Ant Proof Pet Food Bowl Platform

Ants can't get to the food that is put on top of these platforms. The secret is to swipe petroleum jelly around the inside surface to create a barrier that ants won't cross. The overhangs protect the petroleum barrier from your pets and the elements. Mine have been working for more than 12 months so far without needing another swipe of jelly. If it does need to be renewed, the platform unscrews apart easily. The ring around the top helps keep the bowls or plates from being knocked off easily. Optional weight container gives the platform more heft (I filled mine with BBs, but anything would work like gravel, sand, etc). 

Sized for small bowls for my cat and an additional top ring that can be used to support a broader based bowl or plate. I use the broader one for a wet food dedicated plastic plate. 

You could also fill the inside bottom trough with diatomaceous earth making the platforms an insect control device. If the platforms get jostled enough then the risk is that the DE could negate the petroleum jelly barrier when it covers it. I don't use it but thought of it as an option.

The recommended location to put the layer of petroleum jelly is on the top half of the base on the vertical wall face that has the female threads on the other side. see picture

All parts except the plate retaining platform designed to need no supports and are correctly oriented for printing. The plate retaining platform needs a small standard type support along the innermost edge that rests on top of the platform.