You may have seen this at an aunt’s house: in the kitchen, there’s an interesting miniature table with beautiful iron legs and two gorgeous ceramic bowls encrusted on the maple wood top.
Suddenly, your aunt’s Afghan Hound approaches it and takes a couple of elegant and slender slurps of water. Then, he’s off again, his hair doo swaying like lavender under the morning breeze.
What is an Elevated Food Bowl?
An elevated bowl is pretty self-explanatory: it’s a bowl placed at some distance above the ground. It doesn’t have to be fancy or luxurious. It’s a simple concept that will make your and your pet’s life easier. This article will present ten good reasons to elevate your dog’s food and water bowl.
1. Helps with Dog Posture
Your dog’s posture improves when your dog drinks or eats from an elevated bowl. By optimizing the space your dog uses to his or her physical characteristics, you avoid strain on his or her back and neck.
2. Gives Comfort While Eating
No matter how old your dog is or what shape they’re in, every dog benefits from a raised food bowl. This is especially the case if your dog has arthritis or joint pain.
3. Improves Food Passage
Some dogs may have a condition called megaesophagus, which makes food passage down the esophagus difficult. An elevated bowl helps move food down the esophagus.
4. Makes Swallowing Easier
An elevated food bowl makes swallowing easier. Bending over to drink or eat makes the glottis work against gravity, so elevating the bowls makes drinking and eating feel more natural.
5. Slows Down Fast Eaters
For those dogs who can’t get enough of their kibble, and dog treats, try an elevated food bowl. The raised design of the bowl helps dogs eat in an upright position and reduces quick gulps of food. With this method, most dogs will be more inclined to look up and take breaks between munches.
You can also consider buying a slow feeder. Slow feeder bowls are specially designed with spaced out food spots and each piece is harder to pick up; perfect for fast eaters.
6. Prevents Dogs From Lying Down
Some dogs tend to lie down while eating, which is not good for their digestion. An elevated food bowl will discourage your dog from lying down while eating.
7. Reduces Reach
Bending down constantly to the floor puts strain on your ankles, knees, and back. An elevated food bowl is higher off the ground and closer to you physically. By bending down less frequently, it’s easier to refill the bowls and puts less stress on your body.
8. Keeps Feeding Area Cleaner
Dogs make messes when they eat; it’s a fact of life. With an elevated bowl, the food is higher off the ground and less likely to fall out. This also helps with dog drools after drinking water. Neater feeder bowls are specially designed for dogs that drool.
9. Minimizes Playtime While Drinking
When puppies play with their water bowl, it can be cute. If this trait carries into adulthood, it can be messy and frustrating. An elevated bowl will make it difficult for your puppy to play with their bowl and move it around because the bowl doesn’t sit on the ground. This will also reduce cleaning time for you and keep your space looking nice.
10. Helps Bowl Stay In Place
Elevated food bowls come in a stand that keeps them in place. When food and water bowls are on the ground, dogs may gradually (or not so gradually) move them forward when they eat. Having the bowls in place saves you a lot of hassle in the feeding area and reduces spills.
How to Purchase an Elevated Bowl
If you are looking to purchase an elevated bowl, there are many styles available. Something important to consider when purchasing a raised bowl is your dog’s size. There are ways to measure dogs, and most pet bowl manufacturers will give you instructions on how to pick the perfect bowl for your dog.
You can choose a stylish elevated bowl that will look good in your kitchen or a bowl specially designed for fast and messy eaters. If you’re looking for a product with lots of reviews, check out the OurPets Elevated Dog Bowl on Amazon. For a budget-friendly option, check out this option, available on Chewy.
Feeding Zone: Your Pet’s Go-To Spot for Nutrition
Your dog’s food bowl is its home base. Although they may spend most of their time away from this area, when they need food and hydration, this spot is their sanctuary.
Elevating your dog’s nutrition area is a small thing you can do to improve you and your dog’s well-being. Not only will your dog’s health thank you but your home will be neater and tidier in the long run.
