Stand feeder (Thor)

• 07-21-2008 9:10 AM

  Calinisima Joined on 12-05-2007 AB-Canada Posts 1,594 Points 360

  Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact We have everything set up!! In two weeks we will go to AB, Canada  We have already a little house rented there and my DH boss told us the owners will fence the patio for Thor Now we are preparing all our things for the big move and even planning a garage sale, this weekend. We already select what things go to Canada, what we will keep in storage and what we will give or sell. I will not take Thor's bowls to Canada, we want new ones. So I have been looking for a nice stand with bowls for him. I saw this one at Petsmart's website: I think it looks very nice, but I like some opinions or maybe look other similar feeders. It has to be a stand, because Thor is very tall and it would be great if it's easy to clean! I want to buy the feeder, a litter box for the cats, with sand (of course) and food for everybody before we arrive, so Luke, Zarina and Thor will have a very nice dinner their first night in Canada. Any thoughts?? I ♥ SWAPS

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• 07-21-2008 2:29 PM

  In reply to Calinisima

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 15,464 Points 2,060

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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. Gina H. dog.community Moderator " Let's get it crunk upon, have fun upon...up in this dancery!"-Mary J. Blige

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• 07-21-2008 2:50 PM

  In reply to Calinisima

  JackieG Joined on 04-15-2008 Central Texas Posts 891 Points 230	Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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. JG
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• 07-21-2008 3:42 PM

  In reply to Calinisima

  samshine Joined on 09-10-2007 Denver, CO, USA Posts 417 Points 0

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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

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• 07-21-2008 4:12 PM

  In reply to Calinisima

  kpwlee Joined on 06-17-2006 North Carolina Posts 4,412 Points 380

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact  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, "I think Karen should get a BC next time because she deserves a more mellow laid back dog! Or a Maremma because she needs a more clingy, biddable, easily trained dog." Brookcove 2008

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• 07-21-2008 4:17 PM

  In reply to kpwlee

  BlackLabbie Joined on 01-28-2008 South of Boston Posts 1,452 Points 175	Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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.
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• 07-21-2008 4:22 PM

  In reply to BlackLabbie

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 15,464 Points 2,060

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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. Gina H. dog.community Moderator " Let's get it crunk upon, have fun upon...up in this dancery!"-Mary J. Blige

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• 07-21-2008 4:36 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 933 Points 0

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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

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• 07-21-2008 4:40 PM

  In reply to grab01

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 15,464 Points 2,060

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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. Gina H. dog.community Moderator " Let's get it crunk upon, have fun upon...up in this dancery!"-Mary J. Blige

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• 07-21-2008 4:59 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  grab01 Joined on 09-10-2007 middle of the desert Posts 933 Points 0

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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.

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• 07-21-2008 5:50 PM

  In reply to kpwlee

  samshine Joined on 09-10-2007 Denver, CO, USA Posts 417 Points 0

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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.

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• 07-21-2008 6:32 PM

  In reply to samshine

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,657 Points 100

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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.

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• 07-21-2008 7:32 PM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  Calinisima Joined on 12-05-2007 AB-Canada Posts 1,594 Points 360

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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. I ♥ SWAPS

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• 07-21-2008 7:52 PM

  In reply to Calinisima

  Kyda Joined on 09-15-2007 Arkansas Posts 661 Points 385	Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact It looks pretty. I dont use a stand for any of my boys because none of them are big or old enough to need one. I would wonder how sturdy it would be for one of the bowls to hold water in it all day and the stand to not topple over, thats my only fear about the stand. lol It really is cute, tho. HammerHead- Labrador Retriever RIP Charlie and Frankie
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• 07-21-2008 8:04 PM

  In reply to Calinisima

  kpwlee Joined on 06-17-2006 North Carolina Posts 4,412 Points 380

  Re: Stand feeder (Thor) Reply Contact 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   "I think Karen should get a BC next time because she deserves a more mellow laid back dog! Or a Maremma because she needs a more clingy, biddable, easily trained dog." Brookcove 2008

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