Using a Raised Feeder

[Hannah & Pepper]

Hi All,

We bought one of those raised stage feeders for Pepper, but haven't raised it yet since she's still a pup.  A raised feeder was recommended to us by our breeder.  But I just read something on the AKC site that said raised feeders could contribute to bloat, whereas I thought they helped prevent it?

Any thoughts or experiences with raised feeders here?  Thanks!  

[Laura and Angus]

I have seen a number of sites and articles that state that raised feeders can contribute to bloat and so we got rid of ours and now put our pup's bowls on the floor on a cute little bone-shaped plastic mat that has a lip around the edge. 

[Hannah & Pepper]

Thanks Laura!  Does anyone know any science/reasoning/studies about this?  It's just curious because I've seen things online that argue for each.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We have used a raised feeder, for the last 4 years, without any problems. I too, have seen the articles, promoting or arguing against the idea of the raised bowl. It seems to vary on any given day.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I've researched this quite a bit, and here's what I learned.

For many years, it was believed that raised feeders helped prevent bloat in the large and giant breeds who are prone to it. It was believe that it helped decrease the amount of air that the dog gulped as he was eating. Most people who owned these breeds did use a raised feeder, not just to try to avoid bloat, but also because it just makes sense that a dog who is very tall would be more comfortable having the dish closer to his mouth and not having to eat with his neck bent a couple of feet to the floor.

Then a large study was done at Purdue to try to determine risk factors for bloat. Many of the dogs used in the study were Great Danes, a breed with a very high risk for bloat. The data showed that one factor that most of the Danes who did bloat had in common was that they ate from raised dishes. So raised feeding dishes were included in the list of factors contributing to bloat.

The problem with this theory, though, is that since almost all Great Danes were fed from raised feeders, all of those who did bloat used that kind of dish. The other side of that is that all of the dogs who did not bloat also used that kind of dish. Many people feel that this negates the idea that the raised dishes contribute to bloat.  (It's kind of like saying, well all of the Weimaraners who developed X disease were grey, therefore, being grey is a risk factor for X disease, when ALL Weimaraners are grey, because it's the only color they come in, lol.) I am one who agrees with that, and have always used a raised feeder for Jack. I am certain that it is much more comfortable for him, especially since he has back problems and disc disease.

How does this apply to doodles? It's important to keep in mind that Standard Poodles are one of the breeds most affected by bloat. If your doodle has no Standard Poodle in his heritage, you probably don't have to worry much, although any dog could experience bloat. If you have a small to medium sized doodle, there's really no reason to use a raised feeder anyway. If you have a standard doodle, or one with lots of Standard Poodle in his genetics, or if your doodle has a very deep narrow chest, (major contributing factor for bloat), you will want to do more research on all of the risk factors for bloat, and make your own decision. You will want to consider using a Slo-Bowl to slow down gulping as well. We have quite a bit of info and discussions on this in the Health Group. 

[Laura and Angus]

Thanks for this answer, Karen! I have wondered this myself regularly. As it turned out, our weird and goofy doodle often lays down while he eats these days, so he definitely wouldn't want a raised feeder. How big is Jack anyway? Angus is a standard doodle weighing about 68 lbs. though he is not particularly tall like most standard poodles. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack has shrunk in his old age, but for most of his life, he weighed 80-85 lbs and measured about 26 inches at the shoulder. He has a huge head and is built more like a Lab than a Poodle. 

[Hannah & Pepper]

Karen--thank you for the input!  My husband is a scientist, and he would definitely appreciate you digging into that explanation of the study!

Pepper's dad is a full standard poodle so this is definitely a concern for us.  I grew up with a Standard Poodle and I think I remember us using an elevated bowl as well. 

Overall, this makes me lean towards having a raised food/water station for her, but I still have a bit of time before I have to make a decision.

Also--thank you for the slo-bowl recommendation!  I will look into that as pepper seems to eat and drink water quickly!

Thanks all!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Slow bowl by Outward Hound - can be ordered on Amazon

[Kate C Pappas]

I've studied both sides and have used raised feeders since day one. Yarra is 11 and Yindi, almost 8. To me, the size of the dog is relative to the distance of their bowl from their mouths. I hope everyone does their own research, makes a decision that will work for them.

[Carol and Truffle]

I'm very late to this thread -- going to get a puppy in May. Just wanted to share something we experience with one of our Golden Retrievers. While mom was fine eating from the floor level, we had to get her son, who grew to 80 lbs, a raised feeder. 

We noticed that when he ate from floor level, he seemed to almost hyperventilate & wheezed while eating. When we raised his food & water bowls, these symptoms were eliminated. No idea what his problem was, but he clearly was not comfortable when having to eat from floor level.

[DonMarie and Picco]

I've always thought of it as a comfort thing.  My husband built a monogrammed table for Picco and also for a friend's poodle.  Both dogs won't eat at home any other way now.  They won't eat out of a dish on the floor at home it has to be on the table!