How Many Bowls Does My Cat Really Need? The Three-Bowl Rule Explained

Most cat parents start with a single feeding area, assuming it’s enough. But behaviourists and vets agree: cats thrive when their bowls are thoughtfully separated and set up for comfort. The truth is… one bowl is never enough.

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The Three-Bowl Rule

For a healthy and stress-free mealtime, we recommend three raised bowls per cat:

One bowl for water – placed separately from food to encourage hydration

One bowl for wet food

One bowl for dry food – so they can graze and crunch when they choose

This set-up reflects a cat’s natural instincts. In the wild, cats wouldn’t eat and drink in the same place… so recreating this at home supports their wellbeing and helps prevent fussiness.

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All-in-One Stands: A Bold No-No

Many cat parents choose an all-in-one double stand, thinking it’s neat and convenient. The problem is… what works for us doesn’t always work for cats.

Combined stands cause contamination – food crumbs often fall into the water, making it less appealing for your cat to drink

Stress at mealtimes – instinct tells cats that food and water shouldn’t be side by side, so they may avoid one or both

Lower hydration – cats are already prone to drinking less, and a poorly placed water bowl only makes it worse

Less flexibility – with a fixed stand, you can’t separate water from food or add extra bowls if needed

A double stand might look tidy, but it doesn’t meet your cat’s needs. Cats do best with three raised bowls: one for water, one for wet food, and one for dry food.

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Elevated Dining for Cats

A practical set-up doesn’t have to look plain. Our ceramic raised bowls are designed as collections, so you can build a set that feels as stylish as the rest of your home.

If you’ve got multiple cats, you can easily expand the set-up. Some people prefer to unify the look by choosing the same collection for all their cats… others enjoy mixing ranges so each cat has their own style, yet the bowls complement each other beautifully for a cohesive, luxurious look in the home.

Unified Dining Look – choose multiple of the same collection (SeaBowl, FishBowl, MogBowl, or WaterColourBowl) to create a consistent dining set

Mix & Match – combine different collections, like we do at home, for a stylish set-up that reflects your personality

Pop of Colour – add WaterColourBowl shades to brighten your feeding space

At home, we’ve got a mixture ourselves of the bowls… and it really works for us. Our cats Blue, Storm, and Red all happily eat from them.

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Practical Benefits That Last

Raised design – supports posture and digestion

Whisker-friendly shape – stress-free eating

Stain-resistant ceramic – no lingering marks or odours

Durable & scratch-resistant – built to last

Easy to clean – dishwasher safe or quick hand wash

Still look brand new – even after years of daily use

Stable and sturdy – reduces mess and spills

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The Takeaway

Three bowls per cat isn’t an indulgence – it’s the healthiest, most practical way to feed. By giving your cat one bowl for water and two for food, you’re creating a routine that respects their instincts, boosts hydration, and makes mealtimes more enjoyable.

Our collections – SeaBowl, FishBowl, MogBowl, and WaterColourBowl – are designed to support your cat’s health while elevating your home with timeless style.