Elevated feeders for dogs and cats come in a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, heights, and capacities. |
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Veterinarians recommend elevated feeders for dogs and cats because they:
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 and dishes keep feeding areas cleaner by keeping the food and water in the bowls and not on the floor. They prevent cats from playing in their water, which some are prone to do. Dogs are less likely to drip water on the floor when drinking from an elevated water bowl. Moisture that may get under the dishes creates a great place for molds and bacteria to grow; elevated dishes, such as the attractive Bridgeport Stoneware Feeders help prevent that. Many elevated feeders, such as the Elevated Scroll Double Feeder, come with removable ceramic or stainless steel bowls that can be placed right in the dishwasher.
Ease your dog's painful eating and drinking
Elevated feeders are more comfortable for older pets. Dogs and cats with arthritis benefit from elevated feeders. 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 anyway, which means they may not get the nutrition they need. If eating is painful or uncomfortable, they are likely to eat even less. If drinking is painful, they can more easily become dehydrated. Raising food and water to their level by using a product such as the Posture Pro Elevated Diners encourages eating and drinking.
Improve your dog's digestion
Elevated feeders can help in caring for dogs and cats with a condition called megaesophagus. In this condition, the esophagus (the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach) becomes large and flaccid. Instead of moving the food down to the stomach through muscular contractions, the enlarged and weak esophagus dilates and allows the food to accumulate there instead of in the stomach. This can lead to regurgitation and vomiting. An elevated feeder will allow gravity to help get the food down to the stomach.
Make feeding your dog easier
Elevated feeders have an extra bonus. We have had pet owners tell us that they appreciate not having to bend over as far to pick up or fill up water and food dishes. For the frail, physically handicapped, or persons with arthritis or back problems, elevated feeders can make a big difference.
