Are you looking for the best dog bowls for German Shepherds?
Perfect! You’re in the right place.
In this Digdoggy.com guide, you’ll learn:
- The top 5 dog bowls for German Shepherds
- How to pick the right dog bowl for a German Shepherd
- The different types of dog bowls to choose from
And much more!

Below is a quick list of all our top products. Keep scrolling to read our buying guide and for choosing the best German Shepherd dog bowls.
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On January 14, 2022
Our top pick dog bowl fr German Shepherds is the Hydrapeak Dog Bowl.
We felt this dishwasher-safe nonslip rubber-based bowl offered strength, appeal, and value for money.
Having a stainless steel design makes this product easy to clean and features double-wall insulation to keep liquids cold for longer.
A fully grown German Shepherd will need the 8 cups 64-ounce that’s backed with a lifetime guarantee on manufacturer defects.
The best part is that it’s non-toxic and BPA free which means that it’s safer to eat out of and better for the environment.
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Our Top Pick ![]() | Our Top Pick | Hydrapeak Dog Bowl
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Runner Up ![]() | Runner Up | GPET Dog Bowl
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Best Budget ![]() | Best Budget | Bone Dry Lattice Collection Pet Bowl (Set of 2)
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Best Slow Feeder ![]() | Best Slow Feeder | Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
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Best Raised ![]() | Best Raised | Pet Zone Designer Elevated Dog Bowls
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What's In This Guide? | |
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Our Top 5 Best Dog Bowls For German Shepherds
In a hurry? Check out our top 5 dog bowls for GSDs! Keep reading to discover more about our top picks.
What Are The Different Types Of Dog Bowls For German Shepherds?
The different types of bowls for German Shepherds include:
- Elevated Dog Bowl
- Stainless Steel Basic Dog Bowls
- Ceramic Dog Bowls
- Plastic Dog Bowls
- Slow Feeder Dog Bowls
Elevated Dog Bowls
Elevated dog bowls come in steel, ceramic, or plastic stands. Typically, the stands are made of plastic, wood, or metal.
Elevated bowls are more comfortable for taller dogs, illuminating the need for excessive bending down.
This is particularly beneficial for dogs with digestive problems as elevated bowls may be the solution to helping them eat.
Stainless Steel Basic Dog Bowls
Stainless steel bowls are great for a number of things but mainly because they are the safest and most hygienic for your dog.
These types of bowls are dishwasher safe, inexpensive, durable, and are still the most commonly used dog bowls amongst pet parents.
Unfortunately, steel bowls become prone to rust in wet conditions with a possibility of erosion. However, this is easily avoided with the right care and maintenance.
Ceramic Dog Bowls
This type of dog bowl is also dishwasher safe and extremely inexpensive. However, they’re not susceptible to corrosion and come much heavier than all other types of bowls.
Note! This is not the type of bowl to drop as the brittle design can easily crack or chip.
Most ceramic bowls are covered in a clear coating that’s used to seal holes, pores, and small cracks in the ceramic.
The bad part is that if the seal cracks or is damaged in any way then bacteria get in fester within the bowl making it unsafe for eating.
Design-wise, these dog bowls come in the most decorative patterns and colors resulting in a higher price than its competitors.
Plastic Dog Bowls
Plastic dog bowls are cost-effective to manufacturers and can be easily molded into any shape or size. They are much lighter than steel or ceramic while still offering extreme durability.
A downside to this type of bowl is that dogs will scratch and chew them while some dogs are allergic to plastic altogether.
Slow Feeder Dog Bowls
The main purposes of slow feeder dog bowls are to reduce the overall amount a dog eats or rescue the speed of how fast they eat.
A slow-feeding dog bowl has built-in obstructions within. These bowls can come in either stainless steel material or be made of bright-colored plastic.
The obstructions require your dog to work to find his food amidst the obstructions. Slow feeding bowls prevent German Shepherds from vomiting.
Slow feeders will only allow for smaller portion sizes to be consumed at a time that prevents vomiting caused by indigestion.

Read Also: >> What are the best dog treats for training a GSD?
What To Look For In A High-Quality Best Dog Bowl For German Shepherds
When Buying A German Shepherd a bowl for eating, here are a few features to look for:
- Dishwasher Safe For Easy Cleaning
- Food Safe
- Non-Slip Base
- Warranty
Dishwasher Safe For Easy Cleaning
A sturdy, good bowl is a good find. However, it is also important to buy bowls that are easy to clean.
Find dishwasher-safe bowls or something you can wash quickly using soapy water and a brush.
Food Safe
A dog bowl needs to be free of mercury and lead. The reason is that GSDs are sometimes biters and chewers.
Make sure all the bowls you buy him are free of toxins including mercury and lead.
Non-Slip Base
A German Shepherd will most likely drag a slippery bowl around the floor without meaning to, as he eats.
Find a bowl with a non-skid base to stabilize his eating time. If you already have a bowl and it is slippery, place this on a mat or add a stand.
Warranty
Find dog bowls that include a lifetime or at the very least, a year’s warranty. This way, you can return it if things are not up to par.
Also, if you get a wrong delivery or one delivered with a chipped rim, it will be easy to correct this mistake.
Our Reviews Of The Best Dog Bowls For German Shepherds
Pick #1: Hydrapeak Dog Bowl
The Hydrapeak 64 ounce bowl can hold up to eight cups of dog food.
This bowl looks great both on the inside and on the out. It functions perfectly plus it offers a lifetime guarantee I’m sure you’re aware of is hard to find.
Food residue, odors, and stains are no match for this easy-to-clean dog bowl. Enjoy effortless cleaning with it being safe to put into the dishwasher.
Keep liquids cold or warm for longer with the double-wall insulation.
Pros
- Sleek and sturdy
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
Cons
- Rubber base pads fall off
Pick #2: GPET Dog Bowl
This dog bowl by GPET is designed like a dog bone and is made of stainless steel.
This bowl can hold up to thirty-two ounces of water or food.
The rubber base prevents unwanted sliding on hard floors which is a common problem for German Shepherds.
Covered by a 2-year satisfaction guarantee or your money back, this dishwasher safe, durable, non-toxic, easy to clean dog bowl by GPET prevents messes and spills.
Pros
- Designed for big dogs
- Easy to clean
- Stands up strong and hard to tip over
Cons
- Black residue on the rubber caused sneezing
Pick #3: Bone Dry Lattice Collection Pet Bowl (Set of 2)
With its popular lattice design, this pet bowl collection by Bone Dry also doubles as a canister.
This fun, printed water or food dish is both simple and stylish.
Most pet parents love the designs this manufacturer offer.
The non-flip and non-skid design feature a silicon rim base that prevents the bowl from sliding across the floor.
Conveniently safe for the dishwasher, this dog bowl is a no-fuss, no-mess feeding bowl compliant with the FDA food safety regulations and the California Prop 65 for food safety, as well.
Pros
- Good looking, solid
- Removable silicone sleeve
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Smaller than it looks and advertised to be
Pick #4: Outward Hound Fun Feeder Slow Feeder Dog Bowl
Available in multiple ridge patterns and sizes, these dog bowls by Outward Hound hold up to four cups of raw food diets, wet or dry diets.
They are safe to wash in the top rack of the dishwasher and the non-slip base keeps the bowl stead.
Made with food-safe materials, this fun feeder slow bowl causes your German Shepherd to forage through each pattern.
This helps with digesting food properly by helping German Shepherds to eat slower, thus achieving proper digestion.
Bowls are phthalate, PVC, and BPA-free.
Take note fast eating may lead to canine obesity, regurgitation, and bloating, and this bowl helps control that.
The ridges of each bowl’s pattern are specifically created so your GSD never gobbles up his food.
Pros
- Bowl gets the job of slow eating done
- Keeps dog highly engaged and stimulated
Cons
- Causes rubbing on dogs nose leading to little inflammation
Pick #5: Pet Zone Designer Elevated Dog Bowls
Easy to clean and resistant to rust, this designer diner includes two dishwasher-safe, rust-resistant bowls.
A great alternative to ceramic dog water and dog food bowls, each dish holds a maximum of seven cups of dry food for German Shepherds.
Reduce the stress that bending causes on the joints of large breeds.
For more mature dogs, an elevated dog bowl such as this is perfect as it reduces his stress and gains easier access to his food.
This healthy dining experience provides a position of eating that helps aid digestion, as well.
The legs are removable and you can tuck these under the platform for feeding for ease in storage at home or in travel.
Enjoy clutter-free space with this neat folding feeder. Ideal for every life stage, this designer diner is raised for the German Shepherd’s convenience.
Pros
- East to fold
- Reduces the need for dogs to bend down
Cons
- Water collects across the top
- Says Made in the USA and Made in China stickers
Read Also: >> What type of dog crate is best for traveling with a GSD?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest dog bowl?
The safest dog bowl is those made out of stainless steel.
Not only are these easy to keep clean, but the steel also won’t leach out dangerous chemicals into the water and food of your dog unlike old ceramic dishes, poorly glazed pottery, aluminum, or plastic.
What dog bowl width and height does a German Shepherd need?
Food bowls need to fit a GSD’s snout comfortably. A nine-inch diameter food bowl is recommended for adult German Shepherds.
Water bowls can be half of this size. As for height, vertically measure the top of your German Shepherd’s shoulders up to his front paws, also known as his withers.
Reduce the number by seven inches and this is how high your elevated dog bowl needs to be.
How often should You wash A dog’s bowl?
Wash the food bowl of your dog after each meal. As for the water bowl, you wash this less often but sanitize and refill it at least once a week.
The reason for this is to keep harmful bacteria such as slimy biofilm from developing in the water.
Our Top Pick: Hydrapeak Dog Bowl
Our Top Pick is the Hydrapeak Dog Bowl. Perfect for winter afternoons or for use outside on a sunny, hot day.
These German Shepherd dog bowls by Hydrapeak feature a sweat-free design.
Designed in the USA, you will love the smooth, minimalist look of these bowls.
Final Thoughts On dog bowls for German Shepherds
There you have it, the top five German Shepherd dog bowls for your doggo.
A bowl isn’t just a bowl especially if it is for your sensitive, smart GSD.
Finding the right bowl that feels comfortable for your Police Dog to eat from without his snout getting stuck or his joints having to bend too much goes a long way towards his good digestion and longevity.