well as your Cavapoo’s unique personality before making a purchase.
What Size Dog Bowl is Suitable for a Cavapoo
Cavapoos are small to medium size dog breeds, and like many other dogs, one of their favorite past times is eating. That makes investing in good quality, durable and posture-friendly bowls worthwhile.
The Cavapoos smaller size, long floppy ears, and well-known messy and speedy eating are all factors worth considering when making water and food bowl choices.
Oodles of Cavapoos are known for their fussy behavior when deciding whether a bowl is worthy of being drunk or eaten from. Hence the importance of also considering your Cavapoos unique personalities.
Does Dog Bowl Size and Shape Make a Difference?
Yes! For several reasons:
Dog Bowl Height
Cavapoos are usually smaller, and a bowl too high off the ground can make it challenging for them to eat or drink.
A floor-level bowl is no problem for a puppy or very small Cavapoo, but as they grow in height, a slightly raised bowl can help avoid any neck or gastrointestinal problems. Older Cavapoos suffering from joint issues may also benefit from a slightly raised bowl.
If the bowl is elevated, ensure that it is at least 4 or 6 inches shorter than the expected fully grown height of your Cavapoo. If budget allows, an adjustable height bowl can save you the expense of replacing bowls as your Cavapoo grows.
Dog Bowl Size
Your Cavapoo’s dog bowl shouldn’t be larger than is necessary. The size is adequate if your Cavapoo can comfortably fit their snout in the bowl and eat and lick the bowl without struggling. An oversized bowl can result in your Cavapoo being overfed.
Your Cavapoo’s food bowl should be approximately four times the volume of their typical food serving size. Their water bowl should provide them with enough water for a 24 to 48-hour period.
A Cavapoo will usually drink a maximum of 40mls (1.4 oz) per pound (454 grams) of body weight per day.
Dog Bowl Shape
Cavapoos have long floppy ears, which can get in the way when eating and drinking, making meals messier than necessary.
Providing a slanted bowl so your Cavapoo can avoid their ears dropping into their bowls and side-step any potential spills. Bowls with a broader base and narrower opening can also help keep those ears out of the food and water.
If your Cavapoo has little or no self-control at mealtimes, looking for a food bowl with a built-in maze pattern or ridges can help teach them to eat slower. It is helpful to start when they are puppies to help instill good habits early on.
Dog Bowl Materials and What to Look Out For
The health and wellbeing of your Cavapoo should be your primary priority. When purchasing bowls, ensure they are non-toxic, BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free, odorless, and made of food-grade materials.
I recommend high-quality stainless-steel bowls over other options, but let’s look at some available options and their pros and cons.
Stainless Steel Dog Bowls
Stainless steel bowls are easy to clean, not easily damaged, and are relatively lightweight. A stainless steel dog bowl will last longer than most other options and will not harbor dangerous bacteria.
When choosing a stainless steel bowl, make sure that the bowl states that it is made of stainless steel. If it says, it is food grade or 304 stainless steel, even better. A bowl that rusts over time is not made of stainless steel.
One issue with stainless bowls is that you need a nonskid rim or mat under it to keep it from sliding and creating a mess.
As a side note, my puppy was a bit spooked by her stainless steel dog bowl because she could see her own reflection! Whenever she went to eat, parts of her reflection moved when she did, causing some distrust over the bowl. This has settled now that she’s older.
Plastic Dog Bowls
Although inexpensive, plastic dog bowls can crack or scratch and are more prone to bacterial build-up. Plastic may not be the best bowl option if your Cavapoo likes chewing on things.
Furthermore, ensure the plastic bowls you purchase are BPA-free and dishwasher safe.
Ceramic and Stoneware Dog Bowls
Due to the weight of ceramic and stoneware, these dog bowls do not usually slip and slide easily, but regretfully can break easily and lead to bacteria-prone cracks. Ceramic and stoneware bowls are dishwasher safe and relatively easy to clean.
These bowls come in various colors and patterns and are usually inexpensive, making them more popular. Be sure to choose ceramic bowls with a food-grade coating and if a stoneware bowl is glazed, make sure that the glaze does not contain any lead or other toxic ingredients.
Glass Dog Bowls
Glass bowls are not recommended even for smaller Cavapoos due to their fragility. They can easily break or chip and cause injury. Despite this, glass bowls do clean easily and are relatively bacteria-free.
Recommended Bowls for Cavapoos
Here are some recommended bowl options for Cavapoo puppies, adults, and the elderly, as well as some reliable outdoor and indoor water bowl suggestions.
Puppy Dog Bowl Recommendations
Cavapoo puppies grow quickly, so purchasing a bowl 4 to 6 inches shorter than their expected fully grown height is usually best. Alternatively, if the budget allows it, some height-adjustable bowl options work well for growing pups.
A very high or deep bowl will be challenging for a puppy to handle. Here are a couple of puppy bowl options worth considering:
Option 1: Vantic Elevated Dog Bowl
The Vantic Elevated Dog Bowls is unquestionably a more expensive choice. Nevertheless, I still feel the price of around $30 is worthwhile due to the bowl’s adaptability and the potential for it to be utilized from puppy right through to adulthood.
I love that this dog bowl can be folded and stored away when unused and that the stand is made with natural bamboo. The stainless bowls are of good quality and dishwasher safe.
Option 2: Thankspaw Stainless Steel Puppy Bowl
Another good option that is considerably cheaper at approximately $20 is the Thankspaw Stainless Steel Puppy Bowls.
Although not the most affordable option, you can be sure that the stainless steel is of high quality, and the raised center makes eating and reaching food more accessible for your small Cavapoo pup.
Adult Dog Bowl Recommendations
There are numerous bowl options available for fully grown Cavapoos. Looking for a non-skid, high-quality option is advantageous.
Option1: Hubulk Pet Dog Bowl
These Hubulk Pet Dog Bowls are great value for only around the $11 mark for a set of two dog bowls. These bowls prove stainless doesn’t need to bore, especially when paired with funky-colored anti-slip silicone mats like these are.
The silicone is food grade, and the raised edges help with spills—no wonder this bowl set is rated so highly.
Option 2: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl
If your Cavapoo tends to have little to no self-control when eating, the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl is a great option to promote better digestion and slower eating. This bowl is reasonably priced at around $5, comes in attractive colors, and is BPA, PVC, and phthalate free.
Option 3: Super Design Mess Free 15 Degree Slanted Bowl
A slanted bowl can also prove helpful when considering the floppy ears of the Cavapoo. The SUPER DESIGN Mess Free 15 Degree Slanted Bowl for dogs is a reasonable option. Priced at around $20, this non-slip bowl makes feeding easier and messes less frequently.
Option 4: Fukumaru Elevated Ceramic Bowl
For more elderly Cavapoos, a slightly elevated bowl can be beneficial for removing any unwanted neck pressure.
These FUKUMARU Elevated Ceramic Bowls, although around $25, are food grade, durable, and dishwasher proof. Even though the bowls are ceramic, the sturdy bamboo base removes any risk of sliding or chipping.
Outdoor Dog Bowl Recommendations
Take into account your winter and summer temperatures when considering an outdoor bowl for your Cavapoo.
If summers are hot, you may consider purchasing an insulated bowl to keep your Cavapoo’s water cooler for longer.
Option 1: Yeti Boomer 4 Dog Bowl
The YETI Boomer 4, Stainless Steel, Non-Slip Dog Bowl is an expensive yet worthwhile bowl to consider. Although the bowl sells at around $40, it boasts high quality, 18/8 stainless steel, and is durable and attractive.
Option 2: K&H Pet Products Thermal Dog Bowl for Outdoors
If your winters are beyond freezing, the K&H Pet Products Thermal-Bowl Outdoor Heated Dog Bowl will prevent your Cavapoos water from freezing.
This bowl’s durability and high quality make it worth the approximate price of $30. The plastic is BPA-free, and the automated thermostat control ensures negligible energy wastage.
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