That means my raw dog food bowls need to be made of a material that\u2019s not prone to cracking, chipping, absorbing liquids and odors, nor trapping allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Easy to Clean<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Next, they need to be easy to clean because they\u2019re obviously holding raw meat as part of the raw dog food diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So unless they\u2019re dishwasher-safe, it\u2019s a hard pass for me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you can, of course, hand wash raw dog food bowls, I always feel like the dishwasher does a much better job at thoroughly cleaning any dishes that contain raw meat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as a side note, but I feel the same way about cutting boards that I cut raw chunks of meat on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While I love the look of wooden cutting boards, I don\u2019t use them to cut raw meat as they easily trap odors and juices yet they aren\u2019t dishwasher-safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Resistant to Bacteria Growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, the best bowls for raw dog food also need to prevent the growth of bacteria, which means they have to be made of non-porous materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s because these types of materials don\u2019t have microscopic pores or small openings that can trap food particles, bacteria, or allergens like pollen, dust and mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, this makes it easier to clean them and maintain good hygiene for your dog’s bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Slow Feeding Properties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, my raw dog food bowls need to encourage slow eating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It doesn\u2019t matter to me if they have a built-in slow feeder or if they can be combined with a slow feed insert as long as they slow Wally down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because here\u2019s the thing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many dogs who are fed pre-made, ground raw dog food inhale it within seconds as raw meat with this consistency doesn’t require any chewing or ripping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even dogs who eat homemade raw meals that feature smaller chunks of meat have a tendency of eating too fast. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That can be problematic because eating too fast can cause bloat, a potentially deadly condition where the dog\u2019s stomach flips on itself and cuts off the oxygen supply. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. Large Enough<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Last but not least, the best bowls for raw dog food are large enough to comfortably hold the raw meal without spilling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s particularly important when you\u2019re not just feeding ground meats but also whole cuts of meat like raw meaty bones and whole fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, chicken leg quarters, turkey necks and mackerel or herring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So regardless of the type of dog bowl you choose, make sure it\u2019s appropriately sized for your dog’s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stainless Steel Dog Bowls <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If I had to choose JUST one best bowl for raw dog food, it would be a stainless steel dog bowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A stainless steel slow feeder dog bowl<\/a> with built-in obstacles, to be specific, because it helps Wally slow down when he eats his raw meals. <\/p>\n\n\n Wally\u2019s stainless steel slow feeder bowl<\/p>\n\n\n\n But even without any built-in barriers, stainless steel dog bowls are on the top of my list of best bowls for raw dog food because they\u2019re:<\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite ones without any built-in barriers are the stainless steel dog bowls by Yeti<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yeti\u2019s Boomer 4 dog bowl with Wally\u2019s homemade raw dog food<\/p>\n\n\n\n While they\u2019re a bit more on the expensive side, they\u2019re pretty much impossible to break unless you take an ax or a steel cutting saw to it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re also dishwasher-safe and come with an anti-slip ring on the bottom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus: For anyone who enjoys minimalistic design elements such as myself, stainless steel dog bowls are also a great choice because they\u2019re visually appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re also generally safe for dogs with allergies or sensitivities because they don\u2019t contain materials known to cause allergic reactions, and they also don\u2019t trap any allergens like pollen, dust or mold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our guide dog school issues a basic stainless steel dog bowl similar to the Mighty Paw stainless steel dog bowls<\/a>. These are very basic and less expensive then the above dog bowls and they still get the job done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Generally speaking, your dog\u2019s bowl should be large enough to hold one meal worth of raw dog food + at least one extra meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That way, it\u2019s unlikely for the contents to spill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I personally have the Yeti Boomer 4 (in Navy blue)<\/a> which holds 4 cups or 32 ounces of dog food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wally eats about 7.5 oz of raw dog food twice per day, so the Boomer 4 is a great size for him because it doesn\u2019t spill even when it holds Wally\u2019s full daily allowance of food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But it also comes in an 8 cup or 64 oz version for (extra) large pups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That one\u2019s called the Yeti Boomer 8<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My second recommendation of best bowls for raw dog food are specific hard plastic dog bowls (optional: with built-in slow feeders).<\/p>\n\n\n\n They should be made with food-safe materials such as BPA-free, food grade hard plastic to be considered safe for your pups to eat from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n My personal favorite hard plastic dog bowl is the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl<\/a>, and I love that this design also includes a non-slip base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Fun Feeder Slo Bowl comes in the 3 following sizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have the medium size in turquoise with the meal lengthening ridges. But they also come in different colors and patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These types of dog bowls are lightweight and dishwasher-safe hence easy to clean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wally\u2019s raw dog food in the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slo Bowl<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up on my list of best bowls for raw dog food are silicone bowls (and inserts).<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re lightweight, flexible, resistant to stains and odors, and most are (top rack) dishwasher-safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My personal favorite is the Mighty Paw Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Insert<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While it can be used on its own, it also works perfectly in combination with the Yeti Boomer 4, and that\u2019s how I use it a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Combining the Yeti Boomer 4 dog owl with Mighty Paw\u2019s Slow Feeder dog bowl insert<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since Wally loves car rides, I take him along on many road trips, and my number one choice for our adventures are collapsible silicone dog bowls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I love the collapsible travel dog bowls from Mighty Paw<\/a> because they come in a set of two, which means I can use one for feeding purposes and one for water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each bowl holds 27 oz of food or water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus: They come with carabiner clips that you can either clip to your own gear or to your dog\u2019s harness or backpack.<\/p>\n\n\n Wally is about to eat a raw meal on the road. It\u2019s served in one of Mighty Paw\u2019s collapsible travel dog bowls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Last but not least, ceramic dog bowls can also be a good option for raw dog food as they are typically heavy and less likely to tip over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They come in various designs and colors, and the one I have features a bone on the inside of the bowl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Too cute!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wally\u2019s ceramic dog bowl<\/p>\n\n\n\n The brand LE TAUCI even makes food-grade ceramic slow feeders<\/a> in multiple colors, sizes and a variety of different built-in mazes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip: When selecting a ceramic bowl, make sure that it\u2019s lead-free and has a food-grade glaze to ensure safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s because dogs with sensitivities or allergies might have reactions if they come into contact with porous ceramic materials, like unglazed terracotta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So try to avoid this material if possible as it can also harbor allergens like dust, pollen, or mold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since flat faced dogs, aka brachycephalic dogs, have a wider snout than dogs with longer muzzles, dog bowls with tall edges are more difficult for them to maneuver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So raw-fed dogs like Mastiffs, (French) Bulldogs, Chow Chows and Boxers do best with flat dog bowls with low edges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n For comparison sake, the Yeti Boomer 4 is 3.1\u201d tall, and the Yeti Boomer 8 is 3.5\u201d tall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another alternative is to feed flat faced dogs on dishwasher-safe pet feeding mats with lips such as these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technically speaking, they\u2019re designed to line dog food bowls, but hey, sometimes it pays off to think outside the box, right? <\/p>\n\n\n\n And since they\u2019re dishwasher-safe, clean up is easy and thorough too.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"Wally\u2019s](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-raw-food-slow-feeder-770x948.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
![\"Yeti\u2019s](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-raw-food-yeti-770x855.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow Do I Know What Size Bowl To Get My Dog For Their Raw Dog Food?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
BPA-Free, Food Grade Plastic Dog Bowls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Wally\u2019s](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-raw-food-outwardhound-770x855.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBPA-Free, Food-Grade Silicone Slow Feeder Dog Bowl Inserts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Combining](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-raw-food-mightypaw-yeti-770x855.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBPA-Free, Food-Grade Silicone Dog Bowls For Travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wally](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-raw-food-mightypaw-collapsible-770x948.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLead Free, Glazed, Food Grade Ceramic Dog Bowls<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wally\u2019s](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-raw-food-ceramic-bowl-770x948.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBest Raw Dog Food Bowls For Flat Faced Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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![\"Wally](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-raw-food-mightypaw-splash-mat-770x948.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/best-dog-bowls-for-raw-dog-food-770x1155.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"