The Best Dog Bowls For Large Dogs
When it comes time to feed your gentle giant, you're going to need more than your standard dog bowl. From Great Danes to Bernese Mountain dogs, large breeds can have voracious appetites, and their bowls should be big enough to hold all the food they need to stay healthy and strong. But it's not just about extra volume—some large dog bowls also incorporate heavier materials and specialized designs that help keep them secure and in place as your big boy chows down. Check out our round-up of the best large dog bowls on the market to find one that's right for your pup.
What to Look For
When it comes to shopping for a bowl for your large dog, much of the same criteria that you might use to vet standard models also apply. Specifically, a good dog bowl should be durable, easy to clean and eat from, and also be made of safe, food-grade materials. But in addition to their larger volume, the best large dog bowls should also feature heftier, more robust designs since this will prevent the bowl from skating all over the place as your dog eats from it. With those factors in mind, our favorite large dog bowl is from Choemore, which features a classic stainless steel design and comes in sets of two and three. For a bowl with even more heft, we also recommend the one from Van Ness Pets, which is made of thick, durable plastic that can be used indoors or out. Read on to discover more of our favorite bowls for large dogs and find one that’s right for your pup.
Choemore Stainless Steel Large Dog Bowl
Size matters
These stainless steel dog bowls from Choemore are just like your standard version, only larger. Their classic design makes them suitable for any breed of canine, from Great Danes to St. Bernards. And their stainless steel construction means they’re as easy to fill and carry as they are to clean. The bowls are available in various sizes, from 80 to 176 ounces, and they also come in sets of two or three, so you can use one for food and another for water or feed multiple big dogs in your household with a single investment.
Pros:
- We like that the bowls come in various sizes, allowing us to pick one that best fits our large dog.
- The flanged edge makes it easy to pick up this bowl, even when full of food or water.
Cons:
- These are not the most stylish bowls.
Van Ness Pets Crock Style Heavyweight Jumbo Bowl
The heavyweight champ
Large dogs not only need bowls that are more voluminous than standard ones, but they also need heavier and more durable ones since big dogs inevitably subject their bowls to more abuse than smaller breeds. That’s why we love this crock-style bowl from Van Ness Pets. Constructed of durable plastic, it features a heftier, more robust design than your average stainless steel dog bowl, helping to keep it securely in place while your dog feeds from it and also extending its useful lifespan in the long run. It’s also made of FDA-approved, food-grade plastic, so you don’t have to worry about any chemicals leaking into your pup’s food.
Pros:
- The plastic material is also microwave safe, so you can heat up your pup’s food in this bowl.
- An ample 106-ounce capacity means this bowl is big enough for especially large breeds, such as St. Bernards.
Cons:
- Robust as it is, we wish it was even a little bit heavier.
Peday 304 Stainless Steel Extra Large Dog Bowl
Snout in the trough
Whether you’re trying to feed one huge hound or a few smaller dogs at once, the extra-large dog bowl from Peday should help ensure that everyone leaves satisfied. Unlike traditional round bowls, this one features a rectangular, trough-like design, providing more space for two or even three pups to eat side-by-side. And with the choice of 1.2-gallon or 2.6-gallon models, this bowl offers more capacity than almost any other bowl out there, making it ideal for very large dog breeds.
Pros:
- Thanks to its huge capacity and unique design, this is an especially ideal bowl for holding water during hotter months.
- The 304 stainless steel is both more durable and more hygienic than cheaper grades of metal.
Cons:
- The rectangular design means this bowl may be easier to knock over than round bowls.
Yeti Boomer 8 Stainless Steel Non-Slip Dog Bowl
Keep cool
Yeti is one of the most trusted names in camping coolers and water bottles, so it’s no surprise that their dog bowl is one of the best out there as well. Using the same technology that makes their other products great, including insulated steel, this bowl is ideal for keeping your pup’s food fresh and their water cold throughout the day. It’s packed with other stand-out features, too, including some unique color options and a non-slip base that prevents the bowl from sliding around during mealtime.
Pros:
- We love how cold this keeps our dog’s water, especially when the weather gets hot.
- Most bowls are not very nice to look at, so we appreciate the stylish design and color options available for this one.
Cons:
- Though high-quality, this bowl is extremely pricey.
Bonza Large Collapsible Dog Bowl
Big things, small packages
It’s important to keep your dog hydrated throughout the day, and that’s especially true when you’re undertaking physical activities with them, such as hiking through the woods or playing fetch at the local dog park. For those situations, we recommend investing in a portable bowl like the one from Bonza. Featuring a flexible plastic body and collapsible design, this bowl is easy to keep in a car, throw in a backpack, or even clip to your belt while out and about. It comes in three sizes, from medium to XL, as well as a few bright colors.
Pros:
- Made of BPA-free and machine-washable plastic, this bowl is easy to clean and safe to use.
- The bowl also comes with a carabiner and a water bottle holder.
Cons:
- It’s not as durable as steel or hard plastic bowls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my dog need a large bowl?
Large dogs don’t necessarily need large bowls, but they do make life easier. A large bowl will help you avoid having to refill it multiple times during a meal, and it will ideally make it easier for your big boy to eat his food by giving him more room to chew. In that way, an oversized bowl will also prevent your dog from making a mess while eating.
How big should my dog’s bowl be?
Dog bowls will vary in terms of capacity, which is usually measured in volume. Precisely which size bowl is right for your dog will depend largely on their size–generally, large bowls start at around 60 ounces and increase from there.
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