Elevated Cat Feeders are the favorites of cat keepers all over the world year after year. Many people may believe that this type of product is succeeding only for aesthetic reasons, but the truth is that there are many advantages to increasing the height of the cat feeder.
If you still don't know what the benefits of raising your food plate are, we invite you to continue reading this article on our site. Here you will find essential tips to choose the best cat feeder and you will also be able to know the real benefits of the elevated cat feeder Shall we start?
How to choose the best cat feeder?
As with everything in life, there is no single feeder that is ideal for all cats. After all, each cat has different characteristics, preferences and needs, as well as a unique personality. Therefore, it is up to each person to know how to recognize these particularities of their kitten in order to provide the accessories, toys and care that guarantee an excellent quality of life.
To choose the most suitable cat feeder for your cat, take into account the following aspects:
- Size and age of your cat All accessories and utensils must be appropriate for the size, physical build and age of each cat. cat. If you have a large, stocky cat, such as a Maine Coon, the ideal feeder will need to be larger than the more common pet food jars, which are made primarily for small cats. And if your cat is still a puppy, it will be much easier and more comfortable for him to eat in a compact and shallow bowl. Basically, the size and depth of the feeder should be equivalent to the cat's physique and the amount of food and water (in the case of the drinker) that it needs to consume daily.
- Type of your cat's snout Some cat breeds are characterized by having a flatter snout, such as Persian cats. For these cases, we recommend a shallow trough that has concave edges and a wide "mouth". Keep in mind that narrower cat food bowls are often very uncomfortable for these breeds as they can put pressure on the head and make it easier for the cat to soil their entire face while eating.
- Type of food You should also consider what your cat eats to choose the most suitable bowl. Cat food is usually not large in size and fits inside the bowl. However, if you decide to offer your cat a BARF diet, based on the consumption of natural and biologically appropriate foods, this type of food may be bulkier and require a wider and deeper feeder than an industrialized food.
- Feeder material We also recommend giving preference to a cat litter made of reinforced materials that are easy to clean. This type of product offers a longer shelf life and simplifies the cleaning process. Plastic bowls are inexpensive and easy to clean, but they tend to absorb odors and can cause irritation or allergies to cats' skin and mucous membranes. On the other hand, glass and ceramics are hypoallergenic and ideal for avoiding the impregnation of unpleasant odours, however, they must be handled with great care. A very favorable alternative is to opt for stainless steel feeders, since they are resistant, very easy to wash and do not cause adverse reactions in the animals.
Height of the cat feeder, what is the ideal?
When raising the cat feeder it is essential to ensure that the feeding bowl is at the same height as the kitten's elbow De Otherwise, the cat will continue to exert inappropriate and unnecessary effort when eating, which negatively affects the spine and joints.
So, regardless of whether you decide to purchase an elevated cat feeder from a pet supply store or choose to make your own feeder, we recommend that you measure your cat to ensure that the new feeder does not affect their welfare.
To make your own homemade elevated feeder for cats, don't miss this video.
Advantages of raising the cat feeder
After these basic tips, we are ready to talk about the advantages of the elevated cat feeder. First of all, you should pay attention to the difference in posture between cats eating in a normal feeding bowl and in a suspended feeder.
Improves the cat's posture when eating
Traditional feeders are placed directly on the ground, right? Then, the cat is forced to significantly flex its spine and legs to feed in this way. Then, the cats end up eating practically sitting with their heads down or standing up, flexing their legs and, again, with their necks completely bent towards the feeder.
In these positions, the animal's digestive tract will be curved and the stomach will be exposed to considerable pressure, compressing. This impairs the digestive process and increases the risk of indigestion, upset stomach, nausea, and the development of digestive problems, such as gas or vomiting. Also, when the cat's head and mouth are lower than its stomach (neck tilted toward the bowl on the floor), the cat is more likely to reflux, choke, or even vomit soon after eating.
Kitten's joints and spine also suffer in these poses. A cat that eats practically sitting down has a completely curved spine, especially in the lower back and at the junction of the neck and back. In addition, the joints suffer constant and unnecessary wear, since they remain flexed, support a good part of the weight of the animal and, finally, can twist outwards.
All of the above can be avoided by placing the feeder at the appropriate height, as indicated in the previous section. The raised feeder allows it to be placed at the same height as the cat's elbow. In this way, the cat does not need to bend down, lower its neck or twist its spine to eat the food. Your digestive tract stays in the proper position, in which your stomach, esophagus, and mouth are aligned.
Therefore, one of the great advantages of raising the cat feeder is to improve the animal's posture during feeding, which prevents spinal problems and digestive disorders. This is also a very he althy alternative for your kitty's joints, as it prevents them from being exposed to the daily wear and tear mentioned above.
While this benefits all cats, it is particularly important for older cats and those already diagnosed with arthritis, osteoarthritis, or other conditions that directly affect the joints and/or spine vertebral.
Prevents food from becoming contaminated
This may seem redundant, but another key benefit of increasing the height of your cat feeder is keeping the cat's food off the ground. When the feeder is held directly on the ground, it is more likely to come into contact with dust, foreign bodies, leftover litter that the cat can spread around the house after using the litter box, impurities that can pass through any home, etc.
The brackets prevent the cat's food and drink from coming into direct contact with the dirt Of course, they do not replace the need to keep a optimal hygiene at home to avoid contamination and bad odours. But, without a doubt, it helps a lot, especially when our animals are alone at home and we cannot control 24 hours a day whether or not there are foreign particles in their food and water bowls.
Now that you know the advantages of raising the cat feeder, we also invite you to consult this other article on Environmental enrichment in cats.
