10 Dog Bowl Feeding Station Ideas and DIY Plans (2024)

10 Dog Bowl Feeding Station Ideas and DIY Plans (1)

Why not elevate your canine companion’s dinnertime with a DIY dog bowl stand that you can make at home? There are plenty of benefits to having a raised bowl holder for your precious pups. It prevents them from messing and, according to the experts, might actually be a dog’s preferred way of chowing down.

In this article, I’ll detail 10 dog feeding station plans that are simple to make and won’t take you hours. Some of these plans even include storage cabinets for extra food or unique ideas for personalization. Ready? Let’s get crafting.

10 DIY IDEAS and PLANS

Make Your Dog Full and Happy with One of These Feeding Station Ideas

On this page

  • 10 DIY IDEAS and PLANS
  • 1. Upcycled Pallet Feeding Station
  • 2. Elevated Mid-Century Modern Feeding Stand
  • 3. 2 Bowl Stand for Small Pups
  • 4. Raised Dog Bowl Platform with Hairpin Legs
  • 5. Contemporary Raised DIY Dog Feeding Station
  • 6. Make-It-Yourself Pedestal Stand Feeding Stations
  • 7. Easy and Adorable Elevated Feeding Stand
  • 8. Beautiful Wooden 2-Bowl Stand with Feet
  • 9. Do-It-Yourself Dog Bowl Station with Storage
  • 10. Reclaimed Wood Raised Dog Bowl Platform

1. Upcycled Pallet Feeding Station

10 Dog Bowl Feeding Station Ideas and DIY Plans (2)

Details

Pallets have long been every DIY enthusiast’s best friend. They are affordable, versatile, and easy to get hold of.You can easily construct this upcycled pallet feeding stand in just a few hours with a saw, a hammer, and some nails and brackets.Start by creating a box shape using pallet wood. Use shorter, narrower cuts of wood inside the box to secure the corners.Then, for the “lid,” measure and saw out the circle shapes you need for nesting your dog’s bowls. Attach them to the box, and your structure is complete.

All that’s left to do is stain your box in the color of your choice and attach some decorative corner brackets for a rustic, vintage treasure-box look.You can even go the extra mile and personalize this gorgeous feeding stand with a stencil and some black paint.

2. Elevated Mid-Century Modern Feeding Stand

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Details

This elevated pet feeding station is a fun DIY project for both you and the kids. It’s also fully customizable depending on your taste and existing decor. Start with a quick trip to the hardware store. You’ll need some affordable lumber, like pine, and four mid-century modern chair legs.Most hardware stores can cut wood per request, so keep your measurements in mind if you plan to take this route.

Once you’ve got your materials, it’s time to measure out and cut the holes for the feeding bowls with a jigsaw. Ensure they’re not too big, or the bowls will fall through.You can then attach your legs by drilling in some screws. Cut them to the height you feel is most appropriate for your pup. Then, sand all the rough bits.

Now for the best part.Once you’ve put your feeding station together, you can decorate it however you please. Use a combination of wood stain and acrylic paint for a modern, funky look, or keep it classic by sticking to one shade. The choice is yours.

3. 2 Bowl Stand for Small Pups

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Details

This is another great upcycled pallet project that is perfect for shorter canines (or even cats).To construct this 2-bowl design, first, disassemble a throw-away pallet and keep the evenest pieces of lumber to one side. Cut them to shape. You’ll need four long pieces for the top and long sides, two shorter pieces for the remaining sides, and one support piece for the inside center to keep the stand sturdy.

Join your woodcuts in a box shape, ensuring they’re all evenly aligned. Next, measure the diameters of your food bowls (slightly smaller to account for overhang), and cut them out using a jigsaw.Sand the entire thing, and the base structure is complete. Stain or varnish your feeding stand as per your preference.

This designer has also included a cute, personalized name tag.You can make one yourself using leftover pallet wood, your jigsaw, a bit of paint, and a stencil.

4. Raised Dog Bowl Platform with Hairpin Legs

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Details

This ultra-modern dog bowl platform is an affordable DIY project that looks like a million bucks. It’s also really easy to build!

Construct the platform part of this feeding station first using leftover or scrap lumber.You might have one piece of wood that is a suitable size, or you’ll need to join two or three pieces. The goal is to have a proportional rectangle that will fit your dog’s bowls.Once complete, go in with a jigsaw to carve out the bowl holes before sanding the whole thing to a smooth finish.

You can then paint the edges of the rectangle to give this feeding station a contemporary aesthetic. Use masking tape to keep your edges neat.Then, all that’s left is to attach some hairpin table legs. You can find these at your local hardware store.

This striking plan will have your pup feeling like he’s fine dining at every meal.

5. Contemporary Raised DIY Dog Feeding Station

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Details

This is another simple-to-execute plan that looks great in the kitchen or living room of your home.

You can get away with constructing this plan using just nails, clamps, a saw, a hammer, and some sanding paper, but it will look even smoother and neater if you drill in pockets for diagonal screws.The most important part of the process is measuring the size of your bowls before cutting your lumber.Once you have them, you can cut your wood to size and start building.

The design is effortless, comprising a rectangular base with raised legs adjoining an equally sized top. The center support on the top end gives your bowls something to rest on, forming neat-looking squares.

A good sanding and a lick of paint provide a modern, personalized aesthetic that will fit right in with your existing decor.

6. Make-It-Yourself Pedestal Stand Feeding Stations

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Details

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for dog feeding stations. That’s why this design is perfect for 2 dogs or more. They look great – like something out of a gallery. However, they are a little time-consuming to make, given their soapstone tops.

To start, I recommend finding your perfect bowls so you can be sure of sizing. Take them to your local soapstone supplier and have your slabs cut to size (rectangular with holes).From here, you can start construction on the rest of the pedestals.Measure up a sheet of MDF (or a similar timber) and cut it using a miter saw. The general idea behind this design is to have a little bit of overhang on the base and tabletop areas to give it the overall look and feel of a modern pedestal.

Use wood glue, nails, or pocket holes to put all your pieces together. If you’re using nails, I suggest using wood putty after the fact to cover up any rough spots.

Paint the pedestals a bright, stark white to contrast with the soapstone, and in no time, you’ll have some of the best-looking feeding stations out there.

7. Easy and Adorable Elevated Feeding Stand

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Details

Are you wondering how to make a completely customizable feeding station for your dog? Look no further. This simple plan can be constructed in just one afternoon and fitted to your pooch’s height. I love that it looks a bit like a coffee table.

The hardest part of making this station is figuring out your measurements. Work out the diameters of your bowls so you can cut the holding holes with your jigsaw.

Once the top is complete, you can start on your legs. Cut them according to your dog’s height, and then build a frame with horizontal supports.Attach the top, sand it down, and give the whole thing a good coating of spray paint in a color of your choice.

Once dry, it’s ready to be used.

8. Beautiful Wooden 2-Bowl Stand with Feet

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Details

If you have some good-quality wood scraps lying around, you really have no reason not to build a stunning bespoke bowl stand. This bi-colored plan uses walnut and oak, but you aren’t restricted – use what you have.

Start by measuring and cutting the holes for your bowls. They don’t need to be perfect. You won’t see them. They just need to be large enough for the bowls to rest comfortably without shifting.Next, add a little detail to your front panel for visual interest.Then, design and cut out the feet. I love these slightly diagonal legs because of their mid-century modern aesthetic.With all your pieces ready, all you need to do is adjoin them with screws or glue.

To finish off your feeding station, sand it down and treat it with varnish or oil. You can opt to paint it too if you like. However, there’s something to be said for the beauty of good-quality wood.

9. Do-It-Yourself Dog Bowl Station with Storage

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Details

No one loves the sight of bulky bags of dog food lying around. Fortunately, this intelligent design solves two problems at once, doubling up as a feeding stand and a storage cabinet for kibbles.

To build this station, you can follow the basic pattern for any type of hinged box (like a toy box) that grabs your fancy.Check that the measurements are suitable for holding a plastic storage container for your dog food.And before attaching the lid, make sure to jigsaw out holes to hold your bowls.

Once complete, you can finish off your bowl station with a coat of paint and pop in your storage container for food.

10. Reclaimed Wood Raised Dog Bowl Platform

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Details

This is a great beginner design that you can knock out in under an hour using reclaimed wood or a discarded pallet.

Cut even lengths to form a square box. Use two layers of wood to build the frame and keep it sturdy before attaching the top.Once constructed, measure your feeding bowl by tracing a circle on the top end of the box. Cut a hole using a jigsaw. Just make sure to cut a centimeter or so inwards, so the bowl doesn’t fall through.

Next, sand down the entire thing. Pallet wood can be rough and splintery, which isn’t ideal for your canine companion.Paint or treat the box, and it’s ready to go.

10 Dog Bowl Feeding Station Ideas and DIY Plans (2024)

FAQs

How to make your own dog bowl stand? ›

How to Build a Dog Food Bowl Stand
  1. Step 1: Materials and Tools. This is really one of the more simple projects I've ever done. ...
  2. Step 2: Measurements. ...
  3. Step 3: Make the Cuts. ...
  4. Step 4: Install the Hairpin Legs. ...
  5. Step 5: Sand and Clear Coat. ...
  6. Step 6: Feed Your Dogs or Cats!

How high should a dog feeding station be? ›

Usually, it is recommended that an elevated feeder be the same height as your dog's lower chest. The controversy on the use of these feeders is centered around their association with a serious medical condition called bloat, which can be deadly in dogs.

How to elevate a dog bowl? ›

Required Materials: The goal of an elevated dog bowl is to get the bowl... elevated. The easiest option would be a slab of wood big enough to cut holes into for the bowls to sit in, then affix some sort of legs—this simply gets the bowls off the ground, accomplishing your goal.

Should dog bowls be raised off the floor? ›

If your dog is reaching down to their food or water, a raised bowl will be more comfortable for them. This is true for all dogs but especially for dogs who are old or who have mobility issues, pain, arthritis and so on.

How do you make a slow eat dog bowl? ›

Think of this solution as a DIY slow feeder. All you'll need is an old muffin tin—just flip it upside down and place it on the floor. Next, spread the dog food in between the cups, which will create small obstacles for your dog to maneuver around while he or she eats.

What is the 10% rule for feeding dogs? ›

The 10% rule means your dog's treats per day allowance should take up no more than 10% of their daily calorie intake. To work this out, it's useful to know the number of calories you should be feeding your dog per day. These can be provided by your pet food's manufacturer or found on the back of all dog food packaging.

What is the 95 rule for dog food? ›

The 95% Rule

At least 95% of the product must be the named ingredient, for example, “Chicken for Dogs,” or “Salmon Dog Food,” must include at least 95% of chicken or salmon, respectively. In addition, this main product must be at least 70% of the total product when counting the added water.

Do elevated dog bowls cause bloat? ›

At one time, elevated dog bowls were thought to help prevent bloat in dogs. Recent research has found that this is not true—in fact, an elevated bowl could increase the risk of bloat. Unless your veterinarian specifically recommends an elevated feeding bowl, it's best not to use one.

What do vets say about elevated dog bowls? ›

Some studies, including those referenced by the American Veterinary Medical Association, suggest that using elevated feeders may increase the risk of bloat in certain breeds.

Why not to use elevated dog bowls? ›

Large and giant-breed dogs who eat from an elevated feeder have an increased risk of developing gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV, also known as “bloat” and “turning of the stomach”). GDV is a medical emergency of the highest order. It comes on suddenly. A dog with GDV will be restless and may pace.

Why tilted dog bowls? ›

By lifting the bowl off the ground, we're helping our pets avoid digestive issues that can come from gulping down food too quickly or at an awkward angle.

What does it mean when dog puts paw in water bowl? ›

Desire for Moving Water

Dogs sometimes prefer drinking running water, as it resembles natural water sources. To stimulate this, they may paw at the water in their bowls, creating ripples that mimic a stream's flow.

What can I put under my dog's water bowl? ›

Use a mat: Place a pet food bowl mat under your pet's bowls.

What material should a dog water bowl be? ›

Coming to the second question first, stainless steel is the #1 choice of vets and our Furchild team. Why? Stainless steel bowls are easy to clean and sanitise as they do not harbour bacteria. They are the most durable and can last a lifetime.

How do I keep my dog bowl in place? ›

Gecko Grippers are the answer to the problem.

Gecko Grippers are flexible, sticky, rubbery mats that do not wear out. Simply pop one on the floor and place your dog's bowl on top of it. The Gecko Gripper holds the bowl firmly in place and your dog can enjoy its meal.

Why should dog bowls be raised? ›

Raised dog bowls were designed to simplify the process of eating and drinking by bringing the food and water closer to your dog, reducing the amount of bending, stretching and leaning they have to do.

How do I stop my dog from stepping in the water bowl? ›

Less water in the bowl makes splashing less fun. If your pup starts to dig in the bowl, a gentle “nope” and then picking up the bowl for 5 minutes, this disrupts their behavior. Lastly, make sure they have plenty of proper toys to keep them entertained – fun toys make the water bowl look less fun!

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