Buying guide
Ceramic Dog Bowls in Australia: What to Look For
A dog bowl is the one item in the house that gets used twice a day, every day. Here is the short version: glazed ceramic is easier to keep clean than plastic, heavy enough to stay put, and the only bowl material that looks like it belongs in your kitchen. Below is how we choose the ceramic bowls in our DINE collection.
Ceramic vs plastic, steel and bamboo
| Material | Hygiene | Stability | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceramic (glazed) | Non-porous, dishwasher-safe, resists scratching | Heavy — stays in place while eating | Can chip or crack if dropped; retire chipped bowls |
| Stainless steel | Non-porous and very durable | Light — needs a rubber base or stand | Noisy, and it slides across hard floors |
| Plastic | Scratches easily and holds odours | Very light and easy to tip | Chewable, and scratches trap bacteria |
| Bamboo / melamine | Wipeable but usually not dishwasher-safe | Moderate | Surface wears with heavy daily washing |
Check the glaze first
A ceramic bowl is only as good as its glaze. Run a finger around the inside: it should be smooth and continuous, with no bare clay, no pinholes and no crazing. Choose bowls described as food-safe, lead-free and cadmium-free. Once a bowl chips or the glaze crazes, retire it to a plant pot — the porous clay underneath will hold moisture and bacteria no matter how well you wash it.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission publishes the mandatory safety and consumer guarantee rules that apply to goods sold here; you can read them at accc.gov.au.
Size, depth and height
- Capacity: aim for roughly double your dog's usual meal volume so kibble is not pushed over the rim.
- Depth: wide and shallow for flat-faced breeds and cats; deeper and narrower for long-eared breeds so ears stay out of the food.
- Height: a raised feeder can be more comfortable for tall or stiff dogs. Follow your vet's advice if you are feeding around a health condition.
- Base: a glazed, unfooted base can still slide. A wide footprint or a rubber ring keeps the bowl where you put it.
Caring for ceramic
Wash food bowls daily and water bowls every second day — that slick film on a water bowl is biofilm, and it returns quickly in warm weather. Most glazed bowls handle a normal dishwasher cycle. Avoid thermal shock: do not pour boiling water into a cold bowl or move a hot bowl straight into cold water, as that is what causes hairline cracks.
Frequently asked questions
Are ceramic dog bowls better than plastic?
Ceramic has two practical advantages over plastic: the glazed surface is non-porous, so it does not develop the scratches that trap bacteria, and the weight keeps the bowl still while your dog eats. Plastic bowls scratch quickly and can be pushed around the floor or chewed.
Is ceramic or stainless steel better?
Both are easy to keep hygienic. Stainless steel is unbreakable and lighter, which suits travel and crates; ceramic is heavier, stays put, keeps water cooler for longer and looks better in a kitchen. Many households use stainless for travel and ceramic at home.
How do I know a glaze is safe?
Look for bowls described as food-safe, lead-free and cadmium-free, with a fully glazed interior and no crazing (fine cracks) in the surface. Retire any bowl that is chipped or crazed, because the exposed clay underneath absorbs moisture and bacteria.
What size ceramic bowl should I buy?
Choose a bowl that holds roughly twice your dog's usual meal volume so food is not pushed over the rim. Wide, shallow bowls suit flat-faced breeds and cats; deeper bowls suit long-eared breeds when paired with a narrower opening that keeps ears clear of the food.
Should the bowl be raised?
Raised feeders can make eating more comfortable for tall dogs and for dogs with neck or joint stiffness. Small dogs and puppies generally do not need them. If you are managing a specific health condition, follow your vet's advice on feeding height.
Can ceramic bowls go in the dishwasher?
Most glazed ceramic bowls are dishwasher-safe on a normal cycle, which is the easiest way to keep them hygienic. Wash food bowls daily and water bowls every couple of days to stop biofilm forming.
Free Australian delivery over $99 · 14-day returns
Sorting out sleep too? Read our dog beds guide for Australia.