Benefits of a Raised Dog Food Bowl
Typically your dog’s food and water dishes are placed on the floor. There may be benefits to your pet when their bowls are raised off the ground. Placing a dog bowl at an elevated height allows a more upright posture, beneficial for some dogs. When dog bowls are placed at a raised height this can provide less strain on your dog’s joints, especially helpful for old arthritic dogs.
Determine the Correct Height
Determine the correct position for your dog’s food bowl by measuring your standing dog from the floor under the front paws to the top of the shoulders and then subtract about 5 inches. Your dog should be able to eat without lowering her neck or stretching upwards. The top of a dog food bowl at the correct height should be about level with the lower part of your dog’s chest.
If you have a puppy who will grow into a big dog, you may want to consider a height adjustable feeder.
Small Size Breeds
Small sized dog breeds such as Dachshunds, Havanese, Pugs, Shih Ttzus, Toy Poodles and Westie’s. The ideal dog bowl height for these small dogs is usually from 2 to 6 inches depending on the specific size of the dog.
Medium Size Breeds
Beagles, Border Collies, Brittany Spaniels and Standard Schnauzers are examples of medium-sized dog breeds. Medium dogs will be most comfortable with a food bowl at a height between 7 to 12 inches.
Large Size Breeds
Large sized dog breeds include Boxers, Chow Chows, Collies, Dalmatians, Golden Retrievers may want a dog food bowl that is around 10 to 16 inches high.
Extra Large Breeds
Bloodhounds, Great Danes, Mastiffs and Saint Bernard’s are examples of breeds that are classified as extra-large. An extra-large dog may be ideal suited to a feeding bowl at a height ranging from 18 to 24 inches.
