Dog Bloat Awareness

I think it’s safe to say we all hate the feeling of being bloated. For humans, bloating is
uncomfortable but not typically life-threatening. Well did you know our furry friends can
sometimes deal with bloat as well? Unfortunately for them, many times it can be the start of
something called GDV.

So what is dog bloat exactly?

Gastrointestinal Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or
fluid and eventually twists upon itself. When the stomach twists, all of its contents become
trapped and the blood supply is cut off.

How can this happen?

The leading cause of GDV occurs when a dog swallows too much air. This can happen when a
dog eats too soon before or after exercise, eats and/or drinks too fast, and eats or drinks large
quantities at once. Large breed dogs like Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Standard Poodles,
etc. are more likely to experience GDV in their lifetime due to their deep chest.

How can this be prevented?

Here are a few ways to prevent GDV in dogs:

• Space out exercise time and eating time. If a dog eats too soon before or after exercising, he is likely to swallow much more air, hence a higher chance of bloating.
• Feed your dog multiple times throughout the day. If you feed your dog once a day, they are more likely to eat their meal much quicker which can cause bloating.
• Another tip is to get a slow feeder bowl to slow down their eating time. If you don’t want to buy a slow feeder, another great option is to place a tennis ball or something of that size in the bowl. Your dog will have to move the ball around each time he goes to take a bite!