The following item [within quotes] can be found in the Archives of the Secrets of Dog Training blog - you'll find a link in the External Links below... Knowledge is power. Or, more accurately, forewarned is forearmed. Learn to recognise these signs of trouble in YOUR dog before it is too late - it [bloat, gastric tortion] can prove fatal.
"Feeding... always make sure you feed your dog the food type and amount which is appropriate for his or her age, type, size, and work load. Your breeder or vet will be able to help. See my advice below on regularity of feeding. Do not feed scraps or titbits from the table.
Always make sure you and your family eat before your pets... this will help to show who are the 'top dogs'. Make sure you are able to approach your dog whilst it is eating, and are able to take its food away from him or her whilst they are eating... this is an ideal opportunity to add titbits to the dogs bowl when it is returned to your pet.
Well behaved pets shouldn't pester for food whilst you are eating, nor growl when people approach whilst it is eating itself... use the tips above to help stop these behaviours.
Gastric tortion is, thankfully, not that common a problem. But then forewarned is forearmed, and the more people who understand the symptoms and causes, the more dogs can be saved by prompt action.
If your dog is fed at a level which eliminates the need for it to bend down to eat, then proper digestion and a comfortable eating posture for dogs [and cats too] can be maintained. Eating when they are bending over helps make dogs gulp their food. In the process, the dogs swallow more air. An elevated pet feeder helps ease the swallowing of food.
Swallowing an increased amount of air can result in a condition called gastric tortion or bloat. This happens most commonly in large breeds of dog, and is life-threatening. Some vets recommend elevated feeders for dogs susceptible to bloat.
Bloat is usually the result of eating too fast. The dog's stomach fills with gas or fluid, causing gastric dilation or gastric tortion. Always make sure your dog has a period of REST after a feed. Vigorous activity, running, jumping, etcetera, immediately after food, can cause the stomach to swell and rotate.
As well as feeding at the optimum height another tip, which should help avoid bloat, is feeding small meals instead of one large meal a day. Feed at least twice a day, up to four meals daily... just divide the amount for the day into the number of meals you choose to feed. We have found four small meals, spread out over the day, suits the delicate digestion of our rescue dog best.
Excess salivation and retching, abdominal distention, restlessnesss and agitation, weakness, lethargy, a rapid heart rate - are all symptoms of bloat. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms after eating, even mild ones, seek immediate vet care, day or night. Though bloat is usually associated with large deep-chested breeds, smaller dogs can also become victims.
You will find that feeding at a raised level will be more comfortable for arthritic or senior pets too. If eating is uncomfortable, some pets may be inclined to eat less and so may not fulfil all their necessary nutritional needs.
If you think a raised feeder may not be strong enough for your particular dog breed, just improvise, even put the feeder on an old chair, or make a wooden box and put 'retainers' round the sides.
You might find raised feeders suitable for your pet at one of our recommended pet stores... just use the links on the left-hand side of this page."
