What size bowl do I use to feed a full grown cat?

Question

I was reading about how if the bowls are to small the cat may not eat or drink water from it because the whiskers touch the side of the dish and that is an annoyance to them. Do cats prefer bigger bowls that they can fit their whole head into without having to bring their whiskers back? Or does it not matter?

Answer 1

Cat's whiskers are very sensitive & a necessity for a cat's survival. However, the whiskers touching the sides of the dish aren't as much of a nuisance to a cat as you'd think. The dish should be proportionate to the cat's side, is the cat small, medium or large?
I have a medium-sized female cat (11lbs.) & use a 2-sided medium-sized one piece feeding/watering dish set for her.
A cat needs to know that food/water is available, won't worry about the size dish it's supplied in.
Cat's normally will put their whiskers back when putting their faces in an object, whether it be a dish or anything else. It's a reflex to them, they automatically do it.
I hope I've been of some help.

Answer 2

It matters very little. Size is, as usual, of little relevance - it's shape that matters more. Just get something quite shallow so the cat doesn't have to climb inside to get the food! Most commercially available cat bowls are just fine, so are cereal bowls, saucers (though they tip) and old baby bowls (that's what we once used for my cat, something shallow and non-tip)

I feed a lot of cats everyday from various shaped plates and bowl and none seem to give a monkey's- if they want food, they'll eat. Possibly what you've heard is a bit of a money-spinning thing? Cats don't actually MIND their whiskers touching things, as long as it isn't something they're about to climb in to/through.

Chalice

Answer 3

It really depends on your cat.

I feed mine dry food in several bowls, from a small 2 cup bowl to a big 2 liter dog bowl. I have a lot of cats and go through about 40 pounds of dry food a month. I haven't noticed a preference in bowl size.

Purrs,
The Cat Lady

Answer 4

I've never experienced or heard of that problem, but if it concerns you, I don't see a reason to /not/ get a bigger bowl. Watch out for over-feeding if the cat has a weight problem, but most cats I know have free-choice food, so you'll likely just have to fill the bowl less often.

Answer 5

u shuld get a larger bowl jus n case

Answer 6

you should get a medium size bowl.