Elevated Dog Food Bowls

Your canine is not a giraffe. Elevated dog food bowls are good for large and some medium dogs. Here's why, along with some ideas for free dog bowl stands.

First, this should be a no-brainer. Your canine is not a giraffe. Elevated dog food bowls are good for large and some medium dogs.Even small dogs may benefit, especially if there's dog food aggression in your house. Here's why, along with some ideas for free dog bowl stands.

I don't think dogs suffer from life without a dog dish stand, but it does make eating and digestion a bit easier on the body. One of my dogs has been seen regurgitating water when he tanks up from a bowl on the floor.

Are There Health Reasons for Elevated Dog Food Bowls?

Sure. Aside from being more comfortable, if your dog has arthritis, sore joints, stiff muscles, neck or back problems, having dog bowl stands lessens any discomfort from eating or drinking. Also if your dog has an enlarged, weakened esophagus (megaesophagus) gravity will help get the food where it needs to go.

How High Should the Dog Food and Water Dish Be?

You certainly don't want your dog eating 'up' where he must raise his head above his shoulders to eat or drink. As long as his neck is perpendicular to the floor or declining somewhat, it's okay. That gives you some range to play with when finding a suitable dog dish stand.

There is one caveat to this. If your dog eats too fast, a dog dish stand set a little higher can slow him down.

Elevated Dog Food Bowls and Dog Food Aggression

Curious about this one aren’t you? Let’s look at how a dog claims a toy, or in this case a food bowl. When your dog has something between his front paws, he is claiming it. He OWNS it.

If you have trouble taking a dog food dish away from your dog, if he growls or hovers over his bowl, you have the beginning of a big problem. If you have more than one dog and have trouble with dog food aggression, read my tips on the dog food aggression page, and use elevated dog food bowls.

So, by raising food above the floor and even above his shoulders slightly, it will stop your dog from inhaling his food. Not only will he eat slower, it keeps him from obsessively claiming it. After all, who’s head of the household? You or your dog?

As always, feel free to let me know how it goes. I love hearing from you.

Free Elevated Dog Bowl Stands

Chances are good you have something around the house to use for a dog bowl stand. How about that outgrown child's step stool? A toddlers bench? A plastic storage container turned upside down? Empty plastic paint buckets? A cardboard box?

Of course you can invest in one, but trying out some make shift ones at home first will give you a better idea of the best height and width. It also gives you the opportunity to see if your dog is comfortable and better behaved with a new eating arrangement.

Fun might be a benefit. You can decorate just about anything. Extra matching wallpaper? Paint? Cut up an old plastic tablecloth or shower curtain?

If you have young children, they can decorate it for your dog and feel accomplished for helping at the same time.

If you've been here before, you'll probably know I'm cheap, or thrifty, or whatever you want to call it. I just enjoy reusing things in a creative way. Okay, sometimes I could be lazy.

I swear one of these days I'm going to get at least one of the Muttropolis dog bowl stands shown on this page, even if it's just for water. Probably the last one. Otherwise, where am I going to put five or six of these things?

What I've got working now for the dog water dish is a cardboard box with a handmade waterproof place-mat on top. That does sound pretty lazy doesn't it? Still, it's been working for several months now, even with five dogs slinging water from their jowls.

Looking over this page, I had to laugh at my elevated dog food bowl. One, my homemade covered box looks much better in my kitchen than next to all these pretty things on the page. And two, the bowl appears to be rather small. Actually my dog is rather large. Her neck measures 23 inches.

If you are wondering why I use metal bowls for my dogs, please read Your Dog Food Dish so you know which bowls are toxic to your dog’s health.

And if you'd like to make something really healthy to put in them, check out my free raw dog food recipes.

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