dogBar® - the design feeding station for dogs (2024)

FAQs

How do you measure a dog feeding station? ›

How high should the bowls be for dogs? To determine the proper height of an elevated feeding station for your dog, subtract 6″ from the withers. With your dog standing, measure up to the shoulder and subtract 6 inches.

What Is a Dog Slow Feeder? First of all, a slow feeder or interactive feeder is a dog food bowl or mat that has multiple obstacles that the pup needs to get around to reach their food. They force your pet to figure out how to get to the food, and then work for it. Sorry doggies, it can't be that easy!

Elevated dog bowls can offer several benefits, including improved posture during meals, potential relief from joint pain for older or larger dogs, and a cleaner feeding area. However, they might not be effective for all dogs. For the most part, experts agree that the decision squarely rests on the dog owner.

Determine the correct position for your dog's food bowl by measuring your standing dog from the floor under the front paws to the top of the shoulders and then subtract about 5 inches. Your dog should be able to eat without lowering her neck or stretching upwards.

As a rule of thumb, the number of calories your dog should be fed to maintain your dog's ideal weight is referred to as the “resting energy requirement (RER).” To determine your dog's RER, convert the dog's ideal weight in pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2. Then multiply that number by 30 and add 70.

If you suspect your pup may be gulping down their food, a slow feeder might be a good way to stop that behavior, although we recommend consulting with your veterinarian before making any significant changes to your dog's meals. Another reason a pup might need a slow feeder dog bowl is to encourage mental stimulation.

The Drawbacks of Using Slow-Feeder Bowls

Not all dogs adapt well to eating slower. Fast eaters may become frustrated with the maze-like design of the slow feeder bowl, leading to potential stress during mealtime.

Another excellent benefit of slow feeders is that they provide additional physical and mental stimulation the dog might not otherwise get. A dog that has to spend the energy and brain power to figure out a puzzle before eating may be less likely to be disruptive than a dog that finishes each meal in less than a minute.

Pets with neck or shoulder pain, herniated cervical discs, arthritis of the spine, or other diseases of the head or neck may benefit from elevated dishes. The elevated platform keeps the pet's head and neck up, eliminating strain on the neck that would be caused by reaching down to a bowl on the floor.

What is the best height for a dog food bowl? ›

The bowl should be high enough for your pet to eat comfortably without needing to hunch over or strain its neck. A general rule of thumb is to have the bowl reach the dog's chest level. A taller stand is typically beneficial for large breeds or dogs with long legs.

Smaller dogs that don't have to crane their necks while eating can benefit from floor dog bowls. However, if your dog is larger or suffers from neck pain, a raised dog bowl could be the better option. Your vet might even prescribe an elevated dog feeder if your pup has megaesophagus.

According to the study, “approximately 20 and 52% of cases of GDV (bloat) among the large breed and giant breed dogs, respectively, were attributed to having a raised feed bowl.”

Having said that, going too high can cause issues too. A bowl or feeder that is too high for your dog can cause just as much strain, in the other direction, and could also exacerbate issues like bloat.

Look at your dog if their waist is extremely exaggerated instead of a gradual slope your dog might be underfed. If you can see or feel the ribs and they don't seem to have any fat on them your dog is probably underfed. If your dog is losing patches of hair there may be an issue with the nutrition.

Use a measuring cup or a kitchen scale to accurately measure your dog's portion size, to ensure you give them the correct amount. This is especially important for small-breed dogs because a few kibble pieces can be a substantial percentage of their total caloric needs.

And to complicate matters even further, small print in the textbook, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition (4th Edition), notes that “an 8-oz. measuring cup can hold 3 to 3.5 oz. by weight of most dry pet foods or 3.5 to 5 oz.

Height: To determine the height of the crate you will need, measure your dog from the top of the head to the ground. If your dog has naturally erect ears, measure from the tip of the ears. Width: To obtain the width of your crate, add approximately 2 inches for smaller breeds and 4 inches for larger breeds.