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  1. #1
    Senior Dog beth101509's Avatar
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    Question To Raise or Not To Raise

    Another thread was started regarding what kind of bowls people are using and a question was brought up that I really want to know the answer to:

    Should you use a raised feeder or not? I have read that it is better for larger dogs to use a raised feeder because it prevents stomach issues and is better for them due to their height. Another person read the opposite.

    Since I currently use a raised feeder, I am wondering if I am doing more harm than good or if it is one of those things where you will find opinions for both but neither has had enough research to be more correct over another.
    “Don't allow your happiness to be interrupted by overly judgmental people. The problem is not you, because even if you do good all the time, they would still find a way to judge you wrongly.”
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  2. #2
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    My female Akita had shoulder arthritis and it was for her that I started feeding with raised bowls. The bonus was that they slowed down the dogs' eating (Akitas are prone to bloat) and resulted in just one small burp afterwards. I've used raised feeders for larger dogs ever since.

    Sunnie has never agreed to eat off the floor. If not a raised feeder, I must hold her bowl. She's not as tall as a Lab. Danny eats off the floor. Neither of these dogs is a real gulper so I'm not concerned....as, as yet, neither seems to have any front-end issues.

    I swear by them for larger dogs.

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog BaconsMom's Avatar
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    I too wonder about this. We have fed in a raised feeder since Bacon was a pup.
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  5. #4
    Real Retriever sipsi's Avatar
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    I too wonder about this as I said on the other thread. I'm about to purchase new bowls for Latte. I had never heard about the downsides of the raised bowls before and now I'm confused. Hope we can find a satisfying answer.

  6. #5
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Have just always had raised feeders with larger dogs. I know some here don't. It does help Mardi with her arthritis not having to bend down so far. Mine is not great-dane-high feeders, and not mini-dog-size, mid range high.

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  8. #6
    Best Friend Retriever Sue's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by beth101509 View Post
    Since I currently use a raised feeder, I am wondering if I am doing more harm than good or if it is one of those things where you will find opinions for both but neither has had enough research to be more correct over another.
    This^^^^
    Well, sort of. Research is unclear as to which is better.
    I don't feel Labs are at risk of bloat as much as like Great Danes, or Greyhounds, or some of the larger dogs. I do use a raised up water dish for Abby, because she seems to drink a little better with it about a foot off the ground. She's also more deep chested, like a greyhound, than most Labs.
    I don't for her food, except when she tweaks her neck, which she does sometimes, and then I either hold the bowl up for her, or put it on something so she doesn't have to reach down.

    I don't think either way will harm Oliver. Whichever is easier for you and him.
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    “It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.”

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  10. #7
    House Broken rochie427's Avatar
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    I also use a raised feeder but not when we got Rosie at 8 weeks. Can't remember when we switched to the raised feeder though.

  11. #8
    Senior Dog doubledip1's Avatar
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    I have a raised feeder, but Luna regularly eats her kibble out of a nibble ball on the ground. Her water fountain isn't raised and she usually prefers to drink out of that versus standing water in a raised feeder.
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  12. #9
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    I've never used a raised feeder, and have not had any issues. I understand the logic, just never thought it was needed. It's kinda funny, but Bruce will lay down when he's drinking. He's the only one who's ever done it, and I've no idea why.

  13. #10
    Senior Dog arentspowell's Avatar
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    Daisy has always dined out of a raised feeder with a bowl for water and a bowl of food. The wiener has her own little bowls on a mat but for some reason she likes to drink out of Daisy's raised water bowl. It's kinda funny. I have heard conflicting info about which one is better so we've stuck with the raised for the big dog.

 



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