Should You Raise Your Dog’s Food and Water Bowls?
When eating or drinking from a bowl on the ground, dogs must lean forward and shift more of their weight onto their front legs. For healthy dogs this might not be a big deal — but for those with arthritis in the carpus, elbows, shoulders, or neck, it can make mealtimes uncomfortable.
Dogs with pelvic limb osteoarthritis (OA) already carry extra weight on their front limbs. Bending further to eat or drink can add even more strain, which may cause them to compensate with their shoulder and neck muscles.
By raising the bowl so your dog can eat with a neutral spine and minimal neck flexion, you can help shift some of that weight back onto the hind legs. For dogs with pelvic limb arthritis, this even acts as a gentle isometric exercise that helps strengthen their muscles.
The Ideal Height for Raised Bowls
A simple guideline: place the bowl at about your dog’s shoulder height.
You don’t need fancy equipment — though there are many purpose-made elevated feeders available. At home, you can also improvise:
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Large dogs: try a milk crate or sturdy plant pot stand
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Small dogs: use an upside-down bowl or small plant pot
If you want a slip-free option - try our elevated bowl stands
A Word of Caution: Bloat Risk
⚠️ Important: For deep-chested breeds, raised bowls may encourage faster eating and gulping of air, which is thought to increase the risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus, GDV) — a serious, life-threatening condition.
Before switching to raised bowls, always research the latest guidance on bloat prevention and discuss with your veterinarian if your dog is at risk.
References
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Canine Arthritis Resources & Education. Assistive Devices for Dogs with Arthritis. Link
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Canine Arthritis Resources & Education. Food Bowls & Raised Feeding Stations. Link
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Whole Dog Journal. All About Elevated Dog Bowls. Link
