For German Shepherd owners, finding the right food and water bowls can be a challenge. Due to their large size and strong jaws, many German Shepherds are able to break or chew through conventional plastic or ceramic bowls.
This can not only lead to expensive repairs or replacements but also create a potential choking hazard. Stainless steel bowls are a popular option for German Shepherds, as they are durable and difficult to destroy.
However, they can be heavy and difficult to clean, and some dogs may find them uncomfortable to eat from.
Our buyer’s guide is designed to help German Shepherd owners find the perfect bowl for their dog. We’ve compiled a list of the best bowls on the market, taking into account size, durability, and price.
We’ve also included a section on how to train your German Shepherd to use a bowl, so you can be sure that your dog is getting the food and water they need.
Our Top Picks for The Best Dog Bowls for German Shepherds
- Pet Zone ADJUSTABLE Elevated Dog Bowls – Best German Shepherd Bowl Overall
- Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl – Best Slow Feed Dog Bowl
- Bone Dry Lattice Pet Bowl – Best Ceramic Dog Bowl
- GPET Dog Bowl – Best Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
- AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl – Best Budget Pick
7 Best Dog Bowls for German Shepherds Reviewed
1. Pet Zone Designer Diner Elevated Dog Bowls
Our top pick for the best bowl for German Shepherds is the Pet Zone Designer Diner.
This feeder comes with two stainless-steel, rust-resistant bowls that are top-shelf dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and maintenance.
The legs of the stylish frame are outfitted with non-slip pads to prevent tipping and skidding. The feeder’s spill ridge keeps food and water off the floor.
Plus, it can adjust from 2.75″ to 8″ to 12″ tall to accommodate small, medium, and large dogs as they grow from puppyhood to their adult years.
But the best part of the Pet Zone Elevated Dog Bowl is that it can help reduce joint stress by providing a healthy feeding position that can aid in digestion.
Most German shepherd parents report that their dogs love eating from this bowl and have no problem adjusting to the raised platform.
However, some pet parents had found that the bowls were not as sturdy as they would like, as their large German Shepherds sometimes tipped the bowl over.
Pros:
- The feeder is adjustable to accommodate small, medium, and large dogs as they grow.
- Comes with two stainless steel bowls that are dishwasher safe and rust-resistant.
- The legs have non-slip pads to prevent tipping and skidding.
- It can aid in digestion and reduce joint stress.
Cons:
- Some German shepherd parents wished the bowls were more sturdy.
2. Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl
Prevent your pup from eating too fast and developing bloating issues with the Outward Hound Fun Feeder Dog Bowl! This bowl is designed to make your pup work for their food by forcing them to eat at a slower pace – up to 10 times slower than normal.
They’ll have so much fun trying to figure out the maze pattern that they won’t even realize they’re eating better! The Fun Feeder comes in multiple sizes and maze patterns to suit your pup’s needs, and it works with dry, wet, and raw food.
Plus, it’s made from food-safe materials that are BPA, PVC, lead, and phthalate-free. The non-slip base prevents your pup from pushing the bowl around, and cleaning is easy – just pop it in the top rack of the dishwasher.
While the Fun Feeder Dog Bowl had a lot of great features, some German Shepherd parents had found that the food had a tendency to get stuck in the maze pattern.
This can make it difficult to clean, and it can also be frustrating for your dog if they’re trying to eat and the food keeps getting stuck.
Pros:
- Prevents your GSD from eating too fast and developing bloating issues.
- Comes in multiple sizes and maze patterns.
- Made from food-safe materials.
- A non-slip base prevents your pup from pushing the bowl around.
- Cleaning is easy because it is dishwasher safe.
Cons:
- Foods can get stuck in the maze pattern, which can make your dog frustrated.
3. Bone Dry Lattice Pet Bowl
Looking for a pet bowl that’s both stylish and functional? Look no further than the Bone Dry Lattice Pet Bowl.
This bowl is made of durable porcelain ceramic and features a non-skid silicone rim to keep it in place. It’s dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze.
The Bone Dry Lattice Pet Bowl is also California Prop 65 compliant and FDA food safe so you can rest assured that your pup is eating out of a safe bowl.
The popular lattice design will blend in with any home décor, and your pet will love eating from it.
The downside of this bowl was that it was smaller than advertised. Some pet parents also found that the lid was only decorative and did not stay shut.
Pros:
- Features a non-skid silicone rim to keep it in place.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Safe for pups to eat from.
- Stylish design.
Cons:
- Smaller than advertised.
- The lid was decorative and does not stay shut.
4. GPET Dog Bowl
This handy bowl comes in a set of two, so you can always have one on hand. Each bowl holds up to 32 ounces of water, wet food, treats, or anything else you want to feed your pet.
The convenient and practical design includes a non-slip rubber base to avoid spills. The rust-resistant material is safe for your four-paw companions. The stainless steel construction is durable and dishwasher safe.
The 2-year warranty guarantees your satisfaction. So go ahead and give the GPET Dog Bowl a try – your furry friend will thank you!
The downside was that some dog parents found that when they tried to mix dry food with some canned it was impossible to do without lots spilling out. This can be a problem if your pup is on a diet that requires both types of food.
Pros:
- Practical design.
- Non-slip rubber base to avoid spills.
- Rust-resistant material ensures safety for your pet.
- Stainless steel construction is durable and dishwasher safe.
- 2-year warranty.
Cons:
- Spilled easily when trying to mix dry food with wet food.
5. Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl
If you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful way to feed your furry friend, the Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Dog Bowl is a great option.
It comes in a set of two, so you’ll always have an extra on hand. Each bowl holds up to 38 ounces and is perfect for dry kibble, wet food, treats, or water.
The best part is that it’s rust-resistant and doesn’t hold odors, so your pet’s food will always taste fresh. Plus, the no-tip design and rubber base protect floors and prevents bowls from sliding while your German shepherd eats.
And when you’re done, simply pop them in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Although it’s affordable and easy to clean, some pet parents found that their dogs tore the bottom off of the Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Dog Bowls easily. If your GSD is a heavy chewer, this may not be the bowl for you.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Comes in a set of two.
- Holds up to 38 ounces.
- Rust-resistant.
- Doesn’t hold odors.
Cons:
- Some dogs were able to tear the bottom off easily.
6. Hubulk Pet Dog Bowls
This bowl comes in a set of two and is made from food-grade silicone and rust-resistant stainless steel. They’re also dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
Plus, the bone-shaped base helps to keep the bowls from tipping and spilling. And if there are any accidents, the raised silicone mat edge will catch most spills and splashes.
Although the Hubulk Pet Dog Bowl was a great product, some pet parents found that it was smaller than expected. So it may not be suitable if your German shepherd is a very large dog.
Pros:
- Come in a set of two.
- Made from food-grade silicone and rust-resistant stainless steel.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Bone-shaped base helps keep the bowl from tipping.
- Raised silicone mat edge catches spills and splashes.
Cons:
- Some pet parents found it was smaller than expected.
7. Loving Pets Metallic Dog Bowl
If you’re looking for a dog bowl that will add a little flair to your home, the Loving Pets Metallic Dog Bowl is a great option. Available in multiple colors and sizes, it’s sure to match any décor.
And the best part? It’s vet recommended bowls meaning it’s been tested and approved by veterinarians.
The removable rubber base prevents skids, spills, and noise, and the dishwasher-safe design makes it a breeze to maintain. Plus, the poly-resin exterior is durable and attractive.
However, there was one downside. The stickers that were included with the bowl could be quite difficult to remove. In fact, some people had complained that they ended up scratching the bowl while trying to get the stickers off.
Pros:
- Available in multiple colors and sizes.
- Vet recommended.
- A removable rubber base prevents skids, spills, and noise.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Attractive design.
Cons:
- The stickers that were included with the bowl adhered very strongly and were difficult to remove without damaging the bowl.
What To Look For When Buying a Bowl for German Shepherd?
Finding the best bowls for German shepherds isn’t complex once you know what you’re looking for, and the first thing you should look for is the size of the bowl.
German shepherds are large dogs, so they need a large food and water bowl. After all, you shouldn’t have to fill up the bowl twice just to make sure your furry friend is eating a complete meal.
As a general rule, dog bowls should hold a minimum of two cups of dry canine food and a quart of water. However, if you’re feeding a puppy or kitten, you usually don’t need bowls of this size.
Remember, keeping your pets healthy means feeding them in proper proportions, so you should never use a large bowl as an excuse to feed your German shepherd too much.
Some other tips to make sure your German shepherd has the right type of bowl include:
- A bowl that is designed to be tip-proof
- A durable bowl, preferably one made out of stainless steel or even ceramic
- Always buy separate bowls for food and water – never use the same bowl for both.
- Bowls that prevent the fido from eating too quickly can be a miracle-worker for GSDs with digestive problems.
- Elevated bowls make it much more comfortable for large canines to eat and drink.
- Heated water bowls for GSDs that eat outdoors can make mealtime much easier and more pleasant.
- Tapered bowls keep long ears from dipping down into the bowl as the canine eats.
Other bowls that seem to work best for extra-large dogs include bowls with no smooth basin, such as those that have partitions or raised bumps in the basin to prevent your German shepherd from eating too fast, a common trait in large dogs.
These bowls require the GSD to use his tongue to get the kibble out and don’t allow him to take large gulps of food quickly.
Another type that is great for large breeds is the automatic feeder, which administers small portions of food during specific times of the day.
These are not only perfect for large canines, but also for those that need to trim down some and lose some weight. They even minimize gulping and, therefore, prevent the dogs from eating too fast.
You should also keep the following tips in mind:
- All canines need both food and water bowls, so never think you can do without them.
- Research the bowls thoroughly because the types of bowls are numerous; they include standard, adjustable, elevated, automatic, slow-feed, and anti-skid bowls, all of which offer advantages to your GSD.
- Consider the many different features that make each bowl unique, including the materials it consists of, standard versus slow-feeding bowls, and elevated bowls, among others.
- If you’re unsure how high your GSD food bowl should be, simply measure how tall your German shepherd is from the tops of his shoulder, then subtract six inches from that number. The number will be how tall your GSD bowl should be.
Dogs that are large or who have long snouts also need certain types of food and water bowls. If you own a German shepherd, these are some things to remember:
- Choose a deep bowl to make sure your dog’s mouth has enough room to consume the food.
- Choose an elevated bowl if your dog tends to regurgitate a lot or has a megaesophagus. This means the esophagus is softer and larger than normal.
- Elevated bowls are also perfect for dogs with life-threatening conditions such as bloat, which can contort and twist the stomach and are very painful.
- Also, when checking out bowl for your German shepherd, you should consider a collapsible bowl if you and your furry family member are on the go a lot.
As you can see, there are hundreds of choices when it comes to the size of the bowl, the materials it is made of, the special features it offers, and the overall design of the bowl, and this doesn’t even include any unique aspects that many of the newer bowls provide!
How To Train Your German Shepherd Dog To Use Their New Bowl
If you’re introducing a new bowl to your German shepherd, it’s important to do so slowly and carefully. Here are the basic steps:
1. Fill the bowl with your dog’s favorite food or treat. This will help make the bowl more attractive to them.
2. Put the bowl in a place that is easily accessible to your dog.
3. Allow your dog to sniff and explore the new bowl. Let them get used to it before you try to feed them from it.
4. Once your dog is comfortable with the new bowl, start by feeding them small amounts of food from it.
5. Gradually increase the amount of food you’re giving them until they’re eating all their meals from the new bowl.
6. Give them your chosen command (e.g. “eat” or “dinner”) when you put the food in the bowl. This will help them associate the command with the action of eating.
7. Reward your dog when they eat from the new bowl. This will reinforce their positive behavior.
Conclusion
The best dog bowls for German Shepherds vary in size, shape, and design. Some are made from food-safe materials and are dishwasher safe, while others have rubber bottoms to prevent spills.
Ultimately, the best bowl for your GSD depends on their eating habits and what you’re looking for in a bowl. Consider your options carefully and choose the bowl that will best suit your dog’s needs.
The Pet Zone Designer Diner Elevated Dog Bowl is our top pick because it’s stylish, functional, and affordable.
The elevated design helps reduce neck strain and prevents dogs from bending down to eat, making it ideal for older or injured dogs. Plus, the non-skid rubber base keeps the bowl in place while your pup eats.
Related Questions
1. Are Elevated Bowls Good for German Shepherds?
Absolutely! This is mainly because elevated dog bowls are made especially for larger dogs, which can often be uncomfortable when trying to eat out of standard dog bowls.
With elevated dog bowls, your German shepherd never has to reach down too far to eat or drink, making the bowls especially useful for German shepherds who have arthritis or other mobility issues.
2. Is it Better to Have Raised Bowls?
Raised dog bowls offer numerous advantages, which is why they are often chosen by pet parents.
They make eating much less messy because the stand they are sitting on makes it harder for the kibble to fall on the floor; instead, it will fall on the stand, which is easier to clean up afterward.
3. How Tall Should Your Dog’s Bowl Be?
The top of the stand should be square with the dog’s shoulders to be most comfortable if you choose an elevated dog bowl. As a general rule – and this is a very general number indeed – large dogs such as German shepherds should have a bowl that is 15 to 20 inches tall.
Why Trus Us?
TrainYourGsd.com provides German shepherd dog owners with the information they need to make informed decisions about the care and feeding of their pets.
We’ve researched the best dog bowls for German Shepherds so you can choose the one that’s right for your pup.
Our team of experts has also provided helpful tips on how to train your German shepherd to use their new bowl. With our guidance, you can be sure that your dog will be eating from their new bowl in no time.