Bloat is a serious condition and can affect any breed of dog, it can occur following an over-intake of air, liquid or food,
Bloat, or as it’s technically known, gastric dilation volvulus, occurs when a dog’s stomach overfills with gas and becomes twisted.
Larger dogs with deep, narrow chests are often prime candidates to suffer but by following these 5 simple steps you can greatly reduce the chances of your dog suffering from this potentially dangerous condition.
Adjust Your Dog’s Feeding Routine
Spacing out a dog’s feeding routine is a great idea. Dogs that eat quickly, thus consuming more air, have an increased likelihood of suffering from bloat. Two smaller meals a day is more preventative than a single large one.
Be Mindful Of Your Dog’s Diet
It may help to reduce a dog’s grain intake. High carbohydrate diets rich in grains such as corn, oatmeal, rice and wheat can contribute to increased fermentation in a dog’s stomach. This fermentation can easily produce excess gas which has been known to contribute to cases of bloat.
Adjust Your Dog’s Exercise Regime
It is important to not feed your dog for around an hour before or after intense exercise as this can help prevent your dog’s chances of suffering from bloat.
Monitor Your Dog’s Water Intake
Excess gulping when taking in water also increases a dog’s air intake. If you notice that your dog is a gulper it would be wise to allow them smaller amounts of water. This is particularly important after exercise as a panting dog will already be increasing their air intake.
Give Your Dog A Calm Life
Nervous dogs tend to have more stomach ailments which increase a dog’s chances of suffering from bloat. Keeping a dog relaxed, both mentally and physically, is excellent advice in itself and reducing your dog’s stress levels in addition to the previous measures outlined can go a long way in preventing your dog from suffering from bloat.