Airedale Terrier Guide

The World of Dog Bowls & Automated Feeders for Your Airedale Terrier

The Basics of Dog Bowls & Feeders

If you thought there was not much to know about dog bowls and feeders for your dog, you would be mistaken. As with other dog accessories, there are an amazing variety of ways to feed and water your dog.

You will want to invest in a good set of bowls at the outset. For basic dog bowls for feeding and watering, we suggest stainless steel bowls for their durability and ease of cleaning.

We also like the anti-bloating bowls that make your dog work a little for their dinner. They have a little island in the middle that prevents your dog from gobbling up food by the mouthful. Your dog will be healthier, and your house will smell better (less dog gas!).

People on the go will like the automated dog feeders and watering products on the market which meter the food and water. This also helps avoid bloating.

Finally, if you love to take your pooch on the go and into the great outdoors, make sure you pack along one of those folding portable dog bowls. You don’t want you dog drinking out of bacteria-filled streams and puddles.

We think that the different types of dog bowls have more to do with the preferences of the owners than the dogs. Have you ever seen a hungry dog walk away from food in any container because of the type of dog bowl? We didn’t think so!

How to Choose the Right Kind of Dog Bowl

As we mentioned, the question is not about the dog, but the owner. Each type of bowl or feeder has positives and negatives, and it is up to you to decide what features and benefits you want get out of the product for your dog. Here are some useful guidelines:

Anti-Bloat Dog Bowls If your dog tends to overeat and chows until he can’t eat any more, look for an anti-bloat dog bowl to help put the brakes on his gorging behavior. A simple island in the middle of the bowl helps slow eating, which can improve the digestion process. We think this is a simple, but important strategy for improving the health of your Airedale Terrier.

Elevated Dog Bowls and Feeders If you are concerned about your dog’s posture while eating, consider an elevated dog bowl or feeder. Studies have shown that it is better for your dog to not have to lower his head while eating. If you have ever tried to eat with your head hanging down between your legs, you will get the picture. Consider moving from floor bowls to bowls that promote better posture.

No-Tip Dog Bowls If your dog frequently tips the food bowl, throwing food and water everywhere, you will like the no-tip dog bowls. They have a wider base with a rubber ring to prevent sliding and tipping.  These bowls come in different materials and can save your wood floor or carpet!

Feed Storage Dog Bowls For the organized dog owner, feed storage dog bowls allow you to store food inside or next to the bowl for easy access. You could also use these storage spaces for toys, chews and treats. Feed storage bowls also tend to be more elevated, providing better posture while your Airedale Terrier chows down. They are also great for traveling, as you have everything you need in the compartment.

Stainless Steel Dog Bowls The overall best basic dog bowl with the most durability and best hygiene is the stainless steel dog bowl. Buy one of these and it will outlast all of your dogs combined. We prefer stainless over plastic for cleaning and it also prevents your dog from chewing on the bowl. They cost a little more, but are worth it!

Folding & Portable Dog Bowls For on-the-go dog owner, the folding or portable dog bowls are great for quick feeds on the trail or coffee shop. They are well sealed and hold enough food for the day. Folding portable dog bowls are perfect for throwing in the car if you are taking a long trip, or just want to keep some good snacks at the ready for your Airedale Terrier.

Automatic Dog Feeders For the lazy owners (or ones that are not home much), automatic dog feeders are ideal for ensuring your dog or puppy has enough food at the right time. These systems are also great for minimizing bloating by limiting the amount of food available at any time. Additionally, automated dog feeders can save you some time in the long run for more play time with your Airedale Terrier.

Automatic Dog Watering Automatic watering systems are probably the most important feeding product for people who are not home very much. Never worry about your dog tipping over his water bowl and being without water for the day. The combination of automatic watering and feeding systems are a bit pricey, but definitely the Cadillac of dog bowls.

The Best Places to Buy Dog Bowls & Feeders General dog bowls can be found just about anywhere, but we want to point out the stores with a great selection, good variety and great prices. The prices can vary widely, so we suggest you visit all of these stores. “SitStay.com is a great store and a good selection of dog bowls and feeders. Free shipping over $75 and excellent discussion forums.” “DogToys.com has hands-down the best selection of dog bowls that we have seen, in addition to great toys.” “Petronic.com has an amazing selection of automatic feeders and specialty bowls. Feeders are one of their specialties, so don’t miss checking them out.”

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 22nd, 2009 at 1:16 pm and is filed under Dog Care Advice & Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.