How can you keep these ants away from your cat’s bowl? Insecticides and chemicals are effective but not safe for felines. They can cause insecticide toxicity with effects like weakness, vomiting, excess salivation, or difficulty breathing when ingested.
The safest and effective solution is to get an ant-proof cat bowl. These ant-proof bowls are designed to stop insects and ants from climbing into your kitty’s food.
If you want to invest in a quality ant-proof cat bowl, here is a review of the best ant-proof cat bowls. Not only are they functional but durable too.
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A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024
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Best Overall
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Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl |
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Best Value
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WDD 3-in-1 Ant Free Pet Dish |
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BugSnub Ant Proof Tray |
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Antser Ant Proof Barrier |
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DYL No Ant Pet Bowl |
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The 10 Best Ant Proof Cat Bowls
1. Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl– Best Overall
| Quality: | 5/5 |
| Material: | PP Plastic, Stainless steel |
| Item Dimensions: | 16″W x 9″D x 2″H |
The Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl eliminates any risk of a mess with a high edged base that securely holds two whisker friendly dishes that can hold up to 10 oz. Its modern design means it will fit seamlessly in with all home decor.
The entire set is dishwasher-friendly on the top rack and spare dishes can be purchased for those who like to have additional bowls on hand to account for wash cycles.
The high sides of the NomNom make it nearly impossible for ants to crawl into the bowl and access any of the food you’ve left out for your cat. As an additional assurance, you can fill the drip tray with water to ensure that no ants make it past the moat.
All in all, we think this is the best ant-proof cat bowl available today.
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!
- Drip tray prevents ants from reaching food
- Shallow dishes offer whickers relief
- Dishwasher safe
- Stainless steel & PP plastic
- Only comes in three colors
2. WDD 3-in-1 Ant Free Pet Dish – Best Value
| Quality: | 4.7/5 |
| Material: | Plastic |
| Item Dimensions: | 11.25″ L x 5.75″ W x 3.5″ H |
If you are on a budget, the WDD 3-in-1 Ant Free Pet Dish is the best ant-proof cat bowl for the money. It features a water reservoir that creates a barrier between the ants and your cat’s meals. In addition, the food bowl is raised for easier swallowing and comfort.
This ant-free dish has a 4 oz. capacity and a water system for convenience. It is made from durable and non-toxic plastic. You can disassemble it for easy cleaning.
- Suitable for cats and dogs
- Safe water barrier
- Raised food bowl allows easy swallowing
- Holds food and water
- Quite small
3. BugSnub Ant Proof Tray – Premium Choice
| Quality: | 4.5/5 |
| Material: | Melamine, plastic |
| Item Dimensions: | 16” L x 12” W x 2” H |
If you’ll spend any amount of money to keep ants away from your kitty’s bowl, consider the BugSnub Ant Proof Tray. This product eliminates the need to buy your kitty a whole new bowl, as it allows you to use any feeder your kitty is used to. The tray, while not particularly nice to look at, is large enough to fit two cat bowls.
It’s a waterless, moat-free, ant-proof solution that utilizes the company’s special BugSnub gel to create a physical barrier between the ants and your cat’s food. The gel is a mineral oil-based, food-grade product applied to the bottom of upside-down cups. A single application can last an entire year, so you don’t need to worry about refilling empty moats or the water evaporating while you’re away.
The gel is very sticky, which is good for catching the ants, but it can be a bit challenging to apply. We recommend wearing gloves and using a paintbrush to apply to keep messes to a minimum.
- No water required
- No need to buy a whole new feeder
- Gel can last an entire year
- Gel is food-grade
- Tray can fit two cat bowls
- Not very attractive looking
- Expensive
4. Antser Ant Proof Barrier
| Quality: | 4.7/5 |
| Material: | Plastic |
| Item Dimensions: | 14.1″ L x 10.1″ W x 1.8″ H |
Although the Antser Ant Proof Barrier is not a cat bowl, it keeps ants away. It uses water or a combination of liquid soap and water to prevent ants from accessing the top surface.
You need to fill the inside ridges with hot or cold water and around the outside ridges. Then, put the lid back and place your cat’s bowl on the barrier. This ant-proof barrier can be used indoors and outdoors. Its 9 x 13-inch surface can hold a food and water dish simultaneously.
- For outdoor and indoor use
- Internal water barrier deters ants
- Easy to use
- Ants can get to food when the water dries up
5. DYL No Ant Pet Bowl
| Quality: | 4.8/5 |
| Material: | Polypropylene, Plastic |
| Item Dimensions: | 5.12″ L x 5.12″ W x 2.95″ H |
The DYL No Ant Pet Bowl ranks as one of our best ant-proof bowls. It features a moat barrier that prevents ants from coming into contact with your pet’s food. The dish with the moat barrier keeps the feeding bowl at an elevation and away from ants.
Besides, the elevated angle makes it easier for your cat to feed as it prevents whisker fatigue. This DYL bowl is made of durable polypropylene plastic, which is detachable and easy to clean. You can use it indoors or outdoors.
- Durable and easy to clean
- Elevated moat barrier
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Too small
6. With You Cat Dog Pet Food Bowl
| Quality: | 4.5/5 |
| Material: | Polypropylene, plastic |
| Item Dimensions: | 14.5″ L x 7.75″ W x 2″ H |
This With You Food Bowl is designed to keep ants away from your pet’s food. The bowl has a wide, deep-water moat, so ants cannot get to the food. However, if you do not fill the moat with water or have bits of food in it, the ants will find a route to the feeding bowl.
Apart from keeping ants away, this model contains two bowls. You can use one bowl for your cat’s food and the other for water. The food bowl has a 32 oz. capacity, which is an ideal size for kitties’ meals.
The bowl is made of environmentally safe and durable plastic. It is also dishwasher safe.
- Wide deep-water moat
- Features double bowls
- Environmentally safe and durable plastic
- Holds 32 oz. of food or water
- Not ant-proof if the moat dries up
7. Bugout Pet Feeder
| Quality: | 4.5/5 |
| Material: | Polypropylene, plastic |
| Item Dimensions: | 14″ L x 11″ W x 7″ H |
Bugout Pet Feeder is a compact, modern, ant-proof bowl with a unique patented design to keep ants away. The ant-proof design uses water to surround the food bowl, thus creating a barrier. Your cat gets to enjoy fresh food and water, free of ants.
The feeder includes a 6-inch removable bowl that holds up to 5 cups of food. You can use it for cats or dogs. Additionally, the feeding system has an automatic water station to keep your pet hydrated. Its self-leveling system ensures the water levels are at the perfect height. The unit comes with a 2-liter plastic bottle to get you started.
- Ant-proof design
- Automatic water system
- Sturdy construction
- BPA free
- Messy when cats knock off the water bottle
8. PetsLike Ants Away Dog Bowl
| Quality: | 4/5 |
| Material: | Polypropylene |
| Item Dimensions: | 8.6” L x 8.6” W x 3.3” H |
The PetsLike Ants Away Dog Bowl is a large-capacity ant-proof cat bowl boasting a capacity of 24 ounces. Its wide and deep moat works like a charm to keep pesky critters out of your kitty’s food. Its four non-slip rubbers on the bottom ensure your enthusiastic kitty won’t tip their bowl over at meal time, protecting your floor and keeping messes at bay. It’s made with a phthalate- and lead-free material, so it’s safe for your furry family members. This bowl comes in a two-piece set, so you can have matching water and food receptacles. It’s simple to clean either by hand or by putting it in the top rack of your dishwasher.
While slip-resistant feet are good in theory, they tend to fall out. Some buyers reported having to re-glue them in to keep them operating as they should. The moat is a bit shallower than some of the other options on our list, so the water does evaporate pretty quickly. You’ll need to refill it more often to keep it operating as it should.
- Anti-slip rubber feet
- No lead or phthalates
- Large capacity
- Deep moat keeps ants out
- Feet sometimes fall out
- Moat is too shallow
9. Iconic Pet Anti Ant Stainless Steel Pet Food/Water Bowl
| Quality: | 4.1/5 |
| Material: | Stainless Steel |
| Item Dimensions: | 6.75″ L x 6.75″ w x 2″ H |
The Iconic Pet Food Bowl features a raised rim design and an anti-skid rubber base so ants cannot crawl into your kitty’s food. This ensures that your cat’s food is hygienic and healthy.
The bowl is made of premium-grade stainless steel for durability. The non-skid rubber base ensures stability, making the dish ideal for cats and dogs.
- Durable
- Stable
- Dishwasher safe
- Raised rim design keeps ants away
- Ants can access the bowl if part of it touches the ground.
10. BugSnub Ant Proof Raised Pet Bowl for Cats with Stainless Steel Dish
| Quality: | 4.0/5 |
| Material: | Alloy Steel |
| Item Dimensions: | 4.5″ L x 4.5″ W x 6″ H inches |
This Bug Snub ant-proof cat bowl is a stainless-steel dish with a sturdy stand and a Bug Snub Insect Blocking Gel. The gel creates a sticky, goopy barrier that ants cannot walk on.
Apply the gel on the underside of the bowl and press it firmly to the stand. For best results, ensure that the ant-proof dish is free-standing. When it touches a wall or furniture, the ants can bypass the gel. Also, inspect whether there is foreign debris like pet hair or dust on the gel to create a bridge for ants.
- Sturdy stand
- Insect-blocking gel deters ants
- Elevated feeding position is comfortable for cats
- No instructions on how to assemble it
Buyer’s Guide: What to Look for in an Ant Proof Cat Bowl
Ant-proof bowls are much better at keeping ants and other insects away from your cat’s food than insecticides and chemicals. But how can you find the best ant-proof cat bowl? Here are the factors to consider.
Size
The ideal ant-proof cat bowl should be comfortable for your pet to feed on. If the bowl is too small or too large, your feline may have trouble eating. In addition, your cat will be forced to feed in an uncomfortable position, which will lead to stress and digestive problems.
Elevation
When an ant-proof bowl is elevated, it becomes difficult for ants to crawl into the food. That is why raised bowls or those with a stand work great at keeping ants away.
Material
Ant-proof cat bowls should be made of high-quality and durable material. Most are made of stainless steel since it is tough. Others are made of high-quality plastic, particularly those with a moat barrier. When considering moat bowls, ensure that the plastic is free of toxic chemicals.
Easy to Clean
It is best to choose an ant-proof bowl that is easy to clean. It should be easy to assemble and disassemble or dishwasher safe. Remember that leftover food attracts ants and insects, while a clean bowl does the opposite.
Our Ant-Proof Cat Bowls Selection Process
Catster’s dedicated team of writers and editors collaborate with expert veterinarians, considering a wide range of factors when selecting the best ant proof bowls for cats. These parameters include customer reviews, brand reputation, veterinary experience, and in some cases, hands-on testing. Of course, our cats have a say in the process, too! We strive to select and review the highest-quality products available, to help you choose the best possible product and make the most informed decision for your and your cat’s needs.
Why Trust Catster?
Catster has been a trusted online brand since 2001, so we know a thing or two about ant proof cat bowls. We’re a team of cat-loving writers, editors, and veterinarians dedicated to helping you make the most informed decision for your feline. We deeply believe in providing the best information for cat owners to help their cats live their best life possible. We look at reviews from the most trusted sources available, and this, combined with our veterinary team’s experience and expertise, helps us gather the best options on the market. Our team is invested in the welfare and health of cats around the world, and believe that expert knowledge is one of the best ways to achieve this.
Conclusion
Ant-proof cat bowls are designed to keep ants and other insects away. They are safer than toxic chemicals and pesticides. Overall, the Hepper NomNom Cat Bowl ranks as our best ant-proof bowl. The modern design stops ants from reaching your cat’s food, while its elevated position prevents whisker fatigue. It is also durable, easy to clean, and suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
If you are on a tight budget, consider the WDD 3-in-1 Ant Free Pet Dish. It holds food, drinking water, and a moat barrier. Your pet can eat and drink without worrying about interfering ants. We hope this guide helped you narrow down the best ant-proof cat bowl.
Featured Photo Credit: birgl, Pixabay
