Rustic Endeavours

Dogs should be able to eat without stretching their necks, straining their shoulders or
stressing their lower back muscles. This leads to better posture in juveniles and less pain in older or arthritic dogs. Large dogs reach their full height at about 13 months, smaller dogs at about 8. DO NOT BUY AN ADULT BOWL FOR A LARGE BREED PUPPY

To insure a proper and comfortable bowl height; measure the adult dog from the bottom of it's chest to the floor. Ideally, the top of the bowl should be in line with the bottom of the dog's chest In the interim, keep raising the bowl, as best as possible, with the puppy as it grows. Some older dogs (without raised bowls), may tend to lay down while eating, or start drinking from the toilet. This helps alleviate muscle and joint pain; especially in Goldens, Shepherds, Labs and other breeds that tend to have weak hind quarters. Raised bowls have been proven to reduce canine flatulence and decrease "feeding bowl aggression." Bowl capacity should reflect portion size, feeding frequency, and clean water for at least one full day. If you are concerned that your pet may be at risk of bloat, use a slow feeder device and Talk to your vet!