DIY toy guide

Raised Feeding Stand from a Sturdy Box

Lifting the food and water bowls a few inches off the floor eases the strain for older and tall cats

Crouching low over a floor-level bowl asks a lot of a stiff, arthritic or big cat's neck and joints, and can make some cats regurgitate. Raising the bowls just a few inches on a sturdy stand you make yourself lets a cat eat in a more natural, comfortable head-down-but-not-crouched posture.

Difficulty
Easy
Time
10 minutes
Cost
£0 (a strong box or old shelf)

🧺 You will need

  • A strong, stable box, wooden crate or offcut of shelf, about 5–15 cm (2–6 in) tall
  • A non-slip mat or a few adhesive rubber feet
  • Your cat's normal food and water bowls
  • Optional: wipe-clean covering such as sticky-back plastic or a wooden board on top

🔧 How to make it

  1. Pick a base that is heavy and wide enough not to tip when your cat leans on it — stability matters more than height.
  2. Set it against a wall or in a corner so it cannot slide, and stick a non-slip mat underneath.
  3. Choose the height by watching your cat: the bowl rim should sit roughly at the low chest, so the cat reaches slightly down without hunching or over-stretching up.
  4. Cover the top with something wipe-clean if the box itself is not, then place the bowls on top with a mat to catch spills.
  5. Watch your cat eat and adjust the height up or down until the posture looks relaxed.

💡 Tips

Raised bowls suit senior and arthritic cats, very large or long-legged breeds, and cats that tend to bring food back up after crouching to eat. Keep the raise modest — a few inches is plenty; too high forces an awkward reach. Feed and water bowls are best kept a little apart, and both away from the litter tray. If your cat has been diagnosed with a swallowing or oesophageal problem, ask your vet how high the bowls should be, as the ideal posture can differ.

Safety: Stability is everything: a stand that rocks or tips can frighten a cat off eating or spill water into an electrical area, so test it with a firm push before use. Keep the height gentle rather than tall, as a nervous or elderly cat can be put off by a wobbly perch. Use only non-toxic, splinter-free materials, and wipe the surface and bowls daily. A raised bowl is a comfort aid, not a treatment — persistent regurgitation, difficulty swallowing or a change in how your cat eats always warrants a vet check.

📝 Notes

A two-minute change that quietly improves daily comfort for an ageing cat, and one of the first small adjustments to make when a stiff older cat starts eating less enthusiastically at floor level.

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