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    Home » How To Stuff » How to (DIY)

    DIY Contemporary Cat Food Dish

    March 18, 2010 by Karen 22 Comments

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    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.  

    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.

    So I went home and I made some raised cat food bowls out of ceramic dollar store bowls.

    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.

    I say this as someone who no longer has a cat (RIP Prada, Ernie, Cleo) but still very much wants a cat again. However, here's the thing.

    What you need:

    2 bowls that are the same

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    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.

    Random bowls with magnet glued to bottom

    Now line up the magnets, stack them together and let nature take its course.

    OR - Fill the top bowl with food and allow nature to take its course.

    You can also just glue them together instead of using magnets.

    You can use this dishwasher safe, food safe, ceramics glue.

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    1. Marget Ocanna

      April 24, 2024 at 9:40 am

      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.

      Reply
    2. Kat - the other 1

      June 18, 2021 at 8:16 am

      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 ;)

      Reply
    3. Kelli

      November 14, 2014 at 11:46 am

      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

      Reply
    4. Jessica

      September 26, 2014 at 9:42 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Karen

        September 26, 2014 at 9:45 am

        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

        Reply
    5. jacquelin Spark

      June 23, 2012 at 2:17 pm

      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.

      Reply
    6. Rayme Wells of A Clean Surface

      July 30, 2011 at 3:55 pm

      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.

      Reply
    7. Brenda Watts

      May 06, 2011 at 9:00 am

      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 !!

      Reply
      • Karen

        May 06, 2011 at 9:14 am

        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

        Reply
    8. Stephanie

      September 09, 2010 at 1:41 pm

      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.

      Reply
    9. Susan

      August 18, 2010 at 2:03 pm

      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

      Reply
    10. Gerald

      July 14, 2010 at 9:00 am

      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!

      Reply
    11. Nia

      May 14, 2010 at 11:41 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Karen

        May 14, 2010 at 11:51 am

        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!

        Reply
        • Nia

          May 15, 2010 at 5:01 pm

          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

    12. Karen Bowers

      May 13, 2010 at 1:46 pm

      this is really cool. it would be fab for aging kitties for whom bending over is hard.

      Reply
    13. Brittany

      May 13, 2010 at 2:34 pm

      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

      Reply
    14. Jenna

      April 10, 2010 at 2:07 pm

      I was bowled over by how brilliant this tip is! thanks karen!

      Reply
    15. Karen

      April 02, 2010 at 6:38 am

      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.

      Reply
    16. Pat

      April 01, 2010 at 10:18 pm

      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.

      Reply
    17. Katie A

      March 19, 2010 at 4:27 am

      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

      Reply
      • Karen

        March 19, 2010 at 9:20 pm

        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.

        Reply

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