How to measure your bowl

1. Measure across the top opening. Lay a ruler or tape measure straight across the widest part your pet eats from, and read the number where the inside walls meet the rim.
2. Don’t measure the base. Most bowls taper, so the bottom reads several inches smaller than the top.
3. Don’t measure the outside of a thick rim. A chunky lip can add half an inch that isn’t part of the opening.
4. Not perfectly round? Measure the narrowest direction. That’s the number that decides whether the guard will seat properly.

What your measurement means

Across the opening	Fit	What to do
Under 7 inches	Too small	The guard won’t seat securely. MessMate isn’t the right fit for this bowl.
7 to 9 inches	Perfect fit	Order the splash guard on its own, or a set if you’d like a new bowl.
Over 9 inches	Too big	The guard won’t reach the rim. Choose a set with a bowl sized to fit.

Which pets it suits

MessMate is designed for medium to extra-large dogs and large cats: the enthusiastic eaters, the kibble pushers and the splashy drinkers whose bowls fall in the 7–9 inch range.

It isn’t designed for small dogs, toy breeds or kittens. Their bowls are usually smaller than 7 inches, and the guard won’t seat securely. If you’re not sure, ask us: we’d much rather help you choose than have you send something back.

Bowl materials

The guard works with stainless steel, ceramic and plastic bowls, for dry food, wet food and water. It holds by fit alone, with no adhesive, so it won’t mark your bowl.

The no-measuring option

Every MessMate set comes with a non-slip stainless steel bowl and a splash guard sized to each other, so the fit is guaranteed from the first meal.

• Bowl + Splash Guard Set: the bowl and the guard, matched.
• Complete Mealtime Set: the bowl, the guard and a waterproof feeding mat.

Want more detail? Read how to measure your dog’s bowl for a splash guard.