Just like human beings use plates and bowls during eating, dogs too need a place to place their food as they eat. When dogs use feeders the risk of bloat, joint pain, hip problems, and neck muscle problems are reduced significantly. The feeders come in different types of materials, shapes, and sizes. Before acquiring a dog feeder for your dogs, you are required to weigh the pros and cons of each type and select the best alternative. In our case today, we will look at the elevated dog feeders and the pros and cons associated with them.
Pros:
1. They have a healthier posture for the dogs. There is a great effect on the posture of dogs when they are used to eating with their heads down. Using the elevated dog feeders reduces the effects because dogs feed on a raised position.
2. They are helpful for arthritic dogs. Older dogs suffer the problem of arthritis, which becomes more of a problem to them if they have to bend very low for them to feed. An elevated dog feeder enables the dog to feed without much straining because of the raised height. There are more comfortable when they feed this way.
3. They prevent pain and discomfort in the joints. It is not advisable for dogs to feed at floor level a number of times. Feeding on the floor level exerts pressure on the joints of the dog’s legs, this will cause discomfort and pain to the dog. If the dog is straining from feeding at the floor level, it is likely to feed less or stop eating completely. An elevated Feeder guarantees the comfort of the dog while feeding, saving them the pain and the discomfort of feeding at floor level.
4. They help dogs protect their food better. Just like the other carnivorous animals, dogs too can become very mean during mealtime however friendly they might be. An elevated feeder gives them the chance to protect their food better because due to the elevation the food is closer to the dog’s mouth, therefore, it is easier for them to attack other dogs and keep their meal safe for them.
5. There is no bowl flipping and tipping. The elevated feeders are created in a very unique way that ensures the bowls are held in place firmly and there is no movement when the dogs are feeding. An elevated feeder saves the dogs the stress of handling the flipping of the bowls because they are firmly held in place. If there is no flipping and tipping it means there is less wastage and the dogs are not at risk of contracting diseases.
6. Prevents unwanted behavior. Canine friends have some behaviors that are not impressive at all. They may play around with food or water in the bowl messing around the place. With an elevated feeder, the dog will not be able to toy around with the food and water.
7. It keeps away pests. There are some pests that easily find their way into the bowls placed at the floor level. When the dogs find out that there are some foreign animals in the bowl they may fail to feed. It is very difficult for these pests to climb up an elevated feeder.
8. It is easier for dogs to swallow food. Elevated feeders reduce the risk of choking because it is easier for the dogs to swallow food and water while feeding on these elevated positions unlike feeding at floor level.
9. It is easier for people with physical disabilities to feed dogs. People that have physical disabilities will have an easier time feeding the dogs from these elevated positions unlike at floor level where they have to bend to some point hurting their backs.
10. Food can be stored within the stand. If you have a very small place and you have been wondering where to store your pet’s food, get yourself an elevated feeder and this problem will be sorted because below the stand there is a large space that can be used for that.
Cons:
1. They may not be very ideal for fast eaters. Most of the people purchasing or looking for elevated feeders have a similar problem with their dogs. These people want to make their dogs slow eaters. To solve that puzzle they acquire the elevated feeders for their dogs. This might not necessarily solve the problem if they will use the same ordinary bowls. For a lasting solution, you are required to buy an elevated feeder and slow-feeding bowls.
2. They are stressful during bone-eating. It is very stressful for dogs to eat bones from these elevated feeders. The most preferred posture of eating bones is the sitting position because the dog is able to grip and hold the bone and chew quickly. Even if you acquire an elevated feeder you will have to excuse that during the bone time.
3. Feeding on these elevated positions may cause bloat. Several cases have been reported concerning the behavior of the dogs that feed on these elevated feeders. Several people have complained that these feeders may not be ideal for their dogs because they suffer bloat after feeding. Cases of discomfort while feeding have also been reported.
4. Elevated feeders are more expensive compared to traditional bowls. There is more expense in acquiring these elevated dog feeders than the traditional bowls. The elevated feeders might have more benefits than the traditional bowls but they all serve the same purpose. If you had no budget for them you can still use the traditional bowls.
5. They are not a solution to messy eating. Elevated feeders are not a solution to messy eating. If your dog is a messy eater you better be prepared for more mess because at an elevated position there will be more dripping, spilling, and wastage of food. The more the mess means that it will be harder to clean and maintain the feeders.
6. There is a problem finding the right bowl. If you want an elevated feeder for your dog you must first consider a variety of things. You must consider the right measurements and the height of your dog so that it will not have problems feeding.
7. If food is stored in the stands it is possible for the dogs to get it. Dogs have a great sense of smell. You cannot keep the food below them in the stand and expect them not to know. The problem is that they might destroy it and cause losses.
8. It might be difficult for training older dogs to feed on elevated positions. Dogs that were initially used to feeding at floor level might find it difficult to feed on these elevated positions. It is very hard for them to adopt a new way of feeding.
9. They can easily get damaged. Some of these elevated feeders are made using very fragile materials and make them prone to getting damaged. Dogs like playing around with different things especially when they are well fed thus may end up breaking these feeders.
10. Health risks. There are various health risks that are associated with feeding on elevated positions and that could be harmful to your dog.
