Last updated: 9 September 2026
The best dog bowls for long ears have an opening that lets the dog reach food or water while encouraging the ears to fall outside the rim. A tapered shape is a sensible place to start. It must still fit the dog’s muzzle and provide comfortable access to the bottom; the narrowest possible opening is not automatically best.
Before replacing both bowls, watch one ordinary meal and one drink. Notice whether ears enter the water, drag across food, or only brush the outside. That tells you which problem a new bowl needs to solve.
Table of Contents
Look at the opening rather than the footprint
The outside diameter includes the base and thick walls. It may be much larger than the usable opening. Ask for the internal top diameter, depth and stated capacity if the listing only shows one measurement.
A broad-based, tapered bowl can combine stability with a smaller entry area. However, a long muzzle may reach differently from a short, broad one. Breed photographs are a useful illustration, not a fit guarantee for every spaniel, beagle or hound.
| Feature | What it can help with | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Tapered opening | Keeping ears to the sides | Muzzle access without pressure against the rim |
| Broad, weighted base | Reducing movement during use | Whether you can comfortably lift and wash it |
| Smooth interior | Removing food residue | No chips, cracks or awkward inaccessible corners |
| Suitable water capacity | Maintaining a useful drinking supply | Room below the rim and your refill routine |
Scruffs Classic and Icon long-eared bowls
Scruffs describes its long-eared bowls as tapered towards the top and offers the shape within the Classic and Icon ranges. Its published care information says the long-eared bowls are dishwasher safe. This makes them useful named options to compare when a heavy ceramic bowl suits your kitchen.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Find Scruffs Classic long eared dog bowl on Amazon UK. You can also Find Scruffs Icon long eared dog bowl on Amazon UK. Compare the actual dimensions and care label of the selected product. The two names are not a reason to assume a difference in feeding benefit; finish, availability and exact sizing may be the more relevant buying differences.
The manufacturer’s description explains the intended shape. It does not prove that your dog’s ears will never touch water. Watch the first uses and judge whether the dog can finish comfortably without tilting or pushing the bowl.
Food and water may need different decisions
A food bowl needs room for the measured meal without food piling into the narrow neck. A water bowl needs an adequate usable volume and comfortable access as the level falls. The best match may be two sizes rather than a perfectly coordinated set.
If your dog drinks awkwardly from the new shape, offer another familiar source of water while reconsidering the fit. Keeping ears tidier should not make drinking difficult. Avoid restricting water simply to reduce the mess around the bowl.
A raised stand is a separate change in feeding position, not an inevitable solution for long ears. Seek individual advice if posture or mobility is a concern instead of assuming elevation is healthier for every dog.
A simple fit check at home
- Place the empty bowl on its intended surface and check that it sits flat.
- Offer a small amount of the usual food and observe without holding the dog’s head or ears in position.
- Check whether the muzzle can reach the bottom and sides without pressing tightly against the opening.
- Watch the water bowl when partly full as well as after refilling.
- Inspect and clean the rim and base after use; replace damaged ceramic.
A washable mat beneath the bowl can collect splashes, but it should not hide a rocking base. Lift it regularly so the surface underneath can be cleaned and dried.
When another feeding tool is more relevant
If the main problem is gulping food rather than wet ears, a long-eared bowl may not address it. Our slow-feeder guide covers a different design decision; assess whether any ridges leave enough access for the dog’s muzzle.
For recurring ear soreness, odour or head shaking, ask your vet rather than treating a bowl change as ear treatment. Buy this shape for cleaner, more manageable mealtimes and assess it by that practical result.