Trained Dogs Rule

In my last article we talked about the number two killer of dogs which is bloat.  Now that we know what bloat is what can we do, if anything, to prevent it from happening.  Many experts believe that your dogs’ diet plays an important role in preventing bloat.  The belief is that there less occurrences of bloat in dogs fed a meat based diet.  Many commercial dog foods are low or absent in nutritional content that will help to prevent bloat.  However there have been fewer cases of bloat and torsion in the past decade and the underlying reasons may be because dog food companies are improving their food by going to meat base food.

As we know, dogs that wolf down their food can be prone to bloat since they are also gulping in a lot of air.  Since we can’t correct their table manners what we can do is feed less but more often.  Take that large meal and divide it into 2 or three meals.

When feeding a diet of dry dog food we can soak the food before feeding.  It is better for the food to swell up in their dish rather than their stomach.  Also check the ingredients of the dry food.  If fat is listed as one of the first four ingredients I would seriously consider changing your dog food.  Avoid foods containing a large amount of added oils or fats.

Another factor that comes into play when feeding is keeping your dog calm.  Some dogs get very hyper when it is feeding time.  If you have more than one dog it may be a good idea to separate them.  Our male dobe is like that.  He can hardly stand it waiting for his food.  Our female dobe is just the opposite.  I swear she chews everything 50 times before she swallows anything. 

Exercise which can make them hyper should also be avoided an hour before and an hour after feeding.

For dogs that fall in to the high risk category a gastropexy can be performed.  A gastropexy is a surgery performed under anesthesia that anchors the stomach so that it cannot turn.  Dog owners will often have this done at the same time that they are having their pet neutered.

No matter what we do though some dogs will still get bloat and their stomach will turn.  As their owners who know them the best hopefully we will be prepared if it happens.

Until next time

Maureen Brownell