Next to you, your kitten has two loves that his life revolves around: the litter box and the food and water bowls. Because kittens are such unique creatures, they have special needs even when it comes to dishes. When purchasing eating utensils, remember that cats are not just small dogs. Look for dishes with these qualities:

• Wash well and stand up to hot water

Look for a dish able to withstand high temperatures in the dishwashers to kill bacteria.

• Made of anything but plastic

Kitties prefer toilet water to their plastic bowl because the water stays cooler and fresher. Sometimes, the minerals in the water react with the plastic bowl to create a film over his reservoir. Look for durable water bowl materials that keep the water cool.

• Durable

A kitty dish must also be able to withstand a little abuse. Bowls made of steel, pottery, or stoneware should do the job.

• Shallow eating surface

Kittens have very sensitive whiskers. Some experts believe that kittens can even scent with them. Cats hate to soil those elegant feelers or bang them against the bowl whenever they take a bite. Always feed your kitten from a very shallow bowl or even a saucer.