Should Golden Retrievers Have Raised Dog Bowls?

Finding the right supplies for your Golden Retriever can be difficult if you have other pets of varying sizes in the home. 

Don’t neglect your new pet companion by giving them the wrong kind of food bowls.

Should Golden Retrievers Have Raised Dog Bowls?

Golden Retrievers should use elevated bowls to improve their overall eating posture and relieve neck stress. You’ll also have less mess at feeding time and a dog that behaves better during the day. When utilizing elevated bowls, you’ll have to keep careful watch of your dog to ensure they’re not eating too fast. 

Smaller food bowls don’t take into account a Golden Retriever’s medium size and how far they have to bend down to reach the bowl. 

Improve your daily feeding ritual by providing your Golden Retriever with the right dishes to easily eat their food.

Golden Retrievers are complicated and fascinating animals that bring constant joy to their families. 

Don’t miss out on giving your loved pet companion the best care possible with an elevated bowl or slow feeder. 

Should Golden Retrievers eat from an elevated bowl?

Bigger dog breeds can benefit from eating from elevated bowls to better support their necks and spines. 

Elevated bowls are up closer to their mouths so they don’t have to bend as far down. 

You may notice your dog constantly lifting their head up to finish chewing while they’re eating.

This can indicate they’re having some trouble swallowing or feel uncomfortable having their head bent so low for so long.

Elevated bowls are sturdier than average bowls and won’t slip and slide around the floor. 

This is beneficial for excited eaters who push their bowls from one end of the kitchen to the other, creating a huge mess along the way. 

Your bigger dog will have a more convenient time eating from elevated bowls, and you’ll be able to monitor them easier if they have a particular diet or are taking medicine. 

Regular feeding times and healthy food along with care in how often they’re getting treats and table scraps can help ease your dog out of being a picky eater.

Your Golden Retriever won’t want to eat regularly and can develop digestive issues if they’re struggling with the height or shape of their food bowl. 

Is it bad for dogs to eat from elevated bowls?

Elevated dog bowls can help older, bigger dogs with their arthritis or body pains while eating. 

However, they can also increase the risk of bloat in some dog breeds. 

It’s essential to practice safety precautions when changing bowls, foods, and other essential equipment in your animal’s life. 

Bloat occurs when your dog is inhaling more air and eating their food at too fast of a rate, which is exacerbated by having easier access to their kibble. 

Your Golden Retriever may try to vomit or be suffering from an extended abdomen if they’ve developed bloat. 

Bloat is a dangerous condition that often requires surgery to correct and can be fatal if not caught in time. 

Smaller dog breeds or overall healthy dogs often likely don’t require an elevated bowl to properly consume their food. 

These dishes are perfect for pet companions suffering from health issues who may struggle to move their bodies or suffer from debilitating joint and neck pain. 

They can even be helpful if your animal has recently suffered an injury and needs a little extra help to eat while they’re healing. 

If you have an older dog suffering from arthritis or pain that affects their ability to eat comfortably, ask your veterinarian about the best options for your household. 

Avoid letting your dog use an elevated feeder without veterinarian knowledge and approval beforehand. 

How tall should a Golden Retrievers food bowl be?

Golden Retrievers often have a height between 20 to 24 inches. 

The elevated bowl should be between four to six inches lower than the dog’s overall height depending on the breed. 

To pick the best dish for your Golden Retriever, choose one that is between 16 to 18 inches on average. 

Females tend to be slightly smaller than males and may need a smaller option. 

Not every Golden Retriever is the same and can have different requirements due to their health, size, weight, and eating habits. 

Elevated dog bowls can be particularly hard to clean if you have a dog that slobbers a lot or is determined to dump their food on the ground before they eat it. 

Always check in with a veterinarian before making any huge changes to how your animals eat to avoid negative health outcomes.

Do Golden Retrievers need a slow feeder?

Golden Retrievers love their mealtimes and getting plenty of treats during the day.

They’re so keen on food that it can actually be difficult to notice if they’re getting enough to eat during the day. 

Keep an eye on their body weight and new food-seeking behaviors as potential indicators they’re not eating enough.

A slow feeder can minimize your dog’s probability of bloat and other digestive issues caused by speedy eating. 

Your Golden Retriever should also be on a feeding schedule rather than left to free-feed.

Mealtimes can be a huge incentive during the day and help to structure their needed routine. 

Slow feeders come in a variety of sizes and levels of challenge based on your dog’s needs.

Rather than scarfing down their food, your animal companion will instead have to stop and think about how they’re going to get the kibble into their mouth. 

This process provides beneficial mental stimulation that can minimize stress and anxiety, frustration, and boredom. 

Your Golden Retriever will be less likely to act out during the day if they’re being properly challenged and exhausted.

There are many innovative bowls, toys, and other options that can slow your dog down while they eat. 

You may have to experiment to find the best option for your dog and potentially trade out old challenges for new ones if they start to eat too fast again. 

Even spreading your Golden Retriever’s food out on a baking dish or around the kitchen can help to slow them down and encourage their brains to think a little harder than usual. 

Related Questions

Should I leave food in my Golden Retriever’s bowl during the day?

Establishing a feeding routine for your Golden Retriever is essential to creating a framework for their day. 

Free-feeding isn’t recommended for dogs and can lead to weight issues, especially if they begin to eat when they’re bored. 

Feeding your dog on a schedule maintains clean habits around the home, encouraging your dog to use the bathroom on a reasonable and foreseeable schedule. 

You’ll also spot any health issues or drops in appetite that can indicate an underlying health issue.

Mealtimes are valuable training opportunities to teach your dogs manners and how to behave with other animals in the home. 

No food will be left behind or hidden around the house without your knowledge. 

Free-feeding can lead to unwanted pests, food aggression, and general lawlessness around the food bowls. 

Structure your dog’s feeding times and remove any uneaten food about 20 or so minutes after you’ve put it out. 

Your dog will have better impulse control and a routine they enjoy following during the day with regular feedings. 

What type of food should I feed my Golden Retriever?

You can always ask your veterinarian for food recommendations when first bringing a Golden Retriever into your home. 

This breed requires a high amount of lean meat with moderate to high protein content. 

You can easily add raw meat and other additives right to their dry kibble to optimize their healthy food intake. 

They need a good amount of carbohydrates to keep their energy levels up but very low fat amounts. 

They also need fatty additives and acids to keep their hair and coats shiny and healthy.

Finally, they need nutraceuticals like EPA or ALA to improve and maintain their minds and bodies as they age.

Thoroughly check the ingredients list for every type of food your feed your animal and match their age and breed needs. 

Your dog may need supplements or additional nutrients as they grow older and develop manageable skin, joint, or bone issues. 

How often do I feed my Golden Retriever during the day?

Adult Golden Retrievers should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and again at night. 

Avoid free-feeding and monitor your animals while they eat for signs of illness, pain, or discomfort. 

A puppy will require about two to four feedings a day depending on age.

You may need to soften their food with water or put them exclusively on a wet food diet. 

Feeding a puppy requires patience and monitoring as they may struggle to keep themselves steady or eat too fast and make themselves sick.

It’s best to keep a puppy away from other animals while they’re eating so food isn’t stolen and they’re not rushed to eat faster.