Published Sep 2, 2022
Fact checked by
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Cats have been known to complain when their food bowl is anything other than completely full.
While many cats have no trouble controlling their own food intake, others will inhale the contents of their bowl as soon as you set it down. In some cases, eating too fast or too much results in the food coming right back up before it’s been digested. This is called regurgitation.
Regurgitation differs from vomiting because the food is expelled from the esophagus before it reaches the stomach. It hasn’t yet been digested. Vomiting, on the other hand, refers to expulsion of the contents of the stomach.
Whether it’s food, hairballs, or foreign objects, vomit isn’t something any cat owner wants to deal with. Frequent vomiting should be brought to your vet’s attention but if your cat regurgitates from time to time, switching his food bowl might help.
Elevated cat bowls are also sometimes called anti-vomit cat bowls because they enable your cat to eat in a more neutral position. They shouldn’t be used as an alternative to proper veterinary care, and they don’t work for every day, but elevated cat bowls might just be worth a try.
At a Glance: Best Anti-Vomit Cat Bowls To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
KatSupreme Tilted Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowl Set
- Non-slip base elevates bowls by 2 inches
- Includes two stainless-steel bowls
- Entire set is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean
Y YHY Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowl
- Sturdy and hygienic ceramic construction
- Tilted bowl makes it easy to access the food
- Stable base reduces the risk for tipping
FUKUMARU Elevated Cat Ceramic Bowls
- Attractive design made from quality materials
- Double-bowl set tilted at 15-degree angle
- Dishes are made from food-grade ceramic
Frisco Elevated Non-Skid Stainless-Steel Cat Bowl
- Available in three sizes and 1- or 2-count
- Hygienic stainless steel bowl in an attractive stand
- Wide metal base helps prevent tipping
Necoichi Extra Wide Raised Cat Food Bowl
- Wide, shallow bowl may help prevent whisker fatigue
- Raised design improves comfort for cats with orthopedic issues
- Ceramic materials won’t harbor bacteria like plastic
Neater Feeder Express Elevated Cat Bowls
- Tall splashguard with drainage holes contains spillage
- Non-slip feet keep the feeding station in place
- Comes with two stainless-steel water and food dishes
Why Should You Trust Us?
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
To create this guide, we researched the types of bowls available, read hundreds of customer reviews, and performed real-world tests on over a dozen bowls.
During our in-home tests, we paid attention to key factors like how easy they were to clean, how easy it was for our cats to eat from them, and how well they stayed in place on the floor. In addition to our own observations, we consulted a behaviorist to assess the validity of “anti-vomiting” claims by cat food bowl sellers.
Based on this extensive research and hands-on testing, we’ve selected the following anti-vomiting cat bowls as the best you can buy.
The 4 Qualities of the Best Cat Bowls To Prevent Vomiting
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
1. The Best Anti-Vomit Cat Bowls Are Elevated.
Originally developed for dogs to prevent a potentially life-threatening condition called gastric dilation volvulus or bloat, elevated bowls for cats have also become popular.
There is little scientific evidence to support the efficacy of elevated pet food bowls but some cats may find it more comfortable to eat without hunching over. This may be particularly true for older cats who suffer from osteoarthritis or obesity. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that eating from elevated cat bowls may reduce the risk of vomiting and indigestion in some cats.
While a traditional cat bowl rests flat on the floor, an elevated bowl sits up off the ground. This enables your cat to adopt a more natural neck position while eating which may help support smooth digestion.
2. The Best Cat Bowls To Prevent Vomiting Are Tilted.
An elevated cat bowl raises the food off the floor so your cat can access it without adopting an unnatural neck or back position. To make the food even easier to get to, consider a product with a tilted bowl design. With this design, the cat more or less walks right up to the food.
The thing to keep in mind with elevated cat bowls – especially tilted models – is that the height of the bowl matters.
Kittens and small cats may only need an inch or two of elevation while larger cats might need a taller bowl. Choosing an elevated cat bowl that is too high might, at best, be ineffective and, at worst, might contribute to new problems.
3. The Best Anti-Vomit Cat Bowls Prevent Whisker Fatigue.
It should be assumed that an elevated cat bowl will take up more vertical space than a traditional bowl, but don’t be tempted to compensate by choosing a narrow dish.
When the dish is too narrow or deep, it forces your cat to put his whole face into the bowl to reach the food. Not only might this negate the benefit of the elevated bowl by causing your cat to adopt an unnatural neck position, but it can also contribute to whisker fatigue.
The term whisker fatigue isn’t universally accepted among veterinary professionals but there is some merit to the idea.
Whisker fatigue refers to the overstimulation and discomfort a cat might experience when eating from a bowl small enough or deep enough that the cat’s whiskers continuously make contact with the sides of the bowl.
Whether whisker fatigue exists or not, your cat’s comfort is important. Some cats simply prefer to eat from wider, shallower bowls. If your cat seems to dislike small dishes, opt for an anti-vomit cat dish that has a wide bowl with low sides.
4. The Best Cat Bowls To Prevent Vomiting Are Hygienic
Your cat is going to eat all of his meals from the bowl you select, so choose something that is easy to clean and won’t harbor bacteria or other pathogens.
The most hygienic cat bowls are made from nonporous materials like stainless steel, ceramic, and glass.
Softer materials like plastic can scratch and trap bacteria that lingers even after washing. Nonporous materials are also generally easier to clean and tend to be dishwasher safe.
Our Top Picks for the Best Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowls
Now that you know what we looked for in a cat bowl to prevent vomiting, you can better understand why the following products are our top picks.
#1 Overall Best: KatSupreme Tilted Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowl Set
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
The best anti-vomiting cat bowl elevates the dishes high enough to allow your cat to maintain a neutral neck and back position while eating. The KatSupreme Tilted Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowl Set features a sturdy non-slip base that raises the bottom of each bowl by 2 inches and enables you to tilt each of the bowls by up to 15°. This enables you to tailor the bowls to your cat’s individual needs or preferences.
This KatSupreme set comes with two round stainless-steel bowls, each measuring about 4.8 inches across. The base itself measures about 11.4-by-5.55 inches and each corner has a anti-slip foot to keep the set from sliding across the floor during mealtime.
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
Both the included bowls and the round-edged base are easy to clean. The edges of the base are rounded and the surface is smooth to help prevent bacteria and other pathogens from accumulating. The entire set is dishwasher-safe.
While this set checks the boxes for being an elevated feeder with hygienic stainless-steel bowls, it does have some limitations. The fixed 2-inch height may not be tall enough for some cats and some cats may find the bowls themselves a little too deep.
My Thoughts:
This bowl set is very lightweight but the non-skid feet do a pretty good job of keeping the product in place. The bowls slot into the base in either the flat or tilted position and I didn’t have any trouble with them slipping out of place during use.
What We Liked:
- Non-slip base elevates bowls by 2 inches
- Includes two stainless-steel bowls
- Entire set is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean
What We Didn’t Like:
- Fixed height may not be tall enough for some cats
- Bowls may be too deep for some cats
#2 Budget Pick: Y YHY Anti-Vomiting Cat Bowl
Kate Barrington / Cats.com
If you’re simply looking for an anti-vomit food bowl, the added cost of a two-piece set may be impractical. This ceramic cat bowl from Y YHY offers a budget-friendly solution and it has all four of the qualities of the best cat food bowl to prevent vomiting.
This Y YHY bowl is made from sturdy ceramic materials which makes it hygienic, easy to clean, and difficult for most cats to knock over accidentally. The bowl itself is five inches wide and tilted for easy access. The front lip of the bowl stands 2 inches off the ground and the top lip stands about 3.6 inches high at the back of the bowl. It also comes in 6-inch and 7.2-inch widths with varying heights.
While ceramic is nonporous, it is more fragile than stainless steel, so the bowl may be prone to chipping or breaking with rough handling. The bowl has a cute cat paw design on and inside the bowl but the decorations may flake off over time. It may be best to hand wash this bowl and check for flakes before filling the bowl.
My Thoughts:
This ceramic bowl is pretty well-made for the price, though it’s much lower to the ground than other picks like the Necoichi raised bowl. It might be a better choice for kittens than for adult cats.
What We Liked:
- Sturdy and hygienic ceramic construction
- Tilted bowl makes it easy to access the food
- Stable base reduces the risk for tipping
What We Didn’t Like:
- Ceramic is more fragile than stainless steel
- Decorations may flake off over time
#3 Premium Pick: FUKUMARU Elevated Cat Ceramic Bowls
Many cat feeders are made from inexpensive materials like plastic that end up looking cheap. If you’re in the market for a feeding station that won’t detract from your home’s aesthetics, the FUKUMARU double bowl set might be a good pick.
This raised cat feeder features a simple but functional design. A sturdy metal stand supports an attractive bamboo tray into which two white ceramic dishes fit. With its double-bowl design, this set enables you to keep your cat’s water bowl and feeding dish all in one place.
While some of the other bowls on this list are most appropriate for kittens and smaller cats, this set raises the bowls about 5 inches off the ground. When installed, the lips of the bowls sit flush against the bamboo tray. The bowls are just slightly angled to improve accessibility and to enable your cat to eat from a more natural neck position.
The elevated design of this raised cat bowl set works well for senior cats who have difficulty hunching over a lower bowl, but the 5-inch height could still be too much for some cats. Some customers have also commented that the tilted design limits the amount of water you can put in the dish without spilling.
My Thoughts:
This set of bowls definitely has a premium look. There’s a little bit of assembly required (attaching the legs to the frame) but it comes with everything you need and the finished product is very attractive.
What We Liked:
- Attractive design made from quality materials
- Double-bowl set tilted at 15-degree angle
- Dishes are made from food-grade ceramic
What We Didn’t Like:
- May be too high for some cats at 5 inches
- Tilted design may not be ideal for use as a water dish
#4 Best Stainless Steel: Frisco Elevated Non-Skid Stainless-Steel Cat Bowl
Stainless steel is without question one of the best materials for pet food bowls. While a ceramic pet bowl is nonporous and easy to clean, stainless steel is more durable. This particular option is a single bowl set in a metal stand, standing about 2.4 inches off the ground at the top lip of the bowl.
This product works well as a raised cat bowl for large cats but may also be appropriate for small dogs. It is sold as a single bowl or a 2-count, available in three sizes ranging from a ¾ cup capacity to 3.25 cups.
Priced under $6, this cat bowl is a budget-friendly pick and the attractive geometric base adds to its appeal. Keep in mind, however, that the base surrounds the entire bowl and is slightly angled away from the base, so it may be harder for kittens and small cats to reach the interior of the bowl.
My Thoughts:
While I didn’t have problems with this myself, one customer commented that their cat’s ID tag got wedged in one of the corners of the metal base. Keep this in mind if your cat wears a collar with tags or other accessories that hang down.
What We Liked:
- Available in three sizes and 1- or 2-count
- Hygienic stainless steel bowl in an attractive stand
- Wide metal base helps prevent tipping
What We Didn’t Like:
- Angled base may not be ideal for kittens and small cats
- Metal base doesn’t have non-slip feet
#5 Best For Whisker Fatigue: Necoichi Extra Wide Raised Cat Food Bowl
Some cats dislike the feel of their whiskers rubbing up against the sides of their feeding bowl. The Necoichi extra-wide raised cat food bowl helps solve this problem with its wide, shallow dish.
This cat bowl is made from nonporous ceramic, so it won’t harbor bacteria like some plastic bowls do. It stands 4.1 inches high at the lip and the bowl measures just over 6 inches across. The shallow design helps prevent strain on your cat’s neck because he won’t have to hunch to access the food.
The interior lip of this raised feeding bowl is curved to help prevent spills. Even so, however, this bowl may work better for wet food than kibble. Because the bowl is shallow, dry food can easily be pushed out of the bowl if your cat is a vigorous eater.
A silicone ring on the bottom of the bowl helps keep it from sliding across the floor, though rowdy cats may still be able to knock it over. Some customs have also commented that the coating on the ceramic may wear away with frequent use, so check the bowl from time to time and discontinue use if the nonporous surface becomes compromised.
My Thoughts:
This bowl sat at the perfect height for my tallest cat (who still only weighs about 9 pounds). I primarily tested it with wet food, but I can confirm that the bowl itself sits almost flat and wouldn’t do much to keep dry food contained.
What We Liked:
- Wide, shallow bowl may help prevent whisker fatigue
- Raised design improves comfort for cats with orthopedic issues
- Ceramic materials won’t harbor bacteria like plastic
What We Didn’t Like:
- Dry food may spill more easily than wet food
- Ceramic may be prone to chipping and breaking
#6 Best For Messy Eaters: Neater Feeder Express Elevated Cat Bowls
Some cats have a knack for making a mess in any and every situation. If you have a messy eater, the Neater Feeder Deluxe might be the ideal choice. Though it’s a little pricey, this two-bowl set comes with a plastic surround that helps contain food and water spillage.
This pet feeder is made with a BPA-free plastic base that sits on four non-skid rubber feet. The plastic surround features a trough at the front into which spilled water drains, routing it into the base instead of all over your floors. The station measures 14 inches long by 9 inches wide. The top of the surround sits 6 inches off the ground and the feeding height for the bowls ends up being about 3 inches.
The Neater Feeder comes with two stainless-steel bowls. Both bowls measure 5.25 inches in diameter but the water bowl has a larger 1.5-cup capacity than the 1-cup food bowl.
While this feeder does seem to be successful in containing food and water mess, the base may need more frequent cleaning than other models. You’ll need to separate the splash guard from the base to empty it and, if food mixes with the spilled water it could become a breeding ground for bacteria.
Customers have also commented that the bowls themselves are fairly small, so this pick might work best for kittens or young cats who haven’t quite grown out of their messy eating habits yet.
My Thoughts:
I love this bowl set in concept but the reality of it is a little awkward. The splash guard wraps partially around the front, so the cat has to reach over a slightly raised edge to eat from either bowl. Overall, however, it’s well constructed and it did a good job containing mess.
What We Liked:
- Tall splashguard with drainage holes contains spillage
- Non-slip feet keep the feeding station in place
- Comes with two stainless-steel water and food dishes
What We Didn’t Like:
- Bowls may be too small for some cats
- May require disassembly for cleaning
Vomiting is different from regurgitation. If your cat frequently regurgitates after eating too quickly or consuming too much at once, switching to an elevated cat food bowl might help. Frequent vomiting, on the other hand, is a potential digestive system problem best addressed by your veterinarian.
Check out some of our other favorite elevated cat food bowls here.
