Personalized Dog Bowls

Dog bowls are one of the most common items used by all dog owners.  Every dog needs a bowl for food and water.  But there’s nothing “common” about personalized dog bowls!  You can find beautiful bowls for your dog with all kinds of designs.  Here are some things to look for if you’re considering custom dog dishes.

1. Materials.  Most experts agree that ceramic or stainless steel make the best choices for dog dishes.  Stainless steel has the advantage when it comes to being easy to clean and disinfect.  They are easy to find and inexpensive.  However, stainless steel pans are usually somewhat lacking when it comes to looks.  Stainless steel bowls can be engraved but it takes special engraving tools and most stores don’t carry this kind of equipment.

Ceramic dishes for your dog have some excellent benefits.  Heavy bowls are hard for dogs to tip over.  Bowls that have been glazed will not hold food particles or odors from previous meals.  They’re easy to clean and disinfect, especially if you use a dishwasher since ceramic materials are dishwasher-safe.  If you use a dish with a “lip” or rim it will keep food from coming out of the dish when your dog eats — something that can be very helpful if you have a dog that’s a messy eater.  Ceramic bowls are also chew-proof which is great if you have puppies or a dog who tends to chew on the bowl.

Ceramic dishes are easy to personalize.  They can be painted and decorated in lots of designs and colors. It’s not hard to add a dog’s name to a dish by special order.  Many companies sell customized dog bowls these days.

By contrast, plastic bowls can present a problem for many dogs.  Lots of dogs develop allergies to the chemicals in plastic bowls which can result in pimply break-outs on their faces or other signs of allergies.  In some cases dogs which eat out of plastic bowls can develop a “snow nose” which is a pale pink nose instead of a typical dark nose.  This loss of pigmentation is a reaction to the chemicals in the plastic.  Plastic dishes are also harder to clean and disinfect; they can be chewed; and they don’t last as long as stainless steel or ceramic bowls which can last for years.

Plastic bowls are also easy to customize.  They can be painted and decorated in various colors and designs.  Check at the store where you make your purchase to see if they offer this service.

2. Personalization.  Personalizing your dog’s dishes is a way to show your dog that he’s special.  No, it’s probably not a necessity but neither are treats or toys.  But it’s a nice way to dress up your home and make meal time more fun for both you and your dog.  You can personalize dishes by having your dog’s name put on them or you can have something like “Food” and “Water” put on the bowls.

If you happen to have multiple pets then personalization can be a good way to keep your dogs’ dishes separated.  That way Barney won’t be eating out of Betty’s bowls and vice versa.  Your dogs may not be able to read their names but you’ll know which bowls are which!

3. Artwork.  Customized bowls today often come with exciting and interesting artwork designs.  The artwork often has a dog theme which can be fun or playful, geometric, colorful, something with bones or another dog emblem.  There are all sorts of designs available.  You can choose something that you think represents your dog, something that appeals to you, or something that would appeal to your dog if he could choose.  You’re free to choose whatever you like.

Artwork and personalization are usually done on ceramic bowls.  Many are hand-painted and fire-glazed.  These bowls do cost more than stainless steel bowls but they are beautiful, durable dishes that can really dress up your dog’s meals.  Will your dog notice the difference in his dinnerware?  Who knows. But you will notice.  If you like the idea of personalized dog bowls then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t indulge yourself and your dog with a set.

While you’re looking at personalized dishes for dogs you may also want to consider ceramic treat jars.  There are some labeled “Cookies” or “Biscuits” which are nice for dogs.  They may even match your dog’s bowls.

If you’re buying customized dishes you should make sure that non-toxic paints have been used. You don’t want your dog to eat from a dish that could contain any dangerous chemicals.  In most cases a glazed ceramic bowl or dish won’t be a concern since the firing process will cover the paints used.  However, if you’re purchasing plastic bowls that have paint at the surface you will want to be certain that the paint is non-toxic.

Many people enjoy personalizing their dog’s belongings.  Dogs often have lots of possessions, including coats, sweaters, rain gear, collars, leashes and so on.  All of these items can be personalized.  If you’re purchasing some of these items you may want to look for products that can be personalized or ask the store if the product can be customized for your dog.

David Beart is the owner of http://www.professorshouse.com . This site covers a wide selection of topics including relationships, family, cooking and other household issues.

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