Elevated Feeders Cause Harm?

Legend has one. Not because I was worried about bloat (he's a slooooow eater, and doesn't eat much at all), but he seems to like eating that way more.  It also has the added benefit of not allowing small dogs to steal all of his food before he gets his fill. (he tends to wander away and then stroll back for more nibbles later)

Originally, the thought was that elevated feeders would reduce the risk of bloat. But in studies done at Purdue University by Glickman and colleagues, they found that dogs that were fed from elevated feeders actually had about a seven fold increased incidence of bloating. The researchers figured that this might be due to the fact that people with breeds most susceptible to bloating were more likely to use elevated feeders, but even when they analyzed their data matching dogs by size and breed and age, they found about a 2 fold increase in bloating in dogs fed from elevated feeders. So, at best, the feeders don't seem to help, and they may actually increase the risk. If I had a very arthritic dog that had difficulty bending to eat from a bowl on the floor, I would still consider using an elevated feeder, but I wouldn't use one routinely, especially for large deep chested dogs that seem most prone to bloating.

I wouldn't use one unless I had a HUGE/tall dog, a dog with megaesophagus, or a dog that had a physical problem making it painful to bend all the way down.  Kenya doesn't need one b/c she eats like this:

Cherokee has one. I'm not terribly worried about bloat (she's not at all deep-chested), but I hate to watch her bend down to eat. She definitely prefers eating from the elevated bowls, but it seems she would rather drink water from a bowl on the ground (although her favorite water bowl is the toilet [&:]).
 
Anyway, the only side-effect I've seen from, oh, four years of elevated dishes, is she thinks anything at that level belongs to her. Leave your lunch on the coffee table, and it's going in Cherokee's belly. [8D]

That is is just too funny for words...

The reason there's an increased chance of bloat is because elevated bowls make it easier to eat much more quickly...which is a cause of bloat.  If your dog doesn't scarf his food down, I'd say you were ok.  But also, if your dog has no problem eating from a bowl on the ground, don't mess with what's not broken, right?

Here's a pretty comprehensive link:
[linkhttp://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm]http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm[/link]

I do raise my dogs' bowls but only slightly. I use cinder blocks to hold their bowls in place. So, the bottom of the bowl is just a few inches off the floor.

ORIGINAL: Liesje

I wouldn't use one unless I had a HUGE/tall dog, a dog with megaesophagus, or a dog that had a physical problem making it painful to bend all the way down.  Kenya doesn't need one b/c she eats like this:

 
I have/had both, Great Danes and a Great Dane with megaesophagus.  After the illness, all my GDs eat from an elevated bowl, actually a nice piece of furniture. 

Ms Socks, the boxer/pit that we took who had such horrific heartworm that it caused all sorts of heart/lung damage - she'd cough if she had to eat from the floor.  So much so it was almost impossible for her to eat and not choke.  I found a cardboard box the right size, cut a hole for the stainless bowl to sit down 'in' and weighted it down with a can of peas.  Nothing fancy -- but she was with us for 6 years (after finally getting her thru the 'slow' treatment) and it took me a year to toss it after she was gone *sigh* (at the age of 16 1/2).
 
As Foxy the Mostlie Sheltie aged, his arthritis got so bad that I eventually elevated HIS bowl a bit -- again so he could tolerate standing long enough TO eat. 
 
It's not something I'd use routinely -- but for a dog with a disability it can be heaven sent.

All of my dogs' bowls are elevated. There's lots of contraditction as to whether they prevent bloat or not, but I use them mainly because I feel it's better for their joints. It can't be at all comfortable to bend down to eat. Dance just got her bowl elevated this past weekend (she's a puppy and was a bit too short to do so before) and you can tell that she's much more comfortable now.

I have used a elevated bowl for my Swissy to help prevent bloat!  Hum..  go figure.  He seems to do fine and I have noticed that he seems uncomfortable if it isn't elevated.  Going to the Vet tomorrow and will ask his opnion. I guess its like eveything else in this world, one day its good for ya and the next it's bad for you.
 
The one advantage is my pug can't reach it to get to his food and on the other hand if she wants a drink out of his bowl she can't reach so we have to lower it.[]

My breed is prone to bloat and Dub is quite deep chested.  But so very long legged that I can't imagine not raising his dish up a bit.  Its not high up but high enough that he can eat comfortable.  He doesn't eat super fast, does chew it up first mostly and ray all will be fine.  Also he has NEVER drank water after eating, or before for that matter.  Its the strangest thing.  I have never had a dog that didn't drink to wash it all down.  He only drinks if he plays or runs.  Little sips during the day but not much.  He does drink tons when out running and playing though.

Here is the summary of risk factors for bloat, from the study by Dr. Glickman. [linkhttp://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/update2.htm]http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/update2.htm[/link]
Main page for the bloat study. [linkhttp://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm]http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm[/link]
 
There is no study or evidence to support the theory that raised food bowls help prevent bloat. There IS research that shows that raised food bowls actually increase the risk for bloat. So until someone comes up with evidence supporting the other side, my dogs eat from ground level.
 
The theory about raising the bowls came about many years ago, probably from a breeder who just thought it made sense. They told their puppy people and other breeders and soon it was accepted as gospel. No real basis to it. So I always become perplexed (almost peeved) when people say there is a lot of contradiction or controversy on the subject. For now, there is only one study. If another study comes along with different results, then we can talk controversy.

hmm...my boys have elevated feeders and i've never had any problems.