@CatAndDogTips 2 April 2021 more from that month

5 Simple Ways Dog Owners Can Help Protect Their Dogs From Bloat

**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.