Raised food dish

[beeG]

I was told by a friend who owned boxers that it would a good idea to have a raised food dish with Boxers. She couldn't tell me why as she wasn't sure herself. I was just wondering if anyone else had heard this, and if so, why is a raised food dish good for a boxer?

Thanks

 

[gmacleod]

I can think of no reason why a raised feeder would be good for a boxer. They're perfectly capable of eating from the floor, just as nature designed and intended them to

Moreover, raised feeders have been shown by successive veterinary studies to increase the risk of bloat in large and deep chested breeds (yes, I know the hype around raised feeders is for preventing bloat - but they actually do the opposite and *increase* the risk). Boxers aren't the breed at highest risk of bloat (they're about 11th, if I recall correctly), but they are still at higher risk than most. And since bloat is frequently fatal, and eating from the floor is nothing but a minor inconvenience (if that), personally I would give the raised feeder a big pass. There is a sticky thread at the top of the health forum with more information on the bloat research, if you're interested.

 

[trc4941]

I was looking for one for Dino, because he tips his dish and tries to "bury" his food all the time. Which makes a huge mess. Instead I put his dish inside a cardboard box (16Lx12Wx8H). It works like a charm.

 

[AdamsBunch]

We do not used raised feeders and I don't really see the benefit in them. But to each their own....

 

[BonnyBoxer]

Bonny has a raised feeder. I bought it because she was almost doing the splits whilst trying to get the food on the floor. It looked very uncomfortable. She seems much happier with this feeder.

 

[chrystel]

yes, without their raise feeder, Snatch and Ox where trying to bend their gront paws.. like a girafe.. they were gulping their food with air.. the look more relax and eat more slow with the raiser..

Snatch is now 4.5years old, and once i forgot his raised feeder while dropping him for boarding at my friends... he didn't eat the 1st day! she finally figured it out and had to keep the bowl on the coffee table for him to eat..

The risk of bloat concerns me but i don't think Snatch would eat without it

 

[billbgh]

I too was using a raised feeder until I fell on some water on the floor. I posted it here under "Water Bowl Karma" in the boxer ring forum. This thread educated a bunch of us here as to why a raised feeder is not good. As gmacleod stated, there is a significant increase in bloat factors(which are not good for our pups) and that it is more natural to eat off the floor level.. My boys are doing much better since I took the raised feeder out. Rocky used to puke or gag quite a bit and doesn't at all now. Also, Apollo used to belch alot after eating and drinking, while he may belch 1 or 2 times, it is cut down from what it used to be. I too always felt that my boys looked uncomfortable eating at such a low level, but the health benefits outway the comfort so that's what I go for.

Erin
Apollo & Rocky's mom

 

[boxerkeeper]

I was always told that raised feeders are much easier on the dogs joints especially long term.

 

[GDOGS1]

when we first got our GDOGS we checked w/our vet and he told us not to use a raised feeder,he does belch a few times after he eats but thats about all.so i guess its just a matter of preference.(my opinion)


MoM & DaD of GDOGS 8/18/05 Brindle,Docked,Floppy and full of Zest

 

[gmacleod]

I was always told that raised feeders are much easier on the dogs joints especially long term.

Mmm. How long do you think the average dog spends hunched over his food bowl? 2 min? 3? For many, it's a matter of seconds. Their joints take far more pressure from actions such as running.

Bloat, on the other hand, is frequently fatal. "Frequently" in this case being around half of affected animals. IMO it makes far more sense to let the animals eat as nature designed them to, and avoid man-made devices that put them at risk of potentially fatal afflictions. They've got sufficient brain cells to exercise the option of laying down if it's uncomfortable Few bother, however, unless the meal requires proper chewing (kibble doesn't).