The right cat bowl: shape matters!

How to choose a bowl for a cat?

Every cat, from the very first day it appears in the house, should have its own dishes. How to choose a bowl suitable for your pet and what to pay attention to?

There should be two bowls - for water and for food, or you can have a third one, separate for wet food.

Bowl material

Plastic (plastic, melamine, bamboo bowls)

The most inexpensive bowls, do not make noise and are shock-resistant.
The strength and durability of the bowl depends on the quality of the plastic. Products made from low-quality plastic are very light, often have an uneven and rough surface, scratches easily remain on the bowl, it is difficult to wash and, due to its low weight, moves around while the cat is feeding. The service life of such a bowl is very short, six months is enough. Bowls made of denser and higher quality plastic are smooth, relatively heavy, durable and their service life is much longer. Most plastic bowls, however, have a shorter lifespan than bowls made from other materials, absorb odors, become easily coated, and poorly washed or overused bowls can cause blackheads (acne) on cats' chins. When choosing a plastic bowl, you should pay attention to the smoothness and weight of the material and the absence of a “chemical” smell. Plastic bowls are convenient as temporary bowls for kittens, for feeding in the country or for travel.

Ceramics

Ceramic bowls look aesthetically pleasing, do not absorb odors, do not get scratched during use, are heavy and do not move across the floor while eating.
Very durable, easy to clean, the downside is their fragility. The most hygienic type of bowls. When choosing a ceramic bowl, you should take into account the thickness of the walls and the quality of the glaze coating, so that there are no cracks, traces of bubbles, uneven coating, or chips.

Metal

Metal bowls are made of stainless steel.
Very durable, do not absorb odors, and are easy to clean. But they can be very light and move across the floor while eating, become covered in rust with constant contact with moisture, and also rattle, especially if they are on a metal stand, frightening the cat at first and preventing the owners from sleeping if the cat decides to eat or drink at night. More convenient for feeding dry food. The solution is bowls that flare downwards, do not rattle and are difficult to turn over. When choosing a metal bowl, you need to pay attention to the shape of the product, whether it is even, and whether there are any bends in the metal. Rubber feet and rings to reduce slipping must be intact, without crumbling edges or tears.

Bowl shape and size

The shape, size and depth of the bowl are equally important for cats.
The most convenient shapes for cats are circle and oval. The size should correspond to the size of the cat; the larger it is, the larger the bowl. Cats find it unpleasant when their sensitive whiskers (whiskers) touch the sides of the bowl when eating, so in inappropriate small or too deep bowls, cats often eat food only from the middle of the bowl, and they are no longer comfortable taking food from the edges, and they ask for food again. The depth of the food bowl should not be too large so that the cat can easily reach the bottom. Flat, shallow bowls are great for kittens, as well as cats with short noses and voluminous cheeks - Persian, British, Scottish, and exotic.

It is advisable to choose bowls for water that are larger in volume and width than for food, since most often cats refuse to drink from small, shallow containers. They usually like a deep bowl of fresh water better, so you can choose a drinking bowl from the dog bowls.

— For cats with short noses — flat bowls

— For water — deep

Double bowls - is it convenient?

Often there are double and sometimes even triple bowls made of ceramic or plastic, fixedly connected to each other.
It happens that when eating, a cat accidentally rolls pieces of food into a nearby bowl of water, and then refuses to drink this water. In addition, it may be inconvenient to wash them if only one is dirty, but you have to wash both. Double bowls are quite suitable for neat and picky cats and when feeding several kittens.

Bowls on a stand

A more convenient option for double bowls are bowls on a stand. There are still two of them, but they are not connected to each other and are located at some distance from each other; they can be either metal or ceramic. There are also bowls on an individual stand; as a rule, the bowl in this case is metal and the stand is plastic or melamine. Such bowls fit well into the interior, are easy to wash separately from each other, and the stand does not allow the bowls to roll on the floor while eating and scatter food.

Other options for cat feeders and waterers

Automatic feeders and automatic drinkers

They exist as simple automatic feeders, which combine a bowl and a container for food on top.
As the food is eaten, more food is poured from the container into the bowl. The food in the container retains freshness and a pleasant aroma. The same goes for drinking bowls. Such automatic feeders are suitable only for those cats who have a sense of proportion and are not prone to overeating and excess weight. Automatic feeders with a timer - dispense a portion of food at selected intervals. They are powered by mains, batteries or batteries. Suitable for feeding a cat in portions throughout the day, and in case you have to leave the cat alone for a short time, for example for a day. Some models may be equipped with remote control from a smartphone, camera and microphone.

Automated drinking bowls include drinking fountains for cats that prefer running water. They usually operate on mains power and require frequent replacement of water filters.

They are quite expensive.

Slow food bowls

Small plastic or silicone bowls with relief, especially for animals that eat too quickly. The terrain makes it difficult to eat too quickly and grab a lot of food at once.

A useful accessory is a mat for a bowl

Mats under the bowl protect the floor from fallen food and spilled water, bowls slip on them less, and the mats themselves do not slip thanks to a special backing. Easily washed with a sponge and detergent.

Wet food for cats: rating of the best according to veterinarians

Wet cat food is an alternative to natural food. The high percentage of protein in this food provides all the necessary nutrients and a long-lasting feeling of satiety.

Pros and cons of wet food

There are three types of cat food. One is based on the consumption of natural food, which the person himself eats. The other two are commercial dry and wet food that are sold in pet stores.

Pros of wet food

Diet variety. High-quality food can be made from meat, poultry or fish, and also contain additives in the form of crab meat, shrimp, vegetables and fruits. You should only experiment with exotic treats if your cat is not allergic.
Source of protein and fat. A cat's diet should include plenty of protein and fat to meet the animal's needs.
Large amount of moisture. Dry food is only 10% moisture, so it is important to make sure your cat drinks enough water. When feeding moist (wet) food, which is 75% water, this is not necessary.
Nutrients and taste appeal. Liquid cat food is less heat-processed. This retains more nutrients and has less impact on taste.
Portioning. One sachet of wet product is designed for a single meal for an adult cat weighing 5-7 kg.
Preventing overeating. Cats eat less when fed high-protein wet food, as it helps keep your pet well-fed.

Cat obesity as a result of overeating

Note! For sterilized cats, the number of kilocalories in the diet changes.

Flaws

There are fewer disadvantages to wet food than disadvantages:

Price. Costs more than dry.
Deterioration of the oral cavity. Long-term use leads to bad breath. Because the texture of the food is soft, it does not work as a toothbrush and does not prevent plaque and tartar buildup. In this case, the owner must monitor the cat’s oral hygiene himself using a special toothbrush and toothpaste.
Perishable product. Wet food in a bag or bowl can stand at room temperature for no more than two hours, after which the contents are no longer suitable for feeding.

Veterinarians do not recommend basing your cat's diet solely on wet food. Only a combination of dry and wet gives a diet as close as possible to natural in nature.

Feeds are ranked by class: from economy to super premium. The difference comes down to the composition of the canned food for cats - the quality rating is presented below.

Important! You should not mix food from different manufacturers.

The best wet food for cats and economy class cats

The main advantage of such nutrition is its reasonable price. In addition, each brand has its own advantages.

Economy class food

Whiskas

The line includes meat and fish flavors, vegetable stew, and wet food for kittens.

price 15-25 rubles per package*;
vitamins and minerals included.

high content of wheat, an allergen for cats;
low percentage of protein content.

Perfect Fit Sterile

Created specifically for spayed and neutered cats. The recipe is based on controlling the weight and urine pH of a four-legged pet.

price 25-30 rubles per package*;
zinc and sunflower oil to improve wool quality;
a complex of special minerals against the formation of kidney stones.

Strong smell;
cereals;
proteins from animal flour and soy concentrate.

"Our Brand"

The best canned food in the low price segment due to the high level of natural animal protein in the composition of food in this category - at least 15%.

price 25-30 rubles per 100 g*;
prebiotic included.

The basis of the food is corn, an allergen for cats.

Felix “Appetizing Pieces”

A wide selection of flavors will help diversify your cat's diet.

price 25-30 rubles per package*.

there is no information on the ratio of animal and plant proteins;
flavorings, dyes.

Sheba

This wet food is also inexpensive.

soy free;
price 30-35 rubles per package*.

offal and processed meat products.

Important! The advantage over analogues is the absence of cereals, a dangerous allergen for cats.

Friskies

Not the most recommended option for wet cat food, since the first ingredient in the composition is grains.

Price 15-20 rubles per package*.

offal, both meat and vegetables;
unknown dyes and preservatives.

Rating of premium wet cat food

If your budget allows, you can switch your pet to a premium diet. However, the opinion of veterinarians is that it is better to use these foods in cases where the cat has certain health problems.

Premium food

Dr. Clauder's Anti Struvit diet

Canned food is intended for the prevention of urolithiasis.

high percentage of protein and low percentage of grains (rice only);
two volume options: 200 g and 400 g.

price 150 rubles per 200 g*;

Animonda

German manufacturer of wet food in canned and pouch formats.

free of grains, soy, sugar, artificial colors and preservatives;
for cats of different ages;
natural proteins and fats.

price 150-200 rubles per 200 g*;
by-products among the ingredients.

Hill's

The American company Hill's has created three lines for cats: Prescription Diet for disease prevention, Science Plan and Ideal Balance for a daily diet.

Available in the form of canned food and pouches;
reasonable price 65-70 rubles per 85 g*.

ProPlan

Proplan premium food produced by Purina. Some factories are located in Russia, so the batches are tested by an independent commission of quality. Suitable for disease prevention and daily diet.

The medicinal food contains natural meat;
price 65-75 rubles per 85 g*.

high percentage of soy and corn content;
small amount of vegetables in the composition;
animal fat, liver, offal flour.

Anti-rating of premium wet food

Food from some manufacturers causes deterioration in the health of cats. It’s worth knowing about this so as not to make mistakes in planning your diet.

Anti-rating of premium food

Royal Canin

The composition of the Kanin diet is, unfortunately, of low quality.

components that cause allergies in cats;
indigestion.

Brit Premium

Economy class ingredients.

proteins are a mixture of chicken meat flour and dried chicken;
rice and wheat included;
the number of special ingredients (sources of vitamin B and MOS, herbal and fruit extracts) that increase the cost of feed is extremely small. It will not affect the cat's health in any way.

ProBalance

Composition of economy class products at a premium price.

no palatability for cats;
cereals;
unpleasant odor;
The guaranteed volume of vitamins is low and does not contribute to improving the health and appearance of the pet.

Eukanuba

Low quality composition.

high price for such a composition;
no meat, only animal proteins;
unknown preservatives and antioxidants.

Note! Some veterinarians attribute the growth of cancerous tumors in animals to the consumption of this food.

To keep your pet healthy, you need to choose the best canned food for cats.

Super premium wet food rating

As a rule, this is food with natural ingredients, however, finding it in stores can be difficult.

Super premium food

Leonardo

The composition of German canned food and pouches from Leonardo is completely natural. The food is one of the top 5 foods recommended by experts.

70-90% of the composition is chicken meat; the remaining 10% - seafood, fish, fish oil and offal;
natural preservatives (tocopherols).

Not sold in all pet store chains.

Applaws

Applaws fully meets customers' expectations of European quality standards. None of the diets presented by the UK manufacturer contain grains or gluten.

high percentage of ingredients made from natural meat;
All grains have been replaced with potatoes, which are easily digestible by the cat’s gastrointestinal tract;
low price for food of this level.

Not sold in all pet stores.

GimCat

Food for picky gourmets. Whole pieces of fish and meat, complemented by exotic fruits such as papaya and mango, set GimCat apart from others.

up to 90% of the composition is natural fish and meat;
low price with this composition 90-110 rubles per 1 jar*;
only rice (3%).

Once opened, it should not be stored for more than 24 hours.

Bozita

Swiss cat food undergoes strict state quality control. The diet contains an immune system stimulant.

fish and meat ingredients;
no dyes.

Opti meal

The composition consists of 80% meat and offal.

Note! To improve digestion, beans and carrots are added as fiber, and cranberries act as an antioxidant and help normalize the functioning of the urinary tract.

high protein content;
food is enriched with vitamins and minerals;
prebiotics for digestion.

Rating of wet holisticists

These foods are made from products intended for human consumption.

Grandorf

It has an extensive meat menu. Belgian wet food manufacturer Grandorf offers 12 meat and fish menu options. The composition is transparent, like no other food: 75% meat and 25% own juice.

Additional Information! High-quality fillets are processed at low temperatures to preserve all beneficial properties.

high quality composition;
An acceptable price for such high-quality food is 90-100 rubles per can.

Not sold in all pet stores.

Hill's Science Plan Feline Adult 7+ Youthful Vitality

Designed for aging cats over 7 years old. A balanced diet enriched with vitamins C and E is designed to maintain the health of an elderly animal by increasing immunity and slowing down the aging process.

natural composition;
2 flavors to choose from: meat and fish;
affordable price when purchasing food with a special formula - 70-80 rubles per package*.

large pieces that are difficult for a cat to chew if they have dental problems that arise during aging.

Advice! It is worth following the manufacturer's recommendations when choosing food for your cat.

Solid Natura Selection

Canned wet food for kittens and adult cats, consisting of 97% meat, is produced by the Yelets meat processing plant. The diets are monoprotein and are based on veal, rabbit, quail, chicken and turkey.

natural composition;
no soy, GMOs, dyes.

Due to the lack of taste and smell enhancers, some cats are reluctant to eat.

High-quality wet food is a good addition to your cat's diet. The healthiest food will be food made from natural animal protein, without grains and with natural preservatives. An option close to this composition can be found from manufacturers of each class. The list above will help with this.

With proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, all useful substances are absorbed, which affect the thickness of the coat, bone strength and the condition of the body as a whole. A healthy, well-cared-for cat can live 15-20 years and be a joy to its owner.

*Prices are current as of October 2021

Form

An example of a proper bowl is a flat saucer that does not touch the whiskers. The most common form of a cat bowl is a more or less deep plate of small diameter with high sides.
Sometimes it is wider at the base and seems to taper at the top. Often two bowls - for food and water - are combined into one. And so the owner, satisfied and proud of himself, having acquired such a bowl, puts delicious food into it with a generous owner’s hand and... watches in disappointment as the cat pulls a piece out of the bowl and eats it on the floor. Why is this happening?

Many cats prefer to eat as if reclining or sitting on half-bent legs (squatting), and high sides make it difficult to take their favorite position.
Cats don't like it when the edges of the bowl... touch their whiskers! Vibrissae - tactile organs - are very sensitive, and excessive rough touches irritate the animal and can even provoke a stressful state.
Flat-faced cat breeds, such as Persians and exotics, experience all of the above difficulties at once: the whiskers, you know, get hurt, and you have to put your whole head into the bowl.

A plastic bowl especially for Persian and British cats has low sides and a ribbed bottom. Thus, we conclude: the lower the sides and the wider the “mouth” of the bowl, the better. Ideally, this is the most common flat plate or saucer familiar to all of us. The box just opened! However, such a bowl also has a drawback - food can periodically end up “overboard”, so a bowl that is too flat is also bad. But that's not all!

Shopping list for a kitten

We have made a convenient shopping list for the future owner of a kitten. You need to purchase the following items:

Carrying - hard or fabric;
2 bowls for food and 1 for water;
Tray;
Cat litter;
Nail clipper;
Special shampoo for kittens;
Slicker, if the kitten is long-haired;
2 combs - with frequent and rare teeth;
House, bench or play complex;
scratching post;
Several toys.

With the appearance of a cat in the house, the need to buy food bowls inevitably arises. This article will help you understand the intricacies of materials, shapes, sizes and volumes of cat dishes, because a properly selected bowl for a cat is the key to a good mood, appetite and health of the animal.

It would seem that there is nothing difficult in choosing a bowl for a cat. A caring owner buys a container of some intricate shape that he likes, and even a double or triple one, pours delicious food into it, and... watches as his pet takes out pieces and eats them on the floor. This happens when the cat's bowl doesn't fit because it's uncomfortable.

You need to choose a bowl for food based on the characteristics of the breed, character and personal preferences of the animal:

many cats like to eat on half-bent legs, as if reclining, so a container with high sides is inconvenient for them;
almost all pets are unhappy when the bowl is narrow and the whiskers touch its edges;
the height of the sides should correspond to the type of food: for canned food and natural food it is better to choose a low container in the form of a “bowl”; for dry food, a bowl with high sides is preferable;
water should be poured into a wide container with sides of medium height - cats associate low plates with puddles and can cause disgust;
the shape and depth of the bowl depends on the breed of cat: pets with flat faces (exotics, Persians) find it uncomfortable to eat from narrow and deep plates;
at the same time, cats with long hair need bowls with fairly high sides, since when using a shallow plate, the animal’s hair will constantly get dirty.

An integral attribute of the tableware is the stand. This is not to say that you cannot do without it, because cats are more flexible creatures than dogs and they do not have problems such as curvature of the spine due to low dishes. However, a stand under cat food bowls makes eating much easier, since your pet does not have to bend down. The most convenient are stable wooden stands with cut-in niches for bowls or tray-shaped structures.

If the bowl is used without a stand, then it is advisable to place a rubberized mat under it to prevent the dishes from sliding on the floor. You can also purchase original containers with suction cups on the bottom, which firmly fix the bowl.

How does the cat breed influence your choice?

Does what breed a pet belongs to affect the choice of dishes? Yes!

And all this is due to the variety of cats' faces.

For example, the favorites of the British or Persian or exotic breeds have a flattened nose and a small “retracted” jaw.

Will such cats be able to reach the bottom of a deep bowl? Of course not!

Consider the long-haired beauty of the Norwegian forest cat .

The fluffy fur of such a cat will often get dirty if the animal is forced to eat from a shallow plate.

Therefore, it is recommended to choose a bowl based on the breed characteristics of your pet.

Important! Canned food and other soft foods are best served in containers with low sides, while dry food and liquids are best served in containers with high sides.

Everything has been decided with depth, but what to do with dimensions?

Surely it will not be news to every pet owner that for large pets (for example, the same caracals ) it is more practical to use large-sized dishes.

And for small cats such as bobtails, a medium-sized bowl is suitable.

Nowadays, stores are full of a variety of bowls; everyone can choose a product to suit their taste.

The shape, size and depth of the bowl matter

When choosing a bowl for a cat, the shape, size and depth of the dish are of great importance, because even from a beautiful, and, in the owner’s opinion, correct bowl, the cat will pull out food and eat from the floor. Why is this happening?

The irregular, most often narrow, shape of the bowl is a factor in irritating the cat’s most sensitive sensory organ – the whiskers, scientifically called whiskers. Each whisker of a cat, despite its apparent thinness, has hundreds of nerve endings; moreover, each whisker has its own section of the cat’s brain.

The main function of the vibrissae is tactile; they sense (catch) even slight fluctuations in air currents reflected from objects standing around, which allows the cat to see in the dark without even using vision. She sees objects standing ahead in the pitch darkness with whiskers! But what does this have to do with the food bowl?

The thing is that touching the tips of the whiskers causes very unpleasant sensations in the cat, in some cases even stress. For comparison, it’s worth imagining that you ran your finger not over smooth fur, but over hard sandpaper - unpleasant sensations are guaranteed even when visualizing such an action. A cat feels the same way when its whiskers constantly touch the narrow walls of a bowl that is too deep. That is why she either pulls food out of the bowl and eats from the floor so that nothing interferes, or waits for food to be added to her, preferably with a slide.

In order to find out the correct size of the best bowl for a cat, you just need to measure the “span” of your pet’s whiskers - the result obtained using a ruler with a small increase will be the ideal diameter of the cat’s dishes.

Choosing the right bowl is the key to comfort and convenience for your cat.

The shape of the bowls, which are presented in a wide range of leading manufacturers, offers a wide variety of interesting designs and bright colors, but such richness satisfies more the aesthetic tastes of the animal owner than the cat itself. It is much more important for her that the bowl is convenient to eat from.

The most ideal shape of bowls is round and oval; original bowls in the shape of different animals are relevant only if it is an additional design, the so-called shape in which a round or oval bowl is dressed.

In the Zooshef online store you can choose beautiful bowls for cats from the Dezzie brand, which have a round shape, but are dressed in original nubuck covers made in an interesting design of a cat’s head and a fish. The original design of Ferplast ceramic bowls of a classic round shape with a cat pattern on the bottom, the edges of which are decorated with small ears, looks no less attractive.

Many cats, unlike dogs, eat on bent paws, as if reclining, so a container with high sides is extremely inconvenient for them. Utensils that force them to reach for food and make other efforts can cause problems with digestion and posture.
If your pet is large and tall, it is recommended to purchase dishes on a special stand - a bowl securely fixed in the bottom of the stand, regardless of the material it is made of, will not move on the floor, and the pet will eat in the correct position that is safe for health.
The height of the sides should depend on the type of food you give your pet - if it is dry food, then the sides should be relatively high, if it is wet, then it is recommended to choose low dishes (such as a regular plate/saucer) and preferably with sloping rather than straight sides .
The water bowl should be wide, but with sides of medium height - the cat may mistake water in a flat bowl for a puddle of standing water and refuse to drink.

Features of the breed - how do they influence the choice?

Few animal owners think that it is best to choose dishes based on the individual characteristics of the breed, but this is the most optimal solution. Different breeds mean different sizes and faces of cats, that’s the whole difference.

What criteria should be taken into account when choosing a bowl for the individual characteristics of the breed:

Cat breeds Maine Coon, Serval, Ragdoll, Caracal, Savannah and others are among the largest representatives of the cat family and they require a bowl that matches their size, that is, large in diameter and deep enough.
For small bobtail-type breeds, shallow bowls with a medium diameter are suitable.
British, Persian and exotic cats (Snoopy) have a flat nose and a small “retracted” jaw, so they require a bowl with low sides.
The Norwegian Fluffy cat and other breeds of long-haired beauties will constantly get their luxurious fur dirty, especially if it is wet food, if you buy them a shallow bowl with low sides. Bowls on a small stand are ideal for them.

Don't forget about kittens. If you have taken a small kitten into your home, the pet's bowl should increase in size in proportion to its growth - a dish in which the kitten can sleep is clearly not suitable for it.

Do you need coasters and mats?

Examples of stands - wooden, metal and plastic The range of cat gadgets is full of different stands, ranging from plastic to wooden. Their purpose is to give the bowls stability, to please the owner's eye aesthetically, and to prevent food and crumbs from spilling on the floor. Some of them are attached to the wall, leaving space on the floor free. But as practice shows, many cats don’t like them. Why?

Metal stands again prevent the cat from adopting a “half-bent” position; even if they are adjustable in height, they will still have to be lowered to the floor as much as possible - why not just do without them?
Wide stands in the form of a tray or stands with niches into which bowls are inserted are also not liked by everyone, since they either raise the bowls higher or have a fairly large area, but limited by the sides, which makes it difficult for the animal to access the bowl from different sides.
Rugs can have an unpleasant odor or scare the cat away from the bowl, since for the animal it is an incomprehensible substance that does not want to get its paws dirty. Although the item itself is useful - rugs can also absorb spilled water, some of them even have sensors that will prevent the robot vacuum cleaner from crawling into the bowls.

Silicone bowl mats are suitable for your pet if he prefers to eat while sitting or standing. If you want to keep the floor clean, but the cat does not perceive a beautiful stand or rug, you will have to accept it or use regular paper towels, changing them from time to time. Cheap and cheerful!

Additional details

For additional convenience of the pet, and sometimes its owner, the following attributes may be useful:

Stand.
Such devices were originally developed for dogs that may experience spinal problems when feeding from the floor. Due to greater flexibility, this is not a problem for most cats. An exception applies to large breeds (Maine Coons, Savannahs, etc.) and animals with problem joints. In this case, you should choose sustainable structures. The best option is a kind of podium with mortise niches into which the devices will be “recessed”.
Rug.
By placing it under the bowl, you can prevent it from sliding on the floor. In addition, cats sometimes turn over dishes or like to take out individual pieces and consume them nearby on the floor. In this case, the mat will protect the floor covering from contamination and will allow you to quickly remove traces of your pet’s “meal”. For these purposes, you can also use ordinary plastic napkins intended for the human table.

Water bowl

The shape of the water bowl is very important, because getting a cat to drink water again is not an easy task. But in reality it's simple:

The water bowl should have a very wide mouth and low sides.
The container itself should not be very small - focus on a soup plate or small basin.
It is better to purchase several of these “basins” and place them in accessible places (but away from electrical appliances).

You can also pay attention to automatic fountains - constantly circulating water attracts cats more than just a bowl of water. A variety of shapes and materials will allow you to purchase a fountain to suit every taste and budget. We examined automatic drinkers in detail in the article of the same name.

Gadget bowls

Automatic feeders should be selected according to the following principle:

not very high sides;
wide base;
high-quality plastic (after all, as a rule, such feeders are made of plastic).

There are different types of automatic feeders:

Some work on the principle of communicating vessels - as soon as the bowl is empty, the container throws out a portion of food.
More advanced models run on batteries - recently one of our subscribers shared her experience of purchasing such an automatic feeder for six feedings, you can find it here.

There are also interactive feeders, or food puzzles. They are great for animals with eating disorders:

swallowing food too quickly without biting the croquettes;
aerophagia;
vomiting of undigested food and so on.

We looked at the types of such feeders in this article.

Price

The cost of bowls depends on the material and the presence of additional elements, such as a tripod or tray. So, for example, metal products with a tripod cost from 500 to 3000 rubles, the cost of ceramic ones varies between 200-1000 rubles, plastic containers are the cheapest - about 300 rubles. Automatic feeders are the most expensive; their cost starts from 2000 rubles and depends on the set of functions and the complexity of the design.