You’re not alone if you’re frustrated with ants getting into your cat’s bowl. It can be extremely frustrating, not to mention a waste of cat food. But we’re here to help. Here are four DIY ant-proof cat bowls that you can make at home to solve your ant problem for good!
The Top 4 DIY Ant-Proof Cat Bowls
1. Canning Ring Bowl from Pinterest
| Materials: | Canning ring, shallow plastic dishpan |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
You can easily fashion an ant-proof cat bowl by adapting your cat’s current bowl. All you need is a shallow dish pan and a canning ring. Set the ring in just enough water to reach halfway to the top, then set your cat’s bowl on the ring.
You are essentially making your cat’s bowl an island in the middle of the pan to keep the food ant-free.
2. Easy DIY Ant-Proof Bowl from The Links Site
| Materials: | Large saucer, cat food bowl that fits into the saucer |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This easy-to-make ant-proof bowl uses two bowls instead of one. You will need a large bowl and a small one that fits inside the large one. Add water to the large one, and place your cat food inside the small bowl.
3. Water Moat Bowl from Instructables
| Materials: | Plastic container |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Making a water moat around your cat’s food bowl is the clear solution to ant problems. This version of an ant-free cat bowl uses a plastic outer bowl and a stainless-steel inner bowl.
Much like most other DIY ant-free bowls, you’ll make a water moat around your cat food, placing the food in the inner bowl.
4. Cookie Sheet Moat from Family Handy Man
| Materials: | Cookie sheet |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
A Cookie Sheet Moat can be made using a cookie sheet or a cake pan to hold water. Then, place your cat’s food bowl inside. Make sure the water fully surrounds the bowl to avoid ants getting in.
Other Methods to Keep Ants Out of Cat Food
You can use several natural methods to prevent ants from stealing your cat’s food. The following avoid the use of toxic ant sprays, which, unfortunately, are also toxic to your cat.
1. Store food in plastic bins
The first defense against ant invaders is to store your pet’s food somewhere that they can’t get in. Airtight plastic containers are the best place to store cat food to avoid pests. It will also improve the freshness and shelf life of the kibble.
2. Make a barrier around your cat food
Ants won’t walk over the top of certain substances. You can take advantage of this fact and make a barrier around your cat’s food bowl to keep them out.
Here are a few options for barriers:
- Chalk
- Baby powder
- Ash
- Diatomaceous earth
Make a circle around your cat food bowl with one of these substances to keep them out of the food. Do note, though, that the smell might be off-putting to your cat too.
3. Regularly clean the food bowl
Ants are most attracted to crumbs and leftover food. The easiest way to keep them out is to keep the bowl clean. Use pet-safe dish detergent to wash your cat’s dish every couple of days and rinse it well to remove any soap residue before putting food back in.
Conclusion
There are several easy and inexpensive ways to keep your cat’s food bowl ant-free. Use one of the DIY plans and other listed tips to keep those pests away!
Featured Image Credit: pedphoto36pm, Shutterstock
