Bloat

I am really anxious about my dog getting bloat. He is a 6 year old German Shepherd, weighs 40kg. I feed him in a slow feeding bowl, not raised, I wait at least 2 hours after eating to excersize him, I don't let him drink too much water, I feed him two times a day. I still am very anxious, because I read all these stories about people doing everything right and their dogs still getting it. Is there anything more I can do? I worry about him walking down 2 flights of stairs for his night walk, which we do 2 hours after eating. Could that be dangerous? I know about the preventive surgery, but he just had knee surgery and I don't want to cause him added stress just because I'm worried. How likely is it that it will happen to him? Anything else I can do to prevent it? He eats only kibble, should I change that to be safe? Is cold pressed kibble better? Thank you!

Hello.  This is really a question about risk management and attitude to risk.  Some risk factors for GDV, such as being a dog with a deep chest and shallow abdomen, you canot change.  An example in the human world is that one in three people (possibly higher, now) will get cancer, the risks of which increase somewhat with age, but one cab't avoid aging.  This can cause some people anxiety and that anxiety can be managed, not least by paying attention to the risk factors associated with certain tyooes of cancer and trying to avoid them (this may explain a drop in the popularity of smoking for example).  Risk factors for GDV can be managed by taking some of the steps you suggest, such as giving food in small amounts often, rather than large meals, and feeding from a height rather than on the floor.  Feeding just before exercise is another of those factors, so you might decide to change your routine so that exercise doesn't immediately follow a meal.   Sometimes soaking kible in advance so that it does't expand in the stomach after being eaten, may help.  More to follow

GDV stands for gastro dilation volvulus, which is the posh scientific word for bloat.  If you type this into the search bar then you will find a lot of articles around this subject.

Just to be clear; that is, the search bar of our blog

Your dog's health, lifestyle, and breed-specific predispositions all play a role in the advice your vet should provide you. Smaller, more frequent meals, no strenuous activity before or after eating, high bowls, and a reduction in fluid consumption while eating have all been suggested as potential preventative measures. Possibility of lessening gas formation risk. Keeping up with a regular workout routine and eating well can also help. Again, you should ask your vet for advice before switching your dog to cold kibble.