As your dog gets older, you may notice that he has a harder time getting around and doing the things he used to do. It can be a bit heartbreaking to see your dog wear down with age, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit by and just watch. So what can you do to make his senior years easier? The first thing people consider is mobility devices but never think of getting one of the best-elevated dog bowls to save on neck and back strain. Your dog has to bring his neck and head pretty low to the ground to get to his food and water, which can be painful for dogs with arthritis or other kinds of joint/muscle problems. Fortunately, there is no shortage of the best-elevated dog bowls that you can buy on the market.

Comparison Table:

But how does one shop for the ideal elevated dog bowl? Shopping for the best-raised dog bowls is quite a tricky affair, especially considering your options. To help you out, we have provided a quick guide about the best factors to consider when shopping. Plus, we have reviewed a couple of dog bowls which you can take as our personal recommendations. Let’s get to it!

Top Picks Best Elevated Dog Bowls

With the important features out of the way, it’s time to take a look at some of the top-rated products on the market. These dog bowls have been purchased and used time and time again, and there’s a reason they’re so popular with customers. To make your decision easier for you, we’ve decided to list them here, along with detailed reviews on what makes these products so great. Keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive, and if you do find a product on your own that works for you, then, by all means, go for it! Without further ado, here’s what we recommend.

1. Pet Lot Plus Raised Dog Bowls

 

• Price: Approximately $29.99
• Materials: Stainless steel, plastic (stand)
• Specific features: Stainless steel bowls, rugged stand that is also water-resistant
• Best use: Preventing/minimizing neck, hip, and shoulder strain in small/medium dogs/cats; can also be used with large dogs.

Description: If you’re looking for a raised dog bowl with no moving parts and that is easy to store away, then the Pet Lot Plus Raised Dog Bowls are sure to meet your expectations. The simple and sleek design is very attractive and goes with the decor in your house, but it’s not only its looks it has going for it. It’s built to be rugged so that it can withstand your dog’s eating habits, whether he’s a messy eater or nudges his bowl around the room while he devours his breakfast. The stand will stay in place no matter what and will resist any water that spills on it after your dog takes a drink. But even that is minimized with how the shape of the bowls has been designed; less kibble and water on the floor means less time cleaning up for you and more time spent with your pooch outside.   Related: If your dog is prone to hot spots or ear infections, you may want to consider this pack of 50 Chlorhexidine Wipes to ease the itching and pain involved with these conditions. Just take a wipe, apply it to the affected area, and then toss. It’s just that easy! And your pet won’t feel any uncomfortable sting either, which can make them afraid of receiving treatment altogether.

2. Pet Zone Stainless Steel Dog Bowl

 

• Price: Approximately $28.99
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Specific features: Adjustable, non-skidding, non-marking feet, safe to use in the dishwasher, stainless steel bowls.
• Best use: For growing puppies, dogs with neck/shoulder strain of any size.

Description: The Pet Zone Stainless Steel Dog Bowl definitely makes it easier for you to slack off on measuring your dog’s chest height. With the adjustable legs, this feeding bowl can be used on just about any dog without any issues. The stainless steel also makes this elevated bowl very easy to clean. You can wipe it down or even place it in the dishwasher to get it clean, and the bowls are no exception. Some dogs can be allergic to plastic bowls, so if you do notice some irritation around your dog’s nose and/or mouth, then stainless is definitely a better option for you to go with. The stand can also be stored away easily if you have no use for it, as the bowls still work just fine on their own. Just fold it up and tuck it away in the back of a cupboard or closet, and set it up when you need to use it again.   Related: It’s recommended that you never store your dog’s food right in the bag, as it’s susceptible to mold and pests getting inside. Instead, you could consider the IRIS 3-Piece Pet Food Container to store your dog’s food. It comes in a wide variety of colors for you to choose from, stores up to 33 quarts of food, and even comes with a 2-cup measuring scoop to take the guesswork out of how much you’re actually feeding your dog.

3. Bergan Double Bowl Feeder

 

• Price: Approximately $25.38
• Materials: Stainless steel
• Specific features: Removable legs, BPA-free plastic, stainless steel bowls.
• Best use: For large and aging dogs who have trouble bending over to eat.

Description: Although the Bergan Elevated Double Bowl Feeder is perfect for large dogs, the legs can be removed to make it easy for small dogs or puppies to use as well. This makes it perfect for it to adjust as your dog grows older so that you won’t have to purchase a separate feeding system in the future. Removing the legs is easy and can be stored separately to maximize the space in your cupboards for other dog stuff. The plastic is also quite easy to wipe down, making cleaning a hassle-free experience. The bowls are stainless steel, so you won’t have to worry about allergic reactions, and can be washed very easily in your dishwasher when they get a bit too grimy. They also hold a lot of food, which is perfect for large dogs instead of having to refill the bowl multiple times just to get your dog feeling full.   Related: For the senior dog that needs a bit more help with getting around and feeling comfortable, then Armarkat Pet Bed is perfect for those achy joints he gets after a light jog or chasing the frisbee. The pet bed is wonderfully plush, has a skid-free base so that it stays in place, and is waterproof against those small accidents your dog may have in the middle of the night. The wonderful fabric on top also holds more warmth to ease the pain of your dog’s arthritic joints.

4. OurPets Dog Feeding Station

 

• Price: Approximately $26.12
• Materials: Stainless steel, plastic (stand)
• Specific features: Stainless steel bowls, and ridges keep food and water in bowls
• Best use: For helping reduce the stress on pets’ joints.

Description: The bone-shaped OurPets Dog Feeding Station is a great choice for those who are looking for an affordable option for those looking for a way to save their senior dog on all this neck strain. The elevated legs are guaranteed to minimize neck and shoulder strain so that your dog can be more comfortable when he eats. The elevated feeder itself is quite easy to clean, with just a wiping down or a quick wash in the sink. The stainless steel bowls are the same way, but if you’re on a schedule, they can be popped into the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The stand also makes it very easy for you to pick the whole thing up and refill both bowls at the same time without having to bend over or make two trips. Instead, you can place it on your countertop and take care of your pet’s food and water before having to put it back down again. Definitely a time saver!   Related: Even when your dog isn’t eating or drinking, he’s going to need some way to keep his mind busy. The Kong Classic Dog Toy has been a popular choice for many dog owners because it’s durable, easy to use, easy to clean, and keeps their dogs busy for many hours while they’re out or just need some downtime. Smear some peanut butter inside, toss in a few pieces of a dog cookie, or just give it to your dog straight, he’s guaranteed to enjoy working his teeth on this durable toy.

5. Suncast Elevated Feeding Tray

 

• Price: Approximately $20.99
• Materials: Stainless steel, plastic (stand)
• Specific features: Adjustable height, stainless steel bowls
• Best use: For medium- to large-sized dogs with neck issues.

Description: Need an adjustable feeder that doesn’t require you to find additional storage for the legs? Then the Suncast Elevated Feeding Tray may be exactly what you’re looking for. The legs themselves fold under the feeder so that the tray sits directly on the floor, allowing you to still feed your dog without having to dismantle the whole thing. The fewer parts, the better. The tray is built out of durable plastic that won’t get dirty very easily and can be kept clean with the simple wiping of a damp cloth. Be aware that there aren’t rubber feet at the bottom of the tray, so it can be slid around very easily if your dog tends to be persistent with his eating. It may be best to pair this feeding tray with a rubber-bottomed mat in order to keep it in place and prevent spilling.   Related: Nothing’s more fun than brightening up your home with this funny PetRageous Tapestry Feeder Mat that will keep your dog’s bowls in place. It bears the hilarious message “One Spoiled Dog Lives Here”, with a quartet of bones in various colors. It’s sure to add some flavor to your home’s decor, as well as prevent your dog from spilling his food and water all over the place.

6. Pet Zone Raised Dog Feeder

 

• Price: Approximately $24.99
• Materials: Rust-proof stainless steel
• Specific features: Collapsible and adjustable legs, stainless steel bowls, rust-proof, dishwasher safe
• Best use: For growing dogs, or dogs of various sizes with neck/shoulder issues.

Description: Want a feeding bowl that will grow with your pup? Have senior dogs of various sizes? The Pet Zone Raised Dog Feeder is completely adjustable to various heights so there’s no need to buy a number of feeding bowls of different sizes in order to accommodate your pooch’s needs. One dog feeder can take care of everything, and it’s also super affordable. The adjustable legs are also stored right under the tray instead of you having to remove them so that there are no pieces to lose or having to find somewhere to store everything. And because it’s so durable, you’ll never have to replace any parts in the future. The tray itself is resistant to tipping or spilling, so that means more food and water in your dog’s bowls and less time for you to spend cleaning up after your canine best friend.   Related: If your dog is a voracious chewer, then you know what it’s like having to spend money to find the most durable toy that will be able to withstand fifteen minutes with your pooch. These Otterly Pets Rope Toys for small and medium dogs may be right up your alley, as they’re made with a durable rope that’s designed to withstand a lot of punishment, and can even help to keep your dog’s teeth clean. As they chew on it, the fibers are similar to floss against his teeth, keeping away that pesky tartar and bacteria that can give your dog bad breath. You also get four to the pack, so that means you have no shortage of toys to play with at such an affordable price.

7. Loving Pets Rustic Bone Diner

 

• Price: Approximately $11.98
• Materials: Stainless steel, copper (stand)
• Specific features: Vet recommended, dishwasher safe, bowl removes from base
• Best use: Perfect for small to medium-sized dogs with neck issues

Description: The beautifully-aged copper-like appearance of the Loving Pets Rustic Bone Diner definitely adds a touch of class to any home, and makes the stand even more durable. It’s guaranteed not to rust and is extremely bacteria-resistant, so there’s no need to worry about your dog getting sick. The stand itself is quite solid and won’t bend or warp under pressure, so it will last a very long time. The stand itself is very minimal and non-bulky, so it can be placed just about anywhere and still get the job done. In fact, you may even have a hard time deciding on where you should feed your dog once you receive your feeding tray, as you’ll want to show it off to everyone. The elevated bowls are quite easy to remove from the stand and place in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. And once they’re done, just pop them back in and they’re ready to be used again.   Related: Now that your dog’s eating great, why not help him look great too? The For Your Dog 2-in-1 Combo Brush provides dual sides of different bristles for different kinds of dog fur. The soft bristles on one side are great for short fur, help to remove dirt, debris, and loose hair, and help to spread your dog’s natural oil throughout his fur to give it a great shine. The pinned side is best used for tangles and slightly longer fur, especially for those breeds that have shedding undercoats.

8. Airtight Storage Feeder

 

• Price: Approximately $27.74
• Materials: Stainless steel, plastic
• Specific features: Storage unit serves as elevation, stainless steel bowls, feet to keep container from moving
• Best use: Large dogs who need aid with eating and digestion.

Description: Instead of getting a separate storage container that’s some distance away from your dog’s bowl, the IRIS Airtight Storage Feeder combines everything into one product for easy convenience. The bowls rest right on top of the storage container itself, so you can always see when you need to get more dog food and saves time and energy on having to move back and forth from the food to the dog bowl. The storage itself holds up to 64 cups of food, which is a lot. That means fewer trips to the grocery store and more time spent with your dog at home. It also keeps your dog’s food fresh until the very last bite, keeping it safe from mold and other pests with a taste for kibble. The lid also has snap-tight latches in case your dog is the kind to pig out when you’re not at home.   Related: It can be difficult to figure out just how much food you’re giving your dog, and you don’t want to use your good measuring cup to sort it out. Instead, the Petmate 3-cup Food Scoop takes out all the guesswork so you know exactly how much you’re feeding your dog. There are measurements around the lip of the scoop so you can measure between 1 and 3 cups of food, depending on your dog’s size and breed, so that he’s getting the right amount of food in each meal.

Things to Consider Before Purchasing

Before you run out to buy an elevated dog bowl, there are some very important things to keep in mind. It would be a waste of time and money to get one without first keeping these considerations in mind. Not only that, but you can also jeopardize the health of your dog in the process if you’re not careful. So here are the important considerations to remember if you’re considering getting an elevated feeding bowl for your dog.

1. Height

You need to know what height would best benefit your dog. Getting a bowl that’s too low or too high will only cause more pain for your dog. For this reason, it’s important that you measure your dog so that you can find the right elevated feeding bowl. In order to get the right measurement, please follow the below instructions:

• Have your dog stand on a hard, level floor.
• Kneel beside your dog with a tape measure, ensuring that he remains facing forward and with his feet behind him.
• Measure the distance from the floor to the front of his shoulders.
• Subtract seven inches from this measurement; this is the approximate height of the feeder you should get.
• This can end up being a bit tricky, so look for elevated bowls that are adjustable in height. This way, you have more flexibility with getting the feeder at the right height rather than having to search around for a fixed feeder at the right height.

2. Purpose of the Feeder

Elevated feeders are usually only recommended if you have a senior dog with back or neck issues that require him to reduce the strain on those parts of his body. Usually, a vet will recommend you get an elevated feeder to ease his pain and make it easier for him to get to his food and water. However, if your dog isn’t facing any such issues, then it would be best if you didn’t get him this kind of feeding bowl. This is because your dog can develop a condition called bloat, which is very painful and can jeopardize your dog’s health. What exactly is bloat? It’s also referred to as GDV (Gastric Dilatation & Volvulus), and involved the twisting of the stomach into the abdominal cavity, which results in a loss of blood flow to essential organs. By elevating your dog’s bowl, the food he eats doesn’t travel to his stomach the way it should, resulting in abnormal digestion. If you’ve already purchased an elevated bowl, the important symptoms of bloat to look out for are:

• labored breathing
• enlarged stomach
• excessive drooling
• weakness
• pale gums
• unsuccessful attempts at vomiting

It may seem like you’re doing a favor by bringing his food closer to his mouth, but as you can see, it ends up putting his health at risk.

3. Eating Habits

Does your dog have this unpleasant tendency to gulp down his food? Does he finish his meal in a matter of moments? While it’s easy to chalk this to your dog as just an overzealous eater, this eating habit can actually lead to potentially life-threatening conditions and bloat. Fortunately, there are elevated dog bowls that are designed to facilitate slow feeding. Slow feed bowls look like your traditional feeder but have raised lumps in the center. This makes it harder for dogs to pick up the pieces within which effectively slows down their rate of eating.

4. Material

Elevated dog bowls are available in many types of materials such as stainless steel, ceramic, plastic, and even wood. Each has its own pros and cons so it will be all up to you to decide which material is best for your pet. For example, ceramic dog bowls are great for expressing your style while silicone ones are great in terms of portability. In general, stainless bowls are the most durable and dishwasher-friendly when it comes to feeders – they’re quite inexpensive as well.

5. Size

Of course, you’ll need to choose the right bowl size for your dog. A long-nosed or large dog will have a difficult time feeding on a shallow dish. A deeper bowl would be more apt so he can safely and easily reach its food. Image showing rustic pallet furniture dog bowl stand pet For large dogs, a deeper dish is recommended. The same is true with pups with a long snout like a Greyhound or Dachshund, to prevent them from stubbing their snout. As you can see, this depends on the breed and size of your dog.

Wrap Up

Feeding your dog is essential to his health and energy levels, and even though they’re only eating twice a day, they do burn through a lot of calories. Senior dogs, not so much, but they do need the extra help in getting to their food, especially if they suffer from pain and joint problems in their necks and shoulders. Hopefully, with the info we’ve provided you, you can find the perfect elevated dog bowl that not only meets your standards but also provides the assistance that your dog needs. With that said, do you have an opinion you’d like to share with us? Want to recommend a great product we’ve missed out on? Be sure to hit us up in the comments section below, because we’d love to hear from you.