Elevated Bowl

**Labradorable** · 11-11-2009, 08:18 AM

Are your lab's dinner bowls elevated? We are making a built-in dish holder for Dozer's dishes. Mainly so he can't pick them up and toss them around -- stainless steal dishes make a helluva noise. I have read that elevated dishes can both be harmful and healthful for large breed dogs, so I'm not sure what to believe. We are not planning on making them too high, only about 6"-8" off the ground.

What's the consensus on this issue?

**bbbbmom** · 11-11-2009, 08:22 AM

We use elevated, except for Barley who uses the Brake-Fast bowl on the floor. They are about 10 inches high. Are you making your own? My husband mades ours if you want any tips

He's an amateur woodworker.

**Labradorable** · 11-11-2009, 09:41 AM

Thanks. My hubby is making it. He's really good with woodwork too, it's a hobby of his. He's building it into the kitchen cupboards ... we have a little space it will fit into nicely. That way he won't be able to move his dishes OR his dish stand. LOL

**The Texas Tank** · 11-11-2009, 09:47 AM

I have an elevated bowl for Tank due to his arthritis. It really helps him. I think I got it from Orvis and it was about $50. It is wrought iron and I use a glass bowl in it and I can tilt the bowl so it is even easier to get at. Now, saying that......you can get a $10 plant stand at Home Depot and works just as well

and that was called be in a hurry to buy something without thinking too hard or shopping around.

**bbbbmom** · 11-11-2009, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Labradorable

That way he won't be able to move his dishes OR his dish stand. LOL

Great idea....when Barley gets the zoomies, the feeders start teeter tottering, haha!

**Paddysmom** · 11-11-2009, 10:23 AM

I used an elevated eating station for Paddy from the time he was about five years old. He was just so tall that eating at floor level seemed a bit of an uncomfortable stretch for him. He appeared to enjoy having his food raised a bit... about 8" off the floor is all.

**goodguy** · 11-11-2009, 01:24 PM

We have used elevated for sami for 3 years now...

**blackandyellow** · 11-11-2009, 01:31 PM

I used an elevated dish with my Great Dane for all her life (8yrs). In tall breeds it is very important both to avoid neck injuries and prevent bloat from swallowing too much air. I never heard they could be bad. I used a plant stand that worked wonders.

I don´t use it for Misha and Homer though, they eat from the floor, they are shorty

**Betzfamily** · 11-11-2009, 03:33 PM

We use an elevated feeder. My dad made it for us using a picture from the internet and he cut out "bones" in the side for decoration. It is about 8 inches high with two dishes. One holds the food and the other is where Roxy deposits the tennis ball or toy before she starts eating. We used to have one for water and one for food, but all the toys kept getting wet...

I love your idea of building it right into a cabinet!

**Lucky6** · 11-11-2009, 03:48 PM

Koko did have hers elevated till last night when she used, well kinda used, her new brake fast bowl, which by the way she ate all her food this a.m. For my GSD's I used an elevated bowl. Yes there is controversy, but I think it depends on the individual case.