posted 11-07-2003 05:14 AM         

I took the following quote from the link above.

Plastic Bowls
Although plastic bowls are generally sturdy, they have a couple of downsides. First, many cats have an allergy to plastic, and develop a skin condition on their chins, resembling acne. Second, plastc tends to nick and scratch, and those tiny fissures become a breeding ground for germs. My recommendation is to avoid plastic if at all possible.

The Safest Materials for Cat Food Dishes
Stainless steel is unbreakable, sturdy, dishwasher-safe, and harmless to cats. It (along with ceramic bowls) is recommended by most veterinarians. Another good choice is ceramic, provided it uses a lead-free glaze. (Most do, nowadays.)

A friend of mine's cats had the acne like sores on one of her cats. When I told her about the plastic dish allegies she changed to ceramic and the problem cleared up very quickly.

Hopefully this helps.