Should dog bowls be on the floor or elevated
Raised vs Floor Dog Bowls: Key Differences (With Pictures)
For pet parents, buying the right supplies in order to keep their canine companions healthy and happy is of the utmost importance. But when it comes to mealtime, what are the best types of dishes for your dog?
There are numerous dog dish options available, including raised and floor dog bowls. While floor dog feeders lay flat against the ground, elevated ones sit on stands that are several inches above floor level.
But which one should you pick for your pooch? In this in-depth article, well take a closer look at floor vs. raised dog bowls to help you determine which one is right for your pup.
Overview of Floor Dog Bowls
Floor-level dog feeders are just what their name implies. Theyre dog dishes that rest parallel to the floor. Typically, a pet parent will keep floor dog bowls on a mat in order to protect the flooring underneath.
There are several different kinds of floor dog bowls, including shallow bowls, deep dishes, and slow-feeding bowls. All of these floor bowls require the dog to bend his neck down in order to efficiently eat his meal. For larger dogs, floor bowls can present problems if they suffer from head or neck pain.
Types of Floor Dog Bowls
There are three main types of floor dog bowls. Each of them is designed with specific needs in mind.
Shallow floor bowls are ideal for dog breeds that have shorter muzzles or a flattened face, including Pugs and Bulldogs. Shallow bowls allow the dog to easily reach his food and put less pressure on his throat while eating.
Deep dog dishes are perfect for canines with longer snouts, including Wolfhounds or Collies. The low bottom and the high walls ensure that no mess is left when the dog gobbles up his meal.
If your pup is a fast eater, opt for a slow-feeding floor dog bowl. Specifically made for dogs that quickly gulp down their meals without chewing the food, these types of floor bowls have a small obstruction that the dog needs to navigate, slowing his eating.
Is a Floor Dog Bowl Right for My Pet?
Floor dog feeders make excellent choices for smaller dog breeds. Since the dog needs to bend his head and neck in order to reach his meal, a floor-level bowl work better for petite pooches.
Moreover, floor-level bowls eliminate the mess that often accompanies elevated dog dishes. This is because floor bowls have deep sides, catching any spillovers.
Overview of Raised Dog Bowls
Raised dog dishes, also known as elevated feeders, are bowls that are elevated a couple of inches off the floor by a stand.
This allows the bowl to be the same height as a dogs shoulders to decrease head and neck strain while eating or drinking. Many come in a fixed height, so its important for a dog parent to know what measurements best suit their pet.
Raised dog feeders are predominantly used to feed larger breeds. However, smaller options exist for tiny dogs.
Potential Risks of Raised Dog Bowls
When elevated dog feeders first hit the pet market, they were touted for their ability to drastically reduce bloat. Bloat is a very serious digestive issue that occurs when the stomach over-inflates due to excess gas. Quick-eating dogs are extremely susceptible to this condition.
Despite the initial good news, some studies found that raised dog bowls actually increase the risk of bloat. However, other studies have found the exact opposite to be true.
Benefits of Raised Dog Dishes
Big dog breeds can benefit the most from raised dog bowls. If your large pup suffers from neck aches, it could be hard for him to eat his meals off of the ground. An elevated feeder can reduce pain related to tenseness and arthritis by bringing the food up to shoulder level, enabling the dog to never bend his neck as he eats.
Moreover, your vet may recommend a raised dog dish if your pet has megaesophagus, which is a neurological impairment involving the esophageal muscles. Dogs suffering from this condition cannot use their esophageal muscles to push food into their bellies for proper digestion. This can lead to possible choking hazards and even death.
Raised dog bowls will also improve posture and keep unwanted pests out.
Which Dog Bowl Is Right for You?
When choosing the perfect dog dish for your pet, you should consider many factors. Smaller dogs that dont have to crane their necks while eating can benefit from floor dog bowls.
However, if your dog is larger or suffers from neck pain, a raised dog bowl could be the better option. Your vet might even prescribe an elevated dog feeder if your pup has megaesophagus.
If your dog swiftly devours his food without chewing, its best to buy a slow-feeding floor dog bowl in order to reduce the risk of bloat. Raised dog bowls are also more expensive, wont contain messes, and arent adjustable.
Final Thoughts
While floor dog feeders are great for small dogs, fast eaters, and pet parents who are on a budget, raised dog bowls are great for larger breeds suffering from neck pain. When it comes to making a decision, it all depends upon your dogs unique needs.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
The Pros & Cons of Elevated Dog Bowls A Quick Guide
If theres one topic that can cause uproar between dog owners, its feeding time. What your dog eats, when it eats, how often it eats, these are all questions that spark debate. Another hot topic is whether or not your dog should be using an elevated dog bowl. While the science is still out on how effective they really are, there are key benefits to elevated dog feeders that may be great for your dog.
About Elevated Dog Bowls
If your dog struggles or misbehaves at eating time, an elevated dog bowl may be right for you. There are different styles of feeders to fit your dogs needs, ranging in overall size, materials, and design.
What are Elevated Dog Bowls?
Also known as elevated dog feeders, elevated dog bowls are simply dog bowls raised from the floor with a stand of some sort to keep it elevated. They come in a variety of sizes, so theyre useful for both toy-sized and large-sized dogs. Elevated dog feeders make your dogs food closer and easier to eat, so a lot of dogs tend to prefer them. Elevated dog bowl stands are also great to keep water and food bowls together on one feeder, instead of having two separate bowls sliding around on the floor.
What Were Elevated Dog Bowls Originally Invented For?
Elevated dog bowls were first invented as a sure-fire way to prevent bloat, which refers to two life-threatening conditions: GD and GDV.
Gastric Dilatation (GD) causes your dogs stomach to painfully fill with gas, which is already a serious medical emergency. Gastric Dilatation & Volvulus (GDV) is when the gas-filled stomach starts to twist on itself, which cuts off the circulation of the stomach and blood flow.
Both conditions are considered extremely dangerous and should be treated as soon as possible Call your vet immediately if your dog shows one or more symptoms of bloat:
- Distended (bloated) stomach and abdomen
- Anxious pacing and restlessness
- Multiple failed attempts at vomiting
- Rapid breathing, yawning, whining
Do Elevated Dog Feeders Actually Help with Bloat?
While they were first marketed as one of the best ways to prevent bloat, the truth is much foggier than what companies first claimed. The problem is that these claims went unchecked at first, but there is more data available now about the truth of elevated dog feeders.
While they can help with bloat, the risk is not as minimized as companies have claimed. Bloat tends to happen more to fast eaters and dogs who tend to eat a lot of air as they eat, so it really depends on your dog if an elevated bowl can help. If your dog is liable to get bloat, talk to your veterinarian about your options to prevent it.
Pros of Elevated Dog Bowls
Regardless of its original purpose to prevent bloat, there are other benefits of using elevated dog feeders that may help your furry friend out. Here are some pros and cons of elevated dog feeders:
Overall Better Posture While Eating
Because theyre off the ground, elevated dog bowls naturally help your dogs posture while eating. The raised dishes are at a more comfortable height, which will relieve some neck and joint stress from ground-level bowls. Make sure to find the right height for your dog to benefit from the elevated feeder.
Easier for Dogs to Eat
The raised height of elevated dog feeders makes access to food and water easier, especially for senior dogs that struggle to eat from traditional bowls. It also helps all dogs with eating more comfortably, since the angle of their neck changes with the elevation. If your dog tends to struggle with eating, an elevated dog bowl may alleviate some discomfort.
Sturdier & more stable than Normal Bowls
Elevated dog feeders can be especially beneficial if your dog would rather play with his dog bowls. They can be sturdier and stable than normal bowls, built to withstand pushing and sliding. Some elevated dog bowls are even designed to prevent tipping, scratching and biting, depending on the model and brand.
- Better posture while eating
- Easier for your dog to eat
- More stable than traditional dog bowls
Cons of Elevated Dog Bowls
As with most products in any category, there are some disadvantages to elevated dog bowls that may change your decision. Here are some disadvantages of elevated dog bowls:
Expensive Compared to Traditional Bowls
Dogs are expensive, no matter how you look at it. An elevated dog bowl is another expense that may be added to the list. While they may not cost hundreds of dollars, they can still get very costly for the more premium-grade models. Consider what the elevated bowl will do and if it would really help before purchasing one.
Harder to Clean and Maintain
With all of the nooks and crannies, the elevated dog bowl stands can be a real pain to clean and take care of. Some models may have multiple separate pieces, which can trap bacteria. Most elevated dog bowl stands are also not dishwasher safe, so youll have to handwash it.
Doesnt Prevent Messy Eating
If you have a messy eater, dont hope for a miracle unless you buy an elevated dog bowl designed to be mess-free. Water will still be dripped and splashed around, just at a higher height. Extra-large breeds with big muzzles like the English Mastiff are notorious for their messy drinking and eating, so an elevated water bowl may not help with that at all.
- More expensive than traditional bowls
- Feeder stands can be hard to clean
- Can still be really messy (especially slobbery dogs)
Final Thoughts
There are many reasons to buy or not to buy an elevated dog bowl, but your dogs health and wellness should always be a priority. If your dog may benefit from an elevated dog bowl, it may save you money in the long run. Theyre great for most dogs, even for breeds as small as a Yorkshire Terrier.
Dogs are expensive, no matter how you crunch the numbers. Adding another product to the list may get costly, but elevated dog bowl stands are usually a one-time purchase. If youre hesitant about spending the extra money, think about how it may benefit you and your dog in the long run. Also, you may end up buying an elevated dog bowl years later when your dog becomes a senior, so you may want to invest in a stand before that time comes.
If your dog struggles to eat while standing or tends to slide the bowl around, an elevated dog bowl may be the right option. Its important to look for high-quality brands with features that benefit your dogs eating habits. Except for a few small disadvantages, an elevated dog bowl can be a great investment for a more comfortable mealtime experience.
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Featured Image Credit: Peteris Zalitis, Shutterstock
