What Type of Bowl is Best for My Maine Coon? Avoiding plastic cat bowls isn’t just about going green! There are health benefits to using a ceramic or metal bowl when feeding or watering your Maine Coon Cat. Cons of Using Plastic Cat Bowls: 1) Plastic bowls can cause allergic reactions, particularly on the skin and around the mouth. These often resemble acne or sores. 2) Plastic bowls can harbor bacteria. 3) Plastic bowls can release toxins when heated. 4) Plastic bowls can contain toxins from phthalates and/or bisphenol (BPA). BPA is potentially carcinogenic. Benefits of Using a Ceramic Bowl: Easy to clean, can withstand high heat, some are dishwasher safe, properly glazed bowls do not harbor bacteria. Cons to Using Ceramic Bowls: Can shatter, aggressive eaters may push bowls around and potentially break off small, sharp shards. Benefits of Using Metal/Stainless Steel Pet Bowls: Dishwasher safe, sturdy, affordable, long-lasting, do not leach toxic chemicals, can be boiled to kill bacteria. Cons of Using Metal Bowls: Metal bowls can potentially scratch certain types of flooring (some have a non-skid rubber bottom), metal bowls are not as aesthetically pleasing if you want a certain color palette, metal bowls can be noisy when pushed around.