5 Best Raised Dog Food Bowls for Senior Dogs or Messy Eaters (2017)
There is some controversy about the exact benefits of raised bowls for dogs. Some experts believe that elevated dog food bowls are a necessity, while others think they’re just a nice way to make it easier for your pup to access his dinner. Either way, the best raised dog food bowls can be a beneficial piece of dog care supplies that you may want to consider for your pup.
First, let’s talk about the fact that there is a lot of research being done on the correlation between raised dog bowls and the contraction of gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), also known as canine bloat.
Currently, the largest study of its kind has shown that using the best raised dog food bowls may actually increase the likelihood of canine bloat, but the results are still inconclusive and the researchers encourage studying this further.
While scientists are working on understanding the results, it’s worth mentioning that there are a few proven benefits to using elevated bowls for dogs. If you place a bowl at the proper level for your pet (in correlation to his height) it allows him to maintain the proper posture while eating and drinking.
If the bowl is at the right height, the food will be able to travel from the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. In theory, this makes digestion easier and more effective. Similarly, when a raised dog bowl is positioned at the right height, the neck and leg joints sustain less strain, which is especially convenient for senior dogs.
Here are the best raised dog food bowls that we’ll be talking about in this article:
* Click on the best raised dog food bowls brand for more information and prices, or scroll below for more details.
We have previously talked about the pros and cons of regular dog food bowls vs elevated ones, and it mostly depends on your specific situation and whether your dog needs an elevated dog food bowl (for example, if he’s an older dog, or if he’s making a big mess). We’ve also covered some of the facts and myths about elevated bowls here if you’re curious.
So, how do you find the right height for the best raised dog food bowls?
Measure your dog as he’s standing normally. Measure from the floor straight up to his shoulder blades. Now, subtract six inches from this measurement. If the bowl is at the correct height, it should sit level with the lower part of your dog’s chest. Fido should be able to eat without extending his neck upwards or having to lower it.
TOP 5: Best Raised Dog Food Bowls
Most convenient for messy eaters or senior dogs
1PetFusion Elevated Pet Feeder
Elevated feeders are often prescribed by vets for dogs that have difficulty stooping while eating or drinking. Aging dogs, and those with arthritis and other mobility issues, are dogs with such needs. This elevated pet feeder from PetFusion will make things a lot easier for your canine companion. Available in two sizes – 4” high for small dogs and 10” high for tall dogs – this feeder will ease the strain off the dog’s neck, shoulders, and joints during mealtimes.
The bowl holder has a classy and functional design and is durably constructed from Grade A pine. The feeder contains three food-grade stainless steel bowls. Two of the bowls can have 3 cups of food each, and the other is more shallow and only holds 13 ounces. With two elevations to choose from, pet owners find this to be suitable for a variety of breeds and sizes of dogs.
The elevated bowl holder not only makes eating more enjoyable and effortless, it also keeps the feeding bowls in place and the feeding area more orderly. The natural tone of the material easily blends with existing décor, and all the parts of the PetFusion Elevated Pet Feeder are a breeze to clean and maintain.
Most dog owners who purchased this item say that it has served them well for years now. While it may be one of the best raised dog food bowls, some reviewers noted that the vinyl was easily dirtied. They also said that in just a few short months water drips had caused the vinyl to peel.
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Most helpful dog owner’s review (read the full Amazon review + VIDEO): “A quick video review, hosted by our 80lb yellow Labrador Retriever, Zed. As you can see, Zed loves his new PetFusion elevated pet bowl holder, and we love it too! We were …”
2Suncast Elevated Feeding Tray
This elevated feeding tray from Suncast is a good investment for pet owners with big dogs that have to stoop very low to reach their food. The strain on the neck, shoulders, and back often aggravates existing conditions, and can even cause posture disorders. This setup was designed to prevent situations such as those mentioned.
The tray measures 13”x22”x4” and is made from high-quality hard plastic with legs that can be stored underneath. Two stainless steel bowls are included, each measuring 8” in diameter with a capacity of 6-8 cups of food or water. When used without the legs, the tray is just the right height for puppies or small pets. Used at its full height, it brings food to about 1 foot from the ground – the ideal height for medium to large dogs.
Buyers who have been using this for quite a time are happy that the bowls haven’t shown any signs of rusting, and the tray has stood up to their dog’s normal playfulness. Pet owners raise their thumbs up for this product. The Suncast Elevated Feeding Tray brings food up from the floor to the perfect height, keeps things in the pet feeding area in order, and prevents bloating and many disorders associated with stooping while eating or drinking.
This product is reasonably priced, too, making it a really great buy. One reviewer shared photos of two small rust spots that developed in the bottom of one of the stainless steel bowls after just a few months of use. Other buyers were not pleased that the legs were not adjustable. They say when placed on the floor the bowls are not tall enough, but when raised with the legs they are too tall for medium breeds.
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3 OurPets Right Height Café Dog Feeder
The OurPets Right Height Café Dog Feeder measures 13.5″ x 27.75” x 16” and raises the food 16 inches off the ground. This makes eating convenient and strain-free, especially for big dogs. The tray is made of durable plastic with steady legs that keep it stable. The outer lip of the tray is raised to keep spilled food or water from falling on the floor.
The stainless steel bowls measure 10” in diameter and 3” deep. It does not need to be tucked away from view even when not in use because the black color and sleek design are visually appealing. Pet owners found this to be the perfect setup for their bigger dog breeds, such as Great Danes and St. Bernard. The height is good and has resolved issues such as bloating, throwing up after a meal, or choking.
The bowls are larger than usual and hold a substantial amount of food and water. Buyers like that the bottom of the bowls are rounded, making it easier for the dogs to lick their food clean, although some pet owners wanted flat bottoms to allow for bigger volume or capacity. This US-made feeder has been a fixture in most homes for many years now because of the reasons mentioned. The OurPets Right Height Café Dog Feeder wipes clean with a cloth.
This product is one of the best raised dog food bowls as it can be washed in the dishwasher and is quite easy to hand-wash, too. Unlike some feeders that have an open hole to drop the bowls into, this one has enclosed spaces for each bowl. Reviewers did not like this, as water and food particles would get in between the bowl and the feeder requiring frequent cleaning.
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4 IRIS Airtight Elevated Storage Feeder
Elevated feeder and food storage rolled into one – is what this product from IRIS USA, Inc. is all about. It is available in three sizes-small, medium, and large – and colors of tan, green and black. The large size measures 21.53”x14.29”x15.04”, stands 15” high, stores 64 cups of dry food, and holds two 2-quart stainless steel bowls.
Pet owners who bought this were extremely happy with their purchase. The design of this feeder is simple, but very well thought-out. The plastic material used for the base and storage makes the setup safe from water splashes and drips – clearly, an advantage over wooden or metallic trays.
All that’s needed is a handy rag to wipe away spills or dirt to keep everything clean and dry. The bowls are removable and can be washed without fuss. This makes for a very practical and highly useful pet item. Nothing can be more appropriate when bringing along your pet to a trip or camping than the IRIS Airtight Elevated Storage Feeder – a compact piece that stores the food and feeds the dog.
As with any of the best raised dog food bowls, this product is not without its flaws. Some reviewers were not pleased with the inconvenience that this product brings. Instead of simply filling the food bowls, you need to remove the water bowl before flipping open the top to gain access to the food. Also, similar to the OurPets bowl above, there are plastic wells that hold each bowl. These wells fill with water and food particles, meaning frequent cleaning is necessary.
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5 Bergan Elevated Double Bowl Feeder
This clean-looking elevated feeder from Bergan comes in hues of gray and black and measures 15”x15”x28”. The tray is made of molded BPA-safe plastic and holds two 2.75-quart stainless bowls in place. Those measurements are for the XL size, but two other sizes are available – medium and large. While this is designed for large dogs that need the extra height for their bowls, it may also be used with puppies so they may grow with the feeder.
The legs are removable, so the feeder settles lower while the dogs are small. As the dogs grow taller, the legs of the feeder can be attached to make mealtimes more comfortable for them. This feeder comes highly recommended by satisfied owners and happy pooches. It helped address the problems of dogs with illnesses affecting their joints, posture, or digestive system.
The Bergan Elevated Double Bowl Feeder is very sturdily made and stands up very well to occasional sanitizing in the dishwasher. Dog owners noted that the bowls fit securely over the holes designed for them. Since there’s no floor underneath, spilled water does not accumulate and there’s no messy buildup. That’s one less part to clean, one less chore to do.
Some reviews complained the sizing isn’t accurate, and even the largest size would not be suitable for a large or extra-large breed. Some buyers also commented that the legs are difficult to snap into place.
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