Is Your Cat’s Bowl CuBowl Clean?

Is Your Cat’s Bowl CuBowl Clean?

We tested the new pet bowls from CuBowl and gave them a 4 Paws Rating. They are the only antimicrobial, unlacquered copper or silverplated stainless steel bowls. Here’s what happened.

Enticing cats to drink enough water isn’t always easy. Cats, being very fastidious creatures, can be fussy about water bowls and who can blame them? No one wants to eat or drink out of a slimy bowl.

Being well-hydrated is essential to a cat’s health. We became a little obsessed about clean water and the best bowls when Merlin was diagnosed with kidney disease five years ago at age 16. We fed him dry food in his earlier years before knowing cats fed dry only must drink more water. That’s water under the bridge now (bad pun) but it began our search for bowls of every size and shape.

The info from our post about cat bowls in 2011 still valid and valuable. Since then, we’ve added fountains and our preference for wide, elevated bowls. Note: Clyde’s head and whiskers avoid contact with the edges to avoid whisker stress.

When Dave Nogal, a fellow Canadian contacted me about his new company CuBowl, I was curious but not convinced. Sure he had successful Kickstarter campaign claiming his bowls stay slime-free but I had to see it to believe it. We chatted on the phone (nice guy!) and he sent small and large copper no-tip bowls and a medium-sized silver bowl. The only rule: use copper bowls for water only.

Coincidentally, around the same time we adopted, Clyde a 16-year-old cat with kidney disease and pancreatitis which makes him super fussy about food and prone to vomiting. It was critical that we used food and water bowls that he enjoy. The CuBowls were an instant hit. We placed the water bowl on an elevated plastic tray and the food bowl in another part of the room and he’s eating and drinking well.

We’re hoping they make an elevated CuBowl version soon but it’s easy to make a DIY box. Elevated bowls help older cats with arthritis or those with digestive issues. The ideal height is about 4 to 6 inches high. In this image, the bowl is not elevated. Notice how Clyde tries to crouch down to a lower level.

We’re not fans of food and water bowls being placed side by side. In the wild, animals tend not to eat and drink in the same location. That evolutionary behavior fostered survival and it’s hardwired into cats. Cats are happier when we respect their natural instincts.

The first time emptied the bowl and rinsed it even before washing, it was squeaky clean like magic! It’s not magic, it’s the oligodynamic effect – that metals like copper and silver have on certain harmful microorganism to present biofilm. That’s a fancy word for icky slime.

• The CuBowls are surprisingly solid but super light.
• The non-stick non-tip versions work best for larger or active pets who like playing with or moving bowls.
• The bowls are unvarnished which means they will tarnish or stain eventually. To prevent any spot buildup, dry the bowl after washing.
• It’s best to hand wash the bowls. I don’t like washing dishes but the CuBowls are weirdly satisfying to clean.
• According to studies, electroplated copper surfaces are deadly to bacteria including E.coli with the ability to kill 99.9% within just two hours of contact.
• Last forever making them great value.
• Proudly Canadian but offer free shipping to the U.S.
• There are two designs in numerous sizes to fit any size cat or dog. Find the right size for your pet atCuB owl.com
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Clyde has a habit of double-dipping his paw (sometimes both paws) into the water before drinking. The small bowl was too small for him but as you can see in the video, the larger size is just right. The sound of him happily slurping at the end is music to my ears!

Is Your Cat’s Bowl CuBowl Clean?

FTC disclaimer: We received CuBowls samples and a review fee. Our opinions are 100% are own and Cat Wisdom 101 only share content we feel is of value to our readers.