Best Stainless Steel Dog Bowls

Pets, just like children, are a handful. You have to think about and make decisions concerning practically everything about them ranging from their shelter, happiness, hygiene, exercise, safety, training, nutrition, and other considerations.

Talking about nutrition, did you know that the bowl your dog eats from can affect its well-being significantly? For instance, sometime in 2012, a manufacturing company produced and marketed stainless steel pet food bowls but had to issue a recall on them after it was discovered that they were radioactive. This, according to reports, is a result of the poisonous lead material used in manufacturing the product.

This simple item can also affect you as the owner of a canine. You do not want to spend your money replacing your dog’s dish because it keeps breaking or because your pet keeps chewing it apart. These are some of the reasons why we recommend stainless steel dishes. But there is more to look out for in a bowl aside from being made from a quality stainless steel material.

We took the liberty of combing through the market, reviews, and people’s experiences to bring you the best stainless steel dog bowls. We will review the best 10, explain what to look out for when shopping, discuss different types of dog bowls and how they compare to the stainless steel types, and explore some other information that might help you make the best decision.

How Did We Pick the Best Stainless Steel Dog Bowls?

We constantly strive to put the interests of our readers above everything else. To make sure we do just that, we use informative and well-crafted articles to simplify the confusing maze you must navigate when choosing products to meet your needs. In a concerted effort to help you get the best from the market, we create product reviews by holistically studying the market and analyzing real customers’ feedback. In the end, you can be sure of a sincere and useful verdict from our team.

If you find our articles useful — please feel free to share them with your family, friends, and colleagues. Follow us on our social media platforms to read the latest online product reviews as they drop.

Best Overall

AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl

Key Features

Why It is Better?

Why Do You Need a Stainless Steel Dog Bowl?

If you have a pet that you care about, then you need to understand the advantages of feeding your pet with stainless steel dishes compared to other types of bowls. The most important thing is that it is specifically for your pooch to eat from during mealtimes. Every canine deserves a high-quality stainless steel feeding bowl, which is superior to any other dish made of plastic or ceramics. Here are some fascinating reasons that a lot of people prefer stainless steel bowls to ceramic or plastic ones.

  • Chew-proof material: A lot of dogs tend to chew on anything they come across and destroy their bowls in most cases. If this is the case with your pet, then you do not want to have anything to do with plastic bowls. Your dog might be able to gnaw through anything, but he is unlikely to chew through metal because it is stronger. If your pet is teething, you should understand that it is perfectly normal for him to want to chew. Be sure to correct him when he does this to prevent him from ruining his teeth. You can get him some chew toys that are gentle on his teeth.
  • Durable: Let us talk about durability. You see, no one enjoys having to replace an item early because it was not strong enough to withstand the test of time. To prevent this, you should avoid plastic and ceramic bowls and go for stainless steel ones. Be sure to find a good dog bowl because many of them are poor quality. Stainless steel is stronger than most other materials. It can last as long as 5 years or even more.
  • Healthier: Experts always recommend choosing BPA-free plastic, but how can you tell for sure that a plastic bowl is free of BPA and toxins? Some manufacturers can be misleading with such information, and this can cause some health problems for your pet. To be on the safe side, it is best to select stainless steel bowls, which are naturally free of BPA and toxins. Metal ones are better for the environment and general human health as well compared to those made of rubber and plastic materials.
  • Ease of cleaning: You must keep your pet’s dish clean for sanitary and health reasons. This requires frequent cleaning. If you do not want to deal with stains that will not come off no matter how hard you scrub, then you have to stay away from plastic. Plastic bowls are easily stained with food and may even start to smell bad after a while. Stainless steel is easier to clean and does not retain any odors or stains. This is definitely a win. So, if you want something that is sustainable, toxin-free, odorless, durable, stainless, and convenient, then get one of the best stainless steel dog bowls because it will be a great fit for you and your pet.

How to Pick the Right Stainless Steel Dog Bowl

Now that we have established the fact that stainless steel is a superior material for your pet dish, let us discuss what you should look out for when shopping for one. This will serve as a checklist to help you decide on what is best for you and your pooch.

Just before we get into that, note that not all metal bowls out there are suitable for your pet. Some of them are not made from rust-resistant metal, for instance. There are some that are made of low-quality materials and are coated with a light film of stainless steel, which, of course, is substandard and dangerous for your pooch. On that note, here are some of the things you should check out before making a purchase.

  • Size: In the course of our intensive research for this piece, we noticed that a lot of products received quite a backlash for seemingly misleading sizing, especially not being as big as suggested. This is why you have to check to see if a bowl you are considering has enough capacity to hold your pet’s food or water.
  • Material: We must talk about this again for the sake of emphasis. Stainless steel metal is always the best for a lot of reasons. However, you have to be extra vigilant to make sure you are getting the actual thing. In other words, you need to check to see if the stainless steel is real. To do this, you can subject it to some tests like the reflection test. Real stainless steel will give a great reflection of your image, almost like a mirror. Anything with a blurry reflection should be questioned. Another one is the magnet test. The real thing will hold firmly to a magnet unlike substandard ones with only a coating of stainless steel.
  • Durability: Which do you think would last longer among plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel materials? There have been testimonies of people who have been using a metal dish for their pets for as long as 10 years. Some of them even outlive the pet and are passed on to another. Ceramic and plastic bowls can break at any time unlike the metal ones, which can take almost anything without breaking a sweat.
  • Brands: There is a lot of competition in the market with a variety of new companies developing their own concepts for dog bowls and trying their very best to impress the public. While their efforts are applaudable, you may not be sure about the functionality and sustainability of their product. This is not the case with popular brands that have been around for a while and have built a sustainable customer base. If their products were not any good, they would not have become popular. So, if you are confused as to what brand to go for, you can go for reputable ones with confidence. Some of the brands we recommend are AmazonBasics, Urpower, Midwest Homes, and Neater Pet to name a few.
  • Ease of cleaning: Of course, you can always wash your pet’s bowl by hand, but you may not have the time to do that all the time. This is why it is important to go for something that is dishwasher safe. That way, it is more convenient for you to throw it in the dishwashing machine and have it cleaned. How do you know if it is dishwasher safe or not? You can always read the label to see if it is. You can also check on the package of the product or read through the description online if you cannot lay your hands on it physically.
  • Rust-resistant metal: One of the traits of a quality stainless steel is that it does not rust over time. This will particularly come in handy if you feed your dog outdoors, where the dish is exposed to a great amount of moisture and oxygen.
  • Safety: This should probably be the first on this list because it is really important. For you and your pooch to enjoy your purchase, it has to be safe to use without any risk of injuries. Some products, especially elevated or attachable ones, have sharp metal edges, which can injure you or your pet. Also, be sure that the product you are considering buying has been tested for mercury, lead, and cadmium. Additionally, it is safe to say that products that are not dishwasher safe are less likely to be safe for your dog because the bowl will not get a thorough washing during cleaning.
  • Chew-proof construction: Finally, whatever you do, make sure you get a bowl that has ais chew-proof construction for your canine. This is especially so if your pooch is still teething and is likely to bite into any and everything she comes in contact with. Metals are great chew-proof products that can stand the test of time.

Top 10 Best Stainless Steel Dog Bowls

1. AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.7/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Ease to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

This product is one of the best metal dog bowls especially related to value. It is made of premium and high-quality materials at a fairly affordable price. The quality stainless steel is simply designed to look like a typical dog dish. It comes with a rubber base, which serves to protect the floor and keep the plate from skidding and sliding around while your pooch is trying to eat.

You can get a package with a single plate or two, depending on what you prefer. But it is recommended that you buy the set of 2 to give your pets a complete meal set for food and water. They are scratch resistant, so you do not have to worry about your pet scratching and digging into the plate. It is also rust resistant and BPA free, making it a healthy option for your dog. The manufacturers took special consideration in making this product. Maintaining these dishes is not tedious at all. You can either clean them by washing them with soap and water, or you can use a dishwasher.

Our Rating
4.7/5

2. URPOWER Dog Bowls Stainless Steel Dog Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.6/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Ease to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

So far, this product is the best dog bowls stainless steel for a lot of pet owners, and the reason is not far-fetched. It is made of premium, rust-resistant, and durable materials, which are specifically non-toxic and BPA free. Each package comes with 2 different plates. This is quite convenient for food and water to be served at the same time. A mat is provided as well, which is effective in catching any spills from eating or drinking. It also serves as a non-slippery base to hold dishes in place while your pooch eats and drinks.

The mat is made of a high-quality flexible silicone material. However, it is flimsy and bends when you try to pick it up. Cleaning and maintaining this product is not challenging at all. You can decide to wash it with a sponge and water, or you can toss it into the dishwasher. It is cost-effective as well and has a whopping 4.6 out of 5 stars as a rating from over 3000 customers on Amazon.

Our Rating
4.6/5

3. Maslow Standard Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.5/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

If you are looking for something you can use both indoors and outdoors with a great level of convenience, then the Maslow 88077 standard stainless steel bowl is the product for you. As one of the best dog bowls stainless steel, the manufacturers considered functionality more than aesthetics as the design is a simple but effective one. It has a wide opening and a wide base making it easy for your pet to reach the contents of the dish.

It is made from anti-rust and odorless stainless steel that is scratch and chew proof. It is suitable for pets of different sizes. Each bowl can hold 88 ounces or 11 cups of food, which is a reasonable capacity for any pooch. It is easy to clean and maintain. You can wash it by hand or use a dishwasher. Despite having great reviews online, this product has some cons you should be aware of before purchasing. It does not come with a rubber base to hold it in place, and it is not designed to catch any spills.

Our Rating
4.5/5

4. MidWest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Food Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.4/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

The very first thing that comes to mind when you set eyes on this MidWest Homes stainless steel bowl is how aesthetically appealing it is. It is designed to look like a simple dog dish, but it comes with other features that makes it more than just an ordinary bowl. It has a bowl lock design that makes it possible for you to attach the plate to a dog crate or any standard metal mesh structure for elevation while feeding. This goes a long way in reducing the strains dogs feel when they have to eat from a bowl on the floor. Also, it helps tame dogs that have messy table manners.

Another interesting feature is the no-tip bracket design. This product does not come with a rubber base, but it comes with this no-tip feature that is effective in keeping the bowl from being knocked over. On the downside, the tips of the clip protrude and are sharp, which can cause injuries if care is not taken. Also, the bowl’s clip is perceived as being too sturdy. It holds on perfectly fine, but it may be a little too difficult to unclip when you need to refill the plate.

Our Rating
4.4/5

5. Loving Pets Bella Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.4/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

This functional and beautiful dog bowls stainless steel is one of the best on the market. It has earned an award for the best-selling bowl and has continued to maintain its reputation up until this day. The design is very simple and wide enough for your pooch to get to the contents without any hassles. It comes in 4 different sizes with varying capacities from small and medium to large and extra-large.

The interior is made with a glossy stainless steel that is non-sticky, rust resistant, and easy to clean. The exterior is coated with beautifully colored and designed poly-resin. It has a removable rubber base to prevent skidding and eliminate noise. Plus, it is totally dishwasher safe.On the downside, this product does not hold spills and may contribute to a mess after every meal. There have been complaints about the product trapping water inside, which may cause mold. Suffice it to say that it is not suitable for serving water.

Our Rating
4.4/5

6. Vivaglory Dog Bowls Stainless Steel Water and Food Feeder Review

Our Rating
4.5/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

In addition to being on the list of the best stainless steel dog bowls, the Vivaglory dog bowl is colorful in addition to being functional. It comes in 4 different sizes and 11 different colors. Each set contains 2 feeding bowls that can be used to serve food and water at the same time and a silicone mat for holding the dishes in a place to avoid skidding and noises. The mat also works for holding spills just in case your pooch is a messy eater.

The design is very simple and made from a rust-resistant steel that is heat resistant and does not hold odor. To clean it, you can simply use your dishwasher, or you can decide to wash it manually with soap and water. This product is not just great for dogs but also cats because it comes in various sizes.You need to put in extra effort to make sure the size and capacity are suitable for your pet to avoid getting the wrong size. For instance, the smallest is suitable for a cat but not so much for a puppy. Also, the silicone mat is not chew proof, meaning it can easily be torn apart by your canine.

Our Rating
4.5/5

7. GPET Dog Bowl 32 Oz Stainless Steel Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.4/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

If you have had a pet for a while, you will understand how important pets can be to you on a personal level and the urge to give them a treat every now and then. This is why GPET has brought you this unique dog dish that you can easily customize with designs that are particular to you and your pet. You can opt for any design you prefer, but most people prefer to put the name of their pooch on the bowl for a personal touch.

Aside from being customizable, this dish is also a downright effective value pack that holds as much as 32 ounces of food at a time. It is designed with a non-slip base made of rubber to avoid skidding and noises. It is also angled at the base in a manner to reduce spills and messes during meals. It is dishwasher safe, smooth, easy to clean, and does not hold odors. You get a 2-year warranty with this product and a 100% money-back guarantee with no questions asked just in case you are not satisfied with it.

Our Rating
4.4/5

8. Neater Pet Brands Slow Feed Bowl Stainless Steel Review

Our Rating
4.4/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

If you do not know it already, realize now that your dog may be suffering from indigestion because it eats large bites of food at a rate that is too fast. Dogs are not likely to listen to you when you tell them to slow down, but you can get this strategically constructed dog bowl to help slow down your dog’s eating rate. It has a 32-ounce capacity for the big size and an 8-ounce capacity for the small size. They are designed with a round obstruction at the center of the dish to slow a dog down while eating.

The container has a typical and nice dog bowl design made with stainless steel. It can be washed in a dishwasher machine, or you can wash it manually with your hands. It is compatible with most elevator frames too. On the downside, this dish does not have an anti-skid feature or a mat or something to catch any spills and mess they may make while eating.

Our Rating
4.4/5

9. OurPets DuraPet Slow Feed Premium Stainless Steel Dog Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.3/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

Here is another recommendable product that can slow down eating and bring about notable advantages like reducing bloating, indigestion, choking, and puking. It is made of heavy and durable stainless steel with a metal bonding ring at the bottom to prevent skidding and noises during meals. This product is cost-effective, easy to clean and maintain, durable, and suitable for serving either food or water. It comes in 3 different sizes for you to choose from depending on the size of your canine.

It does not have a mat to catch any spills during meals. This means you may have to deal with some mess after every meal. Also, there have been complaints about this product rusting and splitting at the edges.

Our Rating
4.3/5

10. Mlife Stainless Steel Dog Bowl Review

Our Rating
4.3/5

Durability

0%

Sturdiness

0%

Easy to clean

0%

Key Features

We Like

We Don’t Like

The top of this bowl is not as large as the base, making it wide enough to prevent it from tipping over during mealtimes. The base also comes with a rubber material attached to the edge to hold the dish in one place and prevent noise while eating. Each set comes with 2 bowls, which is convenient for serving food and water at the same time.

They are available in 4 different sizes, leaving you with a wide range of choice to select from depending on the size of your pet and your preference. The stainless steel material is hygienic and does not retain odor. It is easy to clean with a dishwasher or by hand. It is quite cost-effective, considering the value. It is also scratch resistant. On the downside, the material is too thin and may show signs of rust after a while.

Our Rating
4.3/5

Main Types of Stainless Steel Dog Bowls

You may not know this, but there are different types of stainless steel. You need to be familiar with them in order to make the right choice. Here are some of the different types.

  • Polished: This type has a very smooth finish that can show your reflection like a mirror. This means that it is less likely to trap any odor or change in color. Another advantage of this type of stainless steel is that it helps to prevent bacteria from clinging to it, making it healthier and more sanitary. On the downside, it is very likely to show smudges from your pooch’s licks and fingerprints. This is probably not a big deal since they can all come off with a single wash.
  • Matte: This type of metal is dull in appearance and may not appear as aesthetically appealing as the polished type. The surface is very smooth, and it is basically functional and effective if you are not big on appearance. It does not trap germs, rust, or change in color after a while. You may notice smudges from your pet’s paws and tongue, but it is usually not very obvious compared to the polished types.
  • Brushed: The appearance of this finish is somewhere between matte and polished. It is not very polished. At the same time, it is not so matte. It is similar to the pattern made when a brush is dragged over wet paint. It can show a bit of a reflection when you search for your image in it. It is easy to clean and does not trap any odors or stains. It is common to think that stainless steel is mostly glossy metal, but this is not the case as you can see from the descriptions above. All three types of metal have similar properties. Their only difference lies in their appearance.

Stainless Steel Dog Bowls vs Other Types of Dog Bowls

There are other dog bowls made of other materials unlike stainless steel dog bowls. The most common of them are ceramic and plastic materials. Others include stoneware and aluminum. How exactly do these materials compare with stainless steel dishes?

  • Ceramics: It is hard to think that this material can constitute any form of health hazard to your pet since we humans use it a lot. The thing is that unlike most ceramics used for dog bowls, the ones we humans use are fired at very high temperatures, leaving a pure and toxin-free product at the end. This is not always the case with ceramic dog bowls, and it can cause lead poisoning. Quality stainless steel does not need to be fired, making it more convenient, healthier, and cost-effective. Symptoms of lead poisoning in dogs include vomiting, seizures, blindness, diarrhea, and so on.
  • Plastic: Plastic bowls are good in their own way especially if they are toxin free. They are cheaper and come in a variety of designs, sizes, and colors. They also do not break when dropped. If you must get a plastic dish for your pet, be sure to go for one that is BPA free. But to be on the safe side, experts discourage the use of plastic bowls because they are more likely to contain other toxins even if they are BPA free. Another disadvantage of this material is that it can be easily chewed apart, reducing its durability. Plastic bowls can easily be clawed by your pet, making them less pleasing to look at. They can trap odor and tend to change in color after a period of time. A good number of them are not dishwasher safe as well.
  • Stoneware: This is another dog dish material that may contain small traces of lead. Small traces may not sound harmful, but using such a product for an extended period of time will cause lead to accumulate in your pet and create health problems. On the bright side, stoneware dog bowls are dishwasher safe, aesthetically appealing, odorless, and do not change in color over time. For a lot of reasons, experts prefer stoneware to plastic dishes, but in general, stainless steel still comes out at the top of the list.
  • Aluminum: The word on the street has it that aluminum is quickly replacing a lot of plastic products these days. Numerous manufacturers have come to understand that many plastic materials are not safe, and they are putting in effort to replace them with healthier materials where possible. Aluminum bowls are lighter and rust resistant. They are easy to wash and quite affordable. However, there are some disadvantages of this material that you need to be aware of. It can be toxic to your dog. According to research, aluminum is a neurotoxin, meaning that it can be particularly destructive to the nerves in the body. If you continue using it for a very long time, it may ultimately lead to health problems for your dear pooch.

Disadvantages of Using Stainless Steel Dog Bowls

Stainless steel bowls are great for your canine and have a lot of advantages, but they are not perfect. There are different grades of stainless steel with different properties, but they are similar in many ways. Here are a few disadvantages of stainless steel you should be aware of.

  • Inconsistent quality: All stainless steel materials are not the same. Some are much thinner and not as strong as others, while some may be thin but tougher. If it is good quality, a stainless steel bowl may be more expensive compared to lower quality ones or those made from other materials such as aluminum, plastic, and ceramics.
  • Not always rust resistantce: It is true that most stainless steel materials are rust resistant, but there are some of them that are not. If the bowl is made with low-quality steel, it is bound to start rusting eventually.
  • No firm griphold on the floor: One of the major disadvantages of this material is that it does not have a firm grip on the floor to prevent it from moving while the dog is eating. To avoid this, you have to place some form of rubber between the dish and the floor. Luckily, a lot of manufacturers factored this into their design, so you may not have to do this at all.
  • Noisy: Selecting this material means you are going to have to deal with noise from time to time; we are talking about loud clanging sounds that are annoying. This is expected of stainless steel dog bowls. It may not be such a big deal, but it is good to take it into consideration.
  • More expensive: Generally, stainless steel dog bowls are more expensive than economic plastic bowls and some ceramic bowls. This is because the quality of stainless steel is better in comparison. Pet owners who are on a budget may not be able to afford this. At best, they may go for low-quality stainless steel bowls or even plastic ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

We put in quite a lot of work to bring this information about stainless steel dog bowls to you. But we understand that you may have a couple of questions or more to ask. So, we put together the following frequently asked questions in hopes that they would address any questions you may have.

Different countries have different health standards, some of which may not be great for you and your pet. Experts advise that you buy bowls made in the US or EU to be on the safe side. This is because some bowls made in some countries like China and India tested positive for radioactive materials and toxins.

You can decide to use your dog bowls wherever you please especially when the material is plastic or stainless steel. Where you use it does not matter as long as your pet is comfortable eating there. Note that you may have to clean up after every meal especially if you feed your pet indoors.

A Yeti dog bowl is the most flexible dog dish there is. It can be used indoors, but it is designed for outdoor use and adventures. It is made of non-insulated double-wall stainless steel, which is durable, easy to clean, and rust resistant.

How much you decide to spend on your pet’s dish depends on your budget and the quality of the material you would like. You can get a really cheap one for about $10, but do not expect too much from such products. On the other hand, some high-quality and high-end ones cost as much as $50, but you really do not have to spend that much. You can get a cost-effective and functional dog bowl for $20 to $25.

Conclusion

After in-depth research that took quite a long time to complete given our standards, we are convinced that at least one of the products on this list would suit your expectations. They are all made of stainless steel. From every angle and by all standards, it is pretty obvious that stainless steel materials are the best for your pet. They are durable, rust resistant, aesthetically appealing, easy to clean, dishwasher safe, and more importantly, toxin free.

When shopping for your pooch, always remember that there are different grades of stainless steel. This means that a bowl may have different qualities and properties depending on the grade of stainless steel. On that note, experts advise that you invest in high-quality ones to get the most from your purchase.

Always pay attention to your pet to understand what is working and what is not working for her. If she strains while eating, you may want to consider getting an elevated bowl for her. If she eats too fast, you should consider a slow-feeder bowl. Whatever the case, your dog will benefit from a quality bowl.