It’s true that raised feeders provide a decorative look, but that’s not necessarily why you might want to use one for your pet. Veterinarians and dog experts recommend elevated pet feeders for several reasons:
- Promote hygiene and cleanliness.
- Facilitate feeding and drinking for dogs and cats with arthritis or neck or back problems.
- Helps cats and dogs with megaesophagus, who have difficulty swallowing or other digestive problems.
- Help homeowners who have physical disabilities
- Keep your dog’s eating areas clean
Raised feeders keep the feeding area much cleaner by keeping food and water in the bowls and not all over the floor. Dogs tend to lift their heads after taking a drink to make swallowing easier. When dogs raise their heads, water that does not reach their throats often ends up on the ground. Over time, this can ruin your floor. With a raised feeder, dogs do not have to raise their heads as much and the water often drips directly into their water dish. Pets are much less likely to drip water on the floor when drinking from a raised water container. Many raised feeders come with removable ceramic or stainless steel bowls that can be placed directly in the dishwasher.
Raised feeders are more comfortable for older pets. For example, pets with arthritis benefit from elevated feeders because bending over to eat is not comfortable for pets with stiff muscles or sore joints, particularly for pets with neck or back problems such as intervertebral disc (IV) disease. Older pets often eat less, which means they may not get the nutrition they need. When eating is painful or uncomfortable, they are likely to eat less. If drinking is painful, they can become dehydrated more easily. The use of elevated feeders encourages feeding and drinking.
Raised feeders can help care for pets that have megaesophagus or other conditions that make swallowing difficult because a raised feeder will allow gravity to help carry food to the stomach instead of allowing food to collect in the weak and dilated esophagus , which can cause regurgitation and vomiting. Additionally, elevated feeders minimize the amount of air dogs swallow while swallowing and chewing food. They can also help prevent suffocation.
Your pet is not the only one who benefits. Some pet owners really appreciate not having to bend down as far to pick up or fill food and water dishes. For the elderly, disabled, or people with arthritis or back problems, elevated feeders can make a big difference.
Select the correct elevated feeder
When selecting a plate or bowl, it is important to consider the diameter, depth, and also the capacity of the bowl. Dogs with long, floppy ears do well with deep bowls with a smaller diameter because it helps prevent their ears from getting wet in the water bowl. Think about your dog’s average serving size and make sure the bowls can hold enough water to keep your dog hydrated all day if you’re not at work.
If you have a new puppy, consider an adjustable feeding station to suit his growth. Many raised bowls are of such high quality that they will literally last a lifetime. If you are thinking long term, make sure the feeder you select can accommodate your dog’s needs throughout its life cycle.
Consider your dog’s unique physical characteristics in addition to its size and age. For an Irish setter or Afghan hound, for example, a raised feeding dish separated from a water dish is probably more practical for your dog. Individual feeders allow long ears and facial hair to cover the sides of the bowl to prevent clutter and keep your dog more comfortable. For a dog that has a short, compact face, choose a wide bowl rather than a deep one so that your dog can more easily pick up food. Bowls with inward-turning rims are helpful for toothless or older dogs who tend to have trouble swallowing food.
Single bowl raised feeders provide much more flexibility. Individual bowls allow you to store your dog’s food and water bowls in different areas of the house. Some pet owners prefer to offer water in more than one place in the house or keep one outdoors. For these types of situations, single-feeder stands are ideal.
Your new dog feeder should also match your dog’s feeding style. Some dogs are playful eaters and enjoy tossing food bowls or tossing them on the ground. If this describes your dog, choose heavy ceramic bowls over stainless steel and sturdy stands with non-slip feet. If your dog prefers to drink water while eating, a double-style raised bowl is perfect.
Last but not least, consider how convenient it will be for you to fill and clean the bowls. Bowls that sit flat on raised feeders can be safely held in place, but they are not always easy to lift for cleaning. For example, pet owners who have arthritis or limited hand mobility may find them inconvenient for a number of reasons. Similarly, ceramic bowls are much heavier than stainless steel options and can break if dropped.
When selecting the ideal dog bowl, balance your own preferences with your dog’s needs. For example, your dog’s eating habits may make a ceramic bowl the best choice for feeding, but you may be able to use unbreakable, lighter-weight stainless steel bowls for drinking.
Many dog owners have heard of the benefits of elevated dog bowls or “feeding stations” but believe they are only necessary for large breeds. The fact is that eating and drinking from bowls set at a suitable height will help dogs of any size with digestion. Not having to bend, bend, or stretch to eat or drink water contributes to good posture and puts less pressure on your dog’s neck, joints, and hips. Insects, rodents, dust, and dirt are also less likely to reach food and water that is lifted off the ground or off the ground.
Bred dog feeders come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials that allow you to truly customize your dog’s eating area and enhance his eating experience. Choosing an attractive design that suits your home décor is easy with wood, wrought iron, stainless steel, rustic and modern designs to choose from. Seek to meet your dog’s needs, as well as your personal tastes, to get the most out of your new bred dog feeder. Explore and enjoy the bowl and stand combination that will work best for you and your dog!