Are Elevated Dog Feeders Necessary?

If there is one industry that is booming right now and showing no signs of slowing down, it is the pet industry. People love to spoil their furry friends and this is something that a lot of retailers know. This leads to a lot of trends in the pet industry and owners jump at the chance to buy something new for their pooch since they want to do the best for them. While some trends are beneficial to pups, others are more of a gimmick. 

In particular, one trend that everyone has been talking about recently is buying elevated dog feeders. So, the question is, is this another gimmick or are elevated dog feeders really necessary for some canines? Let’s take a closer look at the answer.

What is an Elevated Dog Feeder?

When you first think about a dog feeder, you imagine the bowls that you put on the ground for their water and food. But, the recent trend of elevated dog feeders has really taken off. Just as the name suggests, this is a design that elevates dog bowls off the ground. This can be done by a stand and placing bowls into that stand. Alternatively, brands are creating their own unique designs when it comes to elevated dog feeders. Therefore, the design is all about lifting the dog bowls so that they are not on the floor.

Are Elevated Dog Feeders Beneficial?

A lot of owners question whether raised food bowls are really something that is necessary for their canines. Indeed, they look good and can make a great accessory for your kitchen. But, are there really any advantages to them over ordinary dog bowls? Well, the answer is yes for some dogs.

If you have an older dog, they can suffer from joint pain. Arthritis is a condition that a lot of breeds are prone to and it can cause discomfort and stiffness on a daily basis. Owners want to do their best to help ease symptoms for their furry friend. As Pet Weighter explains, an elevated dog feeder prevents senior dogs from having to bend down and reach their bowl off the ground. This is a movement that can cause pain in the neck and back. Since a raised dog bowl is at their height, this means that they can enjoy a more comfortable eating position. It also helps with drinking water during the day too.

In addition, if your dog suffers from mega oesophagus, you are going to have to make some changes to their eating habits. This is a condition that can mean the oesophagus becomes weak and this means that food and water are not able to move into the stomach normally. This can lead to your furry friend vomiting and feeling ill after eating. This is where a raised dog food bowl is going to be able to help. It can help your canine enjoy a natural eating position whereby gravity is going to help move food and water along. Thus, they are going to eat at a higher level and the food can travel down through the oesophagus to get to the stomach. This might help your dog to avoid the side effects of the condition. Always ensure that you ask your vet about this and other ways you can help your furry friend.

Another reason why owners like a raised dog bowl is because it can keep food and water in one place. Some canines love meal times so much that they rush their food. This can lead to the bowls moving around all over the place and you finding them at the other end of the kitchen. What’s more, it can make a real mess. But, the good thing about elevated dog feeders is that they are often designed from heavier materials. They are constructed to stay in one place. Plus, since they are close to your furry friend’s mouth, they will not have to move around so much to get the food. This means that there is going to be less mess and it will be more difficult for bowls to be knocked over.

Are there any reasons why you should avoid elevated dog feeders? Well, if your dog is at risk from gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV, you might be better looking for a slow feeder. GDV can happen because your canine is eating too fast or running around too much after mealtimes. While this condition does not affect all breeds, larger ones can be affected by GDV. So, in this case, it may be best to choose a slow feeder as a raised one might not slow them down effectively.