The Advantages of Elevated Feeders

Elevated feeders can make mealtime a cleaner, easier and more enjoyable experience for you and your dog. Elevated feeders raise your dog's food and water bowls to her standing height, eliminating the need for her to bend down to eat or drink. There are several advantages to using elevated feeders, especially for older dogs, messy dogs or dogs with certain medical conditions.

  1. Cleanliness

    • Dogs tend to lift their heads after drinking water or taking a bite of food. As they do so, water drops and food often fall from their mouths and land on the floor. This moisture and food residue can lead to bacteria buildup around their bowls and, over time, can damage your flooring. Elevated feeders reduce the need for dogs to raise their heads as much while eating and drinking. Any food or water that does escape their mouths will generally land back in their bowls.

    Comfort

    • Elevated feeders can make eating and drinking more comfortable for senior dogs or dogs with arthritis. Bending to eat can strain dogs' backs and necks, and can lead to pain or discomfort. Because of this, older dogs or dogs with arthritis may eat less, and therefore receive less food and nutrients than they require. Raising their food and water dishes with an elevated feeder reduces muscle and joint strain and promotes adequate food and water intake.

    Swallowing

    • Elevated feeders are often recommended for dogs with a condition called mega-esophagus. Dogs with this condition have an enlarged and flaccid esophagus, which becomes dilated during eating. The weakened esophagus is unable to contract and move food from the mouth to the stomach. Instead, food often becomes stuck in the throat, which can cause regurgitation and vomiting. Eating from an elevated feeder allows gravity to assist in swallowing, thus reducing instances of regurgitation or vomiting.

    Bloating

    • Bloat, or gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), is a potentially life-threatening condition that most commonly affects large-breed dogs. Bloating occurs when dogs gulp their food and water, and in doing so swallow air. While some veterinarians recommend elevated feeders for dogs at risk for developing GDV, other veterinarians highly discourage the use of elevated feeders. According to the website Vet Info, elevated feeders are not recommended for dogs at risk of developing bloat. Consult your veterinarian before switching to an elevated feeder.