Many pet owners focus on carefully choosing the best and most nutritious food. Then, they exert little to no thought when buying bowls or feeders for their dogs. Some just go for the cutest ones, while others look for the most convenient ones. However, there are far more factors to consider than these. To ensure that your dog gets the most out of the high-quality food you buy, you must choose the best dog food container or feeder. So for this post, we'll show you the different dog food containers and feeders types and how each type can help make your dog's meal more enjoyable.
Types of Dog Feeders and Containers
A dog feeder or food container is a device that holds your dog's food and keeps it fresh while your dog eats. Various food containers and feeders are on the market today, each with unique features and advantages.
Basic Bowls
The most common type of dog food container is a bowl. This type of container is cheap, lightweight, easy to clean, and safe for your dog to eat from as long as it is fresh and clean. It is round with a wide opening and a flat bottom, so owners can quickly fill it, and dogs can easily eat from them. Dog bowls can be made of plastic, metal, ceramic, or melamine. They also come in various sizes, ranging from small to extra large. This allows owners to get the best fit for their dogs according to their size and type of food. Basic bowls are suitable for most dogs and types of foods, including wet dog food, dry dog food, kibble, and even cooked food.
Elevated Dog Bowls
Another common type of dog food container is elevated dog bowls. These dog bowls have a stand to elevate the bowl so the dog can reach the food more efficiently. The elevated dog bowls will be very helpful for dogs with arthritis and limited mobility. They are also suitable for large dogs as they offer more food space and greater ease of use. These are generally made of high-quality materials and can be used with wet and dry food types. An elevated dog bowl is also more expensive than a regular bowl, but it makes feeding times more convenient for both the dog and the owner.
Slow Feeder Bowls
Slow feeders are a special type of bowl that trains your dog to eat its food slowly. This feeder is designed with some sort of puzzle inside the bowl so that the dog cannot take huge gulps of food. This encourages the dog to chew the food slowly and ensures it can absorb all the nutrients before swallowing it.
On the downside, slow feeders are relatively more expensive than basic bowls and need regular refilling to ensure the dog gets enough food per serving. However, it can help the dog have healthier eating habits, thus reducing the risk of developing health problems.
Gravity Feeders
Gravity feeders are mainly designed for dry dog food. Attached to the bowl is a container that dispenses food into the bowl (due to gravity) once it's empty. While this may be great for large breeds that need to eat large amounts of food daily, it is not ideal for those who tend to overeat. Gravity feeders may also be helpful for dogs with small appetites who prefer to eat small portions throughout the day.
Automatic Feeders
Like gravity feeders, automatic feeders dispense food directly to the bowl throughout the day. However, automatic feeders can be programmed on how much food to release and at what time of the day. This allows your dog to eat on schedule, even when you're at work or out traveling. Automatic feeders also help prevent overeating by ensuring that your dog only gets the right amount of food at the right time. If you decide to use an automatic feeder for your pet, it is crucial to know how much food your dog needs.
However, the major disadvantage is that automatic feeders are more expensive than most other feeders and containers. They also require a lot of space, so they may only be suitable for some households. You may also have to constantly check the automatic feeder to ensure it works correctly. Many automatic feeders are also quite loud when the food is being dispensed, which may cause your pet to become distressed or upset.
Zilla: The Innovative Dog Food Container
Lastly, allow us to introduce the Zilla. It is probably the best food container out there for the following reasons:
- It is an innovative container that can hold pet food off the ground.
- It is made of durable, non-toxic rubber (similar to Kong Extreme) and designed to be filled with wet dog food, peanut butter, and other creative homemade treats.
- This food container also provides mental and physical stimulation for your dog, as they have to work for the treat inside.
- It also helps fast eaters slow down since they can’t access the treat easily.
Zilla can be attached to a crate/kennel using the Zilla Clamp or to the Treat Clincher. Interested? Check out the Zilla Food Container here.