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10 Best Cat Bowls in the UK in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 1, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Cat drinking from a blue bowl

10 Best Cat Bowls in the UK in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks

Cat drinking from a blue bowl

Buying a cat bowl can seem like an ordinary, simple task. However, as well as deciding on the best material and whether you want single or double bowls, you also have to decide whether your cat would benefit from raised bowls, whether you need anti-slip feet, and whether the bowls should be inclined at an angle. Bowl diameter is also important and can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Some owners, and their cats, may also benefit from the structure that an automatic feeding bowl provides.

Read on for reviews of ten of the best cat bowls in the UK, as well as our guide on how to choose the best bowls for your feline friend.

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A Quick Comparison of Our Favourites in 2024

Image Product Details
Best Overall
Winner
Emlstyle Anti-Slip Cat Food Bowl Emlstyle Anti-Slip Cat Food Bowl
  • Pack of three for water, dry and wet food
  • Anti-slip feet
  • Slightly elevated position
  • Best Value
    Second place
    Nobby Ceramic Cat Double Bowl Nobby Ceramic Cat Double Bowl
  • Difficult to knock over and drag around
  • Attractive
  • Cheap
  • Premium Choice
    Third place
    PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder
  • Automatically feed up to four meals a day
  • Stainless steel bowl offers easy maintenance
  • Record and playback a 10s audio clip
  • Best for Kittens
    Cats Bowl 15° Tilted Feeding Bowl Cats Bowl 15° Tilted Feeding Bowl
  • 15° tilt offers a more comfortable eating position
  • Includes a stand to raise the bowl off the floor
  • Bowl is dishwasher safe
  • 3 Pieces Non-Slip Cat Bowls 3 Pieces Non-Slip Cat Bowls
  • Cheap
  • Three bowls for water, dry and wet food
  • Anti-slip base
  • cat paw divider

    The 10 Best Cat Food Bowls in the UK

    1. Emlstyle Cat Bowls Anti-Slip Multi-Purpose Cat Food Bowl – Best Overall

    Emlstyle Cat Bowls Anti-Slip Multi-Purpose Cat Food Bowl

    Material: Melamine
    Dimensions: 14.5cm x 13cm x 6.3cm
    Pack size: 3

    At the very least, most cats need two separate bowls: one for food and one for water. If your cat has dry food to graze on during the day, and wet food at mealtimes, a third bowl can come in handy. Alternatively, a third bowl acts well as a spare.

    The Emlstyle Cat Bowls Anti-Slip Multi-Purpose Cat Food Bowls is a three-pack of melamine bowls. They can be used for dry food, wet food, and water, meeting all your cat’s mealtime requirements. Anti-slip feet mean that the bowls are suitable for use on hard floors, and they also elevate the bowl slightly away from the floor, giving a more comfortable eating position and potentially preventing digestive problems.

    Emlstyle says that the bowls should not be put in the dishwasher, but the glazed surface is easy to clean. The three-pack is affordably priced and the only real complaint is that they can’t be put in the dishwasher because the heat of the washer can cause the coating to peel off: our choice as the best overall cat food bowl in the UK.

    Pros
    • Pack of three for water, dry and wet food
    • Good price
    • Anti-slip feet
    • Slightly elevated position
    Cons
    • Not dishwasher safe

    2. Nobby Ceramic Cat Double Bowl – Best Value

    Nobby Ceramic Cat Double Bowl

    Material: Ceramic
    Dimensions: 23cm x 12cm x 4cm
    Pack size: 1

    Ceramic bowls are not everybody’s cup of tea. They are heavy, which prevents them from being pushed around the floor, as is especially the case with the Nobby Ceramic Cat Double Bowl because it is two bowls in one single unit. They also look good and, as long as they are of good quality, they are very durable. However, they are porous, which means that bits of food and other debris can get inside the ceramic. They need daily cleaning and may not be suitable for putting in the dishwasher.

    The Nobby Ceramic Cat Double Bowl is ideal if your cat stands on its bowl or regularly knocks it over. The size and dimensions mean that it is very difficult to knock the set over. However, they are quite small and shallow so are only suitable for small adult cats and kittens. It is good looking, comes in a variety of colours, and it really is cheap, hence it is our selection as the best cat bowl in the UK for the money.

    Pros
    • Difficult to knock over and drag around
    • Attractive
    • Cheap
    Cons
    • Too small for big cats
    • Needs daily cleaning

    3. PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder – Premium Choice

    PETLIBRO Automatic Cat Feeder

    Material: PET Plastic, Stainless steel
    Dimensions: 19.1cm x 19.1cm x 30.5cm
    Pack size: 1

    The Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder is very expensive compared to the rest of the list, but it is more than just a cat bowl. It is an automatic feeder and a great solution for owners that go out to work, want to avoid the early morning breakfast wakeup call, or are planning a night away and need to ensure the cat is fed.

    It can be set to provide meals up to four times a day, dispensed into the stainless steel bowl and through an angled chute that ensures food does not get stuck. It even allows you to record a 10s voice clip so that you can comfort and reassure your cat when it is time to eat. Unlike a lot of automatic feeders, it has intuitive controls with a clearly visible LCD screen, and the controls include a FEED button that allows you to dispense an extra meal or top up the food in the bowl.

    As well as being the most expensive bowl on the list, by far, it is top-heavy so can easily be knocked over and large kibble pieces do tend to get stuck when dispensing.

    Pros
    • Automatically feed up to four meals a day
    • Stainless steel bowl offers easy maintenance
    • Record and playback a 10s audio clip
    Cons
    • Very expensive
    • Top-heavy so easily toppled
    • Doesn’t work with large biscuits

    4. Cats Bowl 15° Tilted Platform Feeder Raised Feeding Bowl – Best for Kittens

    Cats Bowl 15° Tilted Feeding Bowl

    Material: PC plastic, AB plastic
    Dimensions: 15cm x 13cm x 9cm
    Pack size: 1

    Cat bowls tend to have straight sides that force a cat to loom over the bowl and eat with their neck strained and their head buried in the bowl. It is a somewhat uncomfortable eating position and it can lead to digestive problems and indigestion. Alternatively, the bowl has to have short walls which means a shallow bowl with minimal capacity.

    The Cats Bowl 15° Tilted Platform Feeder is a plastic bowl, made from food-grade materials that are safe to eat and drink from. It has a 15° tilt and comes with a four-legged stand. This enables you to lift the bowl off the floor while also offering a tilted eating angle.

    It is reasonably priced, considering what comes in the pack, and the removable bowls are dishwasher safe so maintenance is a breeze. The base does a reasonable job of preventing slippage, but it does struggle on shiny hard surfaces. The bowls are also quite deep, which will put some cats off because they suffer whisker fatigue.

    Pros
    • 15° tilt offers a more comfortable eating position
    • Includes a stand to raise the bowl off the floor
    • Bowl is dishwasher safe
    Cons
    • Bowl is deep so not suitable for sensitive cats
    • Slips on hard surfaces

    5. 3 Pieces Non-Slip Cat Bowls

    3 Pieces Non-Slip Cat Bowls

    Material: Stainless steel, Rubber
    Dimensions: 10.9cm x 15cm x 4cm
    Pack size: 3

    The 3 Piece Non-Slip Cat Bowls set includes three identically sized cat bowls. The bowls are made from stainless steel that is easy to clean, and each bowl is painted which gives them a prettier appearance, although we’re not convinced that the colours really attract cats. It also has a non-slip rubber base. The bowls are shallow and fairly wide, which means that they are not only difficult to tip over but they allow your cat to easily lean over and eat or drink, without having to brush their whiskers against the cold, hard surface.

    The three-pack is very reasonably priced but because of the painted exterior, the bowls cannot be put in the dishwasher so do need handwashing, and you need to remove the rubber base before washing to prevent it from becoming damaged. The bowls are quite small, so you may need to refill regularly if you have an adult cat.

    Pros
    • Cheap
    • Three bowls for water, dry and wet food
    • Anti-slip base
    Cons
    • Very small for adult cats
    • Not dishwasher safe and a bit of a fuss to clean

    6. Bonza Double Cat Bowls

    Bonza Double Cat Bowls

    Material: Stainless steel, Silicone
    Dimensions: 38cm x 23cm x 4cm
    Pack size: 1

    Cats are supposed to tidy and clean animals, so it is surprising to see the mountain of kibble, the puddle of water, and the mush of wet food that gathers outside their food bowls.

    As well as providing the convenience of keeping the bowls together, the Bonza Double Cat Bowls use a silicone base that prevents slippage and also serves to catch a lot of the drips and spills. At least the debris will be contained in the cat bowl tray. The bowls and the silicone feeding base are dishwasher safe so they are easy to maintain, and they are easy to clean by hand if you prefer. The silicone base is a good addition. It stops bowls sliding around, catches drips, and can also prevent cats from knocking their bowl over while being dishwasher safe.

    The base could do with being more rigid and despite Bonza’s claims, the silicone is a bit of a challenge to clean and will get stained if you feed your cat’s wet food.

    Pros
    • Non-slip silicone base
    • Base catches spills
    • Dishwasher safe
    Cons
    • Silicone base could do with being sturdier
    • Silicone is tricky to keep clean

    7. Catit Double Diner

    Catit Double Diner

    Material: Plastic, Stainless steel
    Dimensions: 17.8cm x 30.5cm x 6.4cm
    Pack size: 1

    The Catit Double Diner is a double bowl set with its own base. Rather than being used to feed two cats simultaneously, this double set has one small bowl and one larger so is better suited for use as one food bowl and one water bowl.

    The base has an anti-slip bottom to stop the cat food bowls from moving around the floor, even when the floor is wet, and the stainless steel bowls can be removed and put in the dishwasher for easy maintenance. The sturdy base does a good job of preventing your cat from knocking it over, so food and water should stay in the bowl.

    The bowls are close together, which means that some food can get into the water, and this will prevent some cats from drinking: already a challenge for kitty owners. Also, the bowls are quite small so owners of adult cats will have to fill them frequently. The bowls are a suitable size for kittens, though. The hard plastic case is easy to break if you stand on it or drop it on a hard surface.

    Pros
    • Double bowl set for food and water
    • Dishwasher safe
    • The non-slip base prevents cats from knocking it over
    Cons
    • Food is easily transferred to the water bowl
    • Small for an adult cat
    • Plastic is easily broken

    8. Comsmart Stainless Steel Pet Cat Bowl

    Comsmart Stainless Steel Pet Cat Bowl

    Material: Stainless steel, Rubber
    Dimensions: 15cm x 15cm x 4.1cm
    Pack size: 2

    The Comsmart Stainless Steel Pet Cat Bowl is a pack of two bowls. Made from stainless steel, the bowls do need to be hand washed and you will need to remove the rubber non-slip base if you want to clear out puddles of water and gunk that collect.

    The non-slip base does do a good job of preventing the steel from sliding and scratching along the floor, though. Comsmart state that the bowl holds 8 ounces and that this is a safe amount for small pets. In reality, it means that you are going to have to keep topping the food or water up throughout the day or use the bowls for kittens and replace them with something bigger as your cats age.

    The bowls are quite thin and lightweight, so if the floor around the bowls is damp, the rubber base can still be moved by a particularly determined cat.  Even if you wash them by hand, the cat head motif will wash off, leaving them looking old and damaged.

    Pros
    • Pack of two bowls
    • The non-slip base is decent on a dry floor
    • Reasonable price
    Cons
    • Non-slip still slips on damp surfaces
    • Not dishwasher safe
    • Cat head motif washes off eventually
    • Too small

    9. Mason Cash Lettered Cat Bowl

    Mason Cash Lettered Cat Bowl

    Material: Ceramic
    Dimensions: 13cm x 13cm x 5.5cm
    Pack size: 1

    The Mason Cash Lettered Cat Bowl is a brown ceramic bowl with the word cat on the outside. One of the reasons that cat owners choose ceramic bowls is for the heft that they offer. They are almost impossible for cats to knock over or spill, and they are difficult to push around on any surface, even a damp, hard floor. However, this ceramic bowl is quite thin. If your cat is only small or doesn’t have a tendency to stand on the edge of the bowl, its lightweight feel might be beneficial. Otherwise, it makes it easier to move.

    The bowl is not dishwasher safe and does require daily cleaning, although it has proven easy to clean by hand. Annoyingly, the bowl has a large sticker inside that is very difficult to remove but will flake off in your cat’s water or food, and the dimensions of the bowl mean it is quite small but with high sides so can be a challenge for a cat to comfortably eat out of.

    Pros
    • Good looking, traditional ceramic style
    • Heavier than stainless steel and other materials
    Cons
    • Quite thin for ceramic
    • Not dishwasher safe
    • Annoying sticker inside the base doesn’t come off

    10. Beco Cat Bowl

    Beco Cat Bowl

    Material: PET plastic, Resin
    Dimensions: 7.6cm x 2.5cm x 5.1cm
    Pack size: 1

    The Beco Cat Bowl is actually made from recycled bamboo, which is sustainably sourced and can be recycled when thrown away. It is dishwasher friendly so really easy to maintain, and Beco claims that it is durable enough that it will last for years without becoming damaged. Unfortunately, the material is not as tough as the manufacturer claims and can be easily damaged. They are especially prone to damage in the dishwasher, even when you put them on the top shelf, as advised by Beko.

    The wave design of the sides is supposed to offer a convenient position to eat or drink from, but they mean that the dish is very shallow in parts so you can’t fit enough food or water in. And this is another bowl that has a sticker glued to the bottom of the inside and that is very difficult to safely and completely remove.

    Pros
    • Made from environmentally friendly recycled bamboo
    • Supposed to be dishwasher safe
    Cons
    • Thin base slides all over hard floors
    • Sticker glued inside is difficult to remove
    • Easily damaged in the dishwasher

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    Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Bowls in the UK

    Whether you have one or multiple cats, a fussy eater, or a cat that paddles in its water bowl and pushes its food around the room before eating, you need to find the bowl that is best for your feline friend. Below, we look at the different types of cat bowl you can choose from as well as the materials that they can be made from and the additional features that some bowls include. Use this guide, and our reviews above, to find the best bowl for your feline family.

    Bowl Types
    • Single Bowls – The single bowl is the simplest, can be made from a host of materials including plastic, melamine, stainless steel, or ceramic, and can vary in its design, shape, width, depth, and additional features. Cat bowls are usually circular because this means that there are no joints or seams that can be prone to leaks and they are easier to clean.
    • Double Bowls – Single bowls are simple, but most cats will need a minimum of two bowls: one for water and one for food. If your cat has a diet consisting of dry food and wet food, you may need additional bowls, but a double bowl set offers a good compromise. Some sets are simply two single bowls in one pack, but others have a feeding base or platform with inserts to hold the bowls, while some ceramic bowls are a single unit that have two bowl sections. These can be used to incorporate dry and wet food, one bowl for food and one for water, or to feed two cats at the same time, although not all cats like to be in such proximity when they are eating.
    • Raised Bowls – Cats naturally like to sit when eating, and their bowl must allow them to do this. If the bowl has tall walls it can be too deep and the cat has to crane its head and stretch its neck to get to the contents of the bowl. This can cause digestive problems and may deter your pet from eating and drinking from the bowls you buy. Raised bowls use feet or a raised platform to offer a more convenient position and will usually have non-slip feet or a non-slip base to prevent slippage and movement.
    • Inclined Bowls – Another solution to the cat’s preferred feeding position is that of an inclined bowl. They are slightly slanted so that the front of the bowl is shallow while the back of the bowl is elevated. This again allows the cat to be comfortable while using the bowls and ensures a healthy eating stance.
    • Automatic Feeders – Automatic feeders are not basic bowls, but they do serve the same purpose of providing a receptacle for your cat’s kibble or fresh food. They include some method of setting a timer and when it reaches a certain time or a specific amount of time passes, food is dispensed or a food tray is opened and your cat can eat. These are more expensive than other bowl types but they are convenient and they enable you to supply a steady stream of food to your cat over a day, or even a few days.
    Bowl Materials

    As well as the type of cat bowl, you will need to choose an appropriate material. The four most common materials are plastic, stainless steel, ceramic, and melamine.

    • Plastic – Plastic is the cheapest option, but it has fallen out of favour in recent years. Unless it is very high-quality plastic, that is rated as being food-grade, it can cause harmful chemicals to leak into your cat’s food. Plastic also tends to be light, easily damaged and does not look as attractive as the other available materials.
    • Stainless Steel – Stainless steel is germ-resistant and good-quality steel won’t rust. It is easy to clean and the stainless steel itself is dishwasher safe, although some bowls have additional elements that mean they cannot be put in the dishwasher so you should always check the manufacturer instructions before doing so. This material also has a modern look, although some people do not like the functional and utilitarian appearance that it can have. Stainless steel is heavier than plastic without being so heavy that it is inconvenient.
    • Ceramic – Ceramic bowls are thick and heavy. They are difficult to move and can make a good choice for cats that knock their bowls over or push them around the room. However, they can be challenging to clean and if a chip or split forms, which is often the case, these can harbour harmful bacteria that make your cat ill so they need daily cleaning. If smashed or chipped, the sharp pieces can cause injury to your cat, or your bare feet.
    • Melamine – Melamine is a thermoset plastic resin. It is manufactured from organic compounds and is generally considered safer than plastic. It also has a more expensive look than plastic but it is flexible and easy to work with. It is considered a decent material that is safe for use as a cat bowl.
    Other Features

    A bowl is a bowl, right? Look for the following features when buying a cat bowl, because they can make life easier and ensure a safer and cleaner eating environment.

    • Dishwasher Safe – If you feed your cat wet food, you will know how dirty the bowl can get. Little bits of food that are left on the bowl surface will harden and can be very difficult to remove and once they go off, usually after a few hours, they could cause stomach uspets and other problems for your cat. Hand washing some bowls is easy and requires just a wipe with a damp cloth, but if you can put the bowls in the dishwasher, this is even easier. Check the manufacturers’ care instructions and guidelines, and if a bowl is dishwasher safe, it might still be best to put it in the top shelf where temperatures are lower and there is less risk of damaging the material.
    • Anti-Slip – Cats may not be as violent as dogs when it comes to eating and licking the bowls clean, but an especially fervent eater will still push a bowl around a hard floor. Anti-slip feet and anti-slip bases are usually made from rubber, and they prevent this slippage and movements from being a major problem. If the rubber cannot be removed for cleaning, it will usually make it impossible to put the bowl in the washing machine, however.
    • Spill Tray – Considering the cat’s reputation for being neat and tidy, they can make one heck of a mess when eating. A large base or spill tray base catches bits of food debris before they reach the floor, making it easier for you to clean up, and preventing you from sliding on cat meat and standing in puddles.

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    Conclusion

    Cat bowls are an important item in the cat owner’s arsenal, and you will likely need at least two, if not three bowls, for each cat in your home. However, there are a lot of options, and it can seem daunting ensuring that you choose a bowl that is not only safe but is convenient for your cat and you.

    While writing the reviews above, we found the Emlstyle Cat Bowls to be the best overall. They have non-slip feet, are relatively inexpensive, and are easy to maintain. For a slightly lower price, the Nobby Ceramic Cat Double Bowl is a surprisingly good quality option. Ceramic bowls usually cost more, and the single unit design of this bowl makes it even more difficult to knock over.


    Featured Photo Credit: birgl, Pixabay

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