Is it better for dogs to eat from elevated bowls?

They can be great for older dogs, because there’s less strain on the neck, hips, shoulders and joints. They can keep the feeding area cleaner by preventing your dog from spilling or pushing their bowl around the floor. And most importantly, they can reduce the risk of bloat.

Using a raised bowl may help prevent further damage and improve your dog’s ability to eat and drink if they have mobility issues, a condition that limits their movement, or are simply old. But before attempting to use it on your dog, make sure you know it’s safe and unlikely to hurt them, just like you would with anything new you introduce into their lives.

In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of feeding your dog from a raised bowl, point out any risks, and provide instructions for doing so.

The Final Verdict

Unfortunately, I must acknowledge that there are advantages and disadvantages to using elevated food bowls for dogs when I try to summarize my findings.

Overall, unless you have a specific reason to use them, I would say that the disadvantages of elevated dog food bowls outweigh the benefits.

Therefore, my recommendation is that you weigh these benefits and drawbacks in relation to your particular situation and your particular dog before making your final decision if you are thinking about using a raised dog food bowl for your Fido.

Especially if you’re currently following the budget dog food diet, keep in mind the additional cost of raised dog food bowls.

Take a Great Dane as an example. You might want to use an elevated feeder to lessen the strain on his neck and spine while he eats.

According to research, larger dogs who are more prone to bloating should not have an elevated feeder.

Therefore, even though your Great Dane may not experience neck strain from eating at an elevated feeder, the danger of bloating outweighs this advantage.

Say you have a 14-year-old Basenji (a breed not particularly prone to bloat) with a severe case of canine arthritis in the neck, spine, and legs.

To help with pain and strain brought on by poor posture, you should use an elevated feeder.

Using an elevated feeder in this situation makes sense based on common sense.

reducing discomfort and strain, and not raising worries about a rise in the risk of canine bloat.

Whatever you decide, make sure to consult your veterinarian before switching to a new dog feeder.

Ask for advice on the best ways to address your concerns after outlining them.

Elevated dog food bowls may or may not be the solution.

Why Are Elevated Dog Bowls Bad?

Elevated dog bowls are only bad for certain dogs. Certain breeds are more likely to bloat if they consume food from an elevated bowl.

Should a Dog’s Food Bowl Be Elevated?

If your dog is old or has joint or bone problems, you might think about raising his bowl. If your dog is a larger breed, stay with other options.