Get One Of The Best Elevated Dog Bowls For Your Pup
An elevated dog bowl in 2021 is a great way to prevent strain and bloat for your dog. Many of the DogGear experts use elevated bowls for our dogs to help with comfort and long term posture and health of our dogs. We recommend speaking with your vet to determine if this is a product your dog needs.
Best Elevated Dog Bowl Buying Guide
If your dog has trouble eating regularly from a bowl on the floor, a specially designed elevated dog bowl can provide him or her with a comfortable place to eat and drink. Elevated bowls can be used in the kitchen, on your deck or on a patio to provide your pooch with an elevated spot to eat and drink, and they also make great additions to a playroom for your canine companion. However, choosing the right elevated bowl for you and your pup depends on several factors, including the dog's size, shape, age, health, physical activity level, level of mischief, how the bowl is attached to the stand, the type of surface the bowls are designed to fit, as well as the number of bowls that you need to purchase. To learn more about the varieties of dog food bowls available, continue reading our shopping guide. If you’re ready to buy, consider one of our top picks.
What are some tips for buying the right elevated dog bowl?
- When shopping for an elevated dog bowl, there are a few things you should know first.
- You will need an elevated food bowl that coincides with the height of your dog. In general, the height of the dog bowl should not be lower than your dog’s knees, as this would not serve as much of an imporvement than the bowl on the floor.
- If you are purchasing a bowl for a smaller dog, you will likely need one that's not too high, nor too low. An elevated bowl needs to be sturdy, so be sure to read the list of materials and instructions carefully.
- Elevated bowls need to remain dry and dust-free. That's because the water will collect in the dirt and debris that the bowl collects. To keep harmful bacteria from building up, make sure to wash the bowls and stand regularly.
- Many elevated staands have removable bowls that can be simply tossed into the dishwasher or easily hand-washed every now and then. Be sure that the stand has good grip, so that your pup will not be knocking it across the floor during mealtime.
What should I consider when buying an elevated dog bowl?
Elevation is an important consideration for your dog, as an elevated eating surface can greatly help preserve your dog's health and well-being; they require less strain and head movement than bowls placed on the floor, leading to less neck and joint problems for your pooch. Basically, by eliminating the need for you pup to bend over while eating, you decrease the effort required from your pup while enjoying their dinner. This leads to an ideal dinnertime that will leave your pooch feeling nourished instead of sore. There are several factors to consider when choosing the right height for you and your pup.
Height
The height of the bowls is directly related to the dog’s size. While your pooch may be perfectly happy with a bowl that's just a bit too high for him, a pup with bigger muscles could be put off by a lower bowl. For the same reason, you don't want to purchase a taller bowl than you need for a smaller dog. Finding the perfect height depends on the type of dog you have.
Size
To figure out the ideal bowl size for each of your pets, it helps to know the size of his/her head (when measured at the nape of their neck).
What are the prices like for elevated dog bowls?
Elevator bowls for dogs start at $15 and go up to $40 or more. These bowls have a higher level of quality than lower-priced bowls, but the majority of dogs will be happy with whatever elevated bowl you choose.
Inexpensive
The most inexpensive elevated dog bowls cost between $15 and $20. At this price, bowls will be made of plastic, usually consisting of limited elevation and a single bowl instead of two. These are fitting for smaller dogs or occasional use.
Mid-range
Elevated dog bowl prices run between around $20 and about $30, which is a decent range for most dogs. Most bowls in this range are made of ceramic or metal and are supported by frames of wood or metal. These comes as sets of two bowls so that your dog can eat and drink at the same time.
Expensive
High-end elevated dog bowls cost upwards of $35. If you pay this much, your dog will have plenty of incentive to eat in the bowl, as these will have options for the highest elevation.
What are some features I should pay attention to in elevated dog bowls?
Material
A dog bowl can come in a wide array of materials. Sometimes, the material is the most important feature to look for in any elevated dog food bowl. Most bowls are made of ceramic, plastic, stainless steel, or a combination of these materials that give the bowl its durability and other useful features. The frames of elevated dog bowls are usually made from wood or metal, with easy removal of the bowls for filling and cleaning. Materials also determine the price range of a bowl, so make sure you get the right one for your dog’s size and dietary needs.
Size
Ideally, you want your elevated food bowls to be large to remove the need for your pup to bend over significantly while eating, while not being so high that it is uncomfortable for them. If you‘re concerned about your pooch's ability to finish all of his meal in time, a smaller bowl might be more appropriate, and a bigger bowl may be best for a hungry, growing puppy. Depending on what types of food you feed your canine, it's also a good idea to choose bowls that are large but not too big to fit in the fridge, in case some of his fancier meals need to be refrigerated.
Ease of cleaning
Many elevated water bowls can be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled quite easily. For the best results, choose a elevated dog bowl that can easily be removed and rinsed out when it gets too dirty. Dog bowls often come with a built-in brush that makes it easy to wash out bowls or wash the dirt out of bowls when they're not in use.
About
Elevation is great for dogs, and eating from bowls on the floor can cause or exacerbate health problems in dogs. Elevated bowls help your pooch from getting sore from bending over, allowing him to focus all his energy on dinner. And they help keep him happy and healthy. High-quality dog bowl sets are engineered to be safe enough for your pet to eat from. They're designed with hardy bases that prevent the bowls from falling out or the structure from sliding around the floors. Many are made of sturdy material that's been designed to prevent cracks and crevices from forming. Some bowls also come with removable liners for easy cleaning. We‘ve put together a buying guide and some buying tips to help you choose an elevated dog bowl.
Comparing the Best Elevated Dog Bowls
Dogit Elevated Dog Bowl
– Contender
The non-slip, stainless lined elevated bowl from Dogit is perfect for small dogs that have neck or joint issues. I
Our DogGear experts love the simple, yet elegant design of this elevated dog dish. We also think that it’s the perfect height for small dogs. It makes food or water easier to reach, and it helps to improve digestion. The bowl is stainless steel and is set inside a colored dish that features a non-slip bottom.The only complaints that we noticed are that the dish could be a bit larger and the base could be a little heavier.
Stainless Steel Elevated Dog Bowl
– Bargain
The stand ergonomic stand will prevent your pup from having to strain his neck while eating or drinking, and it features a modern design that will work with any décor.
This set comes complete with two stainless steel bowls that are set in an attractive stand. The bowls are rust-proof, durable, and easy to clean. We are smitten with the design of this elevated dog bowl set. We love how sleek and modern it looks. It is the perfect height for their small pups. On the downside, it’s a bit too lightweight, and as such, it does tend to slide around on the floor.
Pawfect Pets Elevated Dog Bowl
– Expert Choice
The stand holds the bowls at the perfect height to reduce neck strain, and the modern bamboo style will work in any décor.
We love that this elevated dog bowl set comes with two sets of stainless steel dishes. The bowls are stainless steel, food-safe, and sturdy. They can hold up to 1.5 cups of food or water. The non-slip rubber grip on the bottom of the stand prevents the dishes from moving and reduces messes, which is a definite plus. Some users have reported that the bamboo warps and stains after a while.
FOREYY Elevated Dog Bowl
– Also Consider
This water resistant and anti slip elevated dog dish for medium dogs is designed to reduce strain and improve digestion. It is also comes with a manufacturer’s money-back guarantee.
It comes with two durable, rust-proof stainless steel bowls, which are set in a handsomely styled bamboo base. The design of this elevated dog bowl set is modern and sleek, and the paw print embellishment adds a bit of whimsy. The non-slip feet are a big plus, as they help to prevent the stand and dishes from moving about. Some people have said that the bamboo isn’t as durable as they would like it to be, as it can warp after a few months of use.
Simple yet effective elevated dog dish for your medium sized dog, the Dogit Stainless Steel Double Diner is a great option. The non-slip feet keep the bowls in place during feedings.
Our DogGear experts like the minimalist design of this elevated dog bowl set. It comes with two stainless steel dishes that hold up to 25 ounces of food or water each. The stand black metal stand is very simple, yet effective. We are also pleased with the non-slip feet on the bottom of the stand. There is one negative that we noticed: customers have said that the bowls become discolored after a few months of use.
This elevated dish set is the perfect choice for large dogs that tend to be a bit on the messy side. This advanced design catches spilled food and water, making cleaning easier.
It comes with two stainless steel bowls, which are set in a base that features the spill catch.
The height and size is perfect for large dogs, and the basin comes in several colors. Our team loves the design of the stand, saying that it really does make cleaning up a breeze. We also like how durable the dishes are. The downside is that the bowls could be a bit heavier.
For a reliable elevated dog dish set that won’t break the bank, this option from Pet Zone is a great choice. The stand can be adjusted to three heights so you can achieve the perfect size.
The elevated base holds two stainless steel bowls and features a retro black design. Users like that the legs on this stand can be adjusted; however, they do report that it could be a bit sturdier.
Elevated Dog Bowl FAQ
A: An elevated dog bowl is a bucket-shaped structure that elevates your dog’s bowl to the desired height. Elevating the bowl makes it easier for your pet to eat and prevents joint and muscle pain from excessive bending over.
A: Various stands are available that come with built-in, removable dog bowls.
A: You should clean your dog's bowls at least every other day, and the stand at least once a month. Food, water, and saliva residue can drip onto the stand, creating an unsightly and unsanitary eating environment for your pup. Some dog owners recommend cleaning the stand every other day along with the bowls, but some that are more meticulous than others. To make sure that the water stays fresh, it is best to clean the bowls as often as possible, so you can ensure that your pet is drinking water as clean as you would want it.
