The answer to this question is an unequivocal yes.  Elevated dog feeders are appropriate to any dog that is more than six inches tall, so that pretty much covers all dogs.  The rare exception, toy sized dogs, don’t need the added elevation, but for just about every dog you are going to find on the planet, there are advantages to eating at a higher level.

Dogs are meant to be eating at about 6 inches below their withers.  The wither is the front shoulder, more or less.  If you consider that almost every species is taller than that, then you understand that an elevated feeder is of benefit to your pet as well.  When dogs eat from bowls on the floor, they encounter several problems.

The first issue is that of gulping.  A dog that has to eat against gravity is much more likely to gulp his food.  To ensure that the food doesn’t fall back out of his mouth as he chews, he has to swallow quickly and can’t take time to chew.  Granted, most dogs aren’t big on chewing, but there is no reason to add to this problem. 

The secondary problem that comes with gulping is an additional intake of air.  Guess what?  Most dogs don’t burp so that means that air has only one direction to go.  I don’t know about you, but my experience with dog gas has never been a positive one.

Additional problems crop up with a dog that eats from a position that is too low.  For many older dogs the position creates a great deal of pressure on the wrist and shoulder joints, causing pain.  If your dog has already developed arthritis this is even more painful.  For large dogs, the weight being shifted forward is significant.  From all perspectives, this is a negative situation.

Perhaps the most serious problem associated with eating at a very low position relative to normal posture is that the air swallowed can lead to bloat which can cause stomach torsion.  Of course, promoting postural issues in any living creature is a bad thing anyway, so an elevated feeder just makes good sense.

Elevated dog feeders come in a variety of styles from the very simple to ornate wrought iron contraptions that are designed to fit into any décor.  You can use them inside or out, depending upon your need and where your dog spends much of his time.  Even if your dog routinely feeds indoors, a nice touch is to place an elevated feeder filled with fresh water outside the door that you use when taking walks.  That way your dog can grab a drink before they even enter your home, preventing that slobbery mess that results from a first drink when you get back.

If you are still unconvinced, then think about this.  Would you like to be eating your dinner at a table that is down by your knees while standing up?  Goodness I wouldn’t!  That is effectively the situation when you feed your dog from a bowl resting on the floor.  Take a look at elevated feeding stations, you will like what you see.

This article was posted by a site carrying Garmin Astro Combo, Garmin Astro 220, and other tracking collars.