Which of these do you use?

Plastic, ceramic or stainless steel bowls? I use ceramic. I wonder which one is the best choice.

Stainless steel is the best choice, but some cats do not seem to like them, either for drinking or eating. Plastic is the worst choice as they can get scratches that harbor bacteria pretty easily.  Most cases of chin acne in cats is due to using plastic feeding bowls. Middle of the road is either glass (slightly better than ceramic) and ceramic. Both are susceptible to microscopic cracks that can harbor bacteria, but the chances are way lower than plastic.

I use a ceramic bowl to feed my cat. I make sure though, the ceramic bowl isn't made in China. I don't trust chinese food type products. I have feeling the chinese put lead in their bowls. If I won't eat out of a chinese ceramic bowl, my cat isn't going to either.

My dad has worked in ceramics for many many years...we have fancy hand made bowls!  I prefer something that can go into the microwave, as I feed raw and always have food in a state of thawing - very chilly.

Using a microwave safe bowl allows me to put the bowl in the microwave, with a little water, heat that up...then put the food in the warm bowl with a touch of very warm water at the bottom.  That way, I don't have to microwave the food itself.

I use actual china saucers (made in Germany).  So I guess that would be closest to ceramic? 

I use tempered glass compote/salad dishes. Most of them are made in France and are dishwasher-safe and microwave-proof. We've got several stainless steel bowls around here, but they've never been a hit with the pets.

I feed wet food in a ceramic bowl, & dry food and water are plastic bowls. I specifically didn't buy stainless steel, because my family had several dogs in the past that had hair loss issues, which we traced back to the stainless steel. I know it sounds crazy, but it resolved itself after switching to a plastic bowl. Now, I have no clue if a cat can have the same issue, but I decided to not even risk it..

mrsgreenjeens said:

 
I use actual china saucers (made in Germany).  So I guess that would be closest to ceramic? 

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Yes I think better china is really sturdy, quality ceramic.  Our house is full of awesome vintage German and Japanese china.  Boo's dish sits on a small plate that was part of the wedding china received by my late in-laws.  An out of print vintage pattern by Noritake called "Bambina". But it does have silver paint so no microwave.

SPOILED CAT!!!

I use stainless steel and rotate between two identical bowls so that they have enough time to air dry. In the past I've used both plastic and ceramic, though. If I were buying bowls for a new kitty I'd get either ceramic or steel. The price difference is very little, not worth it to save a couple dollars but get a sick kitty.

I've had a hard time finding stainless steel food bowls that my kitten can use comfortably. The ones I've found are all dog sized. So I'm using ceramic right now for her food and stainless steel for her water. When she's bigger, I'll ditch the ceramic.

Glass, made in USA. Other countries don't have the strictest laws about lead content that the USA does, so I recommend using made in USA glass only.

I use glass plates and I wash them as needed. I also found a use for my 2 in1 chip and dip platter. It is a large hard plastic plate with somewhat high sides(like a kitten wading pool)and a little bowl built in. It made an excellent weaning plate and is good for when a kitty needs to be restricted  for a time due to surgery or illness.

I'm bad, I use plastic. It mostly has to do with how I prepare/store my cats' raw and time. I often have to throw the containers on the floor and run out the door.

My cats, however, do not show any signs of acne.

I use Corelle brand small bowls.  They are made in the USA by the same company as Corning Ware.

I like these brands for us humans as well (not so glamorous, but good).  They are "inert", so they are not reactive and do not leach anything.  They are pretty durable, and easily go in the microwave or dishwasher.

I got my last batch at WalMart...the small bowls are a nice size for kitties.

vball91 said:

Stainless steel is the best choice, but some cats do not seem to like them, either for drinking or eating.

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I actually think glass is the best choice, for all the reasons listed, and it can be used in the microwave.

twincat, those Corelle dishes ARE glass, even though they are opaque.

I use the Corelle fruit dishes AND ceramic (china, though I don't know the country of origin, and I suspect it's china made in china. ) 4 ounce creme brulee dishes. I wanted something with a wider bottom than the bowls - but that still had a little lip to contain juice vs. a plate.

I use ceramic. I read a lot about plastic harboring bacteria, so I avoid it. At the shelter we use mostly stainless steel, although we have a few ceramic for the dogs.

For water I use glass pyrex bowls (USA made) and one ceramic dish right now. When that wears out, it will be replaced with a glass bowl.  For the wet food.....I use paper plates. I'm one cat short of being on the evening news so while I have tried to be conscientious and use ceramic plates I grew to hate washing plates before the next meal...I just don't have the time.  Luckily the compost people take the paper plates.

Cats tongues are rough enough to eventually cause the rim around the bowl to become scratched up. With ceramic dishes I have similar concerns about lead content that others have expressed. And unless you are lucky enough to have a ceramicist in your family, I've not found ceramic dishes for people or pets that isn't made in China.  The Pyrex and the Corell so far are USA made.