Elevated feeders and dishes keep feeding areas cleaner. Elevated dishes help keep the food and water in the bowls and not on the floor. They prevent cats from playing in their water, which some are prone to do.
Dogs tend to lift their heads after taking a drink to facilitate swallowing.
As the dogs raise their heads, water that doesn't make it down their throat often ends up on the floor. Over time this can ruin your floor. Moisture that may get under the dish creates a great place for molds and bacteria to grow. With an elevated feeder, they don't have to raise their heads as far and the water usually drips right back into their water dish. Elevated feeders may help reduce intestinal gas in dogs.