Heard of elevated cat bowls? They’re kind of a big deal in the cat world. But what purr-pose do they actually serve?
Well, when your cat crouches down to nibble its kibbles, they might run into some hiss-worthy issues. From malnutrition to lost mobility – the problems of a poor eating posture will quickly catch up to your pussycat.
Let’s scratch a little deeper and explore why an elevated cat bowl might cure their me-ows.
Improving your cat’s posture
With their food and water bowl on the floor, your cat will need to stretch their delicate body into an uncomfortable position to reach it.
This strains their spine and compresses their stomach – causing potential discomfort and digestive issues.
And as we all know when it comes to feline dining, cats are fussy customers. So if they’re not comfortable while eating or drinking, they’ll likely turn their nose up to anything on the menu.
Either that, or they’ll gorge like Garfield to make quick work of their mealtime ordeal. And scoffing with a compressed stomach is the perfect recipe for indigestion.
So whether they’re skipping meals or hoovering them up, your cat could have a digestive disaster on their paws.
But with their food and drink elevated, it’s a whole other story.
Your cat will enjoy a comfortable posture as they lap up their water and chow down their food.
Finicky with food? What about water? When your cat won’t lap up their water, the risk of dehydration can become serious.
More chew, less spew
If your cat’s mouth is lower than their stomach during mealtime, they swallow air – and fight gravity with every mouthful.This may result in vomiting, meaning missed nutrients for them (and a cat-astrophic mess for you!).
But when your cat is comfortable, they’ll take the time to chew their food properly. And they won’t need to defy physics to keep it down.
Your life will be a li’l easier
Let us guess: you’re reading about elevated cat bowls to find yet another favour you can do for your cat.But if you’re constantly bending over to fill, pick up and clean your cat’s food bowl, your body might need a break too.
What’s an upside of elevated cat bowls? They’re higher off the ground (duh!) – so less bending down for you. But they also prevent playful paws from making a mess during mealtime – saving you from extra chores and helping keep your kitty’s dining area tidy.
No nasties – just your cat’s food and drink
“Mmm this dirt is delicious”, said no cat EVER.Do you know what happens when your cat bowls live on the floor? You guessed it – a whole bunch of built-up dust and dirt gets way too friendly with your feline’s food and water.
So elevated cat bowls aren’t just spine savers for everyone involved. Since they’re higher off the ground, they also reduce the risk of contamination.
Elevated Cat Bowl FAQs
Should every cat bowl be raised?
Elevated pet bowls can be extra helpful for cats with digestion and mobility issues.For example, cats with megaesophagus – a condition that limits oesophageal contractions – might experience less trouble moving food from their mouth to their stomach.
Otherwise, it’s simply a matter of what your pussycat pre-furs.
Breeds with a flatter face might favour a wider, shallower option.
So watch your cat’s behaviour during mealtime. Are they chewing slowly or scoffing super quickly? Are they taking breaks between mouthfuls?
Signals like these should help you know whether the bowl is too high, too low, or just purr-fect.
Can I put any cat food in elevated cat bowls?
You might be wondering whether dry or wet cat food goes best in a raised bowl.Well, despite the fancy name, elevated pet bowls are just like normal pet bowls, but higher off the ground. So they can handle whatever makes your cat’s whiskers wiggle – from Royal Canin dry cat food to gourmet ZiwiPeak cat food.
And don’t forget the drink! Just like when they eat, cats also need to be comfortable when they drink. So consider an elevated bowl for your cat’s water, too.
Will an elevated cat bowl solve my cat’s vomiting or swallowing issues?
There’s nothing worse than helplessly watching a crook kitty. So it’s understandable if you’re looking for a quick fix.
If your cat has trouble swallowing their food or keeping it down, an elevated cat bowl is definitely worth trialling. But they aren’t a cure all. If problems persist after elevating your cat’s food, pencil in a visit to the vet.
Can my kitten use an elevated cat bowl?
Kittens are bendy balls of fluff. And yours might be able to crouch and crunch to their heart’s content. But before you know it, they’ll be a senior kitti-zen.By that time, poor posture while eating might have caused some long-established problems.
So give them a comfortable snacking set-up before they grow their whiskers.
Do elevated cat bowls prevent insects?
Yep! Keeping your kitty’s cuisine higher off the ground makes it harder for creepy crawlies to climb in.