"I had searched the local pet stores for a couple of weeks, trying to find a right size (i.e. not 10x's bigger than the bowls) waterproof, spill containing placemat to keep under my dogs' bowls. I had always had their bowls on the kitchen floor, but was constantly kicking them over when doing food prep (causing a huge mess), and I'd had enough and wanted to move them to a carpeted area. Although these mats are technically made to go under the Lebistro waterer/food thing...It works perfectly for 2 bowls. I use medium bowls (bigger than cat bowls, but smaller than big dog bowls), and the smaller mat size is perfect."