A feeding bowl for each pet and every need

In 2024, the US pet food bowl market was valued at $3.7 billion (€3.5B) and this is expected to reach $5.2 billion (€5B) by 2031, according to a forecast by data analytics company Coherent Market Insights.

Fast rise of the slow feeder

The slow feeding bowl has gained popularity because it has dual benefits. By delaying eating, it can prevent conditions associated with gulping, such as the life-threatening syndrome gastric dilatation-volvulus.

It also offers brain stimulation – an owner’s urban lifestyle often means that their pet spends a lot of time indoors, which emphasizes the need for additional mental enrichment.

“In the past, consumers would buy one dog food bowl. Now they buy multiple slow feeder bowls to give their dogs a different enrichment challenge with each meal,” says Adam Baker, founder and CEO of SodaPup, a US brand that makes slow feeder bowls, lick mats and food puzzle toys.

XL and traveling dogs

Around 68% of dog-owning US households have a big dog, according to a 2023 survey conducted by MarketResearch.com.

In addition, canine-focused online platform Dogster reports that 78% of US pet owners take their dogs on vacation with them. These choices indicate the need for 2 specific products: bowls designed for big dogs and practical, portable bowls for pets on the move.

“We’re noticing a growing demand for both extra-large and collapsible dog bowls, especially among pet owners who love outdoor adventures and travel. This trend highlights exciting growth opportunities in the outdoor and travel pet accessory market,” says Sinan Sarp Kocabas, Category Manager at Leash Boss, a pet accessory brand based in New York.

Automatic feeding solutions

Kenl-Master patented the very first automatic pet feeder in Los Angeles in 1939.

Its simple but functional design featured a lid-covered food plate connected to an alarm clock. Today, the smart pet feeder market is booming, with feeders boasting futuristic designs and state-of-the-art technologies.

In 2023, Pet Marvel launched its Automatic 2-in-1 Pet Feeder & Water Dispenser on Kickstarter. Featuring an integrated camera, it offered feeding, drinking and real-time monitoring. In the same year, Chinese electronics multinational Xiaomi introduced a new pet feeder capable of dependably feeding pets in their owner’s absence. And in May 2024, California-based Petlibro patented its first refrigerated smart feeder, which keeps wet food fresh until served.

Innovative feeding solutions are not just for tech-savvy owners. One of the main benefits of these bowls is that they promote health. “There is rising interest in products that provide scheduled, portion-controlled meals – helping to address issues like pet obesity,” says Summer Shen, Strategic Planning Manager at PETKIT, an innovative Chinese company that produces high-end smart pet products.

PETKIT offers an automatic pet feeder with an integrated AI-powered camera and a double funnel for 2 types of food. Shen says: “More advanced solutions, such as feeders with AI cameras, allow pet parents to track their pet’s eating habits in real time. This gives valuable health insights.”

Material considerations

As eco-conscious pet owners seek out feeding bowls that don’t add to their environmental footprint, the materials used can be more important than shape.

One manufacturer that can meet this sustainable need is Eha (which means ‘our earth’). This India-based, women-empowered pet care brand makes pet bowls from repurposed coffee husks, wheat straws, bamboo and rice husks. These materials lock away biogenic carbon, minimizing environmental impact.

Dorai Home, located in the US state of Utah, produces innovative dog bowls from diatomaceous earth and ceramics – eco-friendly and quick-drying. The company says that today’s pet owners are looking for products that are practical but also align with their values, both reducing plastic waste and incorporating stylish designs into their homes.

“Moving forward, we’re excited to continue exploring innovative pet solutions that combine form, function and eco-friendly design to meet the growing demand of eco-conscious pet parents,” explains Kelsey O’Callaghan, Dorai Home’s co-founder.

The brand is currently working on expanding its collection with bowls for large dogs and cats.

Enduring popularity of basic bowls

Despite innovations and advanced solutions, the regular pet food bowl remains a popular choice among many pet parents. It is reasonably priced, readily available, durable and easy to maintain. Plus, it comes in a variety of shapes, colors, materials and designs.

There are many variations of the regular bowl on offer – ranging from designs that adapt to pet mouth shapes to prevent spills and those with raised ridges to keep long doggy ears out of the food, to elevated bowls for pets with arthritis and angled bowl models that support better eating posture.

Glimpse into the future

The pet food bowl will continue to evolve and adapt to consumers’ needs and desires.

“I believe that pet parents will become more discerning and have higher expectations of pet brands delivering meaningful innovation that really solves daily problems,” predicts Jacob Zuppke, President and CEO at Whisker, a US smart pet products company with over 23 years of experience and more than 1 million customers.

Will the smart feeder end up replacing its ancestor – the standard food bowl? Or will the in-between generations, such as the slow feeders and collapsible dispensers, take over the market completely? It all remains to be seen.