Elevated Dog Bowls – Why To Buy + Best Choices
Quick Guide
When you set your dog’s bowl down on the ground, does he immediately lunge for it and gobble up his food as fast as possible? Or does your dog eat so enthusiastically that he ends up pushing his bowl all the way across the kitchen floor as he eats?
Elevated dog bowls can help to solve these problems and more simply by raising the bowl off the floor. Even elevating your dog’s bowl by a few inches can help him to eat in a more comfortable, natural position that will improve his digestion and reduce the risk for choking, vomiting, or regurgitation.
Though eating from an elevated dog bowl does promote better posture, especially in larger dogs, there is a good deal of controversy regarding the idea that raised dog bowls prevent bloat.
Do Raised Dog Bowls Prevent Bloat?
When large and giant breed dogs consume too much food in a short period of time, it can sometimes cause the abdomen to fill with air and the stomach to twist on its axis – this is called gastric torsion, or bloat.
When the stomach twists, it cuts off blood flow to the stomach and other vital organs which can be dangerous, and even fatal for your dog. While some say that elevated dog bowls can reduce the risk for bloat, the results of several studies actually suggest the opposite – they may increase the dog’s risk.
If you are concerned about bloat for your large or giant dog, you would do better to invest in a slow feed dog bowl rather than a raised dog bowl.
Although elevated dog bowls may not prevent bloat, they do provide a number of other benefits.
Cheap Dog Bowls – The Best Inexpensive Options on the Market
Why To Buy an Elevated Dog Bowl
These bowls can help your dog eat with a more natural posture which can promote healthy digestion.
They can also help to prevent spillage and will keep your dog’s bowl where you place it.
Plus, it is easier for you to fill a dog bowl that is raised up off the ground!
To help you get started in looking for elevated dog bowls you will find reviews for some of the top-rated models for small, medium, large, and giant breeds below.
The Best Elevated Dog Bowls for Small Dogs
When you think of elevated dog bowls, you probably think of larger dogs and their risk for bloat. While it is true that elevated dog bowls can help to protect large and deep-chested dogs from eating too quickly, there are also benefits for smaller dogs. Raising your dog’s bowl even a few inches off the ground can make it more comfortable for him to eat and it can also improve his digestion. Plus, if your dog happens to be an enthusiastic eater, elevated dog bowls usually help to keep the bowl in place so your dog can’t push it across the floor as he eats. To help you get started, consider the following three top-rated elevated dog bowls for small and medium dogs:
PetRageous Designs Toftee’s Paws Double Diner Review
Does your dog eat so quickly that his food bowl slides across the floor, making him chase it around as he eats? Or does eating from the floor make your dog uncomfortable? If so, this PetRageous Designs Toftee’s Paws Double Diner might be the ideal solution. This feeder consists of a wire stand that holds two ceramic dog bowls in place about 2 inches off the ground. Not only does this stand make the bowls more accessible to your dog, but it keeps them from sliding around as well. This feeder comes in two color combinations – a white stand with either pink or taupe bowls.
The PetRageous Designs Toftee’s Paws Double Diner offers convenience as well as durability. The wire stand is simple in design but it is sturdy enough to hold the two ceramic bowls in place. The bowls are hand-painted with a cute paw print design and oven-fired to resist fading and chipping. The glazed stoneware also makes these bowls microwave safe in case you want to warm up your dog’s dinner. Plus, the ceramic bowls are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning! The stand measures 10.8-by-5.2-by-2.2 inches and each bowl has an 8-ounce capacity. This unit sells for under $15 – who can argue with that?
IRIS Elevated Feeder with Airtight Food Storage Review
Why settle for a plain old dog bowl when you can have one that offers a secondary function? The IRIS Elevated Feeder with Airtight Food Storage is just such an option – it features an air-tight storage bin topped with a dual-bowl feeder. That makes this unit an all-in-one storage and feeding unit! By elevating your dog’s bowl up off the ground you can improve his digestion and reduce muscle strain. Plus, with the air-tight storage bin, this unit is perfect for traveling, camping, and general outdoor use. Its airtight seal will keep even the trickiest pests out, keeping your dog’s food fresh.
The IRIS Elevated Feeder with Airtight Food Storage comes in three sizes – small, medium, and large – with a 5-pound, 13-pound, or 47-pound storage capacity. The storage bin is made from heavy-duty plastic and is topped with two removable stainless steel bowls. The stainless steel bowls are lightweight but incredibly durable and they are naturally bacteria resistant as well. This unit is reasonably priced between $12 and $30, depending on the size, and it is easy to clean. Just remove the stainless steel bowls, unclip the top from the storage bin, and throw everything in the dishwasher.
Ethical Pet Mediterranean Double Diner Review
Are you looking for an elevated dog bowl that will actually enhance your home décor instead of detracting from it? If so, the Ethical Pet Mediterranean Double Diner might be just what you’ve been looking for. This elevated unit is made from powder-coated steel with a handcrafted scrollwork design and two stainless steel dishes. The elegant design is reminiscent of the Mediterranean style and its form makes feeding and cleaning quick and hassle-free. This elevated unit comes in four sizes from small to x-large and each unit comes with two stainless steel feeding bowl.
The Ethical Pet Mediterranean Double Diner is a dual-purpose feeding unit. Not only does it elevate your dog’s bowls to promote healthy digestion, but it also keeps your dog’s food bowls off the floor. The dual-bowl design means that you can feed two dogs at once or keep your dog’s food and water in one convenient place. The smallest size includes two 16-ounce bowls while the medium size comes with two 32-ounce bowls. The former costs just $16 while the latter is priced at $20. At those prices, how can you say no to such a beautiful and functional dog feeding station?
The Best Elevated Dog Bowls for Large Breed Dogs
Large and giant breeds have an increased risk for developing musculoskeletal conditions as they age – particularly osteoarthritis and other bone and joint problems. Asking a large dog to eat from a bowl placed on the ground can force him to adopt an unnatural and uncomfortable posture which can actually exacerbate these issues. Elevated dog bowls, on the other hand, can reduce the strain on your dog’s neck, hips, shoulders, and joints, helping to promote better posture in general. This is also very beneficial for older dogs, not just large and giant breeds. To help you get started, consider the following three top-rated elevated dog bowls for large and giant dogs:
Bergan Elevated Feeder with Bowls Review
Elevated dog bowls can be very beneficial for large and giant dogs but they can also be expensive. If you are looking for a model that will meet your dog’s needs without breaking the bank, consider this Bergan Elevated Feeder with Bowls. This feeder features a sleek and simple plastic base with four legs and two removable stainless steel bowls. The stand comes in two different sizes for large and giant dogs. The large size measures 24 inches long and stands 13 inches tall with two 24-ounce bowls. The x-large size stands 15.5 inches tall, measures 28 inches long, and holds two 88-ounce bowls. Both of these models sell for about $25.
What most pet parents love about the Bergan Elevated Feeder with Bowls is the fact that it is practical and simple to use, plus very easy to clean. The durable plastic stand can be cleaned with hot soapy water and the stainless steel bowls can be thrown into the dishwasher for quick and easy cleanup. This elevated bowl feeder is great for dogs with gastric problems, joint issues, or simply for dogs who have a hard time comfortably eating from a dog bowl placed on the floor.
Do you know The Best Slow Feed Dog Bowls?
Petmate Easy Reach Diner for Dogs Review
Does your dog suffer from arthritis, back pain, or other musculoskeletal issues? If so, you should not force him to eat from a dog bowl on the ground – it will make him adopt an uncomfortable position and an unnatural posture which can exacerbate his issues. The Petmate Easy Reach Diner for Dogs is a much better option because it raises your dog’s food bowl off the ground for more comfortable eating. This particular model of elevated dog bowl features a lightweight but durable construction made from heavy-duty plastic with two stainless steel bowls.
This Petmate Easy Reach Diner for Dogs comes in the x-large size which is great for tall dogs. The stand measures 28 inches long and stands 14.5 inches tall, holding two 96-ounce stainless steel bowls. The two bowls can be used for your dog’s food and water, or you can feed two dogs from the same stand. This elevated dog bowl is simple to use and easy to clean because the bowls are dishwasher safe. It also features anti-rattle bumpers to help reduce bowl noise and it comes an affordable price you will love – it is just $26 for the x-large size!
Ethical Pet Hi-Rise Single Diner Pet Dish Review
Who ever said that elevated dog bowls had to be fancy? They do not necessarily need to be made from top-grade materials or decorated with fancy designs. The Ethical Pet Hi-Rise Single Diner Pet Dish is an example of a simple design that gets the job done without any excessive bells and whistles. This elevated dog bowl features a durable wire stand that is also lightweight and easy to move. It also comes with an 8-cup stainless steel bowl that fits into the top of the stand, making it easy for your large or giant breed dog to comfortably enjoy his meal.
The Ethical Pet Hi-Rise Single Diner Pet Dish offers all of the features you want in an elevated dog bowl without any costly extras. This unit stands 15 inches tall and measures 10 inches around, topped with a single 64-ounce stainless steel bowl. The stainless steel bowl is lightweight but incredibly durable and it is naturally bacteria resistant. Just remove the bowl from the stand and throw it into the dishwasher for quick and easy cleaning. Not only will you enjoy this elevated dog bowl’s simple design and easy-clean feature, but you will also love the low price – it only costs about $15 for the whole unit! You will be hard pressed to find a large elevated dog bowl at a better price than that.
There are many benefits associated with elevated bowls for dogs of all sizes. For large dogs, an elevated bowl can not only be more comfortable to eat from, but it can provide relief from arthritis pain and other musculoskeletal issues. For smaller dogs, an elevated dog bowl can promote healthy digestion and it can reduce the risk for spillage as well. Elevated dog bowls come in all shapes and sizes, each designed to serve a unique purpose, so take your time when shopping around. When you are ready to shop for an elevated dog bowl, consider one of the top-rated models reviewed above for small, medium, large, and giant breed dogs.