How to Set Up a Clean Pet Feeding Station for Dogs & Cats

Estimated read time: 6 minutes

In this article: Three layers · What's in the set · Setting it up · Dog and cat in one home · A 2-minute daily routine · Colors · FAQ

Why one product rarely fixes the whole feeding area

Mealtime mess comes from three separate things, and they need three different answers:

1. Food and water leave the bowl. Pawing, gulping and pushing send it over the rim. A raised wall keeps it in.
2. The bowl moves. A sliding bowl spreads everything further. A non-slip base keeps it where you put it.
3. Some of it still lands outside. Drips from a wet chin, a stray crumb. A waterproof mat with a raised edge catches those.

A mat on its own catches mess after it happens. A guard on its own leaves the drips. Together they cover the lot, which is why most people who want a lasting fix choose a set.

What's in the Complete Mealtime Set

• One MessMate silicone splash guard. Food-grade, BPA-free, flexible and reusable. It fits the included bowl exactly.
• One stainless steel pet bowl with a non-slip base, matched to the guard. Holds about 49 oz.
• One waterproof silicone feeding mat, 21.7" x 15" (55 x 38 cm), with a raised outer lip.

Everything is top-rack dishwasher safe, and the mat can also be wiped or rinsed.

Setting up the station (5 steps)

1. Pick the spot. A corner or the wall side of a cabinet works best: a fixed edge helps the mat stay put.
2. Wipe the floor dry. A film of water or grease under the mat reduces grip.
3. Lay the mat flat, raised lip facing up.
4. Put the bowl in the middle of the mat and fit the guard: flex it, seat it inside the rim and press the edge down.
5. Fill and serve. The same setup works for food and for water.

Customer before-and-after photos:

A dog and a cat in the same home

Multi-pet homes are where feeding areas get messy fastest. A few habits help:

• Give each pet their own station if you can, with a set for the dog and one for the cat. It also stops one pet eating the other's food.
• Keep the cat's food away from the dog. If the dog is a food-grabber, feeding the cat somewhere the dog can't reach is simpler than any accessory.
• Check the bowl size. MessMate is designed for large cats and medium to extra-large dogs. It isn't designed for kittens, small dogs or toy breeds.

A 2-minute daily routine

1. Lift out the guard and rinse the bowl after the last meal, or put both on the dishwasher's top rack.
2. Wipe the mat (rinse or dishwasher if it's sticky).
3. Dry the floor around the station.

Washing the bowl daily matters more than which bowl you own. For why feeding areas get grimy, see is your dog's feeding mat a bacteria trap?

Choosing a colorway

Five matched combinations: Gray Guard + Blue Bowl + Light Gray Mat, Purple Guard + Blue Bowl + Blue Mat, Gray Guard + Blue Bowl + Pink Mat, Cream Guard + Green Bowl + Green Mat, and Sky Blue Guard + Green Bowl + Gray Mat.

Frequently asked questions

What comes in the Complete Mealtime Set?

A silicone splash guard, a non-slip stainless steel bowl matched to it, and a waterproof silicone feeding mat with a raised edge.

Is it better than buying the pieces separately?

The set has the bowl and guard sized to each other, so there's no measuring, and the mat adds the second layer of protection.

Which pets is it for?

Medium to extra-large dogs and large cats. Not designed for small dogs, toy breeds or kittens.

Is it dishwasher safe?

Yes. All three pieces can go on the top rack, and the mat can also be wiped or rinsed.

Can I return it?

Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days of delivery. See shipping and returns.

A portion of every MessMate sale goes to dog rescue organizations, in memory of Spud.