There is no end of doggie products available today, and many of them are truly optional.  It is highly unlikely that your dog really needs that Santa hat with the big pom-pom at the end or yet another UFO shaped squeaky toy, but raised dog bowls are actually quite useful.  Finding such feeders is reasonably easy and makes a real difference in the quality of life with an older pet.

Raised dog bowls come in just about every height you can imagine.  Since the optimal eating height for a dog is six inches below the withers, the appropriate height varies from animal to animal.  If you have multiple dogs, you will need either to get more than one feeding station or get an adjustable one that you move up and down for each dog as you feed them.

You can find a raised feeder that matches your household décor.  The most basic of the feeders are a simple wooden or plastic platform that holds one to three bowls.  Each bowl gets designated for a specific purpose.  The bowls come out easily and can be placed in the dishwasher to ensure cleanliness.

Fancier units are made from metals, wrought iron, and decorative woods.  Some have storage areas beneath the bowls.  Still others have a feature that allows them to be adjusted height wise as your pet grows eliminating the need to purchase several units in the first year.

Honestly, your dog doesn’t care about the style of the feeder, they are just happy not to be eating from the floor any more.  For all but the shortest dogs, the altered posture necessary for eating off the floor is awkward.  You probably won’t need an elevated feeder if you have a Dachshund, but for other breeds, it can make a big difference.

Eating from a height of more than six inches causes a lot of pressure on the wrists and elbows and for large dogs, the problem is compounded.  Older dogs suffering from things like swollen joints, arthritis, and sore muscles, it can be quite painful to have to stoop to eat.  All these problems are alleviated by the purchase of raised dog bowls.

One of the nicest uses for elevated feeding stations is that of placing a bowl outdoors.  If you use a single bowl for water outside and combine it with a dog door and a fence of some type, your dog truly has the freedom to come and go as they please, even when you are at work.

That outdoor bowl is particularly useful if you exercise with your dog and both of you come home tired and thirsty.  Thirsty dogs make a huge mess when drinking; placing the drinking station outside your home will save you a great deal of cleanup.

There really are no down sides to raised dog bowls. It matches wrought iron feeder you bought now matches your kitchen and the new pet gate you bought. Not only do they make life better for your pet, they make things easier for you.  You don’t have to bend as far to feed them either.  Talk about a win/win situation.

How you feed your dog isn’t nearly as important as what you feed your dog.  However, once you and your vet have decided on the ideal food for you dear pet, it is time to put some thought into the kind of dog bowls available.  Odds are your dog won’t care too much where his food appears, but most owners care a great deal.  Here is some information about three of the most popular types of dog bowls.

PLASTIC BOWLS
Durable, sturdy and plain, plastic dog bowls are the most basic feeding bowl available.  This no-nonsense bowl is dishwasher safe and can have one or more compartments.  It can even be purchased with knobs attached to prevent your pup from eating too quickly.  Available in a tip resistant model with a wide base or especially thick sides to reduce damage from biting, this is the cheapest type of bowl you can buy.

Color selection is usually limited in a plastic bowl, and you are going to have to bypass any hope of personalization, but these bowls are a good deal.  Some bowls are even outfitted with a slip proof bottom to keep them in place as your dog eats.  A hard working basic choice, plastic bowls are useable by any dog.

CERAMIC BOWLS
Beautiful and easily customized, ceramic bowls can match any décor you want.  Their high-gloss, glazed finish make them dishwasher safe and pretty.  Of course, being ceramic, they chip and break easily, and chips can harbor bacteria.  Colors and styles are nearly endless, and if you feel so inclined you can go to your local pottery painting place and make a truly unique creation.

One of the most interesting things available with a ceramic bowl is a hood that reduces scattering.  The hood arches over the bowl a few inches and prevents food from being pushed over an open edge.

If you do purchase ceramic bowls make sure you have a mat or piece of carpeting to place beneath them.  This can help prevent chipping and breaking as your dog inadvertently pushes the bowl around when eating.

METAL BOWLS
About as sturdy as they come, a stainless steel bowl can last the lifetime of a dog.  Dishwasher safe, impossible to break and available in a variety of sizes, the metal dog bowl is as useful as it is popular.  Whether you pick stainless steel elevated dog bowls, tip resistant model or something more basic, this is a bowl that is built to withstand time.

If you feed from the preferred elevated feeder, than metal bowls are what you will use.  Available in a single station or multiple station models, elevated feeders are ideal for dogs of all sizes.  The metal bowl slips into the feeding location and can be easily removed when meal time is through.

Dogs like consistency.  Whatever food bowl you choose, you are likely to stick with for the long run.  While it may not seem like a big deal to us to change dog bowls from time to time, it can be stressful for a nervous animal. Just like dog beds, a bowl is a symbol of security and satiety to your dog.  A good pick will last you for years of happy meals.