A couple of months ago I had to take my cat Ernie on an emergency trip to the vet. It was one of those traumatic, things-will-never-be-the-same events, that you dread will happen one day.
Ernie had acne. Barf. Yeah, I know - I had NO idea that cats could get acne, either. I'm talking the full-on chin pustules normally reserved for someone in math class. I was afraid my cute Ernie would end up looking like that scrappy kid who smoked and pitched for the Bad News Bears.
So off we went to the vet. Sure enough she gave Ernie the cat version of ProActive (although Ernie's stuff actually worked) and a course of antibiotics. The vet also told me cats should never eat out of plastic food dishes because they harbour bacteria. Sheeshhhh ... what do you think I am??? An idiot? Of course I use um ... what should I use? Stainless or ceramic!! Yes, of course, that's exactly what I use allll the time.
Since then I've had a few different ceramic cat dishes to help keep Ernie's acne at bay. The lastest I came up with after browsing the Internet and then browsing Dollarama. They're a contemporary looking food dish for either cats or dogs that keeps the food raised up off the floor.
And if you happen to NOT have a cat, firstly ... um ... you're really weird, and secondly, you can use these as super-cool serving dishes for chips, nuts, and general food items.
What you need:
2 bowls that are the same
2 thin magnets that you can superglue onto the base of each dish
Crazy Glue (or equivalent)
Basically all you have to do is find 2 bowls you like the shape and colour of and stack one on top of the other. In order to make cleaning easier, I came up with the idea of gluing magnets onto the base of both. That way you can separate the dishes easily to wash them, but they're secure enough not to topple over when the cat or dog is eating out of them. I feel quite genius-like for coming up with this solution.
Use a bigger magnet than I did, mine is a little tipsy. Not so geniusy after all I guess.
Now line up the magnets and stack them together.
Fill the top bowl with food and allow nature to take its course.
OR - Fill the top bowl with food and allow nature to take its course.
This is near torture for cats. Please remove this posting. Are you aware of Whisker Fatigue? It is extremely uncomfortable for cats to have their whiskers in contact with something for more than 3 seconds, especially something hard like this bowl. And forcing them to endure this in order to access the most basic of needs, food, is truly awful. I'd suggest learning all about cats before you create things that may do them harm.
The picture with the cheese puffs in the bowl and your hand reaching in, it could still work if still filled with cat food / treats.
Once my littlest sister accidentally ate the dog treats that looked exactly like Oreos and Nutterbutters , she figured she'd try out the cat treats / food! Kinda like taste testing the new flavors before giving them to the cats, lol!
And mom sent her a Christmas stocking filled with cat treats and canned fish... lol!
(She does have cats, but still, lol ;)
Aside from kitty acne, I read years ago that cats/dogs eat better if their food is raised higher off the floor, so I got a couple of these from IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00225504/ (mine are cuter tho, they have a maneki-neko cat in the center of them). I just balance them on top of another heavier bowl with no problem. My Blue loves 'em!
and P.S. that last picture...? Dude, that's not 'food.' :-P
Thanks, this is a great idea. I have cats that will NOT drink out of anything except glasses- this might fix that and make them less tippable. And it's a LOT cheaper than the other other alternative I've seen which is ordering custom made stoneware!@
THank you!
You're welcome Jessica! You have it good. My mother's cat will only drink out of a running tap! Her water bill is astronomical, lol. ~ karen
Cats have trouble washing their chin ~ it is a blind spot. So they get acne on it.
Cats LOVE having their face washed ! My cat jumps up beside the bathroom bowl and stretches her face up, so I can wash it every morning after she eats. Use her own little cloth, no soap, clear warm water. Stroke in the direction the hair grows. Do all over, Do the chin ! It's fun, and Kitty gets a really satisfied look on her face. Then drops off to sleep all clean (which cats love to be ! )
PS I use ceramic saucers.
We used to have a cat with acne, and we used ceramic bowls, so I don't think plastic bowls are the only cause. Clever idea. I think it might make a good candle pedestal, too, if you use the right shape of bowl.
OK..this is way too cool. Having too many of these furry beasties whose motto in life is 'wait on me' clean serving dishes are a must !!
Brenda - Thanks. I know! LOL. I love them too and you can do it with literally any 2 bowls! Clear glass looks great too. ~ karen
My cat has acne as well and my vet told me to go to good ol' Shoppers Drug Mart and buy some oxy cleansing pads (i bought the sensitive skin kind so I wouldn't irritate the poor cat's skin) and that cleared it right up! Saved me both money & having him attempt to lick the cream off.
My cat also had acne, my vet told me to use regular people acne cream, I did and it cleared it up right away. Best of all no huge vet bill, and no pills to give my cat
Along this same line, I've found my cats drink more water if it's served in a tall glass. Their majesties don't like bending down apparently.
I love your dish idea. I've been setting the dishes up on a thick book for them, but your idea is way better. Thanks!
These are very, very cute are you running them though the dishwasher or just hand washing? I'm wondering how the crazy glue and magnets have held up to constant washing.
Hi Nia! You're absolutely right. I handwashed my dishes for a long time, then decided I was bored with that and stuck the in the dishwasher. The magnet popped right off one of the dishes. I've since used silicone to adhere the magnets to the dishes and so far so good. Handwashing is still for the best though. - karen!
Well thank you so much Karen! However Oliver (that's the cat) insists that I run everything that he eats out of through the dishwasher, something about my hand washing being shoddy and sub-par. So I'm certainly glad I checked first.
Wonderful job with the site by the way, it is quite brave to take on both food and tools, you are surely a maven. Also in case you are unaware - you were recently featured on design sponge (which is just a terrific site if you're not already familiar with it- especially the before and afters), so expect more hits in the near future.
Best of luck to you,
Nia
this is really cool. it would be fab for aging kitties for whom bending over is hard.
Fabulous! I have been on a major search for a bowl solution. We have a fabulous wooden bowl (with stainless steel bowl insert) but it was very expensive and we can't justify two...and i want something a bit taller for eating so this is perfect. Olive (my french bulldog) will be very happy I reckon. I know this because anything that contains food is 100% okay in her book. Win/win situation...
Brittany
I was bowled over by how brilliant this tip is! thanks karen!
Hi Pat! You're right. The white bowls are much better because they're shallower. The rounder, light blue ones would be good for dog bowls.
This is a great idea. My only suggestion is to use a more shallow dish on top so that the edge is not rubbing on kitty's throat. My cats are going to be so much happier with your solution. Thanks.
Oh my Gosh! This is the coolest thing I have ever seen! Poor little Ernie. I had no idea they could even get acne. I've never heard of that before. I think I'm going to have to try this bowl idea...I think our cats would like it. Or else they will look at me like I'm stupid for messing with their food dish...either way. :P
Try it! In a couple of weeks I'm going to feature another great idea for cat food bowls. I'm becoming obsessed! It'd probably be more productive to society if I became obsessed with things like world peace and curing ailments but .... cat food dishes count too I think.