It is true that elevated feeders provide a decorative look, but that's not necessarily the reason you may want to use one for your pet. Veterinarians and dog experts recommend elevated feeders for pets for several reasons:

• Promote hygiene and cleanliness
• Provide easier eating and drinking for dogs and cats with arthritis or neck or back problems
• Aid cats and dogs with megaesophagus, that have difficulty swallowing, or other digestive problems
• Help owners who have physical disabilities
• Keep your dog's eating areas clean

Elevated feeders keep the feeding area much cleaner by keeping the food and water in the bowls and not all over the floor. Dogs tend to lift their heads after taking a drink to facilitate swallowing. As the dogs raise their heads, water that does not make it down their throat often ends up on the floor. Over time, this can ruin your floor. With an elevated feeder, dogs do not have to raise their heads as far and the water usually drips right back into their water dish. Pets are far less likely to drip water on the floor when drinking from an elevated water bowl. Many elevated feeders come with removable ceramic or stainless steel bowls that can be placed right in the dishwasher.
Elevated feeders are more comfortable for older pets. For example, pets with arthritis benefit from elevated feeders because bending over to eat is not comfortable for pets with stiff muscles or sore joints, particularly for pets with neck or back problems such as intervertebral (IV) disc disease. Older pets often eat less, which means they may not get the nutrition they need. When eating is painful or uncomfortable, they are likely to eat even less. If drinking is painful, they can more easily become dehydrated. Using raised feeders encourages eating and drinking.
Elevated feeders can help in caring for pets that have megaesophagus or other conditions that make swallowing difficult because an elevated feeder will allow gravity to help get the food down to the stomach rather than allowing the food to accumulate in the weak and dilated esophagus, which can lead to regurgitation and vomiting. Furthermore, raised feeders minimize the amount of air dogs swallow while gulping and chewing food. They can also help prevent choking.
Your pet is not the only one that benefits. Some pet owners really appreciate not having to bend over as far to pick up or fill up water and food dishes. For the elderly, handicapped, or persons with arthritis or back problems, elevated feeders can make a huge difference.
Selecting the right elevated feeder
When selecting a dish or bowl, it's important to keep in mind the diameter, depth, and also the capacity of the bowl. Dogs with long, floppy ears do well with deep bowls with a smaller diameter because it helps keep their ears from getting wet in their water bowl. Think about your dog's average portion size and make sure bowls can hold enough water to keep your dog hydrated all day if you're away at work.
If you have a new puppy, consider an adjustable feeding station that will accommodate his or her growth. Many raised bowls are of such high quality they will literally last a lifetime. If you are thinking long-term, be sure the feeder you select can accommodate your dog's needs throughout his or her lifecycle.
Consider your dog's unique physical features in addition to his or her size and age. For an Irish setter or an Afghan hound for instance, a single raised feeding bowl that stands separately from a water bowl will probably be more practical for your dog. Single feeders allow long ears and facial hair to drape over the sides of the bowl to prevent messes and keep your dog more comfortable. For a dog that has a short compact face, choose a broad rather than deep bowl so that your dog can pick food up more easily. Bowls featuring rims that turn inward are helpful for toothless or older dogs that tend to have trouble ingesting food.
Single-bowl raised feeders provide much more flexibility. Single bowls allow you to keep your dog's food and water bowls in different areas of the house. Some pet owners prefer to offer water in more than one location throughout the house or keep one outdoors. For these types of situations, single feeder stands are ideal.
Your new dog feeder should also match your dog's eating style. Some dogs are playful eaters and enjoy dumping food bowls or tossing them to the floor. If this describes your dog, choose heavy ceramic bowls instead of stainless steel and solid stands with non-skid feet. If your dog prefers to drink water while eating, a double style raised feeder is perfect.
Last but not least, consider how convenient the bowls will be for you to fill and clean. Bowls that sit flat into raised feeders may be held in place securely, but they are not always easy to lift out for cleaning. For example, pet owners who have arthritis or limited hand mobility may find them inconvenient for various reasons. Similarly, ceramic bowls are much heavier than stainless steel options and may break if dropped.
When selecting the ideal dog feeder, balance your own preferences with the needs of your dog. For example, your dog's eating habits might make a ceramic bowl the best choice for feeding, but you may be able to use lighter weight, unbreakable stainless steel bowls for watering.
Many dog owners have heard about the benefits of raised dog bowls or "feeding stations" but think they're only necessary for large breeds. The fact is eating and drinking from bowls placed at an appropriate height will aid any size dog with digestion. Not having to lean, bend or stretch for food and water contributes to good posture and puts less strain on your dog's neck, joints and hips. Insects, rodents, dust and dirt are also less likely to reach food and water raised off the floor or ground.
Raised dog feeders come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials that allow you to truly customize your dog's eating area and enhance his or her eating experience. Choosing an attractive design that suits your home's décor is easy with wooden, wrought iron, stainless steel, rustic and trendy designs to choose from. Look to suit your dog's needs as well as your personal tastes to make the most of your new raised dog feeder. Explore and enjoy the bowl and stand combination that will work best for you and your dog!

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