Before we get into how to prevent bloat in dogs, it’s important to first understand what it is and why you need to take action. According to VCA Hospitals, dogs weighing more than one hundred pounds are 20% more likely to bloat during their lifetime.
Bloat is also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), which refers to the stomach filling with gas, fluid, or foam, twisting on its axis and cutting off blood flow. Bloat can be fatal for your pet if not treated immediately.
So, what causes this condition? This may involve food intolerance or allergies; eating too quickly; drinking too much water after eating; exercising after eating; being a large breed dog; old age or being male.
Have you noticed your dog suddenly has a distended belly? It might be because he’s swallowed too much air or gas (a condition known as “bloat”)—which can be uncomfortable for him. The good news is that there are several things you can do.
Common symptoms of bloat include:
- Attempts to vomit but cannot
- Depressed behavior, pale gums (a sign of shock)
- Retching without vomiting/discomfort in the abdomen area
- The abdomen feels swollen/tight
You can use your hands to feel on both sides of the belly – the left side should not be distended.
Why Does My Dog Have Bloat?
First of all, get to know the causes of bloat. Excessive gas in the stomach is usually caused by:
- Eating too much food too fast
- Drinking water right after eating
- Having a diet that is high in fat, especially if it’s dry food that doesn’t require your dog to chew a lot.
- Eating only once a day instead of two or three times per day (the smaller meals will be easier to digest).
- Exercising immediately after eating
- Anxiety and stress (in which case bloat could become an ongoing problem)
It may also have something to do with whether your dog ate grass or drank out of the toilet, but you wouldn’t have to worry too much about these factors unless they’re happening constantly.
How to Prevent Bloat in Dogs
There are a few ways you can try to prevent your dog from experiencing bloat. While these tactics have not been scientifically proven, they aim to remove risk factors. This includes the following:
- Avoid feeding your dog immediately before or after exercise.
- Feeding your dog from a raised bowl can increase the likelihood of bloat (possibly because it makes it harder for gravity to help get food past the stomach). Feeding from a large or slow feeder bowl may also contribute to difficulty swallowing.
- Avoid using an automatic feeder, as this may cause your dog to gulp his food too quickly and take in air along with it.
- Do not allow your dog to run or chase right after eating, as this activity can trigger digestion problems that may lead to bloat.
- Do not allow your dog to swim for at least 1 hour after a meal – swimming creates stress on the abdomen, which can trigger bloat.
- Your dog should eat in a quiet place and not be disturbed while he eats his food.
- If you feed your dog a dry food diet, you may want to try feeding him smaller meals throughout the day rather than one large meal. This will make it easier for his stomach to digest the food.
Don’t Push Food Down Your Pet’s Throat
In general, dogs will eat at their own pace. You might have a dog that inhales its food and another that sniffs it for hours before actually eating it. It doesn’t mean your dog is sick or not hungry – it’s just how they were born! Forcing your dog to eat can lead to other problems, like bloating.
If you’re worried about your dog not eating enough, there are things you can do to help encourage them to eat. For example, you can try a new food dish or sprinkle some treats in with the meal. If your dog is having trouble eating due to dental issues, talk with your vet about options for making it easier on them. But no matter what, don’t push food down your pet’s throat! This could cause choking and make things worse off than before.
What Should I Feed My Dog?
Feeding your dog a raw food diet is more natural and is less likely to result in bloating than some other types of food diets (such as cooked meat). A raw meat-based diet is easier for dogs to digest than kibble or cooked meat, which means they are less likely to suffer from bloat and other health issues related to an inability to properly process their food.
There are a few key things to know when it comes to feeding your dog. First, dogs should be fed twice a day. Second, the best diet for your dog is either dry food only or wet food only. Dogs fed on a combination of wet and dry foods tend to have more stomach issues than those that enjoy just one type of food at each meal. Finally, while table scraps can be tasty, they are not necessarily good for your pup in the long run.
If you think your dog has bloat, contact your vet immediately
If you think your dog has bloat, contact your vet immediately. This is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated. Some symptoms include:
If you think your dog has bloat, contact your vet immediately. This is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated. Some symptoms include:
- Distended abdomen
- Excessive drooling
- Restlessness and pacing
- Unproductive attempts to vomit
You should also make an appointment with your vet if you notice any of the following changes in your dog’s behavior or eating habits:
- He’s eating at a faster rate than usual
- He prefers to drink water right after he eats instead of before mealtime.
Make sure to treat your dog in a timely manner so that further complications can be avoided. You may also be interested to read 7 ways to take care of animals and 5 diseases that animals can transmit to animals.