Raised dog bowls or commonly known as elevated feeders have been gaining a lot of popularity in the past few years among German Shepherd owners.
Are raised dog bowls good or bad for your dog?
The answer depends mostly on your dog’s specific condition, but in general, your dog doesn’t need to use a raised dog bowl.
If you’re unsure whether you should get a raised dog bowl or not for your canine friend, the best thing to do is to visit your vet and ask for his opinion.
Benefits of Elevated Dog Bowls for Dogs with Medical Conditions
A veterinarian will prescribe elevated dog feeder for dogs with certain medical conditions such as neck ache or problem swallowing foods.
Elevated dog bowls allow aged dogs or dogs with arthritis to eat on raising posture which helps to reduce any strain on their neck, shoulders, joints, and hips.
Dogs with megaesophagus disorder are also benefited from raised dog bowls.
Megaesophagus is a condition where the esophageal muscles weakened; these muscles are responsible for pushing meals into your dog’s belly for digestion.
Because of the raising posture, the movement of food from the mouth all the way to the stomach can be effortless.
Your dog’s body doesn’t need to exert a lot of effort to push the meals into its belly.
Another benefit of raised dog bowl for German shepherds is it keeps your dog from splashing water from the bowl to the ground as they drink which saves you a lot of time from cleaning the mess afterward.
Benefits of Raised Dog Bowls for The Dogs’ Owners

As for the owners, raised dog bowls make your work a lot easier. You don’t need to bend all the way to the ground to fill the bowl with food.
Cleaning is also a lot easier since you don’t have to kneel on your hands and knees to clean the dog bowl, you can simply wipe off the dirt from the bowl surface in standing position.
Raised Dog Bowls Buyer’s Guide
These are three things that you want to look for before buying a raised dog bowl:
1. The first thing you want to consider is the height of the bowl, how tall the bowl should be. The bowl that is too tall or too low will strain your dog’s neck, back, and shoulders.
How to Pick the Right Height for Elevated Dog Bowls
The easiest way to find the right for your dog’s raised bow is by measuring the distance from the floor to your dog’s shoulder then subtract the length that you get by 6 inches.
2. The second thing to consider is the material that is made of the bowl. The popular ones are ceramic, plastic, and steel.
3. The last thing, I would suggest picking a raised dog bowl with an adjustable height feature. You won’t need to keep buying a new one as your dog grows.
Elevated Dog Food Bowl Caused Risk of Bloat
Remember you should only use elevated dog bowl only with a vet’s approval.
Don’t use this for healthy dogs.
In spite of all of the myths surrounding raised dog bowl about being able to minimize the dogs’ chance of developing bloat, the opposite holds true.
Studies have shown that raised dog bowls can actually make healthy dogs more vulnerable to bloat.
You should never underestimate bloat. Bloat disorder leads to a medical condition known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) which interferes with your dog’s blood circulation and leads to extensive damage.
So once again, no matter what your friend might tell you about how wonderful his brand new raised dog bowl, you must never use this on your dog unless you’ve consulted with a vet first.
Here are some of my favorite German Shepherd supplies
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful and useful as you raise and train your German Shepherd.
Here are some of my favorite reviews for German Shepherd supplies that I personally use and recommend. If you do decide to purchase them, please remember that I’ll earn a small commission which helps me maintain this website.
- Food: All of the different dog food brands out there can be confusing, and it’s hard to know which one is best for your GSD. Here is my recommendation for the best dog food for German Shepherds.
- Collar: A lot of people think that all dog collars are created equal, but this just isn’t true. If you have a German Shepherd, you need a special collar that is designed for their breed’s fur and neck size. Here I’ve reviewed some of the best collars for German Shepherds out there.
- Leash: A leash is a must-have for any German Shepherd owner. With a good leash, you can give your dog the freedom they need while keeping them safe and under control. Here are my top picks for the best leashes for German Shepherds.
- Harness: If you’re thinking about getting a German Shepherd, or you’ve just brought home your new pup, it’s important to know how to harness them correctly. A harness that is improperly fitted or used can cause serious injury to your dog. Read my review of the best harnesses for German Shepherds here.
- Bowl: A lot of people think that all dog bowls are pretty much the same, but this simply isn’t true. Different bowls serve different purposes, and the bowl that you need will depend on a number of factors. See my recommendation for the best dog bowl for German Shepherds here.
- Crate: You want to buy a dog crate for your German Shepherd, but you’re not sure which one is the best. There are a ton of different factors to consider when choosing a crate. Here’s my review of the best dog crates for German Shepherds and what you should know before buying one.
- Beds: German Shepherds need a bed that is comfortable, supportive, and durable. This breed is known for being high energy, so you need a bed that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Here’s my review of the best beds for German Shepherds.
- House: It can be tough to find the best dog house for German Shepherds. Agitate: Not only do you have to worry about finding a good-sized dog house, but you also need to make sure it’s well-insulated and weatherproof. Here’s the house I recommend for German Shepherds.
- Shampoo: You want to find a shampoo that is specifically designed for German Shepherds. This breed has a lot of furs, and you need a shampoo that will be gentle on their skin and coat. Here’s my review of the best shampoo for German Shepherds.
- Shock Collar: A shock collar is a training tool that can be used on German Shepherds. It delivers an electric shock to the dog when they exhibit certain behaviors. While some people are against the use of shock collars, I believe that they can be helpful in certain situations. Read my review of the best shock collar for German Shepherds here.
- Vacuum: If you have a German Shepherd, you need a vacuum that is specifically designed to deal with all of the furs they shed. Shedding is a natural process for dogs, but it can be hard to keep up with. The right vacuum will make your life much easier. Here’s my review of the best vacuums for German Shepherds.