Elevated Bowls or Not?

[Campbell Corso]

Hello Everyone,
Just an easy question today. Do you recommend an elevated eating platform? We are going down our checklist and have two diff. opinions on this one. Any thoughts?

 

[Ak3179]

I have heard that the elevated eating platform is the way to go. We are actually getting our female CC in about 3 weeks and we just got a elevated platform for her. I hope the experts chim in and say that they are good to use because I was curious myself

 

[ruthcatrin]

Official opinions depend on who you talk to.

There was a study done which appeared to show a signifigant link between raised bowls and bloat. But after looking closer at it, and the arguments against it, I have to agree with the folks who say the study was flawed. Basically a very large number of dogs in the study were fed from raised bowls, so its not surprising that a number of the dogs who bloated were fed from raised bowls, and the study didn't adjust their numbers to take that into account.

I personally think that whether you feed from raised bowls or not should be dependant on your dog. You don't want the dog GULPING their food, because that leads to gulping air, which can lead to bloat. If he eats with less gulping from raised bowls, then feed from raised bowls.

 

[shodanusmc]

First and 2nd Corso have/are using elevated bowls.

 

[CeeCee]

I have a Dane mix and a CC and we use raised bowls in my house and we limit activity for at least 30 minutes after eating. I never heard of the study Ruth mentioned.

 

[SemisMom]

That was my dilemma also when also purchasing bowls. I got a neater feeder and it's great for spills and drool. It's not too low to the ground nor is it raised high.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Here's the study: Study

and one of the discussions problems with the study: http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/on_my_soap_box_purdue_bloat_study.htm

Also you need to know most of the dogs that were viewed in this study were seen-chest measured, while they were at a Great Dane Specialty show or at the Great Dane week long National Specialty which means all the dogs tested were actually owned by professional breeders. Virtually 99% all the dogs measured would have been raised with elevated dishes, hence the high numbers in the study.

 

[Campbell Corso]

Thanks for the input so far. I have heard of bloat problems for G. Danes. Is it an issue specifically for CC as well or is it a general big dog issue?


Campbell Corso

 

[ruthcatrin]

Dogs with large/deep chests are considered to be more at risk. So Danes and sighthounds are a major risk, but the mastiff types need to be watched carefully for it. Theres a thread just recently up in health on bloat, with links and video of bloat signs, and things you can do if you suspect bloat to help make sure your dog makes it to the vet.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Here: Bloat question

 

[DennasMom]

We use raised bowls too.

We got a version that is adjustable. We've had it on a medium setting for a while now. Last week I folded it all up to visit my parents, and left it at the lowest setting when it got put back up. About a 2" difference... Denna could care less about the adjustment - it's still ~8" off the floor. I think she does like it off the ground though. When eating stuff too big for the bowl (raw fed), she tends to lay down with it, so I think she'd rather not stand to eat from something on the floor.

That would be a very UN-scientific reason for going with raised bowls... but... well... that's how we roll here.

 

[CeeCee]

Here's the study: Study

and one of the discussions problems with the study: http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/on_my_soap_box_purdue_bloat_study.htm

Great! Thank you for sharing.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Welcome!

 

[Smokeycat]

I use raised bowls because my dogs just seem more comfortable eating from them then from the floor.

 

[Campbell Corso]

Wow, I could get used to this. I kinda like having my questions answered quickly and thoughtfully by people with first hand knowledge. It will spoil me for real life. Can I ask you DennasMom the make of the adjustable bowls and if you like them/would recommend them. Thank you all again, esp. Ruthcatrin for the welcome and the link.

 

[Francesco]

I have been using a raised bowl for 2 months. Actually my puppy got me thinking because at 4 months he started eating while lying down

 

[Ben Curtis]

We use a raised bowl, and it is mostly because I think Leo prefers it. We have a little bowl that mounts to his kennel for when he was a pup and his food and drink were in it. His food has long since been moved, but he loves drinking out of that little bowl. I am surprised he can even fit his tongue in it. It's funny when he is thirsty he will start at the little bowl. Usually empty it, and then go to the larger bowl. The small bowl is plastic and the larger bowl is metal, besides that the only difference is that the small bowl is about 6" higher than his raised bowl.