Why make your dog eat off the floor when you wouldn’t place your plates there during dinner?
By using elevated feeding platforms, you can give your dog a dining experience that is more comfortable and dignified.
Although raised food bowls may not be suitable for every dog, several of them could relish and advantage from an elevated bowl during their evening meal.
To learn all about high dog bowls, be sure to read the entire article.
Best Elevated Dog Bowls: 5 Recommendations
Displayed below are the top elevated dog dishes for elevated eating, which come in various sizes and designs. However, ensure that you select the one that matches your pet’s ideal height (usually, the feeder should be situated about 4 to 6 inches below the shoulder).
1. Pawfect Pets Premium Elevated Feeder
The Pawfect Pets Premium Elevated Feeder is an attractive and functional wooden dog feeding platform that comes preassembled for stress-free setup. The silicone bowl liner keeps the steel dog bowls in place as your pup digs in, preventing messing sloshing, while the water-resistant finish is a breeze to wipe clean for long-term beauty.
Characteristics:
- Made of bamboo coated in a polyurethane coating
- Comes with two complete sets of food bowls (4 bowls in total)
- Features no moveable or removable parts
- Made in China
Pros
This is an attractive, yet economical elevated feeder that will look great in your kitchen. The simple design, removable bowls and copper construction also ensure that cleaning the Loving Pets Rustic Bone Diner is a breeze.
What to Look for in an Elevated Dog Bowl
The most basic elevated feeding station is comprised of a small box supporting a bowl for food on its surface.
However, numerous height-boosted dining areas offer additional characteristics that can enhance both the usefulness and appearance of your canine’s dinner setup!
- Food Storage. Some units are built around a storage-box concept, which allows you to store your dog’s food inside for easy access . But the flip side of this convenience is that many such units feature a flat bottom, which can trap moisture, mold and bacteria on the floor, just like a food bowl sitting on the floor can.
- A Design That Matches Your Style. Other units pair form with function and are designed to be an attractive addition to your home . Some such models are made with wrought iron, while others are made with exotic hardwoods or aged copper. Some even feature hanging shapes and dog-inspired artwork! Just remember that these considerations are for your benefit, not your dog’s. Still, impressing visitors with a stylish dog bowl is always fun!
- Adjustable Height. Some models allow you to adjust the height of the platform, which can be a benefit for those with a growing dog . They can also be useful for breeders, veterinary offices, groomers, and anyone else that cares for a large number of dogs.
Cons
Puppy owners who prioritize aesthetics over function may be more drawn to this unit, which lacks adjustability and storage capabilities.
2. Loving Pets Layton Diner
With the Loving Pets Layton Diner, you can hold onto your money for your furry friend’s treats and toys. This affordable metal elevated holder has a striking copper finish. Its uncomplicated A-frame design keeps pet bowls raised above ground level, making it easy to clean up after meals by quickly spotting any leftover kibble and sweeping it away.
Characteristics:
- Comes with 2 stainless steel bowls that are dishwasher safe
- Metal construction is durable and easy to wipe clean
- Non-skid base keeps the platform in place during mealtime
- Made in India
Pros
The Loving Pets Rustic Bone Diner is both aesthetically pleasing and cost-effective, making it a perfect addition to your kitchen. Its uncomplicated structure, detachable bowls, and copper material also guarantee effortless cleaning.
Cons
Puppy parents who prioritize appearance over functionality are more likely to be attracted to this unit, as it lacks adjustability and a storage compartment.
3. IRIS USA Elevated Storage Feeder
The IRIS Elevated Storage Feeder functions as a feeding platform that is raised off the ground and a storage space for your pet’s food. It comes with an internal section that securely seals with two clasps at the sides, thus protecting the contents, including snacks or any other item from inquisitive dogs.
Characteristics:
- Storage compartment features an air-tight seal, so food stays fresh and dry inside
- Comes with two stainless-steel feeding bowls
- Storage space varies by size
- Made in the USA
Pros
Pet owners who live in small homes or apartments will appreciate the IRIS Airtight Elevated Storage Feeder, which features a convenient space-saving storage compartment. Plus, with its translucent design, it’s easy to determine how much food remains at any given time.
Cons
Dogs that are particularly mischievous may be inclined to chew the storage container in order to access the prominently displayed food.
4. YML Wrought Iron Elevated Feeder
The YML Wrought Iron Elevated Feeder is an attractive elevated dog bowl, crafted with beautifully twisted wrought iron for your furry friend to dine in fashion. The elevated feeder has an open base design, making it effortless for pet owners to identify and clear any floor messes, and the non-slip feet ensure that the feeder stays securely in place as your dog eats.
Characteristics:
- Wrought iron construction
- Features a fun, bone-shaped decoration around the unit
- Both the stand and included stainless steel bowl are dishwasher safe
- Made in China
Pros
The quality of the product, particularly the seal around the rim of the bowls, has received high satisfaction from the majority of users.
Cons
The Bergen Elevated Double Feeder combines style and practicality, but its cost is higher compared to other platforms available.
5. URPOWER Elevated Dog Bowls
The Elevated Dog Bowls from URPOWER are equipped with a hard plastic base that can be easily wiped clean to prevent mealtime messes and odors. The feeder’s adjustable height design and silicone bowl insets ensure stability during mealtime, providing a comfortable eating experience for dogs of every size.
Characteristics:
- Anti-slip base equipped with rubber pads
- Comes with 2 steel dog bowls offering a 1.5-liter bowl capacity each
- Offered in Black, Grey, and Light Grey color options
- Detachable legs
- Made in China
Pros
By using bamboo, the product is made to be both visually appealing and resistant to water, ensuring its longevity for years to come. Furthermore, having a second set of bowls enables you to easily switch between them, allowing you to clean one set while utilizing the other.
Cons
It is not recommended to store food or other tempting items in the storage compartment as it does not have a door, unless your dog has exceptional discipline and behavior. Also, the Pawfect Pets Premium Feeder is exclusively designed for smaller dogs.
BONUS: How to Choose the Best Dog Food
In an ideal world, all dog food would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating. We’ve compiled expert advice to help you narrow down your options.
What Makes a Dog Food “Good”?
Dry kibble or wet canned food are the most common types of dog food that people use to feed their dogs. Even though these processed foods might not seem appetizing to us, they do contain all the essential nutrients that dogs require to maintain their health. These commercial dog foods are strictly monitored and tested by veterinary specialists to ensure their quality and safety. Thus, the question remains, what are the ingredients used in these dog foods?
In contrast to cats, dogs do not exclusively consume meat as they are not considered strict carnivores. In addition to protein-rich meat, domesticated dogs can acquire essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber from grains, fruits, and vegetables. It is important to note that non-meat foods cannot be disregarded as mere fillers since they are a valuable source of nutrition. An ideal dog food product should have a composition of meat, grains, vegetables, and fruits, with high-quality versions of these ingredients to suit your dog’s digestive system.
Dog Food Nutrition
To ensure that your furry friend has the appropriate nutrition, it is essential to select the ideal dog food that caters to his specific dietary requirements despite the fact that many commercial brands are designed to fulfill the fundamental needs of canines.
Dogs require a wide range of nutrients in different quantities over the course of their lives. The nutritional needs of a puppy are different from an adult dog, which is why it is a good idea to feed a puppy formula or an “all life stages” food to your young dog. If you are unsure about the differences in nutritional requirements between puppies and adults, the Merck Veterinary Manual lists the recommended nutrients for dogs, along with the recommended amount by weight and age. Large breed dogs and puppies have different nutritional requirements than small breed dogs and puppies.
Dog Food Myths and Misinformation
On the internet, there is an abundance of myths and false information regarding dog food and nutrition. To sift through it all, just remember to verify your sources. Often, individuals make statements about dog nutrition without providing scientific evidence to support them. During your investigation, always ensure that the information you come across is from a trusted source such as a veterinarian, an expert in canine nutrition, or a scientific study. It would be beneficial to maintain a level of skepticism as well. If something seems too amazing to be true, it presumably is.
Many individuals have inquiries regarding dog food that contains grains, animal byproducts, or peas. If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy caused by grains, consulting with your veterinarian before transitioning to a grain-free diet is recommended. Contrary to popular belief, grains can provide beneficial nutrients for most dogs, while quality animal byproducts such as entrails and organs can be a rich source of nutrients. It is important to note that regulated byproducts exclude certain undesirable elements such as hooves, hair, and manure. If you have any concerns about your dog’s nutritional needs, do not hesitate to consult with your veterinarian.
How to Read a Dog Food Label
Deciphering whether a dog food is good or bad can be achieved by reading its label, though this is not always a simple task. The labels can be difficult to read due to small print or the cumbersome size of the dog food bags. One should also be aware that labels may not always be reliable, as the Merck Veterinary Manual attests. The FDA mandates that dog food labels provide eight essential pieces of information, while various states may have additional labeling regulations.
- Product name
- Net weight of the product
- Name and address of the manufacturer
- Guaranteed analysis
- List of ingredients
- Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
- Statement of nutritional adequacy
- Feeding guidelines
Product Name
The name of the product provides important information about its contents. If the term “beef” is used, at least 70 percent of the product must consist of beef. However, if the product is labeled as “beef dinner,” “beef entrée,” or “beef platter,” only 10 percent of the product needs to be beef. If the product is labeled as “with beef,” then only 3 percent of the product needs to be beef. Finally, if the product is labeled as “beef flavor,” then there is less than 3 percent of beef in the product. This rule also applies to other ingredients, such as “chicken.”
Ingredients
The quality and origin of ingredients in a dog food cannot be determined from the ingredient list on the label. Some manufacturers divide the ingredients to achieve a more even distribution, which ultimately lowers the ranking of some ingredients. Different types of corn may be listed separately, which may give an impression of lower corn content in the food. Meat is also a complex ingredient, as whole meats contain a higher percentage of water weight, causing the actual percentage of meat to be lower. On the other hand, meat meal may contain more meat than whole meats, despite its less appealing name, because it has no water weight.
Although the quality of the ingredients is not indicated in the ingredient list, it does reveal the contents of the food. This becomes crucial for dogs with unique dietary requirements or allergies and is also handy for owners who want to provide their dogs with particular fiber, protein, and carbohydrate sources.
