How to Measure Your Dog for an Elevated Feeder

Supplying your dog with an elevated feeder benefits pet health and provides a sanitary feeding option. The posture of a dog remains upright when eating or drinking from elevated bowls versus lowered when having to bend the neck and back to eat from ground-level bowls. Enhancing a dog's posture while eating relieves joint pain caused by arthritis or old age in dogs. Keeping feeding bowls elevated reduces contaminates and pests from entering your pet's food and water. Provide your dog with a feeder that fits his or her size by taking correct measurements so he or she can enjoy meals in comfort.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Stand your dog up on all fours in a relaxed position.

    • 2

      Place one end of the tape measure flat on the ground next to one of your dog's paws.

    • 3

      Measure the distance from the ground to the top of your dog's shoulder, located just beneath and to the side of the neck area. Record this measurement, referred to as the "wither height," in inches.

    • 4

      Subtract six inches from the wither height measurement for large breeds of adult dogs such as golden retrievers and Labradors to determine the correct feeder height. Subtract four inches to find the correct feeder height for small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and chihuahuas.