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Pros and Cons of Different Dog Bowls
While you may think that a dog bowl is just a dog bowl, that is simply not the case. There are many different types of dog bowls that serve diverse purposes. Jenna Stregowski of About.com discusses the different kinds and their pros and cons:
Plastic
Pros:
- Come in a lot of different shapes, sizes and colors
- Fairly inexpensive and usually dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Easily prone to chewing or scratching
- If scratches do occur, bacteria can find its way in
Ceramic
Pros:
- Often handmade and stylish, making it look a lot different that a generic bowl
- Easy to clean because of their glaze
Cons:
- Any kind of cracks can leave an area for bacteria to grow
Stainless Steel
Pros:
- Extremely durable and dishwasher safe
- Many equipped with non-skid bottom
Cons:
- Don’t usually come in colors or designs
Elevated
Pros:
- Two plastic, ceramic or steel bowls that come in a stand made of wood or plastic
- Has the potential to store food within the stand
- Some believe that elevated feeding is beneficial to dogs
Cons:
- If food is stored in the stand, it’s possible the dog could get into it
- Sometimes needs to be placed near a wall or it could be tipped over
- Are usually pretty expensive
Automatic
Pros:
- Bowls attached to a container or reservoir
- Can sometimes include an automatic timer to release food
- Keeps water readily available to your dog
Cons:
- The food portion may not allow you to see how much food your dog consumes. It’s usually recommended that you feed your dog yourself.
- With food right there, your dog could break in
Travel
Pros:
- Great for bringing along on a trip or a car ride
- They can be collapsed, making them very portable
- Fairly inexpensive
Cons:
- Should not be used on a permanent basis
Source: About.com
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