Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

5 DIY Ant-Proof Cat Bowls: Vet-Approved Ideas To Try Today (With Pictures)

Share

ant-proof red cat bowl_pedphoto36pm_Shutterstock

You’re not alone if you’re frustrated with ants getting into your cat’s bowl. It can be extremely frustrating, not to mention a waste of cat food. But we’re here to help. Here are our favorite DIY ant-proof cat bowls that you can make at home to solve your ant problem for good!divider 3 paws

The 5 DIY Ant-Proof Cat Bowls

1. Easy DIY Ant-Proof Bowl from The Links Site

How to Keep Ants out of Cat Food (A Quick and Easy DIY)
Photo Credit: thelinkssite
Materials: Large saucer, cat food bowl that fits into the saucer
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Easy

This easy-to-make ant-proof bowl uses two bowls instead of one. You will need a large bowl and a small one that fits inside the large one. Add water to the large one, and place your cat food inside the small bowl.


2. Water Moat Bowl from Instructables

ANT-PROOF PET FOOD BOWL
Photo Credit: instructables
Materials: Plastic container
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Easy

Making a water moat around your cat’s food bowl is the clear solution to ant problems. This version of an ant-free cat bowl uses a plastic outer bowl and a stainless-steel inner bowl.

Much like most other DIY ant-free bowls, you’ll make a water moat around your cat food, placing the food in the inner bowl.


3. Pot Lid Ant Proof Cat Feeder

ant proof pet food bowls
Photo Credit: Homify
Materials: Pot rack, plastic container/pet bowl, shallow lid
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Easy

Using a plain old pot rack will help make your cat bowl ant-proof and elevate the bowl for your cat. Elevated surfaces create less strain on your kitty’s neck and are more stable overall, meaning less likely to spill water or food. Put a little water onto your shallow lid, put the pot rack on top, and slot in your cat’s bowl. Voila, you have an elevated ant-proof cat bowl.


4. Baking Soda Barrier

diy feeding station
Image Credit: Alley Cat Allies
Materials: Baking soda, pet bowl
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Easy

Just a circular sprinkle of baking soda around your cat’s food and water bowls can keep away ants. This is similar to diatomaceous earth but more widely available. More importantly, it’s non-toxic to cats and less off-putting to their sensitive noses. Better yet, you likely already have the two things you need: a pet bowl and baking soda.


5. DIY Anti-Ant Pet Food Bowl

diy anti-ant pet food bowl
Image Credit: Seriously Trivial
Materials: Pet bowl, saucer dish
Tools: None
Difficulty Level: Easy

Take your cat’s regular bowl and put it on a saucer dish with a bit of a lip on it. Then, all you need to do is fill the saucer with water, like a little moat. The ants won’t be able to get past the water, thus leaving your cat’s food free from ants. This DIY anti-ant bowl is that simple!divider 3 paws

Other Methods to Keep Ants Out of Cat Food

You can use several natural methods to prevent ants from stealing your cat’s food. The following avoid using toxic ant sprays, which, unfortunately, are also toxic to your cat.

1. Store food in plastic bins

The first defense against ant invaders is to store your pet’s food somewhere that they can’t get in. Airtight plastic containers are the best place to store cat food to avoid pests. It will also improve the freshness and shelf life of the kibble.


2. Make a barrier around your cat food

Ants won’t walk over the top of certain substances. You can use this fact and make a barrier around your cat’s food bowl to keep them out.

Here are a few options for barriers:

Make a circle around your cat food bowl with one of these substances to keep them out of the food. Do note, though, that the smell might be off-putting to your cat too.

Hepper NomNom - Spill Proof Elevated Cat Bowl
  • NO MESS - The 360° tray on this cat food and water bowl set has a raised design to catch and...
  • WHISKER FRIENDLY - Shallow and wide metal containers with flat bottoms ensure your kitty can enjoy...
  • CHEW-SAFE MATERIALS - Kittens and cats love chewing on silicone and soft rubber - but it's a choking...

Choosing the right food and water bowls for our feline companions can pose certain challenges for pet owners. The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl provides a chic and innovative solution that supports cat specific needs, such as shallow bowls and a subtle elevation that fosters whisker relief, posture comfort, and improves digestion. It features an elegant contemporary design with a wide wrap-around tray aimed at minimizing any messes from ending up on your floor! Furthermore, this bowl is entirely dishwasher safe, so pet owners are able to spend more time with their cats instead of cleaning up after them. Discover why the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl is right for both you and your kitty by clicking here.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

 


3. Regularly clean the food bowl

Ants are most attracted to crumbs and leftover food. The easiest way to keep them out is to keep the bowl clean. Use pet-safe dish detergent to wash your cat’s dish every couple of days and rinse it well to remove any soap residue before putting food back in.

Washing animal food bowls under the tap in the kitchen sink.
Image Credit: MargaPI, Shutterstock

divider 3 paws

Conclusion

There are several easy and inexpensive ways to keep your cat’s food bowl ant-free. Use one of the DIY plans and other listed tips to keep those pests away!


Featured Image Credit By: pedphoto36pm, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.




How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.


Catster's Digital Magazine is Back!

Vet-approved health & behavior advice

Real cat stories & community features

Ask Dr. Paola – My Cat Loves Eating Grass, But It Makes Her Vomit! (June 29, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

Learning to Speak Cat with Anthony Smith

Many cat lovers know me through Learn to Speak Cat and Cattitude – Doggonit, cartoons that explore the often mysterious, occasionally mischievous, and...

Weird Cat Behaviors That Actually Make Perfect Sense

We have been sharing our lives with cats for thousands of years, yet we still find ourselves genuinely stumped by what they get...

The Dream of Talking to Cats Just Got Closer to Becoming a Reality

If you’ve ever wished your cat could simply tell you what they wanted, you’re not alone. From the meow that wakes you before...

More related

Can Cats Eat Just Wet Food? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Cats are curious creatures known for their unique personalities, occasional mischievous behavior, and dietary needs. As such, there is a lot of debate...

Can Cats Drink Bottled Water? Vet-Reviewed Types & Recommendations

Healthy cats need to drink around four ounces of water per five pounds of body weight daily. This amount will vary though, depending...

Meet the Cats of Bohemian Rhapsody (With Pictures)

I went to see Bohemian Rhapsody on opening day in November, and have seen it a few more times since then. I loved...

How Long Will a Cat With Diabetes Live Without Treatment? Vet-Verified Risks & FAQ

Diabetes is a common and serious disease that affects the health of cats. When left untreated, diabetes can cause life-threatening complications such as...

Keep reading

What’s the Price of Cat & Kitten Vaccinations in UK? 2026 Costs

Cat and kitten vaccinations are vitally important to every cat’s health. There are various types of vaccines, such as a kitten’s first vaccine or a frequent traveler cat that needs specialized vaccines for travel. This article will look at how...

Veterinarian giving injection to cat_Africa Studio_Shutterstock

Can a Cat Sense Fear? Vet Reviewed Answer

We all know that cats do an excellent job of comforting us when we’ve had a rough day. All we need is to sink our fingers into their soft fur and feel their purr rumbling under our hands to feel...

white cat under the bed

3 Homemade Cat Gravy Recipes: Vet Approved Healthy Options

Cats are obligate carnivores, so they need nutrients only found in animal products for a complete diet—including animal protein and fat. Cats are also notoriously picky, so reliable kibble may not be enough to entice their appetite sometimes. While it’s...

kitten eating gravy food

Is Incense Safe for Cats? What You Should Know!

Incense can improve focus and relaxation while reducing tension, anxiety, and insomnia. It is often used in meditation and yoga, but what effect does it have on our cats? Is it even safe for them? Unfortunately, incense is not safe...

Catster_Is Incense Safe for Cats

Blue Buffalo Cat Food Review in 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary Many pet owners might be surprised to learn that Blue Buffalo was only founded in 2003. Despite being a relatively young company, Blue Buffalo has quickly carved out a name for itself as one of the premier manufacturers...

Blue Buffalo Cat Food Review

Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea? 8 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Cat owners know how aloof their feline companions can be, and we can sometimes miss signs telling us that something is off, so it is important to pay attention to your cat’s energy levels, eating, and toilet routine. Feline diarrhea...

orange cat pooping on the grass

How to Introduce a Third Cat to Your Home (11 Vet-Reviewed Tips)

If there’s one thing to know about cat lovers, it’s that they cannot get enough of their cat. You can find many cat owners who started off with one or two cats, and eventually grew their cat family into a...

three Korat kittens

Do I Need to Expose My Cat to Sunlight for Them To Stay Healthy?

You’ve probably read more than a few stories about the importance of getting enough vitamin D, “the sunshine” vitamin. It plays a critical role in muscle and bone development, nervous system functions, and immune health for humans. But do domestic...

American Polydactyl cat walking outside

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

Stay informed with expert pet care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on animal behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.