When you feed your dog it is only an obvious process of filling up the food and water bowls and setting them back on the ground, right? Not anything complicated, since dogs dont need anything fancy. The truth is, a lot of veterinarians don't agree with that statement. Even though there are a great many individuals that do feed their dogs in this manner, using an elevated feeder is much better for the dog for several reasons. At first it might not appear to be an important distinction, but the health issues that can be simply resolved by using an elevated dog feeder are numerous.
If you take a second to think about it, the concept of eating or drinking with your neck and back bent doesnt sound very comfortable or healthy does it? For senior dogs particularly, an elevated feeder is significant to their health. Like all mammals, humans included, older dogs usually eat less anyway. In addition, think about the discomfort of eating off of the floor and you'll realize that the risk of the animal not getting proper nutrition increases. It's necessary for older dogs to be as comfortable as they can to stay healthy and get the fuel they seriously need. This exact theory is applicable to animals that are arthritic or have joint problems. A raised dog feeders is a good item to use in ensuring the proper nutrition of an older or frail pet.
Lets keep in mind overall sanitation for a second. Pet bowls placed on the ground rapidly become a breeding ground for parasites and mold. The moisture from the water that spills as your dog picks up his head and swallows collects under the dishes and creates the optimal condition for harmful little pests to live. This is dangerous for the pets and the people in the home. When dogs drink from an elevated feeder it is not necessary for them to lift their heads in order to swallow and any water that does escape them tends to fall back into the bowl instead of onto the floor. An elevated feeder will definitely help to eliminate this probable health hazard to the whole family.
Another benefit to using an elevated feeder is gas. Go ahead and laugh, but there isnt a single dog owner who hasnt had to deal with their dogs occasional periods of noxious gas. If you need another reason to switch to a elevated dog feeders this is it. An elevated feeder makes it so the dog can keep their head at a more natural angle while they eat. As a result, your dog gulps less, reducing air intake into the stomach and eliminating the gas. Clearly the dog also feels a great deal better without the bloated feeling of constantly having gas - so it's really a win-win situation for the both of you.
On a more serious note, eating directly from the ground just isnt healthy for for your dog. Some dogs are hindered by a condition called megaesophagus. This is a condition in which the muscles of the esophagus become loose and too large. Eating off of the ground forces the affected animal to work against gravity with faulty equipment. Since the esophagus is weak to start with, the food often collects there instead of moving on the stomach. An elevated feeder lessens the work the muscles are forced to do and aids gravity in getting the food to the stomach, where it should be.
There are a lot of different reasons to spoil and take care of your dog. The most important of those being the day you brought him into your house; you essentially promised to care for him as best as you could. By providing your pet the proper materials to ensure good health is just part of doing your job.