Rubric v1 · 16 products scored
Feeding bowl rubric
Every product in this category is scored against the same rubric. Weights sum to 100. A hit on any disqualifier forces a "skip" verdict regardless of the point total.
Criteria & weights
1. Material safety
- 1018/8 stainless, lead-free ceramic, or food-grade silicone with grade named
- 5BPA-free plastic or stainless with no grade
- 0Unnamed plastic or generic material
2. Stability
- 10Weighted base and non-slip ring
- 5Weighted base or rubber ring
- 0Lightweight, tips easily
3. Capacity disclosure
- 10Volume plus recommended pet size or weight
- 5Volume stated (oz or cups)
- 0No capacity stated
4. Cleanability
- 10Fully dishwasher safe, no seams or crevices
- 5Top-rack dishwasher safe
- 0Hand-wash only
5. Slow-feed / ergonomic options
- 10Slow-feed pattern AND elevated / ergonomic tilt option
- 5Slow-feed pattern OR elevated variant
- 0Flat only
6. Durability
- 10Heavy-gauge or reinforced with lifetime warranty
- 5Standard gauge, limited warranty
- 0Thin walls, no warranty
7. Size range
- 10Three or more sizes with breed / weight guidance
- 5Two sizes
- 0One size only
Disqualifiers
Any of the following forces a "skip" verdict, no matter how well the product scores on other criteria. Non-negotiable.
- Contains melamine (heat-related leaching risk)
- Contains lead in glaze or paint
- Recalled in the last 24 months
Verdict thresholds
Total score cutoffs for each public verdict tier. Sum of weighted criterion scores maps directly onto these bands.
- Editors' pick
- ≥ 80
- Solid buy
- ≥ 65
- Situational
- ≥ 50