We recently shared why stainless steel cat bowls are safer than ceramic and plastic cat bowls. However, not all stainless steel cat bowls are created equally! Learn what to look for to select the best stainless steel cat bowl for your cat.
1. What grade is the stainless steel?
Did you know there are hundreds of different types of stainless steel? Stainless steel is graded based on its alloy composition. Physical properties including strength, durability, and ability to resist corrosion vary across the different grades.
Many cat bowls don't state their grade of stainless steel. That’s because they are made from cheap, low quality stainless steel that is not worth highlighting. Avoid these!
We recommend choosing 18/8 stainless steel (also called 304 series) like this stainless steel cat bowl. This grade of stainless steel is most often used in the food and beverage industry, as well as the water industry. Pots and pans, countertops in commercial kitchens, and wine fermentation equipment, for example, are made from this type of stainless steel, because it does not affect taste, can be easily cleaned to prevent bacteria, and is durable. 18/8 stainless steel is also often used in pipes for plumbing and water treatment, because it is excellent at resisting corrosion.
These cat bowls made from 18/8 (304 series) stainless steel will similarly not alter the taste of cat food, will not corrode despite frequently holding water and being washed, and will help keep cats healthy by preventing bacteria.
2. Where are the cat bowls made?
We found that most stainless steel cat bowls are made in China and India. Are your cats' bowls made in the USA or overseas?
Americat Company is unique in offering a made in the USA, 18/8 304 stainless steel cat bowl.
3. Are the cat bowls lead-free and free of radioactive metals?
Some cat bowls made overseas have been found to contain radioactive metals. For example, in 2013, Petco recalled stainless steel pet bowls made by a foreign manufacturer, because they contained radioactive cobalt-60. Cats use their bowls every day, so it’s important to know whether their bowls are lead-free, free of radioactive metals, and non-toxic.
4. Do the cat bowls prevent whisker fatigue?
Whisker fatigue is a veterinary term for the sensory overload cats feel when their whiskers repeatedly touch a surface. Eating from a bowl that is too deep is the most frequent cause of whisker fatigue. As a cat's sensitive whiskers rub against the sides of a deep bowl, they begin to hurt.
Cats prefer bowls with a wide, shallow design that allow their whiskers to remain above the bowl while they eat and drink. Look for bowls designed specifically for cats (most dog bowls are too deep) and for bowls that prevent whisker fatigue. This cat bowl is whisker friendly + stainless steel.
5. Are the cat bowls dishwasher safe?
We recommend cat bowls that are dishwasher safe. Leftover food particles and saliva that remain on a cat’s bowl throughout the day can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Gross! Learn more here about why it's important to clean cat bowls daily.
Since they are easier and more convenient to clean, we are more likely to wash a dishwasher safe cat bowl often. Even if you don't have a dishwasher, a dishwasher safe bowl will be more durable than one that is not.
“I never thought I could be this excited about a cat bowl!”
Our goal was to share how to select the best and safest stainless steel cat bowl possible. We recommend this stainless steel cat bowl from Americat Company. It is made in the USA in a facility that also makes healthcare and culinary products. Also, it is made from U.S.-sourced, 18/8 304 series stainless steel. After manufacturing, each batch is tested for lead, mercury, and cadmium by an independent lab accredited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Americat Company bowls were created specifically for cats and have a low profile design to prevent whisker fatigue. They are also dishwasher safe to make cleaning them easier.
We love our cats and believe the bowls they eat and drink from every single day should be extremely safe and high-quality. Our cats deserve the best stainless steel cat bowls!
About Us: Americat Company is where love for cats meets American craftsmanship. Founded in 2016, we are a cat-loving, woman-owned, small business. We make cat products in the USA from safe, durable, U.S. materials. Shop all our made in the USA cat products here.
