Elevated Dog Bowl Set for a Calmer Holiday Mealtime

This post features Trot. Trot sent me a sample to try. The post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you share your home with a dog, you know the small rituals that hold a day together. The morning walk. The tail that thumps when you walk into the kitchen. The sound of a bowl at mealtime. If you are in perimenopause, menopause, or post-menopause, you may be learning how much a steady routine means to you. A gift that brings that calm to mealtime can be as simple as an elevated dog bowl set.

This season, I am looking at one in particular. It lifts the bowls off the floor and slows fast eating down, so mealtime is calmer for you and your dog. In addition, it is useful and beautiful to look at. It works as a gift for a friend, or a quiet gift to yourself.

In this post, I will walk you through what comes in the Trot Elevated Complete Set. You will also see who should check with a vet first and how to choose the right size and height.

Quick answer: The Trot Elevated Complete Set is an elevated dog bowl set. It holds a puzzle slow feeder bowl, a water bowl, a silicone mat, and two lids on a bamboo stand. And it is designed to slow fast eating and keep mealtime tidy. It suits many dogs. A raised feeder is not right for every dog, so ask your vet if yours is large and deep-chested.

Trot Elevated Complete Set with Mat & Stand Features

• The Trot set includes a slow feeder bowl, a water bowl, a bamboo stand, a silicone mat, and two lids.
• The stand comes in 3, 6, and 12 inches. The bowls come in three sizes, so you can match the set to your dog.
• Vets steer owners of healthy large, deep-chested breeds away from raised feeders, so check with your vet first.
• Trot says a portion of proceeds supports the Little Angels Project, which funds medical care for injured shelter animals.

Why an Elevated Dog Bowl Set Makes a Thoughtful Holiday Gift

Most dog gifts are toys, and most toys do not last past January. A feeding station is different. It earns its place twice a day, every day, right in the middle of your kitchen.

That is why I think this gift suits the dog lover in your life. She might be your sister, your mother, a friend, or you. It says you noticed something she does every day and made it a little easier and a little more beautiful.

The look matters too. Trot describes its stand as a mid-century design accent. The set comes in ten colors, from calm Slate and Bone to brighter Canary and Cool Pink. It does not have to look like a pet supply aisle.

What Comes in the Trot Elevated Complete Set

The set includes five pieces that have been thoughtfully designed for feeding time occasion. They are one puzzle slow feeder bowl, one water bowl, one bamboo stand, one silicone mat, and two no-leak lids.

The bowls are made of stainless steel 304, which Trot calls food grade. They are dishwasher safe and rust-resistant. The stand is made of sustainably grown dense bamboo. The mat is food-grade silicone that catches spills. Magnets help keep the bowls in place, and Trot describes them as tip and slide proof, even for enthusiastic eaters.

You choose the bowl size and the stand height. Bowls come in small (1 to 2 cups), medium (2 to 3 cups), and large (3 or more cups). The stand comes in 3, 6, and 12 inches. You can see every option on the Trot product page.

Q: How does a puzzle slow feeder bowl work?
A: A puzzle slow feeder has a pattern inside the bowl. Your dog works around it, so each bite takes a little longer. Trot says this encourages chewing and a more comfortable mealtime, which it links to better digestion.

A Calmer Mealtime for Fast Eaters With a Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

If your dog inhales dinner in thirty seconds, you may wonder if that is good for her. Trot points out that fast eating can lead to discomfort and vomiting. In serious cases, it can lead to choking or bloat.

A slow feeder dog bowl gives a fast eater a reason to pace herself. It is a gentle change to mealtime, not a medical treatment. If your dog vomits after meals, or you worry about bloat, talk with your vet.

The no-leak lids and the silicone mat help with the rest of the routine. Water stays put and crumbs stay on the mat. Your kitchen floor stays calmer too, which is a gift for the person who cleans up.

Who Should Check With a Vet Before Choosing a Raised Dog Feeder

A raised stand is not right for every dog. This is the part I want you to read twice.

Vets do recommend raised bowls in some cases. Examples are dogs with arthritis, neck or spine problems, or megaesophagus under veterinary guidance. A review on WebVet, checked by Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS MRCVS, describes a 2000 Purdue University study. It appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. It linked raised feeders to a higher bloat risk in large and giant breeds.

Most will also steer owners of healthy large, deep-chested breeds away from them.

WebVet, reviewed by Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS MRCVS

For that reason, I do not call a raised stand a bloat solution. I also do not suggest one for a large, deep-chested dog without asking your vet first. If your dog is small or medium and healthy, your vet can tell you which stand height makes sense.

What I Noticed When My Dog Tried the Trot Set

The Trot elevated set with food and water bowls have added a slower food intake to my husky mix dog. I’ve noticed how carefully and meticulously he licks and cleans out the food bowl. The puzzle design adds to that extra time my puppy sure enjoys.

Another interesting thing that is happening is that my pup loves drinking out of his new bowl. Before, he would use my cats fountain bowl, probably because the water is more delish when it circulates. The Trot water bowl has become his go-to thirst reliever. I am so happy he’s enjoying his new food and water set!

Besides, my cats are loving my dog’s Trot water bowl to hydrate themselves as well. I think the freshness of the water within the bowl attracts both cats and dogs. And this is not a small thing to celebrate.

How to Choose the Right Size and Height

Start with the bowl size. Match it to how much your dog eats at one meal. The small, medium, and large cup ranges are your guide.

Then choose the stand height with your vet. A common guideline is a bowl near your dog’s lower chest height. The right lift depends on size, breed, and health. A raised station also means less bending for you, which Trot notes as a benefit for owners.

Last, choose a color. Pick one that feels at home in your kitchen, because you will see it every day.

A Dog Gift Idea With Giving Back Built In

Trot says a portion of its proceeds supports the Little Angels Project. The project funds medical care for injured shelter animals. That is a lovely thing to be able to say when you hand someone a gift.

If you are looking for quality gifts for pets, check out some of the best and effective products for dogs.

Make Mealtime Your Two Quiet Minutes

While your dog settles into her new routine, you can settle into yours. Mealtime is a natural pause, and a pause is a good moment for your own care.

If your skin has felt tight or sensitive lately, try my gentle skincare reset. It shows you how to do less and support your skin barrier first. If you are ready for a guided path, my free guide, How to Protect & Repair Skin During Menopause, is a soft place to begin.

A calm mealtime for your dog, and a calm moment for you. That is a gift worth giving.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elevated Dog Bowl Sets

Q: What is an elevated dog bowl set?
A: An elevated dog bowl set lifts your dog’s bowls off the floor on a stand. The Trot Elevated Complete Set also includes a puzzle slow feeder bowl, a silicone mat, and two no-leak lids. The brand calls it a complete feeding station designed to look good in your home.

Q: Are elevated dog bowls good for every dog?
A: No. Vets may recommend them for dogs with arthritis, neck or spine problems, or megaesophagus. A 2000 Purdue study linked raised feeders to a higher bloat risk in large and giant breeds. Many vets steer owners of healthy, large, deep-chested dogs away from them. Ask your vet before you choose.

Q: Do slow feeder bowls help dogs that eat too fast?
A: A slow feeder bowl is designed to make a dog work around a pattern, so meals take longer. Trot says this encourages chewing and a more comfortable mealtime. It is not a medical treatment. If your dog vomits after eating, or you are concerned about bloat, talk with your vet.

Q: What height should a dog bowl stand be?
A: A common guideline is a bowl near your dog’s lower chest height. The right height depends on size, breed, and health. The Trot stand comes in 3, 6, and 12 inches. Your vet can help you choose, especially for a large, deep-chested breed.

More Questions About Choosing the Trot Set

Q: Are the Trot bowls dishwasher safe?
A: Yes, according to the brand. The Trot bowls are made of stainless steel 304 and are described as dishwasher safe and rust-resistant. The silicone mat catches spills, so cleanup is simple. Check the care instructions on the product page for each piece.

Q: Does the Trot set come in different sizes and colors?
A: Yes. The bowls come in small (1 to 2 cups), medium (2 to 3 cups), and large (3 or more cups). The stand comes in 3, 6, and 12 inches. There are ten colors, including Slate, Bone, Cobalt, Canary, Sky, Charcoal, Cool Pink, Harvest Red, Bright Orange, and Olive Green.

Q: Is this a good holiday gift for someone who loves her dog?
A: It can be. She will use it every day, it looks good in a kitchen, and it can be matched to her dog’s size. Trot also says a portion of proceeds supports the Little Angels Project. If her dog is large and deep-chested, suggest she check with her vet first.

Sources

Trot. Trot Elevated Complete Set with Mat and Stand
WebVet. Are Elevated Dog Bowls Good or Bad? A Vet-Reviewed Look, reviewed by Dr. Pippa Elliott, BVMS MRCVS, citing Glickman et al., Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2000.

Written by Larisa Jentzsch, Licensed Esthetician and founder of Celebrate Woman Today. Larisa holds a Master’s in Education (MEd) and an MBA with a thesis centered on Health Promotion, and teaches women 40+ how to understand and support their changing skin.