Most pets just need a simple stainless steel feeding kit. It is suggested to buy additional accessories based on your pet's needs.
Bowls
Stainless steel has many advantages as a material. It's affordable, very strong, and won't break down from normal use. It's a great material for kitchen use because it's safe to put in the dishwasher and won't scratch like other materials.
Heavy ceramic bowls are less likely to slide around. If your bowl has a chip or crack, you should not continue to use it.
Plastic is particularly bad because it can develop scratches, which trap bacteria. These bacteria can be nearly impossible to completely remove. Additionally, constant contact with plastic can irritate a pet’s chin and cause it to become red or develop spots.
It is important to wash food bowls after every meal and water bowls at least once a day. The slime that build's up in a bowl, even if you can't see it, can make your pet sick.
Bowl shape
Cats often prefer dishes that are wide and shallow so that their whiskers are not obstructed. Spaniels and Bassets, as well as other long-eared breeds of dogs, should use deep dishes so their ears do not touch their food. Shallow dishes work best for dogs with flat faces.
Raised bowls
Bowls raised off the ground are often marketed for large dogs. However, there’s little evidence to support this. Raised bowls can be useful for large breeds that have a hard time bending to lick their bowls. They can also be useful for large dogs with neck and joint problems. Raised bowls have been suggested to aid in the prevention of bloat; however, there’s no evidence to support this. In fact, one study suggested that the use of raised bowls increases the risk of bloat in large and giant breeds. If you are thinking about using a raised bowl because of medical issues, discuss this with your veterinarian.
Slow feeders and lick mats
The idea behind slow feeders is that food is placed in a maze where a dog has to work to eat it. With the maze design, dogs can’t just gobble their food down. This design helps prevent vomiting and choking, which can happen if a dog eats too quickly. Additionally, the slow feeder helps prevent bloat. The slow feeder is good for dog’s mental stimulation since a dog has to work to figure out how to eat.
Lick mats are rubber mats that you pre-soak with your pet’s food and then give to them to lick. Many pets find licking to be soothing. For example, lick mats can be very helpful in distracting your pet while they are being bathed or have their nails clipped. Additionally, lick mats are very helpful to offer your pet while they are being exposed to any new and/or scary stimuli (i.e. thunderstorms, fireworks, vacation visits, etc.)
Puzzle feeders and snuffle mats both employ the same idea, and are designed to use with dry food.
Water fountains
Some cats prefer to drink water that is moving. Fountains can be a solution, especially if your vet is concerned about urinary or kidney issues and wants to increase your cat's water intake. Recommended maintenance of fountains is to clean them and replace filters as suggested by the manufacturer. If not maintained, bacteria and algae will grow in the fountain.
Automatic feeders
Timed feeders disperse a set quantity of food at preset times. They are handy for:
- Maintaining proper meal times with a crazy work schedule
- breaking Food up for Kitties
- Portion Control for Pet Food
What they can’t do is provide care. If you need pet sitting services for an extended period of time, for example over a weekend, look elsewhere. Power outages or emergencies will not be reported. At a minimum, a message should be sent to the pet sitter to check in.
Microchip feeders allow only a pet with the correct microchip to feed. It helps with a common feeding dilemma, like a cat consuming another cat's food, which is often the case if one cat is on a prescription diet.
Measuring
While owners tend to rely on their own feeding judgment, digital scales actually yield surprisingly accurate portions. Additionally, scoops and cups aren’t standardised, and a “heaping” scoop can contain far more than a “level” scoop. For accurate measurement, owners should weigh the daily portion once and then mark the level on the container. This also makes portioning a breeze! Digital scales can be especially useful in homes with multiple pet owners to prevent feeders from accidentally feeding the dog more than once.
Food storage
Use the bag the food comes in. Roll the top down to compress the bag. Put the bag in an airtight container. If you just pour the food into the bowl, the fats will start to break down and spoil. Also, if the food is ever recalled, you'll need the batch number and best before date, and the information will be on the bag.
Wet food can be stored in the refrigerator for a day or two. Make sure to cover and store it. Always bring food back to room temperature before feeding.
Placement
Keep food and water away from the litter box. Some cats won’t drink water that is beside their food, so try placing a water bowl in a different room. In homes with multiple pets, try feeding pets in separate rooms if one becomes aggressive or if one is stealing food from the other pets.