Are Bowls The Best Option?
No. Although bowls are the most traditional way to feed domestic pets, they aren’t actually the greatest invention. When you think about how animals naturally eat, they aren’t eating from a bowl that has raised edges and can block their vision as well as making it uncomfortable to eat.
For cats especially, bowls can be uncomfortable because their whiskers are so sensitive and long. If they’re eating and their whiskers are touching the bowl’s sides, it can lead to picky eating behaviours.
Similarly, a dog’s nose is quite sensitive so bumping it on raised sides can be uncomfortable. This could often lead to what looks like pickiness to us, but is actually just frustration for your pet. Another thing to consider about dogs is that bowls can contribute to bad habits while eating, for example food guarding. Because the bowl can block their vision, they can feel uncomfortable and guarded, sometimes leading to bad behaviours.
Alternatives to Food Bowls: More Delightful Ways to Enjoy Dinner!
There are plenty of different options to use instead of a food bowl. Instead of just dumping your dog’s food into a dinner dish, why not try:
What Are The Potential Drawbacks Of An Elevated Bowl?
Now, there’s no perfect way to feed your dog—and that includes with an elevated bowl. And just like any other feeding method, it’s important to understand the risks.
The biggest potential risk of feeding your dog with an elevated bowl is bloat. Bloat (also known as twisted stomach or gastric dilation volvulus) is a dangerous condition that happens when food and gas get trapped in the stomach, which increases pressure and causes a host of potentially life-threatening issues (like stomach rupture).
There is some evidence that elevated bowls increase a dog’s risk of bloat—especially for large or giant breeds. While further research definitely needs to be done (currently, there’s only a single study from almost 20 years ago), it’s definitely something to be aware of when using an elevated dog bowl.
Dog isn’t Eating out of Dog Bowl | Dog Won’t Eat out of His Dog Bowl
It’s no secret—dogs love to eat. Your pup will scarf down their food no matter how you feed it to them. But because you love your pet, you want to feed them in the easiest, safest, and most convenient way possible.
So, what’s the deal with elevated bowls? Are they good for your dog—and, if so, why? And what kind of elevated bowl (what size, what height, and all that jazz) is going to be the best fit for your four-legged friend?
Elevated bowls are exactly what they sound like—they’re feeding bowls that are elevated off the ground. Elevated bowls typically come with a stand that’s a certain height off the ground. (The appropriate size and height for elevated bowls will depend on the size and height of your dog). Some stands have cutouts that hold the bowl, some have a platform where you can rest the bowls, some are adjustable, and some have attachments that keep the bowls suspended in air. There are a number of different types of stands, but the outcome is the same—a food and water bowl that’s elevated off the ground.