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There are many conflicting ideas about what a dog bowl is supposed to do for your Pug.
Should your pug have a raised bowl? A tilted bowl? A low-sitting bowl?
When it comes to our brachycephalic buddies, eating is a little awkward.
Imagine trying to lap up dinner from a deep bowl as flat as your face.
When it comes to pug dining at my house, I have found some that work really well where others fail. I rounded up 5 of the best bowls for Pugs I could find.
Let’s dive in.
Pug Food Bowls: Key Takeaways
If you want to skim the article, here are a few key points to take with you.
- Because of a pug’s classically flat-face, eating can be a challenge. Flat bowls can cause choking, bloating, gas, and even vomiting.
- Tilted bowls, shallow bowls, and slow-feeding bowls are some of the best kinds you can get for your pug, keeping them safe while they chow down.
- While lifted bowls are all the rage these days, they can actually put your pug in danger and increase the risk of deadly bloat.
- Bowls with shorter sides will help your buddy reach their food without putting pressure on their neck or face.
- Plastic is never a good material for food bowls. Plastic usually has unfavorable chemical additives, making eating a potential risk for sickness and even death.
Best Bowls for Pugs: Quick Picks
- Best Overall: JWPC Bulldog Bowl
- Best Food & Water Combo Bowls: Kulmeo Double Dog Bowl
- Best Slow-Feeder Bowl: Outward Hound Fun Feeder
- Best Value: WHIPPY Stainless Steel Dog Bowls
- Premium Choice: YMAXGO Ceramics Feeding Bowl
Best Types of Dog Bowls for Pugs
When pugs eat, they run into some trouble if their food bowl is too deep or small, which prevents them from reaching their food.
This can create frequent food spills, digestion issues, or potential health hazards.
Buying a specialized bowl can help you avoid any problems at mealtime.
1. Tilted Food Bowls
Tilted food bowls are my favorite type of bowls for my pug Sid.
They are angled just high enough that he can reach his food without issues.
Flat-faced dogs have easy access to their meal, and most are easily adjustable to fit your pugs needs.
The design prevents the dangerous risk of bloat and other food-related problems.
It also saves on messes. Since they can eat efficiently, they aren’t slinging their food all over the place to reach it.
2. Slow-Feeding Food Bowls
Slow feeding bowls aren’t just great for pugs. They are also fantastic for any dog who is a vacuum cleaner.
You know the kind I mean—the ones who suck down their food before you even finish pouring it into the bowl.
Bloat is all-too-common in fast eaters. These eating habits can also cause regurgitation and vomiting in pugs.
Companies designed slow feeders so dogs can take their time without getting ahead of themselves.
3. Shallow Bowls
Because of your pug’s special issues surrounding their neck and muzzle, shallow bowls are fantastic alternatives to regular dog bowls.
There is far less space between the bottom of the pan and your pug’s mouth, allowing them to reach easier without putting unnecessary pressure on the neck.
Types of Bowls to Avoid with Pugs
Since our boys and girls are so special, we need to accommodate them accordingly.
More important than buying a perfect bowl, knowing what to avoid altogether is essential.
1. Raised Dog Bowl
Everywhere I turn, I see products and DIY’s involving raised dog bowls.
It sounds like a good idea to have your pugs food bowl to match their height, so they aren’t leaning down or bending to eat.
But especially for pugs already have a hard time getting to the bottom of the bowl.
If you raise the dog bowl, it harder for them to reach the bottom, causing strain on their neck.
2. Deep Dog Bowls
Pugs naturally have trouble breathing. When you pair that fact with potentially blocking their airway as they ravage for food, it can cause potential consequences like choking or suffocating.
3. Certain Plastic Food Bowls
Even though plastic is a common material among pet bowls, it doesn’t always mean it’s safe.
It’s imperative when you opt for plastic that you check that the product is chemical-free.
Plastic tends to be a cheaper alternative, so if you’re more frugal, make sure the bowl is:
- Free of Phthalates
- Free of Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Free of Lead
- Labeled “Food-Safe”
5 Best Food Bowls for Pugs
1. Best Overall: JWPC Bulldog Bowl
The JWPC Bulldog Bowl is my absolute favorite. This bowl was made for our flat-faced balls of love.
Sid does a fantastic job eating out of it because it tilts enough to lick up every morsel. It’s very affordable, which makes it even better.
The rubber material is non-slip, eco-friendly, and non-toxic. The bowl is adjustable, so you can put it where your pug is comfortable.
The base and bowl come apart, so it’s really easy to wipe down and maintain.
The rubber does smell somewhat strange, but it vanished after a good wash.
It raises a few inches off the ground, but it’s still a safe alternative, as Sid angles downward to eat.
I love the simple but efficient design, and the portion capacity is perfect for his daily meals.
It only comes in two color variations: pink and white.
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- √Adjustable tilt
- √Affordable
- √Non-toxic and eco-friendly
- √Non-slip
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- ⊗Strange smell at first
2. Best Mess-Free Bowl Set: Kulmeo Double Dog Bowl
If you have a messy eater, the Kulmeo Double Dog Bowl is fantastic.
I don’t have any issues with Sid spilling his food or water, but it would help any pug owner with the problem.
First, the dishes are very shallow, so your pug won’t strain themselves trying to eat.
The stainless steel bowls fit nicely into the durable BHA-free silicone tray, so there is no leaking or spacing in between.
It’s straightforward to take apart and clean—as every component is completely dishwasher safe.
The silicone material is also skid-resistant and stays in place on the floor very well.
If you have an aggressive eater who’s always pushing bowls across the floor, you won’t have to worry about that with this set.
However, if you try to remove the bowls with food or water in them, you’re probably going to spill the contents everywhere.
The added value here is that it’s a set, so you won’t have to purchase a separate water bowl.
I love that the company offers a lifetime warranty, too, so you know they stand by their product.
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- √BHA-silicone and stainless steel
- √2-in-1
- √Non-skid, no-spill
- √Lifetime warranty
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- ⊗May spill if you try to remove full bowls from the tray
3. Best Slow-Feeder Bowl: Outward Hound Fun Feeder
If you are looking for a price-friendly slow feeder, the Outward Hound Fun Feeder is a good candidate.
The design forces your little porker to calm down and take their time while they eat.
There are a few designs to choose from, but the circular turquoise bowl worked pretty well for Sid.
This is an ABS, food-safe plastic bowl that is BHA, lead, PVC, and Phthalates-free—so it’s as safe as a plastic bowl can be.
This bowl is a suitable match for dogs at risk of bloat, but the mazes are also great for mental stimulation while enjoying a meal.
Because it doesn’t come apart, it may be a little harder to clean by hand.
I don’t have as much of a use for this bowl since Sid isn’t a fast eater, but I feel like it’s a perfect option for someone with a little smoosh-faced glutton.
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- √BHA, Lead, Phthalates, and PVC-free
- √Food safe
- √Mentally stimulating
- √Reduces risk of bloat
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- ⊗Not as easy to clean
4. Best Value: WHIPPY Stainless Steel Dog Bowls
WHIPPY Stainless Steel Dog Bowls are the best value I could find.
You get the food and water bowl together, so you won’t have to pay the dough for separate pieces.
These are slip-resistant, so the bottoms grip very well to slick surfaces.
These bowls are entirely dishwasher-safe, easy to maintain, and won’t corrode or rust.
They are incredibly lightweight and durable, not cracking or breaking.
Each bowl holds up to two cups, which should be enough for your pug (I know it was plenty for Sid).
The company promises 13,000 hours of product life, so you shouldn’t have to replace them for a while.
If you feed your dog wet or fresh food and like to heat it first, these bowls are microwave safe.
While these bowls are shallower than traditional bowls, it may not be enough for a young pug or puppy.
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- √2-Pack
- √Slip-resistant
- √Washable
- √Won’t crack
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- ⊗May not work for a puppy
5. Premium Choice: YMAXGO Ceramics Feeding Bowl
This YMAXGO Ceramics Dog Bowl is my premium choice. This is another tilted bowl, but it has a bit of a higher price.
It’s a high-quality bowl that has a decent weight and non-slip bottom. The ceramic won’t rust or wear and the sealant is lead-free.
This bowl is both microwave and dishwasher-safe. It’s a sleek design, compatible with up to two cups of dog food.
The bowl comes with a mat to keep it stationary and it works decently, but it isn’t “slip-proof” from my experience.
If you have a pug who likes to chew up plastic bowls or dent stainless-steel, you won’t have the same worry with ceramic.
While it may be breakable, it’s chew-proof so your pug won’t be to blame.
There is also a one-year worry-free guarantee for the product.
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- √High-quality
- √Microwave and dishwasher-safe
- √Chew-proof
- √Will not rust
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- ⊗Breakable
FAQs
1. Are Pugs Prone to Bloat?
While any dog can suffer from bloat, pugs aren’t necessarily prone to bloat.
However, you should always take appropriate safety measures to make sure you prevent it.
2.Why Can’t Pugs Eat from Standard Bowls?
If you’ve fed your pug from a standard bowl, you may or may not notice that they are having trouble.
Because of the unique shape of a pug’s face, it makes it quite a task for them to appropriately eat from bowls that are too deep or otherwise difficult to reach.
Having a special bowl to suit their breed will smooth their eating experience and prevent any unnecessary mishaps.
Conclusion
I hope one of these picks caught your eye.
While I love the JWPC Bulldog Bowl because it’s adjustable, affordable, and easy for Sid to use, all of them are great selections.
With any luck, you’ll finalize your pick and your pug will be dining in comfort.