Porcelain Vs. Pottery Cat Dishes

To some people, cats are a part of the family, and are as important to care for as children. When choosing dishes for your cat, you will want to consider a few main points: function, durability and style. While pottery and porcelain are very similar and closely related materials, they each have their pros and cons when it comes to those questions of function, durability and style for your cat's mealtimes.

  1. Differences

    • Speaking in the simplest of terms, the main difference between pottery and porcelain is that porcelain is usually thinner and has a translucent appearance. If you hold your finger behind the rim of a pottery cup, you will not see through the lip. However, if you hold your finger right behind the lip of a porcelain cup, you will see the faint outline of your finger behind it.

    Durability

    • Pottery is usually much more durable than porcelain. This is mainly because it is usually thicker and more solid. Pottery is the prudent choice if your cat really digs into its food dishes, is a messy eater, or if the cat dishes are located someplace where they might be accidentally kicked around.

    Style

    • Porcelain is generally thought of as being a very fine type of ceramic, and is often used for very elegant dinnerware. If your cat is a dainty eater, then you might want to spoil it with the elegance and style of porcelain dishes. This is especially true if your cat's dishes are somewhere out in the open where you entertain and where guests might see them.

    Function

    • Because of its fragility, porcelain is often used for fine china, and for decorative figurines and pieces. Pottery is beautiful, but still sturdy, and is therefore used for more everyday pieces, such as plates, dishes and mixing bowls. When choosing your cat's dishes, you might what to consider what type of ceramic you use for your own dishes. If your dinnerware is pottery, you may want your cat's dishes to match. If your dinnerware is porcelain, you may want to give your cat that same quality.

    Expense

    • Porcelain is usually more expensive than pottery. Depending on the quality of the dishes you want, pottery will likely be the more economical choice. Porcelain is more difficult to manufacture, as it is more delicate, and is somewhat of a collectors' material. If money is no object for your pet's belongings, then a more expensive porcelain dish would be the way to go.