Stand feeder (Thor)

Cleo will always be fed on the ground. Raised dishes have been shown to increase bloating...in breeds prone to it. I know those studies are disputed but I prefer to feed in a more natural position for her. She lays down sometimes to eat even. Just wanted to put that out there.

The latest study I saw was from Purdue University that indicated elevated feeders could be a contributing factor in cases of bloat.  I wanted to use one for my older Lab but decided against it.

Good luck in your move to the North.  Your dog is so beautiful and I hope you all have a great experience once you get settled.

I don't know if there is any data on how prone this breed is to bloat, but they are similar to other breeds that are known to bloat frequently. So I would also recommend against raised feeders.

Here is a link to the study done on bloat by Purdue University. This page talks about risk factors. http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/update2.htm

Here's a link to the main page for the study, it's good to learn all you can about it, since it is often fatal in just an hour or two. http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/bloat.htm

 going against the others Bugsy uses an elevated feeder he still bends down to it but down to the floor would be excessive - there are studies that go for and against elevated feeder

I can't see the type I have - if I find it I will post a pic

also the OP didn't ask if she should use an elevated feeder - instead asked what you thought of the one she picked out  

Calinisima

I think it looks very nice, but I like some opinions or maybe look other similar feeders. It has to be a stand,

Apollo uses one and he still has to bend down to it, too. He doesn't eat his food fast, and he gets 2 meals a day. I got it for him because he is tall, he never lays when he eats he always stands, and eating from the ground, IMO, would be unreasonable for him.

ah but this is the way all canids eat in the wild...standing...crouching or laying. IMO the risk of bloat is a real concern. I watch my dogs daily reach back behind themselves to itch their behinds...I have no concerns that they cannot reach their dish...LOL.

Legend's had one since he was a wee lad. Now that he's 12 and quite arthritic, I'm glad he has one.  He can't bend down to eat now..even getting to a laying motion takes a sort of flopping down motion. He's also not a fan of eating in general lately, so it it wasn't at a convenient height these days, he wouldn't eat at all.

 Ginger also has one (although it's an 8 lb dog sized one) because of her megaesophagus

ETA that Aesop eats in his crate, so it's on the floor. Jules also eats in his, so his is on the floor as well

grab01

Legend's had one since he was a wee lad. Now that he's 12 and quite arthritic

I can surely see this being a good use of an elevated feeder. Lesser of two evils in that situation for certain...the daily comfort of an older or infirm pet should be considered...of course.

rwbeagles

grab01

Legend's had one since he was a wee lad. Now that he's 12 and quite arthritic

I can surely see this being a good use of an elevated feeder. Lesser of two evils in that situation for certain...the daily comfort of an older or infirm pet should be considered...of course.

when he was younger, many times he'd rummage around and flip the bowls out and eat it that way, but now I think he sees the point of the elevated part and leaves it be.

kpwlee

 going against the others Bugsy uses an elevated feeder he still bends down to it but down to the floor would be excessive - there are studies that go for and against elevated feeder

There actually are not any studies that suggest that raised feeders are a good idea. In fact, I think the Purdue study is the only one that has been done, and it found that the risk of bloat doubled when using a raised feeder. Lots of people think there must have been, because breeders of at risk breeds have been suggesting them for many many years.

As far as I can tell, the practice of raised feeders just started because it seemed to make sense to some breeder(s) and they recommended it their puppy people and other breeders, and soon it was accepted as gospel. Not based on any evidence, however. Until there is a study that shows the opposite, and the preponderance of evidence is behind it, I am going to rely on the results of the only study done on bloat.

I can't believe people are still talking about that stupid Purdue study. It was so flawed in design that nothing it "found" can be believed. Please get your big dogs elevated feeders! The only studies on bloat that can be believed found that feeding your dog chunks of meat was protective. Most of us great dane folks firmly believe bloat is 50% genetics, 20% feeding (dry kibble meals a big no-no), and 30% stress/resistance to stress.  

Well, we here are like this I never heard anything wrong about stand feeders before and Thor has never had problems while eating with it, even when he had the gastrotomies. Our vet told us to use a stand feeder, as soon as Thor started to grow. Those times I gave him food without the stand, he choked once. He bends a little with his actual stand and he ates at a reasonable speed. In the other hand, I have seen his mom eating on the floor all her life and she seems to be OK.

I don't want to increase the polemic, I think everybody does for their dogs the best they think. And here I can see truly dog lovers in every single thread. I'm grateful about the information and I will discuss it with my vet and the one I will go in Canada.

Any thoughts about the stand feeder for Thor? I really want to get one before we arrive.

this is the one we have and I love it - I keep his kongs and some other toys underneath it.  It has withstood much water and is still looking good - probably had it about 18 months or more