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Raised dog food bowls

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1.9K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  WNGD  
#1 ·
I found an older thread that addressed the issue of using raised dogfood feeders that it increased the risk of bloat. I was just wondering if the status quo is to NOT use the raised feeders. I've always fed Koda using a raised feeder but after reading the older thread I will set his food bowl on the floor. The water bowl has always been on the floor so the cats could drink. Any advice or newer research sites would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 
#4 ·
My girl always looked incredibly uncomfortable eating from the floor and tended to swallow down the wrong the more because of it so she has raised bowls, and doesn't have to be like a giraffe trying to eat 😂 My other dogs haven't had raised bowls if they are small or medium sized but the big ones I've had just look uncomfy to me. Probably depends upon the individual dog!
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#5 ·
My girl always looked incredibly uncomfortable eating from the floor and tended to swallow down the wrong the more because of it so she has raised bowls, and doesn't have to be like a giraffe trying to eat 😂 My other dogs haven't had raised bowls if they are small or medium sized but the big ones I've had just look uncomfy to me. Probably depends upon the individual dog!
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This is such an odd topic to me. My Husky stands at his bowl (which is on the floor) and has no issues because of it. Not a surprise because, like you referenced small or medium dogs, he is smaller than my GSD's.
However, my last 3 Shepherds and the 1 Mal I adopted from a deceased friend's estate all laid flat on the floor to eat. I could accept that the GSD puppies learned by example from the older dogs, but the Mal already had that technique when he moved in.
They are very skilled at self-adjusting, aren't they?
 
#6 ·
Recommendations change. Years ago we were told to raise bowls to avoid bloat. Now we are told not to. I have never raised mine. My BFF always feeds her dogs with raised bowls because she had a BC that developed Megaesophagus. She's a strong believer in raised bowls because of that experience. But she had never had breeds prone to bloat.
 
#8 ·
I had a dog 30 years ago that died of bloat and my vet told me to use raised bowls. I did that for decades and many dogs with no isses. These days, sometimes the bowls are raised, sometimes they're not.

I read the raised bowl or not papers and it points towards not raising the bowls but is certainly not definitive because to be fair, to my memory there were so many variables. I think it's far more important to not have vigorous play or rolling around after meals. And don't sweat it.