Blog
Feeding Time Is Not Just About the Food Anymore!
November 18, 2010
Have you checked out the latest selection of food and water dishes available these days? There are so many styles to choose from! The good news is that there are more than just color and pattern choices – some bowls even offer extra health benefits on the side!
Two exciting categories of bowls available now are raised feeders and what are known as “slow-feed” bowls. Both types address specific concerns and can help your kitty eat better and feel better.
Raised feeders are exactly what they sound like – bowls that are off of the floor so your kitty doesn’t have to stoop as far down. This can be especially helpful for older and/or arthritic cats as there is less strain placed on the back, neck, and shoulders as they eat. Two of our favorites at Cats Exclusive are the Classy Cat Raised Dish and the SmartCat Food Dish. The Classy Cat Dish is a heavy-duty ceramic bowl that is shallow and designed not to tip over. It is about 5” from the floor which the company says has proven to be a very comfortable height for cats. The SmartCat Food Dish is a very shallow and wide dish that is designed so that your cat’s sensitive whiskers stay clear of the bowl. This bowl is about an inch off the floor, so it will help a cat of any age and any health eat a little more comfortably.
“Slow-Feed” bowls have traditionally been used for dogs, but cat parents are catching on to how helpful they can be for felines as well. If you have a cat that is very excited at mealtime and eats so fast that he or she ends up vomiting, slow-feed bowls might be your answer. Two very good options are the Brake-Fast and the SmartCat Tiger Diner. The Brake-Fast has raised parts in the bowls so that the kitty has to slow down and pick up the food with his or her mouth as opposed to scooping it into the mouth. We recommend the metal version as it is easier to keep clean. The SmartCat Tiger Diner is a slow-feed bowl and IQ toy in one – it makes your kitty slow his eating by requiring him to put his paw into holes in the sides of the bowl to retrieve his food. Really genius! In addition, there are many options for toys that dispense food and treats – these can not only aid in slower mealtimes but can also help alleviate boredom and destructive behavior.
If you have any questions about these bowls and how they might be able to help your little one, please come on in and talk to us.
