Looking After Pets

Best Free Advice For Looking After Your Pets
  • scissors
    July 29th, 2010adminPets Advice

    When it comes to dinnertime for your pet, it can sometimes turn into a sideshow to watch. Your dog comes into the room and if he comes, running this can usually lead to the food and water bowl being sent flying. This is why an elevated dog bowl and feeder is the best choice for your pet. This article is meant to be a guide to the advantages of elevated dog feeders.

    Many of these feeders are designed out of a sturdy material and can accommodate up to two dogs eating at the same time. In addition, the sturdy design many feeders have rubber grips on the feet to prevent slippage. As mentioned elevated feeding dishes help to keep the dish from scooting across the floor. In addition, they also help to keep the eating area much cleaner.

    As dogs tend to age, they have a tendency to develop arthritis, especially in larger dogs. With a normal bowl, the dog has to bend down and in doing so causes more pain in the pet. An elevated feeder raises the bowl off the ground, which helps the dog with the joint issue.

    In addition to the dog having to bend down and eat, there is also the issue of the human having to bend down and feed the dog. For a person with joint issues this can be as painful as it is in a dog with arthritis. Raising the bowl up off the floor helps to keep you from bending over more than you need to which helps in dealing with any joint issues you might be suffering from.

    Another benefit to the elevated feeder is in dogs that suffer from megaesophagus, which is where a dog’s esophagus allows food to pile up. Food pile up can cause the dog to vomit later, which is unpleasant and sad to watch. With an elevated bowl, the dog is in a more natural position, which allows the food to go down more smoothly and preventing any vomiting.

    Deciding on which type of feeder is best for your dog is relatively simple. First, you need to decide which type you want. You can choose from wood, plastic, metal, mesh and wrought iron. One bit of advice though if you have a smaller dog you might want to avoid the wrought iron as they might hurt themselves while running to get their food.

    Most small dog products are designed for just one animal to eat out of. Others out on the market are designed for two, and some models can even accommodate three dogs. Many of these feeders are also designed with fashion in mind they are made to fit into most kitchen settings. They are made of metal and steel and blend into any setting naturally.

    Most elevated dog bowls can be found in your local pet store as well as many online retailers. The price varies depending on the type of material used to make it as well as if it is a double or single feeder. Any goo pet owner should get an elevated dog feeder, as your pet will be much happier with you.

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  • scissors
    February 13th, 2010adminPets Advice

    So now that you have a new dog, daily feedings will become familiar very quickly. Raised dog feeders make life easier for your pet as well as for you.  While most people use a regular bowl placed upon the ground, they don’t know that eating from the floor isn’t healthy for any dog that is more than six inches tall.

    There are a lot of medical conditions that are associated with eating at such a low height, and the mess is greater as well.

    Stomach Bloat
    Even though stomach bloat is a rare condition, it is frequently caused from an improper height in your dog’s bowls. If you have ever seen a dog eat from a food dish on the floor, you will be astonished at how fast they can make the meal vanish.

    Dogs are fast eaters by nature. It is a form of protection against anyone or anything taking their food. What a lot of people do not realize is that it is very dangerous for their health to eat from the bowls on the floor.

    By scarfing their food at such an angle, most dogs inhale a lot of air.  When air is ingested by your dog, it can cause your dog’s stomach to twist.  If your dog has a twisted stomach, it is a very critical emergency.

    Few dogs make it through this harmful condition and most will repeat the twisting within a short length of time.  On a less serious note, there is also the gas to handle with, and that is uncomfortable for you as well as your dog.  Raising the bowl takes away the risk.

    Joints and Muscles
    For many elderly dogs the act of crouching down to feed off of the ground is very painful.  The concluding pressure on elbows and wrists as they crouch over causes them to eat fast or poorly.

    Imagine trying to eat your meals at a push-up stance.  That is what dogs do every time they eat from a bowl on the floor.  The position is bad for their posture and makes eating difficult.  Raising the bowls helps decrease pressure on those soft joints.

    Less Mess
    If you purchase a stable elevated dog bowl, you don’t have to worry about any messes to clean up. There is no longer a excuse to quickly throw the food back to the throat, and they don’t have to eat so frantically. 

    With less tension on their joints, dogs rest a bit and savor their food more.  If you have a dog that really bolts their food no matter what, consider adding a bolt preventing bowl to an elevated bowl.  It will force your pet to slow down.

    Elevated dog bowls are easily found either at your local pet store or online.  To match the height to your dog, measure your dog at the withers.  The withers are the front shoulder joint.  Minus six inches and you have the correct height for your dog’s feeder. 

    Find a bowl that can accommodate that height and give it a chance.  Both you and your dog will be happier about feeding time and as a plus, you won’t have to bend quite as far to put the food in the bowl.

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  • scissors
    September 17th, 2009adminPets Advice

    We all have seen the race across the floor between your Golden Retriever and his feeding dish. Moreover, while this race is fun to watch it can be quite frustrating for your dog. I have to admit growing up I got a kick out of watching this race that occurred three times a day. Especially since we had, three dogs that all made a mad dash come feeding time. Along with the fact that this can scuff your freshly moped floor. This is a case where an elevated dog feeders could be helpful.

    Many of the modern elevated dog bowl available today though are better designed and are made out of more sturdy materials such as wood or iron. These are easier to use for both you and your pet. Modern styles include more choices in shape and size, materials and volume of food stored. Some can even accommodate up to two dogs eating at the same time, however don’t try this at home unless the dogs in question have no problem sharing. In addition, to sturdy design, most new feeders have rubber grips on the feet to prevent slippage across the floor. Many models today include aprons, which help to catch overflow and pads to catch drips. Another nice feature of today’s models, which can be set to dispense measured amounts of food or set to dispense food at a specific time. These are good features for controlling the eating habits of health challenged dogs.

    Older dogs have a tendency to develop arthritic conditions, and other mobility issues, making eating difficult. With traditional feeding methods, the dog has to bend down thus causing more pain for the pet. Elevated dog bowls lift the bowl up off the ground, to a more natural height, which helps Mobility challenged dog by reducing painful bends and twists. Some styles even have stands, which raise the feeder up even more for much larger dogs and provide additional storage options or convenience features in the additional space. If the model you choose does not have a “Tall Stand” option, you can usually find a “Tall Stand” at your store, which you bought your feeder from, which should work pretty well.

    Humans with mobility issues also can benefit from the elevated feeder by not having to bend down to feed the dog. Raising the bowl up off the floor helps to keep you from bending over. With most of the styles Food and water can be easily loaded into the storage areas through top mounted lids.

    Elevated feeders can now be found in a number of designs ranging from the simple to more stylish modern design. It’s easy to find one which is both easy to use and compliments the interior of your home and matches your personal style.

    Feeders now offer a much wider range of choices to complement the interior decor of your home. Asian themed kitchens might welcome a feeder made from bamboo. A modern sleek kitchen with lots of chrome and steel might be better served with a feeder made form wire or glass.

    Beyond the mess issue and the joint pain that dogs tend to suffer from, there are the other medical issues that dogs have that need to be taken into account. One such issue causes food to backup in the esophagus, which leads to the dog suffering from painful vomiting. Another issue, which is present primarily in large dogs, can lead to a dog developing a case of bloat. Bloat in a dog if left untreated can become life threatening.

    To find the style, which is best for you, do a small amount of research and pay a visit to a local pet store. Most pet stores carry a wide range to choose from, as well as being readily available from the internet. The prices range varies depending on the type and features.

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  • scissors
    July 1st, 2009adminPets Advice

    This article will discuss the different types of elevated dog bowls and the benefits of using one when feeding your dog. We all have seen the race across the floor between your Golden Retriever and his feeding dish. Most time the dog wins this race due in part to the bowl being lodged against a cabinet or wall.

    Many of the feeders today are designed out of a sturdy material such as wood or iron. Some can even accommodate up to two dogs eating at the same time, however don’t try this at home unless the dogs in question have no problem sharing. In addition, to sturdy design, many feeders have rubber grips on the feet to prevent slippage across the floor and avoid you losing money to your two year old on the dog vs. bowl race. Some models include aprons, which help to catch overflow and pads to catch drips. There are even models, which can be set to dispense measured amounts. These are good for controlling the eating habits of health challenged dogs.

    As a dog is bent over eating, they have a natural habit of gulping their food. This gulping can lead to the dog taking in air as they eat, which results in smelly gas later on. In large dogs, it is recommended that a Dog Bowl be used as these dogs to be prone to developing bloat which if left untreated can be very life threatening.

    When a dog eats they tend to gulp in addition to this can also lead to a dog scattering his food everywhere. If left for long enough this food can draw insects and bugs. Dogs also have a natural habit of when they drink water that is not swallowed running down and hitting the floor. Older dogs tend to suffer from pain related to arthritis; an elevated feeder will help to relieve the pain.

    If your dog suffers from arthritis then having to do the motion of bending down to eat may cause pain in your pet, which will discourage them from wanting to eat. This reduction in eating may result in a reduction for nutrition they are receiving.

    If you have an Asian theme to your kitchen then you may want to look into buying a feeder that is made from bamboo. If your kitchen involves a lot of chrome then a stainless steel feeder is best for you.

    Beyond the mess issue and the joint pain that dogs tend to suffer from, there are the other medical issues that dogs have that need to be taken into account. One such issue causes food to backup in the esophagus, which leads to the dog suffering from painful vomiting. Another issue, which is present primarily in large dogs, can lead to a dog developing a case of bloat. Bloat in a dog if left untreated can become life threatening. This can be avoided through purchasing elevated dog bowl.

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  • scissors
    June 24th, 2009adminPets Advice

    Elevated double dog bowl have many benefits over traditional feeders and bowls. How often have you called watched your dog struggle with his food dish? You watch on helpless as he struggles and it slides across the floor. Maybe you’re just tired of watching your more mature pet deal with the pain of having to bend far down to reach a floor level dish.

    Most contemporary feeders available have addressed many of these concerns and brought a large degree on innovation to the age-old task of caring for the basic needs of man’s best friend. Today’s feeders are designed with style and ease of use in mind, plus they offer more durable construction and more types of materials than ever before. These new options can make life much easier for both you and your pet. Today’s new styles include many more choices in size, materials and features. In addition, most have rubber bottoms to help prevent floor slippage. Many models today also include pads to catch drips and spills.

    As dogs age, they have a tendency to develop Mobility issues. This can lead to the awful experience of having to watch as a loved member of the family suffers while trying to simply east a meal. With a standard food bowl, the dog has to bend down and in doing so causes more pain in the pet. An elevated feeder raises the bowel off the ground, which helps the dog with the joint issue. This is important because a dog, which suffers pain while eating, may be inclined to reduce the amount of eating it does. This act of self-sacrifice for comfort can lead to all kinds of nutrition deficit issues.

    In addition, for a person with joint issues the simple act of feeding their beloved pet can be excruciating. Loading food and water into an elevated feeder is a simple and painless task. Simply lift the lid and easily refill from a standing position.

    You can find elevated feeders in a number of designs ranging from the simple to sleek and sexy modern designs. Most feeders are made from some sort of metal such as steel or iron.

    You can get fDog feeders in Stone, Wire, glass, and rattan. There are even versions in Fabric covered wood and some which are made of clear plastic, which allow you to easily monitor, fill levels. The most popular choices are metal and finished painted wood. With all of this choice it should be easy for you to find one which is just right for your home.

    Aside from the issues of neatness and comfort, there are the other issues which elevated feeders can assist in addressing, which are far more serious. In large dogs, Swallowing of air while eating can lead to a dog developing a case of bloat. This is a serious issue, which can become fatal very quickly.

    To find the style, which Elevated dog feeders is best for you, do a small amount of research and pay a visit to a local pet store. Seeing many of the choices you have nowadays will better prepare you for making an informed purchase decision.

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  • scissors
    February 25th, 2009adminPets Advice

    The healthy benefits of elevated dog feeders are highly acknowledged by veterinarians and other dog experts, and include the following:

    Cleanliness and hygiene – Keeping the dog’s dining area clean is essential to a sanitary life.

    Better posture and comfort – If a dog has a  back or  neck  problems, a  raised  pet  feeder  will  certainly  help him/her to eat and drink more comfortably.

    Easy swallowing – Imagine trying to swallow with your head down! Some dogs with mega-esophagus or other conditions find it very difficult to do so…

    Cleanliness of dining area

    elevated dog dishes can help keeping the food and water within the bowl, instead of on the floor. Dogs tend to lift their heads after eating or drinking. As the dog raises his/ her head, the water that doesn’t get swallowed will spill onto the floor.

    Our Black Labrador, Bird used to spill so much water on our kitchen floors before giving him an elevated feeder, that the joke around the house was that in a way, we had the cleanest floors in town since we had to wipe them off so often…But with his raised dog feeder,he does not need to lift his head so much, and the water drips right back into the dish…No more wiping every ten minutes. Stop your dog from spilling his food and water on your floors!

    Health benefits

    Elevated dog feeders reduce food and water gulping. How to prevent canine bloat. This can lead to regurgitation and vomiting, and eventually very serious health issues.

    Again, with an elevated dog feeder, the dog’s head being more raised as he/ she eats, gravity will draw the food down into his/ her stomach.

    Elevated dog bowls are also much more comfortable for older dogs with arthritis, bad backs, or joint or muscular pain. An elevated dog dish will provide him/ her with a better eating and drinking experience.

    Functionality
     
    If bending causes you discomfort, you won’t need to bend down to pick up empty or put down heavy full dog dishes. The stainless steel dog bowls are also light enough to be removed for easy cleaning and filling.

    These feeders are often outfitted with stainless steel pet bowls: stainless steel has been the material of choice for food processing,dairy and brewery industries. It is durable, sanitary, rust-free, and non-leaching. Such bowls will last a lifetime.

    What is the right size for an elevated dog feeder. Your dog should be comfortable, not reaching down or up while eating or drinking out of the dog feeder.

     

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