So what is the difference between Plastic, Ceramic and Stainless Steel bowls?
Stainless steel is the #1 choice of vets. This is because…
- They are the safest, most practical choice for pet bowls.
- Stainless steel bowls are easy to clean and sanitize as they do not harbor bacteria.
- They are the most durable and can last a lifetime.
- They do not leach potentially toxic chemicals into food like plastic or ceramic bowls with low-quality paint.
- A rubber coating on the bottom prevents sliding on the floor.
Problems with Plastic Bowls:
Many people choose plastic pet food bowls because they are readily available, inexpensive, and come in a variety of colors and sizes. However, a plastic bowl is not the best choice as a pet’s food bowl. Avoid using this type of pet bowl for food and water.
- Aside from potentially causing an allergic reaction, plastic bowls can breed bacteria. Even with regular washing, scratches, nicks, and micro-gouges in plastic bowls can host bacteria.
- Plastic cannot be boiled, and some plastics, if subjected to heat will release toxic chemicals into food and water.
- Plastic bowls are difficult to keep clean. If you decide to use plastic bowls, replace them regularly.
- Also, in many plastic bowls, the use of bisphenol or BPA is an issue. BPA is a chemical that many studies say is an endocrine disruptor that can have serious adverse effects on a mammal’s brain, cardiovascular system, and potentially cause cancer, among other issues.
- Phthalates are also an issue in plastic bowls. Used as “plasticizers”, phthalates are used as solvents, and to make plastic products more flexible. There are studies that say that phthalates are toxic to mammals if absorbed long term.
- Some pets will chew on the bowl and swallow little bits of plastic that could build up over time and cause a blockage.
The Problems with Ceramic Bowls
- Ceramic bowls can shatter or crack. Sometimes invisible to the human eye, can also host bacteria.
- If your pet tends to be “aggressive” eaters, there is the danger of a ceramic bowl breaking into shards – not to mention a mess.
- Also, be sure that any ceramic bowl you or your pet uses for food consumption does use lead-free based paint and food-grade glaze. Lead-based paint flakes are toxic.
Pebblelicious understands the needs of pet parents and that’s why we’ve designed the ‘purrfect’ stainless steel food bowls.
Our feeding stations are constructed to make sure of their height and the bowls are from a non-skid, non-toxic, high-quality stainless steel material.
