Weidenstrasse German shepherd Zwinger



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Why I let my dogs eat from a raised position!

I always wanted to write an article about this topic and share my experiences with the interested readers.

Why did I actually start this feeding method and how long ago? For the last 20 years I have been feeding ALL MY DOGS from a raised position and have never experienced a disadvantage.

Let me list some of the benefits:

Cleanliness

Cleanliness is essential to a sanitary life. Your pooch will not drop as much food on the floor as the food bowl being raised.

Better body posture and comfort

If a dog has a back or neck problem, a raised food bowl will certainly help him/her eat and drink more comfortably and at a more natural position.

Crush von der Weidenstrasse

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I adjust the height in accordance with the growth of the pup. Once they are fully grown you only need one height.

Easy swallowing

Just try to imagine you have to swallow food and/or drink water with your head pointing down! Many dogs with conditions such as mega-esophagus find it very difficult to do so.

Slow down eating

This is a perfect way for fast eaters: your dog will not gulp his/her food from a raised position.

Healthy benefits

Have you ever wondered why some dogs eat laying down in front of their floor level food bowl? It is probably because they find the food to be set too low, and since they have to reach down to eat when standing up causing discomfort to their neck and shoulders, so they just lay down. That makes sense! A raised food bowl position will remedy this problem.

The raised food bowl position also reduces food and water gulping. A higher position is perfect for fast eaters: they will slow down eating, and will prevent some rare, but serious conditions, e.g. a dog bloat (or volvulus – twisting of the stomach), and mega-esophagus, which is a condition when the food accumulates into the esophagus instead of descending to the stomach. This can lead to regurgitation and eventually very serious other health issues. I would like to repeat: with a raised food bowl, the dog’s head being more raised as he eats, gravity will draw the food down into his stomach and minimize the risk of the problems mentioned above.

Also our oldies with arthritis, bad backs, necks, shoulder, joint or muscular pain are far more comfortable eating from a raised position.

Functionality

If bending causes you discomfort you will not need to bend down so much to pick the bowl up or put down heavy full dog dishes.

Choosing the right height

You need to take your dog’s size into consideration. I place the bowl at a height comfortable for the dog to just lower the head into the dish to eat. The above height is ideal for this young male of 6 months old.

Maren von der Heyde, Zwinger von der Weidenstrasse

21st July 2013

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