In recent years, there has been significant debate about whether or not elevating your dog’s food bowls are suitable for your pet’s health.
As the name implies, raised bowls are simply feeding bowls that are elevated above the ground. They usually come with a stand elevated above the ground. Several variations are available to suit your preferences and needs based on your dog’s size and height. Some stands have cutouts to hold the bowls, some have a platform to rest the bowls on, others are adjustable and include attachments to suspend the bowls in midair. There are a variety of stands, but the result is the same—a raised food and water bowl.
Raised food bowls aren’t necessary for dogs. Some believe that feeding dogs from elevated bowls may be damaging to their health. The use of these feeders has sparked debate because of their link to bloating, a dangerous medical condition that may be fatal to dogs. Several studies have found a link between the use of high feeders and this severe condition, although there have also been issues raised about these results.
However, this is not always the case. Some dogs have medical conditions that benefit from eating from elevated bowls.
It can be argued that these bowls may help older dogs with their joints, as it keeps pets from bending down, leading to injuries. Older dogs are especially prone to these injuries because their bones are weaker, and they are more likely to have arthritis in their limbs.
Several veterinarians and canine health specialists prescribe raised feeders for dogs with orthopedic issues to make eating more convenient.
Benefits of an Elevated Bowl vs Dangers of an Elevated Bowl
Benefits of an Elevated Bowl
Dogs are more likely to eat from a bowl elevated off the ground because they don’t have to bend over to get a mouthful of food or a sip of water. A dog’s neck will be less stressed when its food is elevated, which is especially beneficial for dogs with movement challenges, arthritis, or other joint problems.
Eating and drinking from elevated dishes may also be less messy. Having a platform on top of your raised bowl can help collect any food or water that flies out of the bowl. The bowls should be secure in the stand so that your dog cannot push the dish across the floor and spill its food all over the place. When it comes to cleaning up after your dog, a raised bowl will save you a lot of time and effort.
The Dangers of an Elevated Bowl
The use of high feeders has been associated with a significant rise in occurrences of bloat. The link between raised feeder usage and bloat was strong, but no evidence has been shown to support the use of elevated feeders to minimize bloat. Further investigations and various studies have not yet been conducted to verify these findings. Using an elevated feeder is thus not suggested at this time if you have or believe that you have a dog that is prone to bloating.
Bloat is a dangerous illness in which a dog’s stomach can twist or turn over due to obstructions, gas, or stress, blocking the stomach’s entrance and exit ports. Immediate medical attention is required, or else this condition can quickly result in shock and death due to discomfort, retching, reduced blood flow, and difficulty passing stomach contents.
Some research suggests that elevated bowls may raise the risk of bloat in large or giant breed dogs. Even though more research is needed (these findings are based on just one study from over 20 years ago), it’s something to keep in mind when utilizing an elevated dog dish.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How does one determine the ideal height of an elevated food dish for a pet if there are a variety of elevated bowl heights?
If you opt to use elevated feeders for your dog instead of traditional dog bowls, the most crucial consideration is the height of the raised bowl. Measurement is critical.
How to measure your dog to get the suitable elevated dog bowl?
To accurately measure your dog for an elevated dog dish, have him stand with his legs straight beneath him while you take his measurements. The distance between the ground and the point where your dog’s front legs meet the chest may be measured with a tape measure. Take your dog’s height from the floor to his shoulder and deduct 3 to 6 inches. A huge dog will need a 6″ reduction, while smaller dogs will need a 3″ deduction.
