Written ByOlivia De Santos| Canine Coach, Professional Writer & Video Content Creator.
Edited & Fact Checked ByRenae Soppe| Double B.A Journalism & Science.
Last Updated: 18th January 2024
- : Our product reviews are 100% unbiased.
Is your dog getting old and stiff and struggling to bend down to eat as comfortably as they once did?
Do you want a more ergonomic solution to feeding time?
That’s what the humble dog bowl stand is all about. My dogs are 13 and 15 respectively, with quite heavy bone structures and aging joints.
Dog bowl stands not only to make it easier for your dog to eat comfortably, but they also reduce the amount of mess left by your dogs after meals.
So how do you know if your dog may need one? In our quest for answers, we teamed up with veterinarians, canine behaviourists and pet parents to test out the most popular dog bowl stands available. After months of testing and research, we finally agreed on this list of our favourites.
In this article, we’ll discuss the pros of dog bowl stands and why they compliment the best dog bowls, the properties and the best options out there on the Australian market today.
Quick Picks - The Top 3
Our Number 1 Pick -
Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Elevated Dog Bowls
- Durable
- Good reviews
- Three adjustable heights
- Easy to store and transport
Runner Up -
PaWz Dual Raised Dog Feeder Bowl
- Economical
- Durable
- Well-reviewed
- Available in three sizes
Third Choice -
Smith Chu Premium Elevated Dog
- Nice design
- Eco-friendly
- Premium ceramic bowl set
- Perfect size for tiny dogs and puppies
Table Of Contents
Quick Picks - The Top 3
Why Do You Need A Dog Bowl Stand?
They are more comfortable for elderly dogs
They can reduce the amount of mess on the floor
They look great!
What To Look For In A Dog Feeding Station
Height
Shape
One dog bowl or two?
The Best Dog Food Stands Australia 2024
#1: Top Choice: Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Elevated Dog Bowls
#2: Budget-friendly Pick: PaWz Dual Raised Dog Feeder Bowl
#3: Best Dog Bowl Holder For Puppies: Smith Chu Premium Elevated Dog
#4: Best for Small Dogs: WANTRYAPET Elevated Dog Bowls
#5: Best for Dogs With Flat Faces: Amaseng Bamboo Raised Dog Feeder Stand
The Final Verdict: Top Dog Bowl Holder
FAQ
References:
Why Do You Need A Dog Bowl Stand?
I was also sceptical at first. What is the point of elevating a dog’s bowl to feed them?
All a bit fancy isn’t it?
Not at all! Our panel of independent experts quickly discovered that dog bowl stands have many benefits.
They are more comfortable for elderly dogs
If you have an elderly dog as I do, you’ll know that awkward bending or even standing for too long can cause them to tire easily. This is a common sight among dogs with arthritis. (1)
Dogs that struggle to eat comfortably because of the pain of bending down can even end up avoiding food altogether. To them, it simply isn’t worth the strain. Luckily, the solution is simple with an elevated bowl stand.
With this in mind, you are helping your dog in spades. Even if you have a young dog, they may benefit from having a raised bowl to prevent future neck and back issues. (2)
They can reduce the amount of mess on the floor
Now, I won’t sell you a fairy tale here. If your dog is a messy eater, a raised dog bowl is not going to solve that completely. However, some raised dog bowls have a platform to them that reduces spillage of water and food around the bowl.
They look great!
Beauty matters. I love to surround myself with beautiful things in my home and raised dog bowls often have a sleek design that adds to your space. Whether constructed from wood, metal or plastic, they are sure to blend with your decor.
What To Look For In A Dog Feeding Station
So how do you find the best raised dog feeding station for your beloved pooch? Our panel of pros have these suggestions to share:
Height
It is fair to say that the height of your dog’s raised dog bowl needs to work for them ergonomically. Your Great Dane will not appreciate using a bowl stand fit for a Chihuahua, or vice versa. You want to make eating as simple as possible for your dog.
Aim to purchase a bowl stand that is around 6 cm to 10 cm shorter than shoulder height for your dog.
Shape
No, I am not talking about the design aspect again (although I do love an unusual looking bowl stand!). This is to do with your dog’s physiology.
PRO TIP:If your dog has a flat face (e.g Pugs and Frenchies), they may struggle to use standard elevated dog bowls. The holder often encompasses a deep bowl that is not easy for your dog to eat from. Therefore, you need a stand that can tilt forward or is made specifically for their head shape.
Luckily, raised dog bowls that have a tilting function are quite common. We have a great option in the reviews below!
One dog bowl or two?
It is perfectly fine for your dog to have a stand that allows for two bowls - one for water and one for food. This works perfectly well for single-dog households.
If, however, you have a multi-dog household like mine, having two food bowls for both dogs in a stand is a recipe for disaster.
Dogs can get extremely territorial over their feeding areas. Having both dogs eat from the same stand also causes confusion with whose food is whose. It can lead to fights and injury if you stoke that fire, even if your dogs are friendly with each other most of the time.
“It’s important that dogs each have their own food bowl. It’s okay to have a community water bowl, but each dog should get their own helping in a separate bowl.” - Nutrena (3)
Therefore, if you have more than one dog at home, either consider getting a single stand for each dog’s food or get two duo-stands for each dog to be happy.
The Best Dog Food Stands Australia 2024
We know the what and we know the why! Now let’s dig into the best dog feeder stands on the market today. These are the dog food stands that every member of our team of independent experts loved. They are quite a decent range of choices for dogs of all sizes and face shapes, so we hope you find the right one for your pup!
#1: Top Choice: Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Elevated Dog Bowls
What sets this product apart from the rest?
- Durable
- Good reviews
- Three adjustable heights
- Easy to store and transport
The Pet Zone Designer Diner is very designer indeed! This fully adaptable, adjustable, raised feeding station was created to accompany your pup at every stage of their life.
From puppyhood to adulthood, you can use this stand to raise your dogs bowls to their level. While there is only one size option, unlike our number two choice, there are three adjustable heights: 7 cm, 20 cm and 30 cm. This makes the Pet Zone stand ideal for most small to large dog breeds. Our panel of independent experts learned that extra-large dog breeds, however, would still need to bend to use this product.
The Pet Zone Designer Diner Adjustable Elevated Dog Bowls being tested by our independent expert team.
If you don’t intend for your dog’s food station to be set up at all times, the feet of the stand can be tucked under the main frame for easy storage. This also makes the Pet Zone the most portable option on this list.
The set comes with two stainless steel dog bowls, like our number two and number five options. These bowls are anti-rust and easy to clean. I also love how the stand holds these bowls deeply and securely so there are fewer chances of spills.
The great reviews from just about every member of our expert team attest to how sturdy and durable of a product this is. Though it may be a little pricier than some of the other items on this list, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more flexible and well-constructed product in this category!
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
| Cell |
| Cell |
| Cell |
#2: Budget-friendly Pick: PaWz Dual Raised Dog Feeder Bowl
- Economical
- Durable
- Well-reviewed
- Available in three sizes
For a cheap and cheerful option, PaWz offers a great dog feeder stand for dogs of all sizes.
They have three available sizes. The smallest size is 15 cm in height. The medium measures 27 cm in height. The largest size is 35 cm in height. This worked for a very wide range of dog breeds that belong to our team of experts, which is fantastic.
The stand is iron-based, rust-proof and durable. It has non-slip rubber feet to ensure that the stand doesn’t slide around as your dog is eating.
The PaWz Dual Raised Dog Feeder Bowl being tested by our independent expert team.
The set comes with two stainless steel bowls that are easy to clip in and out of the stand.
Essentially, the PaWz set is everything you need in a raised dog bowl stand. The price is wonderful too considering how imperishable it is.
For me personally, there is one glaring con, and that is the setup. While setting up the Pawz stand is relatively easy, there are quite a few parts to it. The set is sold in pieces that I had to assemble at home to get started. Not quite as easy as some of the other options on this list that have no-screw assembly.
Once you have set it up, it’ll last your dog a long time, so this is definitely a great option for those of you wanting a more cost-effective option.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
| Cell |
| Cell |
| Cell |
#3: Best Dog Bowl Holder For Puppies: Smith Chu Premium Elevated Dog
- Nice design
- Eco-friendly
- Premium ceramic bowl set
- Perfect size for tiny dogs and puppies
We have mostly been prioritising the comfort of our elderly dogs in this conversation, as raised dog bowls are mostly marketed to them. Elderly dogs are more likely to have stiff joints and mobility issues.
That being said, puppies can benefit from elevated dog bowls too. The comfort they have eating this way can even aid digestion.
For puppies, our team of independent experts recommend Smith Chu’s range of elevated dog bowls.
These premium eco-friendly bamboo stands only lift your dog’s food a little off the ground which is the perfect height for young dogs. Both the double and single bowl sets have a height of 5.5 cm.
Note: we only recommend the double and single bowl set. Our team of independent experts do not advise buying a triple bowl set for two food bowls for two dogs and a water bowl in between. There is not a big enough separation of the two food bowls for your dogs to feel comfortable. It is not ideal for them to eat so close together.
We like that the bamboo platform provides a solid base for any spills. It looks pretty great too!
The set comes with one or two ceramic bowls. Ceramic bowls, which our number four choice ahead also boasts, are great they keep food and water fresher for longer due to their natural cooling properties.
Best of all, the company offer a money-back guarantee should you be dissatisfied with the product for any reason. It’s a no brainer!
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
| Cell |
| Cell |
| Cell |
#4: Best for Small Dogs: WANTRYAPET Elevated Dog Bowls
- Durable
- Well-reviewed
- Nice design
- Perfect for small dogs
This sleek-looking stand is beautiful and functional all at the same time.
The WANTRYAPET stand combines a durable, rust-proof stainless steel frame, with an eco-friendly, natural tensile bamboo platform to set the perfect feeding stage for your pampered pooch.
The set comes with two ceramic bowls, perfect for keeping your dog’s food and water fresh. I also appreciate how the set as a whole is easy to clean too.
Unlike the PaWz set, this one is incredibly easy to assemble. The frame comes fully formed and you simply need to slip the platform on top and the bowls inside. Easy peasy!
The wide stance of the stand makes it incredibly sturdy. Your dog is far less likely to tip this over.
We recommend this one highly for small dogs because it only comes in one size. It is 11 cm in height which is great for small dogs but still a neck strain for medium to extra-large dogs.
If the size is right, we highly recommend this stand for your pooch!
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
| Cell |
| Cell |
| Cell |
#5: Best for Dogs With Flat Faces: Amaseng Bamboo Raised Dog Feeder Stand
- Allows you to tilt the dog bowls
- Stylish design
- Easy to assemble
- Adjustable height
Finally, we end our reviews with the perfect product for our flat-faced beauties. Pugs, Frenchies, Bulldogs and Boxers needn’t struggle with a typical raised dog feeder. The Amaseng model is perfect for them.
Though it can be set up in the typical fashion, with the bowls perfectly horizontal, the trick here is that you can set up the top platform to be tilted. This allows your flat-faced dog to have better access to their food as the angle is perfect for them. Just another level of comfort for your pup.
This stand is made entirely of bamboo, similar to our third and fourth choices. It has a very stylish design with a zig zag pattern on the side. It is that very same zig zag patterning that enables the bowls to tilt forwards for easier access.
The set comes with two stainless steel bowls, like our number one and number two product choices.
The height of the tilt can be adjusted. At its lowest, the height is 6 cm. At its highest point the tilted configuration can have a height of 13 cm. Therefore, our team of independent experts agreed that this feeder is ideal for small dogs like Pugs and Frenchies.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
| Cell |
| Cell |
| Cell |
The Final Verdict: Top Dog Bowl Holder
For the ultimate all-rounder, every member of our expert panel agreed that you can’t go wrong with the Pet Zone Designer Diner. The fully adjustable design makes it adaptable to all stages of your dog’s life. The construction is sturdy. It is not the cheapest option, but it certainly lives up to its premium price point. Reviewers agree!
If you have a flat-faced dog like a Pug or Frenchie at home, then we think the Amaseng tilted dog bowl stand is perfect. It is stunning, well-constructed and provides a more comfortable eating experience for your pooch.
FAQ
Can my dogs share the same dog bowl stand?
No. Your dogs should not share a dog bowl stand as this can cause aggression due to feeling territorial over food. Your dog’s feeding stations should be separated. They can be in the same room, just not too close together.
References:
- “Osteoarthritis in Dogs — Signs and Treatment”. May 26, 2022. American Kennel Club. Retrieved November 18, 2023. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/osteoarthritis-signs-treatment/
- Simonson. A. February 7, 2022. "Oestoarthritis (OA) in Dogs". PetMD. Retrieved November 18, 2023. https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/musculoskeletal/c_multi_arthritis_osteoarthritis
- "Tip for Feeding Multiple Dogs". Nutrena. Retrieved November 18, 2023. https://www.nutrenaworld.com/blog/tips-for-feeding-multiple-dogs
