A guinea pig’s cage isn’t complete without food and water dishes – how else is your small animal going to eat and drink?
However, not all guinea pig food bowls and water dishes are ideal for these small animals, due to flimsiness, lightweight materials, or inadequate size.
- Sturdy and appealing design
- Double-coated and cookware-quality paint
- Scratch-proof
- Comes with a bracket that can be attached to any wire cage
- Rust and chew resistant
- Made from heavy-duty stainless steel
- Includes 2 water/food bowls
- Comes with a screw mount that can be attached to any wire cage
- Made from non-toxic and BPA-free plastic
I’ve used poor-quality pet bowls before, and as you can probably imagine, they didn’t last very long. In fact, there have been a couple of occasions where my guinea pigs broke their dishes within an hour of use!
So, to help you select the best guinea pig bowl to match your guinea pig’s diet style, I’ll be taking a look at a range of top-notch dishes that last longer than an hour.
The Best Guinea Pig Bowl From the Reviews
Top Pick
Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Guinea Pig Pellet Dish Bowl
The Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Guinea Pig Dish sports a robust construction that’s dishwasher safe and resistant to chewing. It reduces overfeeding and helps prevent more wasted kibble or water due to its non-tip design.
Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Guinea Pig Pellet Dish Bowl
This bowl for guinea pigs is my top pick as it’s durable and well-designed.
Best Value
Midwest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl
The Midwest Homes for Pets Snap-y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl for small animals sports a heavy-duty construction that’s completely tip-proof. It can be affixed to any wire cage using the easy-to-install bracket.
Midwest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl
If you need a premium-quality bowl for your small animal that doesn’t cost too much money, this one is a solid choice.
Editor’s Choice
2 Pack CalPalmy Food and Water Bowl
These water/food bowls are made from robust and bisphenol A (BPA) free plastic, with a stainless steel lip for added durability. They can be installed to any wire cage using the included screw mount.
2 Pack CalPalmy Food and Water Bowl
This water/food bowl is my personal favorite as it’s sturdy and comes in a 2 pack. This saves time and money as you don’t need to purchase an additional bowl for your small pet.
On to the Reviews…
Top Pick
Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Guinea Pig Pellet Dish
This guinea pig dish has a metal construction that is both chew and scratch resistant. It has a non-tip design and is the perfect size for a pair of guinea pigs.
Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Guinea Pig Pellet Dish
First up is the Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Pellet Dish, boasting a sturdy and adorable design.
Excellent Durability
The main reason why this bowl is my top pick is due to its excellent durability – it’s scratch and chew proof, so it can withstand even the most destructive cavies.
Furthermore, the paint is double-coated and cookware quality to ensure it doesn’t fade or chip away with use. It measures 6 inches across, so it’s the perfect size to feed two guinea pigs at the same time.
Easy Cleaning
The bowl is dishwasher safe to make easy clean up, and the rounded base helps prevent your piggy from tipping it over when it’s full of water or food. My cavies have a tendency to knock their water bowls over, especially plastic options, so this metal dish from Piggies Choice would definitely come in handy.
Color Options
The bowl comes in a few vibrant colors: lilac, teal, and green. Any one of them would add a bit of style and flair to your piggy’s cage.
The only minor downside of the Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Pellet Dish is its lightweight material. As a result, the dish can be dented or knocked over by large piggies.
Specs
- Dimensions: 6" x 0.55" x 6"
- Weight: 2.43 oz
- Material: Metal
Pros
- Adorable design
- Scratch and chew resistant
- Double coated paint that’s cookware quality
- Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Cons
- Thin and lightweight material
Best Value
Midwest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl
The Midwest Homes for Pets Snap-y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl is durable, robust, and completely tip-proof, preventing food and water spilling into your piggy’s living space.
Midwest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl
If you need a quality but affordable guinea pig food or water dish for your guinea pig, then look no further than the Midwest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl.
Large Capacity
It has a large capacity for you to fill up that can hold up to 20 ounces (2.5 cups) of food or water, so it’s ideal for a pair or trio of guinea pigs. The bowl is completely tip-proof as it comes with a bracket (no tool required for installing it either!) that can be attached to any wire case.
Rust Resistant
I like that the bowl is rust resistant and doesn’t hold odors, ensuring it stays cleaner for longer. It’s also dishwasher safe to make cleaning it a breeze. It’s scratch and chew resistant, so it’s a great option if your piggy is a known chewer.
Warranty
If all these great aspects weren’t enough, the dish includes a 1-year warranty so you can return it if you run into any issues.
Unfortunately, the bowl can be difficult to remove from the bracket once it’s installed as the clamps are very stiff. Additionally, the bowl comes with an adhesive sticker in the base that can be hard to peel off.
Specs
- Dimensions: 6" x 6" x 1.8"
- Weight: 0.51 lbs
- Material: Stainless Steel
Pros
- Chewproof, scratch resistant, and rust resistant
- Tip-proof
- Can be attached to any wire cage
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Included bracket is hard to remove
- Comes with an adhesive sticker that is difficult to peel off
Editor’s Choice
2 Pack CalPalmy Food and Water Bowl
Containing two dishes for the price of one, the CalPalmy Water/Food Bowl is made out of durable BPA-free material that’s non toxic, so you don’t need to worry about pet health. The dishes can be attached to any wire cage using the provided mount, preventing food and water from spilling out.
2 Pack CalPalmy Food and Water Bowl
One of my personal favorite food/water bowls is the 2 Pack CalPalmy Food and Water Bowl. You get two bowls, both of which are tip-proof, sturdy, and easy to install. This saves time and money as you don’t need to purchase an additional bowl for food, or vice versa.
Non-Toxic and BPA Free
The dishes are made from premium-quality material that is non-toxic and BPA free, with a stainless steel lip for increased durability.
Perfect for A Single Cavy or Pair
Despite being relatively small in size, each bowl can hold 1 cup of food, so they’re a good option for a single cavy or pair.
Easy Installation
I really like the water/food bowls’ easy installation. No special tools are required, so you can get the dishes set up in no time. The ¾” screw style mount holds itself well, particularly if you affix it to a cage bar intersection.
Better yet, once it’s locked on, the bowls won’t slide around, even if your little animal pulls at them or attempts to knock them over.
Heavy Duty
These guinea pig bowls can tolerate scratches and chewing too, so you don’t have to worry about your pet breaking them after a short time of use.
My only gripe with these dishes is the slightly stiff screw style mount holds. This isn’t a huge issue, but can make it a little hard to screw and unscrew the mount.
Specs
- Dimensions: 4" x 5 " x 3.75"
- Weight: 5.3 oz
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- Two dishes for the price of one bowl
- Made from durable plastic that’s BPA free
- Tip-proof and cross screw fixed design
- Stainless steel lip for added durability
Cons
- Screws are a little stiff
Kaytee Paw-Print PetWare Bowl
Made from robust ceramic material, the Kaytee Paw-Print PetWare Bowl is durable and chew/scratch proof. It boasts an adorable guinea pig design.
Kaytee Paw-Print PetWare Bowl
Next up is the Kaytee Paw-Print PetWare Bowl, made from extra thick and high-quality ceramic material that prevents it from being scratched and chewed.
It’s a decent size for guinea pigs, as well as other small animals like hedgehogs, rats, dwarf rabbits, and hamsters.
Heavy Duty Design
It has a heavy-duty design and smooth bottom that keeps the bowl steady while they’re drinking or eating food.
The guinea pig bowl has a cute guinea pig design too, which is sure to look great in any cage.
Unfortunately, this water/food bowl for guinea pigs isn’t entirely tip proof as it doesn’t come with a mount or cross screw fixed design.
In addition, if these ceramic bowls are dropped or broken, it has a tendency to shatter into a lot of pieces, which could hurt your small animal.
Specs
- Dimensions: 4.62" x 4.62" x 2.12"
- Weight: 11.99 oz
- Material: Ceramic Material
Pros
- Made from high-quality ceramic material
- Chew proof and scratch resistant
- Cute guinea pig design
Cons
- Not fully tip-proof
- Can shatter into a lot of pieces if broken
STAYbowl Tip-Proof Bowl for Guinea Pigs and Other Small Pets
This water dish durable/food bowl for guinea pigs and other small animals features a non-tip design that keeps food and water off the floor, minimizing waste and mess.
STAYbowl Tip-Proof Bowl for Guinea Pigs and Other Small Pets
Featuring a tip-proof design, this STAYbowl dish for guinea pigs and other small pets is a great choice if your pet is prone to knocking over their water or food bowl.
BPA Free
It’s made from food-grade polypropylene injection-molded plastic that doesn’t contain BPA, so it won’t tarnish or crack easily like some other plastic ones.
Robust
The bowl can accommodate a single cavy or a pair, with the added bonus of being robust enough to withstand chewing and scratching.
However, the image of the bowl is a little deceiving as it looks a lot larger than it actually is. Additionally, despite the manufacturer claiming it’s suitable for between 3 to 6 piggies, it’s a relatively small bowl and can only hold ¾ of a cup of pet food or water.
Specs
- Dimensions: 7.9" x 7.9" x 1.25"
- Weight: 2.47 oz
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- Tip-proof design
- Made from food-grape plastic that doesn’t contain BPA
- Durable
Cons
- Image makes the bowl look larger than it actually is
Sxbest 2 in 1 Food Hay Feeder for Guinea Pig
This space-saving food bowl for small animals includes a hay rack, ensuring your furry friends get all the nutritional value they need. It’s easy to clean too.
Sxbest 2 in 1 Food Hay Feeder for Guinea Pig
If you need both a hay feeder and food bowl for your guinea pig, the Sxbest 2 in 1 Hay Feeder is a fantastic choice as, like its name suggests, it can store both hay and guinea pig food.
Durable
The feeder’s lower layer is a food bowl, while the upper layer is a grass rack. The lower layer is covered by stainless steel to increase its durability and protect it from bites/scratches.
Easy Cleaning
You can remove the hay rack too for easy cleaning or if you’d rather use the feeder solely as a food bowl.
Cross Screwed Fixed Design
I really like that the hay feeder has a cross screwed fixed design so it can be connected to any wire cage – you can also adjust the height of it too. No tools are required to install it, so you can set it up in no time.
However, the upper layer on these small animal feeders can be a little hard for some pets to access. This is especially true if your pet has mobility issues.
Specs
- Dimensions: 15" x 6" x 7.1"
- Weight: 12 oz
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- Space saving food bowl as it includes a hay rack
- Easy access for cleaning due to removable grass rack
- Lower layer is coated with stainless steel to increase durability
- Can be attached to any wire cage
Cons
- Upper layer can be hard for some pets to access
Living World Lock and Crock Dish
The Living World Lock and Crock Dish is made from sturdy and thick plastic to prevent it from breaking easily. It includes a quick-release clamp that can be attached to any wire cage.
Living World Lock and Crock Dish
Last but not least is the Living World Lock and Crock Dish, featuring a thick and robust design that increases both its durability and longevity.
Easy to Install and Clean
It can hold up to 20 ounces of food/water, making it a good option for a single pet or pair of cavies. This guinea pig food bowl can be connected to any wire cage using the quick-release lock, which makes it simple to clean.
All you have to do is loosen the clamp to remove this small pets unbreakable bowl – that’s all there is to it! The bowl is also dishwasher safe to make sanitizing it a breeze.
Unfortunately, this guinea pig food bowl is a little on the deep side, which can make it hard for some pets to access it.
Specs
- Dimensions: 4.7" x 4.7" x 3.3"
- Weight: 0.2 kg
- Material: Plastic
Pros
- Made from thick and sturdy material
- Comes with a quick-release clamp
- Easy to clean and install
Cons
- Dish is a little deep
What Size Bowl Do Guinea Pigs Need?
Cavies need around ⅛ cup of pellets and ½ cup of fresh veggies each day, so their guinea pig food bowl should be big enough to hold this amount of food. Make sure you use two guinea pig dishes to keep their dry food and fresh food separate.
Water dishes should be large enough so your guinea pig can drink as much water as they need throughout the day.
NOTE
Most cavies drink around 100ml of water each day, but if you own more than one guinea pig, you’ll need to ensure their water dish can store more than this amount.
Where to Put a Guinea Pig Dish
You should put your guinea pig’s bowl away from their sleeping and toilet area. Cavies are clean animals and don’t like to eat where they use the bathroom.
Additionally, any bowls containing pellets or dry food should be positioned away from your piggy’s water bottle or water dish to prevent it from soiling and getting soggy.
TIP
If your pet spends a lot of time outside their cage, such as in a playpen or run, make sure you move their food and water dishes along with them. Guinea pigs love to eat throughout the day, particularly on hay (which they need constant access to).
How Tall Should a Guinea Pig Water Dish Be?
A guinea pig water bowl should be tall enough so your pet can easily lean down to drink from it. A water bottle, on the other hand, should sit around head height.
Do You Need 2 Food Bowls for 2 Guinea Pigs?
If you own a pair of guinea pigs, ideally, you should provide them with their own bowls as this reduces overfeeding and prevents them from fighting or squabbling over food. You should have separate dishes for dry food and fresh food too, otherwise, the dry food will become damp and be at more risk of bacterial growth.
Make sure each cavy has enough pellets/guinea pig feed, fresh vegetables, and hay between them…
Make sure each cavy has enough pellets/guinea pig feed, fresh vegetables, and hay between them to reduce the likelihood of them becoming territorial when they eat.
How Often to Refill and Clean a Guinea Pig Food Bowl?
Guinea pigs need feeding every day – this includes premium-quality pellets with high nutritional value, fresh vegetables, and hay.
NOTE
Hay is especially important for pet health as guinea pigs need it to keep their digestive system working properly.
Fresh water should be provided to your small animal every day. If there is any debris like droppings, or hay inside your pet’s water dish, replace the water.
You should clean your pet’s food bowl every time you refill as this prevents food deposits and bad smells. Water dishes and water bottles, on the other hand, can be cleaned every other day.
How to Teach a Guinea Pig to Drink from a Bowl
If your guinea pig is used to drinking from water bottles, they may not immediately know how to drink from a bowl. To encourage your little animal to use a water dish, place it under their water dispenser as this will help them associate the pet bowl with water.
Do Guinea Pigs Prefer Water Bottles or Bowls?
This is different for each cavy – some guinea pigs prefer using water bottles, others prefer using water bowls. Water bottles are easier to clean and more sanitary than dishes as they can’t be knocked over.
However, some cavies, especially those with mobility issues, can find it hard to drink from water bottles. My two guinea pigs currently use water bowls as they’re quite old and struggle to lean up to drink from water bottles.
For additional information about water bottles and bowls, watch the video below.
Why Does My Guinea Pig Always Tip Their Food Bowl Over?
There are a few reasons why guinea pigs tip over their food pet bowl or any other bowls. Cavies naturally forage and eat their food off the ground, so some guinea pigs prefer to eat their feed off the floor rather than from a bowl.
…your cavy might knock their bowl over to let you know they’re hungry…
Alternatively, your cavy might knock their bowl over to let you know they’re hungry, especially if it’s empty. My piggies also tip their food bowl over when they want my attention and when they want to come out of their cage.
If your piggy has mobility issues or their food bowl is too high/deep, they may knock it over to make the food spill out for easy access.
Lastly, your cavy might know their food bowl over simply by accident, such as when they place their paws inside it to access the food. This occurs more likely in plastic guinea pig bowls or lightweight guinea pig food bowls, so you might want to use ceramic dishes or dishes that can be attached to your cage.
TIP
Plastic ones are also more prone to scratches and bites, so they usually don’t last as long as ceramic bowls or metal dishes.
Why Does My Guinea Pig Pee in His Guinea Pig Food Bowl?
Most cavies don’t urinate in their guinea pig bowls as they’re naturally clean small animals, but there are always exceptions to this rule. If your cavy is peeing in their food bowl, they could be marking their territory, especially if they live with another guinea pig.
Alternatively, make sure your guinea pig’s cage is large and spacious enough. If your pet’s enclosure is too small, they might urinate in their food bowls as they have no other area to eliminate in. You can also set up a guinea pig litter box and teach your cavy how to use it so they won’t urinate in the food bowl.
Final Thoughts
I hope I helped you find the best guinea pig dish for your piggy. Make sure you select one that is durable, heavy-duty, and sturdy to prevent it from breaking or being knocked over easily.
If you’re still having trouble deciding on a dish for your pet, here are my top recommendations.
- Sturdy and appealing design
- Double-coated and cookware-quality paint
- Scratch-proof
- Comes with a bracket that can be attached to any wire cage
- Rust and chew resistant
- Made from heavy-duty stainless steel
- Includes 2 water/food bowls
- Comes with a screw mount that can be attached to any wire cage
- Made from non-toxic and BPA-free plastic
Top Pick
The Piggies Choice Non-Tip Metal Guinea Pig Pellet Dish Bowl is sturdy and has a smooth bottom and great design that guinea pigs love. It’s also chew resistant.
Best Value
Despite being extremely affordable, the Midwest Homes for Pets Snap’y Fit Stainless Steel Bowl is extremely high quality. You can attach it to any wire cage using the included bracket to keep it from being toppled over.
Editor’s Choice
With the 2 Pack CalPalmy Food and Water Dish Durable, you get two dishes for the price of one, saving you a bit of hassle and money purchasing an additional dish. The bowls are made from heavy-duty and extra thick plastic that doesn’t contain any BPA.
They can be affixed to any wire cage using the provided mount.
Feel Free to Share
Thanks for reading this article – I hope you found it useful.
If you have any friends who own guinea pigs, please share this post so they can find the best dish for their pet too!
If you’re looking for more guinea pig advice and equipment reviews, check out our other posts, such as our best guinea pig carrier guide or this review of the best cavy beds.
Be sure to send me some adorable snaps of your cavies on our social media – I can’t wait to see them.
