I prepare homemade meals for my two‑year‑old Yorkshire Terrier, Louie, in batches and freeze them by single servings. Because his recipes change slightly every week, the volume of each meal is never exactly the same.
After trying various container sizes, I found that 200ml silicone containers consistently worked best for a small dog’s single meal. They are not too large, not too small, and flexible enough to handle different ingredient ratios.
1. Why 200ml Works for Small Dogs
For a 3.2kg small dog, one homemade meal typically fills about one‑third to half of a 200ml container when protein and carbohydrates make up the base. Louie’s daily intake is around 170 kcal, and this volume keeps portions stable without overpacking.
When frozen upright, the container naturally leaves about one‑half to one‑third of extra space. This empty area is ideal for adding vegetable cubes or supplement cubes, allowing one container to hold a complete meal.
This structure makes portion management and daily feeding much easier.
2. Advantages of Silicone Storage Containers
The container I use is made of food‑grade silicone, which handles freezing extremely well. Even when fully frozen, it does not crack, harden, or warp.
The lid seals securely, preventing leaks from high‑moisture meals. I often freeze the main meal upright to reserve space for vegetable cubes, and the container holds its shape without spilling.
Microwave reheating is also convenient. The lid includes a steam vent, so full removal is unnecessary during heating.
3. Color Choice Considerations
This container comes in multiple colors. I chose navy, assuming darker colors would prevent staining.
However, after extended use, I realized Louie’s homemade meals contain very few ingredients that cause discoloration. In hindsight, a lighter color such as beige would have been perfectly fine.
The navy color functions well, but visually, it is not my favorite choice.
4. Safety and Versatility
These silicone containers are also designed for baby food storage, which adds confidence when using them for dog meals.
They are manufactured in Korea and made from certified food‑safe silicone. In addition to freezing and microwaving, they can be heat‑sterilized, making hygiene management straightforward.
Beyond homemade dog food, they are versatile enough for other storage purposes as well.
Reflections
For Louie’s homemade diet, 200ml containers provide the most balanced solution for a single meal. Bigger containers are not always better — the right size depends on calorie needs, ingredient ratios, and daily workflow.
Safe materials, flexible freezing options, and consistent portion control make this size especially suitable for small dogs.
What container size do you usually use for your dog’s homemade meals?