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Poodle eating in wheelchair from an elevated dog food bowl

9 Best Elevated Dog Bowls for Pets with Mobility Problems

Home » Blog » 9 Best Elevated Dog Bowls for Pets with Mobility Problems
March 21, 2023 by Sharon Seltzer
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Features all elevated dog bowls should have
  • The benefits of eating at the right height
  • How to calculate the right height
  • DIY Feeders
  • The risk of using an elevated dog bowl
  • 9 Best Elevated Dog Bowls+−
    • My Personal Favorite
    • WeatherTech® Double High Pet Feeding System
    • Features I like
    • Best Designed Elevated Bowl
    • Pawfect Pets Elevated Dog Bowl Stand
    • Features I like
    • Best Modern Set
    • PetFusion Elevated Dog Bowls-Anodized Aluminum
    • Features I like
    • Best Budget Bowl
    • Foreyy Raised Pet Bowls
    • Features I like
    • Best Adjustable Food Bowl
    • Toozey Elevated Dog Bowl
    • Features I like
    • Best Bowl for Small Dogs
    • Pawise Elevated Dog or Cat Bowl
    • Features I like
    • Best Bowl for Large Dogs
    • ForDog Elevated Dog Bowl
    • Features I like
    • Best for Travel
    • Tuff Pupper Elevated Travel Bowl
    • Features I like
    • Best Elevated Dog Bowl Stand
    • PetRageous Steel Frame Dog Feeder
    • Features I like
Poodle eating in wheelchair from an elevated dog food bowl
Photo courtesy of Janet C.

Do you use an elevated dog bowl? They’re a popular type of food and water bowl that’s raised off the ground, instead of resting on the floor. Raised bowls aren’t recommended for every dog, but they can be particularly beneficial for pets with balance and mobility problems.

I started using an elevated dog bowl after my Beagle hurt her neck. Olivia was in a lot of pain and couldn’t lower her neck to eat from her regular dish. After a quick Internet search I found a raised food and water bowl set that was tall enough for Olivia to eat and drink comfortably.

Thankfully, Olivia made a full recovery. I liked the raised feeder so much that I bought a second set for Bailey, my Rottweiler mix. Both girls have been using them ever since.

Elevated bowls are advertised as a healthier way for pets to eat. Their increased height places a dog or cat’s body in a more natural and comfortable position to enjoy a meal.

Raised bowls also improve life for pets with mobility problems. The feeders reduce head and neck pain in dogs with arthritis and they prevent animals with joint and spine problems from straining their back when they bend down to eat.

In addition, raised bowls are a valuable tool for dogs in wheelchairs. They let paralyzed pups eat while comfortably standing in their cart. There’s no need to lie your pet on the ground to have a meal. 

On the flip side, there are some disadvantages to elevated bowls. They can cause dogs with certain body shapes to be more susceptible to a serious condition called bloat.

Here are the pros and cons to feeding your dog from a raised bowl and the features elevated feeders should have.

Note: Some of the links in this article are Amazon affiliate links where I earn from qualifying purchases. Read our policy. Talk with your dog’s veterinarian before purchasing an elevated dog bowl.

Features all elevated dog bowls should have

Two dogs eating from elevated dog food bowls.
Bailey (L) and Olivia (R) eating from WeatherTech elevated food bowls.

All raised feeders should be made from sturdy materials that won’t flip over on your dog. Make sure your bowl has an anti-slip base and is made from BPA free plastic or stainless steel. These materials are healthier for your pet and they’re easy to clean with warm soapy water.

The benefits of eating at the right height

Eating from a raised bowl can make a world of difference for your pet. For instance, senior dogs and canines with arthritis struggle to eat from a bowl that’s placed on the ground. Bending over to reach the food causes these dogs to hunch their neck, bend down too far, or slide a leg backwards to maintain their balance. The situation can cause your pet to fall or it can worsen the symptoms of their medical condition.

The problem not only applies to arthritic and elderly dogs, but to pets with hind-end weakness, hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament injuries and other mobility issues.

Many paralyzed dogs lie on the ground to eat. While this might look like a comfortable position, it can potentially cause indigestion as the dog’s bodyweight pushes up against the food entering the stomach. It also places the dog’s neck in an unnatural position.

A raised bowl allows a paralyzed dog to eat while standing upright in their wheelchair.

How to calculate the right height

Dog ready to be measured
Photo courtesy of Depositphotos

According to DailyPuppy the optimal height of a raised bowl allows your pet to eat comfortably without lowering the neck or stretching the neck up. Talk with your vet about this because calculating the right height can depend on your dog’s diagnosis.

Here’s a formula to help you calculate the estimated height. Place your dog in a standing position and measure your dog from the ground to the top of the shoulders. Then subtract 5 – 6 inches. This should be the height where your pet can eat comfortably without stretching up or bending down.

DIY Feeders

DIY elevated dog food bowls.
Use supplies from your home to make a DIY elevated dog food bowl. Depositphotos.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on an elevated dog bowl. One can be easily assembled by placing your dog’s current feeder on a sturdy hard surface like a wooden box or a small table. Use the formula from above and place the food bowl at that level. It also helps to lay a non-skid mat on top of the surface so the bowl stays in place.

The risk of using an elevated dog bowl

There can be a health risk to using a raised bowl if you have one of the deep-chested dog breeds.

These breeds include:

German Shepherd

Great Dane

Weimaraner

Basset Hound

Greyhound

Doberman Pinscher

Irish Setter

Old English Sheepdog

Akita

St. Bernard

Standard Poodle

Deep chested dogs and any dog with a sensitive stomach are at risk for developing Gastric Bloat (GD) and Gastric Dilation & Volvulus (GVD) when they eat from an elevated food or water bowl. 

GD causes a dog’s stomach to painfully fill with gas. Dogs with GVD develop a gassy stomach that twists and cuts off blood flow to the area. Both conditions are considered to be life-threatening medical emergencies.

Dogs with GD and GVD show signs of a bloated stomach, pacing and restlessness, rapid breathing and unsuccessful vomiting. Many dogs also whine in pain.

If your dog has a sensitive stomach or is a deep-chested breed, do not introduce an elevated food or water bowl. 

9 Best Elevated Dog Bowls

My Personal Favorite

WeatherTech® Double High Pet Feeding System

WeatherTech elevated dog bowl
Click here to see product.

This is the elevated food and water bowl system I use for Olivia and Bailey. Olivia uses the 4-inch-high set and Bailey uses the 10-inch.

Features I like

  • The WeatherTech® Feeding System is easy to assemble, sturdy and easy to clean.
  • Made in the USA from NSF Certified 100% non-toxic plastic.
  • The sloped design catches food and water in the tray and not on your floor.
  • The bowls are made from dishwasher safe stainless steel.
  • Comes in lots of sizes that range from 1.5 inches tall to 14 inches.

      Best Designed Elevated Bowl

      Pawfect Pets Elevated Dog Bowl Stand

      Pawperfect Pets wood elevated dog bowl
      Click to read more.

      Features I like

      • Beautiful design that will enhance any home
      • Made from natural bamboo
      • Comes in two sizes
      • Stainless steel bowls that are easy to clean
      • Sleek, stable and sturdy

      Best Modern Set

      PetFusion Elevated Dog Bowls-Anodized Aluminum

      PetFusion elevated dog bowl
      Click here to learn more.

      Features I like

      • Made from corrosion resistant Anodized Aluminum
      • Color infused so it will not chip
      • Two sizes – for small dog and for a large dog
      • Award winning design – Top 10 Best New Products
      • Two stainless steel bowls
      • No assembly required

      Best Budget Bowl

      Foreyy Raised Pet Bowls

      Foreyy raised pet bowls
      Click here to learn more.

      Features I like

      • Made real water-resistant bamboo
      • Reasonable price
      • Easy to clean
      • Stable anti-skid legs
      • Premium stainless steel bowls dishwasher safe
      • Comes in 3 sizes – 4”, 7” and 10”

      Best Adjustable Food Bowl

      Toozey Elevated Dog Bowl

      Toozey Elevated Dog Bowl
      Click here to read more.

      Features I like

      • Has 4 adjustable heights – great for dog still growing
      • Develops a healthy eating posture
      • Two stainless steel bowls
      • Anti-slip silicone mat at the bottom of each leg
      • Lifetime warranty

      Best Bowl for Small Dogs

      Pawise Elevated Dog or Cat Bowl

      Pawise Elevated Dog Food Bowl
      Click here for more info.

      Features I like

      • Modern design with warm finish
      • Durable wooden frame
      • Eco-friendly non-toxic black powder water resistant coating
      • 2 Stainless steel bowls
      • Economical

      Best Bowl for Large Dogs

      ForDog Elevated Dog Bowl

      ForDog elevated food bowl
      Click for more information.

      Features I like

      • Fun design with cutout paw prints
      • Adjusts up to 20” in height for large and giant breed dogs
      • Sturdy and durable stainless steel
      • Allows tall dog to drink and eat in comfort
      • Stainless steel bowls.
      • Lifetime warranty

      Best for Travel

      Tuff Pupper Elevated Travel Bowl

      Tuff Pupper Elevated Travel Dog Bowl
      Click to learn more.

      Features I like

      • Compact and easy to use single elevated dog bowl
      • Wide base for stability and non-slip legs
      • Folding legs for compact storage
      • 100% non-toxic, food grade silicone bowl. 
      • Dishwater safe

      Best Elevated Dog Bowl Stand

      PetRageous Steel Frame Dog Feeder

      PetRageous dog food stand
      Click to read more.

        Features I like

        • Anti-slip feeder stand with non-skid rubber feet
        • Keeps your own food and water bowls organized.
        • Accommodate two dog or cat 8” bowls
        • Sits 7” tall
        • Easy to assemble
        • Easy to clean

        About Sharon Seltzer

        I’m a blogger, professional writer and co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. I’m also a pet mom who’s raised 9 dogs, 6 cats and lots of other critters. When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008, it was a lonely experience. It took months to find all of the resources to help her live a quality life. My mission is to share those services with other pet owners and to teach people how to care for a disabled dog.

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        DogWheelchairLife.com is a blog that teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. As the owner, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. These are affiliate programs designed for sites to earn advertising fees (commissions) by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page

        We Are A Resource for Pet Owners

        Dog Wheelchair LIFE teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. This is not a medical site and I am not a veterinarian. I am a blogger and pet mom who was the caretaker for Sophie, a paraplegic dog. I’m also a co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas, NV and an animal writer who has contributed to websites and magazines.

        The information shared on this site is based on my personal experience and the research I do for each story. Please do not use the content from this blog in place of professional veterinary care.

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