Does the Size of a Bowl Matter for a Puppy?

Shopping for your new puppy̵7;s bed, bowls and toys can be a joyful experience that prepares you for your pup-companion relationship. While you may be tempted to focus just on looks -- should you get embossed hearts or have Sweet Poochie̵7;s name written in calligraphy? -- ultimately, functionality is the most important factor in picking the right kind of bowls.

  1. Practical Sizing

    • Choosing the right-sized dog bowls for your pup is often a matter of practicality, taking into consideration the size and breed of your dog. For example, a Labrador puppy will have no problem reaching an elevated, high-rimmed dog dish, while a Chihuahua will require something closer to the ground with a relatively low rim. Consider bowls that can be placed in elevated stands as your pup grows -- it makes food area clean-ups easier.

    Need Sizing

    • According to Pet Product Advisor, on average, dogs require approximately one ounce of water daily for every pound it weighs. For example, if you have a 10-pound dog, it will need 10 ounces of water per day and should have a water bowl sized appropriately to accommodate this need. RaisingSpot.com recommends a water dish that holds a minimum of one quart of water and a food dish that holds at least two cups of food. When you buy bowls for your pup, keep his adult size in mind. A dish can be larger than necessary to start.

    Material and Shape

    • Durability is an important part of dog dish selection. Plastic bowls can get cracked and become hard to clean. Porcelain or ceramic bowls can chip or break if pushed around too vigorously. Stainless steel bowls with a rubber slip-proof lip are both practical and long-wearing. Many varieties have a sloped rim, which makes them easy to access for both pups and adults. While you can buy water and food dishes that are connected, it can make for tricky cleaning, and water and food may intermix, resulting in a mushy mess. Opt for two separate bowls instead.

    Nutrition Needs

    • Choose bowls that will be appropriately sized for holding necessary food and water levels for when your pup is young, and when he̵7;s adult-sized. For example, if your vet recommends feeding your pup a half a cup of food daily for the first three months, eventually working up to two full cups of food per day as an adult, start off with a food bowl that holds a minimum of two cups of food and a separate water bowl that holds a full day̵7;s recommended allowance of water -- at minimum, one quart. Consult your vet about how much food and water is appropriate for your particular dog based on his size and breed. Puppies need enough food to grow healthy, strong bones, but not so much that they become obese.

    Special Needs

    • Some pups might have special feeding needs that require certain bowl sizes and shapes. For example, if you̵7;re feeding pups in a litter, a trough-style feeding dish allows everyone a place at the bowl. Puppies like basset hounds benefit from food and water bowls that are taller than they are wide, to avoid having their long ears getting wet or soiled. Large breed pups, like St. Bernards, need food dishes that are wider than normal to accommodate their extra large features. Fast-eating pups may need bowls with raised centers, which slows their eating and helps prevent possibly fatal conditions, like bloat.