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Watching our elderly, arthritic cat eat from a raised bowl is a treat. Max is not only eating heartily but also making far less of a mess, even with his tooth problems. Talk about a win-win situation! There are many reasons for checking out an elevated food bowl for cats, and, fortunately, several pet-supply companies now offer them.
Why an Elevated Food Bowl?
The enthusiasm for elevated food bowls for cats is based mostly on anecdotal endorsements from cat parents like me. There aren’t yet any veterinarian-endorsed studies about the benefits of an elevated eating surface—but we think these inexpensive elevated bowls and stands are worth trying if you have a cat who seems reluctant to eat much.
The idea is that your cat can eat (and drink) more comfortably in a standing position, with front legs straight, rather than crouching down to dine. (Some cats will even sit at the bowl to eat.)
When selecting an elevated food bowl for cats, keep in mind that experts recommend pet bowls made from food-grade stainless steel, ceramic, or glass. (Plastic, which scratches easily, may harbor bacteria in scratched areas).
Whatever type of bowl you choose for your cat, be sure to wash the bowl frequently with hot water and soap.
Finding the Best Elevated Food Bowl for Cats
These dishwasher-safe ceramic bowls with charming cat faces are convenient as well as cute. The compact metal stand offers about an inch of additional height, making them a solid choice for cat parents looking for a more modest boost. Rubber feet are great to prevent a cat from moving their food dish all over the room. You can fit six ounces of dry cat food in each dish.
If you prefer metal dishes, consider these high-grade anodized aluminum bowls from PetFusion, makers of top-rated cat products. These easy-to-clean bowls and matching stand will give your kitty easy access to food. The wide, shallow bowls prevent “whisker fatigue,” which can occur if a cat has to regularly brush its whiskers against the edges of a narrow or deep bowl. Make sure you select the right size—the “short” version of this set is designed for cats.
Dishwasher- and microwave-safe, this heart-shaped, tilted, and elevated bowl is designed to make it as easy as possible for your cat to access their wet food. It’s large enough to hold kibble as well. Choose pink, pale green, dark green, or white.
This affordable diner provides two stainless steel dishes for comfortable mealtimes. The pyramid-shaped metal base prevents your cat from tipping a bowl over—or moving it. This is a great way to ensure that the cat dishes stay where you want! The Frisco diner comes in two sizes, and the smaller 2-cup option is intended for cats.
This elevated bamboo pet diner is perfect for cats with digestive issues or arthritis. The dinner comes with four stainless steel bowls (two deep ones and two shallow ones) you can use for wet food, dry food, or water. That means that while your cat is using one set, you can have the other set in the dishwasher. The diner comes in three sizes. The small size, four inches high, is designed for cats.
This metal double diner is designed for pets with arthritis—the small and medium sizes work best for cats. The diner comes with two stainless steel bowls you can use for wet food, dry food, or water.
The folks at Necoichi went with a safe, high-grade ceramic. But what makes this bowl a top pick is the shape. It’s raised on a pedestal base, making it easier for an elderly cat to eat comfortably. The bowl is shallow, so your cat can reach their food without bending too far. A tiny inner rim helps prevent food from spilling out of the bowl. The only drawback? This bowl takes up a fair amount of space in the dishwasher, where you need to position it carefully so that both the bowl and the hollow base get sprayed clean. The bowls come in three sizes: 0.5 cup, 1 cup, and 1.5 cups. Most cats like the small one for wet food and the larger ones for kibble.
If the standard Necoichi bowl isn’t cutting it, consider their extra-wide version—which is also extra tall. At six inches high, it’s one of the tallest elevated bowls on the market. The deeper, wider bowl gives even big cats easy access to wet food or kibble, while the interior ridge reduces the chance of food getting pushed out of the bowl (though a determined cat can always claw out some kibble). This bowl holds up to two cups of dry food.
When it comes to this bowl, you can choose the exact height your cat needs. That’s because the frame mounts on window glass and other smooth surfaces, and the 1.5-cup stainless steel bowl sits in the frame. The removable bowl is easy to clean by hand or in your dishwasher.
