raised feeders

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I have a raised, adjustable feeder for Cooper. She is about 27 inches tall (to the shoulder) and her feeder is about 17 inches high.

I work in the pet industry and recently went to a different location to cover someones shift. I saw a "Neater Feeder" (see below for link) and loved it! I have been trying to find something for my cats for a long time. I didnt have chance to really look at it as we were busy, but im going on my day off to buy 1 for each of my 2 cats.

I would also love to get one for Cooper but the largest only goes as high as 11 inches. It says its designed for dogs the size of labs and goldens. 

I was wondering what peoples opinions are regarding the height of elevated feeders compared to the height of the dog

http://www.neaterfeeder.com/Articles.asp?ID=141

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This wouldn't help me contain any messes at all. The water would still drip from JD's beard all over the floor, and he would still carry mouthfuls of food from his bowl to a carpetted area to eat it, dropping pieces all the way. He is a Slobdoodle.
I use an adjustable elevated feeder that I love. The tops of the bowls are about 14.5 inches from the floor, and Jack is 25- 26" at the shoulder.

[Kyoko]

I read both benefit and tisk of using raised feeder in regard to "Bloat"......I don't know which one is true.....
Since Butter had bloat almost 4 years ago, I quit using the raised feeder.....

[Dori & Rua]

I used to have a labradoodle that was a pig when she ate. Food flew and the wall would get saturated when she slurped up water. Before I got Rua in September, I was at a natural foods pet store and found the NeaterFeeder. I bought one (small). Rua was only 4 lbs when she came home and had to stretch to reach the bowls and couldn't feed from the sides. But now that she is 7+lbs...she can reach quite easily. I love that it contains the mess - food and water. I'll probably have to add extensions soon.

I can't remember if I heard this officially, but based on complaints from people about how small the Large was, they were looking into a larger size.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

yeah i sent them a message yesterday asking if they planned on making a taller one

[Wendy]

I have a raised feeder but haven't used it yet. Motta lays down to eat and Miley is such a girl, I don't worry about her. I too have read about bloat and don't know what to think.

[Natasha]

We bought a raised feeder out of our concern about bloat. Rouser is just under 28 inches at the shoulder and he was having to bend so far down to eat and drink that he would do both WAY too quickly. He would literally inhale both and then start choking and coughing. He would also try to lay down to eat but that didn't work for him.

As soon as we bought the raised feeder (with a wider bowl so the food spreads out more) he slowed way down when eating and drinking. It takes him at least 3 times longer to eat and he's actually chewing now.

I had read the same concerns about raised bowls and bloat and I was prepared to go to a different configuration if he didn't slow down while eating. I do continue to monitor him, but I think this is a much better situation for us. While eating quickly is only one part of the equation re: bloat, Rouser's previous bowls were definitely cause for concern.

Regarding the neater feeder - Rouser's mess comes from his beard and dripping water which would not be fixed by this (given that the water ends up everywhere in the kitchen). I'm not sure if your dog is messy with his food in a localized area, though. If your current bowls are working for your dog - I'd say keep them.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

here is the reply I got

Kaytlin,
Thank you for your inquiry. The bowl height of the large Neater Feeder with leg extensions is 11". We have talked with many veterinarians and have found that an 11" feeding height works for most large dogs. Please contact your vet to ask if this feeding height will work for your dog. Also, please let us know what you think once your cats have used their Neater Feeders. If you have any further questions, please let me know.