How high should your dog’s raised bowl be?
There is no official figure: the usual rules of thumb come from manufacturers, not veterinary studies. What works is measuring your dog standing up. Here’s how we do it in the workshop.
Updated: 04/10/2026 · YAO, woodworking workshop in Barcelona
- Measure standing, from the floor to the bottom of the chest (just behind the front legs).
- Put the bowl rim at that height or a few centimetres lower.
- Another common rule: withers height minus 13–15 cm.
- For large or giant deep-chested dogs, ask your vet first (see bloat, below).
How to measure your dog
- Stand your dog square on a flat floor.
- Measure from the floor to the bottom of the chest, just behind the elbow.
- Cross-check: withers height minus 13–15 cm.
Our workshop size chart
| Chest height (standing) | Bowl rim | YAO size |
|---|---|---|
| 10–17 cm | 12 cm (tilted 15°) | S · cats and small dogs |
| 18–26 cm | 20 cm | M · medium dogs |
| 27–36 cm | 28 cm | L · large dogs |
| over 37 cm | 40 cm | L with risers · ask your vet |
It’s a practical chart from our own dogs and customers’ dogs, not a veterinary standard. Between sizes? Send us the measurement; we also make custom heights.
Large and giant breeds
A 2000 study linked raised feeders to higher bloat (GDV) risk in large and giant breeds; a 2012 study found no link. Ask your vet. More in Raised dog feeders: benefits, risks and when to avoid them.
Dogs with megaesophagus need to eat upright (45–90°), e.g. in a Bailey chair. A raised bowl is not a substitute; follow your vet’s advice.
FAQ
What height for a medium dog?
For 10–25 kg dogs around 20 cm usually works, but your dog’s chest height is what matters.
