PETIGREE MAGAZINE Issue 5 | Page 20

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S Pet bowls: Which is the Best Pick? By Sadaf Hassan Shopping for your pet is not as simple as it used to be. With so many food bowls to choose from, one should take extra caution in deciding which bowl material is the most suitable for your pet. Plastic, stainless steel, ceramic and most recently biodegradable bowls are available in the market. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of each material. CERAMIC Ceramic is the ideal choice for energetic pets. The main benefit is the weight that prevents the bowl from being toppled over and causing accidents during meal times. Pet owners often face the dilemma of lime scale forming in the water bowls commonly found in plastic and stainless steel bowls. Such issue will never arise as ceramic prevents the formation of lime scale. However, the heavy weight of the bowl makes it prone to cracks which can easily harbor bacteria. The glaze usually contains lead and other toxins which are harmful for pets and humans alike. If you still wish to purchase a ceramic dish, ensure that it is labelled as “safe for food” i.e. lead free. 20