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.

If you have a dog, you are going to want to take a look at dog fences. It isn’t practical or desirable for you to follow your dog around all the time, nor can you always get them out for a walk when they want to go. Additionally, sometimes the weather just makes the job of taking your dog for their daily constitutional impractical. On top of that you want to make sure that both your dog and your neighbors are safe. Here are some of the most popular types of dog fences.

SOLID FENCING

Ugly but immensely practical, chain link fences are a sure bet when looking to fence in a pet. Especially useful if you plan to create a dog run instead of fencing your entire yard, chain link can be partially buried to keep a digger inside. If you are going to build a dog run within your yard remember that length is more important than overall size. Create a space that permits your dog space to run a bit, even if the structure is narrow over all. As long as your fence is sufficiently high your dog will remain safely within the area. Add a nice shelter, a bowl of water and some toys and your dog will be happy and safe while you are not in attendance.

Wooden slat fences can do much the same thing, but you dog will have access to the whole yard. You are going to spend more time cleaning up your lawn but your dog will have a larger area to roam. Only you can determine if this is your goal. Either of these systems can be access by a dog door if planned correctly. Combining a dog door and a safely enclosed area allows you to give your pet the freedom to come and go as they please.

INVISIBLE FENCES

This style of electric fence uses radio transmitters and receivers to train your dog to remain within a certain area. Unlike solid fencing, radio fences have on visual impact upon your yard. If keeping your landscape unspoiled is important to you, this may be an ideal choice.

A wire is planted beneath the ground and your dog wears a collar that receives the signal the wire transmits. When your dog approaches the wire he gets warned by either a small electric shock or spray of citronella to stop. A series of lessons will teach your dog where the boundaries of the fence are.

The down side of underground pet fences is that they don’t keep others from entering your yard. Additionally, if your dog does make it past the line in a burst of unexpected enthusiasm, there is very little incentive for them to return to the yard and accept additional shocks to do so.

Regardless of what kind of fencing you choose consider your animal’s personality and learning curve. If you have a skittish and nervous dog the electric fence model is not a good choice, nor is it particularly good for dogs that tend to run off.