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Checkout the Benefits of an Elevated Feeder to keep your dog healthy for the New Year and beyond.
Benefits For Your Pet:
Improved Posture and Added Comfort
If a dog has a back or joint problem, a raised dog feeder will aid your pet to eat and drink more comfortably and at a more comfortable position, as they will not have to stretch or bend to reach the food or water.
Improve digestion by eating more slowly.
Does your dog seem to gulp his or her food? An elevated feeder may slow down this action. Rapid eating can cause serious conditions such as bloat (or volvulus - twisting of the stomach), and mega-esophagus, which is a condition when the food accumulates into the esophagus instead of descending to the stomach. This can lead to regurgitation or more serious health issues.
Reduced Neck Strain
Improved eating height can help prevent neck shoulder and canine wrist areas. Pet will be more inclined to finish eating if they are eating in a comfortable position. Especially helpful for older or arthritic dogs.
Prevent Gas
Poor digestion can lead to sour stomach bloating and gas. Providing a raised feeder can insure your dog can properly digest their meal.
Improved Hygiene
Elevated feeders and dishes keep feeding areas cleaner. Elevated dishes help keep the food and water in the bowls and not on the floor.
Older pets May not get the nutrition they need. If eating or drinking is painful or uncomfortable, they are likely to eat or drink even less. Raising food and water to their level encourages eating and drinking.
For You:
If bending causes you discomfort, you won't need to bend down as far to pick up or put down heavy full dog dishes. Stainless steel bowls are also light enough to be removed for easy cleaning and filling. For the frail, physically handicapped, or persons with arthritis or back problems, elevated feeders can make a big difference.
Selecting a Dog Feeder:
If you have a growing dog you may want to consider an adjustable height feeder that you can raise as your puppy grows.
Sizing A Raised Dog Diner:
Choosing the right height when selecting an elevated dog feeder is important: You need to take your dog's specific physical features and needs into consideration so he/she is the most comfortable when using a raised dog feeder.
Adjustable Height Dog Diners allow you to change bowl height as your dog grows.
How do I measure my dog for an elevated dog bowl?
The simplest way to get the right height for a raised dog feeder is to measure your dog from the floor to his/her low chest level while standing with his/her front feet directly under him/her (which is where the top of the front legs meet the chest). That measurement is the right height for your dog's feeder.
Another way is to subtract 4 to 6 inches from your dog's wither height (top of shoulders).
Shop for a Raised Feeder now !
What the Experts say:
Elevated feeders have some benefits, however, they may not be the best choice from a health perspective since some breeds are already susceptible to bloat.
What is bloat
Bloat in dogs, gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), occurs most commonly in large breed dogs and is life-threatening. Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air, although food and fluid can also be present. The stomach swells and twisting occurs between the esophagus and upper intestine. Bloat can occur with or without twisting. The bloated stomach obstructs veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal organs.
Deep-chested dogs, such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, and Dobermans are particularly at risk. Smaller dogs, puppies, and less active dogs, will not have a great risk like larger more active dogs. Male dogs are much more likely to suffer from bloat than female dogs.
Causes of bloat
Some causes are believed to be rapid eating, elevated food bowls, dry foods that contain citric acid as a preservative, dry foods that contain fat among the first four ingredients, insufficient pancreatic enzymes, dilution of gastric juices necessary for complete digestion by drinking too much water before or after eating, eating gas-producing foods, drinking too much water too quickly, heredity-especially having a first degree relative who has bloated, build & physical characteristics and disposition. In addition to the risk factors listed, many veterinarians believe that stress also causes bloat.
Some Vets feel it's inadvisable to use elevated feeders if you have a dog already susceptible to bloat. While some experts feel studies on risk factors for bloat associated with elevated feeders are unclear. In the past, elevated feeders had been recommended by some veterinarians for dogs who may be susceptible to bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus - GDV). Other veterinarians recommend against their use. If your dog is at risk of developing bloat, contact your veterinarian regarding the use of an elevated feeder.
Hope this gives you something to chew on. Thanks and have a great year.
Sincerely,
The crew at Officialdoghouse.com
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