While plastic has some benefits, its our opinion that it shouldn't be used as a pet bowl. Many plastics contain chemicals that, if ingested, are thought to mimic hormones in mammals and could cause an array of negative health effects. Most plastics are also micro-porous, meaning no matter how often or how well you clean them, bacteria can build up over time, leading to muzzle irritation and chin acne in pets. There are applications where plastic makes sense, but it's just not pet bowls.

Ceramic can make a fine option for pet bowls, but its important to ensure you're getting a high quality ceramic bowl upfront and to monitor it for chips or cracks over time. Some ceramic glazes contain the heavy metal lead, so be sure any ceramic pet bowl you're considering is made with a lead-free glaze. Also, the glaze is very important to the proper function of ceramic, particularly when used in a food or water setting. The glaze is what makes ceramic hygenic. Even small cracks or chips in the glaze will expose the pourus ceramic underneath and compromise your ability to properly clean the bowl.

Stainless steel presents the best combination of properties for pet bowls. Its hygenic, meaning the surface won't harbor bacteria and can be readily cleaned with soap and water washings. It's also very durable. Most damage that can occur with stainless steel will be cosmetic (faint scratches, stains, minor dings, etc.). But not all stainless steel is created equal...