What Is Canine Bloat & How To Prevent This Fatal Condition

Updated and Revised 3/19/2024

Canine bloat, also known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), is a critical condition that demands swift action to save a dog's life. This life-threatening emergency occurs when a dog's stomach fills with gas and twists upon itself, impeding blood flow and causing breathing difficulties.

Dog Breeds At Increased Risk Of Bloat

While any dog can be susceptible to bloat, certain breeds are known to be at a higher risk. Some of the breeds that are frequently associated with a higher incidence of bloat include:

Great Danes: Great Danes are one of the breeds most commonly affected by bloat, and their deep chests make them particularly vulnerable.

German Shepherds: Large and deep-chested, German Shepherds are also known to be at an increased risk of developing bloat.

Boxers: Boxers have a deep chest, and their anatomy can predispose them to bloat.

Standard Poodles: This breed, known for its intelligence and elegance, is also prone to bloat due to its deep chest.

Doberman Pinschers: Dobermans, with their sleek bodies and deep chests, are among the breeds that can be more susceptible to bloat.

Saint Bernards: These large dogs, known for their friendly nature, are also at a higher risk due to their deep chests.

Weimaraners: This breed, characterized by its distinctive gray coat, is another example of a deep-chested dog more prone to bloat.

While these breeds are more commonly associated with bloat, it can still occur in any dog, regardless of size or breed. Additionally, individual factors such as age, genetics, and diet may contribute to the risk of developing bloat. 

Signs Of Canine Bloat

Recognizing the signs of canine bloat is crucial, and vigilant pet owners should be on the lookout for symptoms such as a distended abdomen, unproductive retching, excessive drooling, panting, and restlessness in their furry companions.

What To Do If Your Dog Has Signs Of Bloat

If you suspect that your dog is experiencing bloat, immediate veterinary attention is needed as as this condition can be life-threatening. Contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary clinic without delay.

Keep your dog calm and restrict their movement to minimize stress on the twisted stomach. Monitor their vital signs, such as breathing and heart rate, while en route to the veterinary clinic. Time is of the essence, and prompt medical intervention is the best course of action when dealing with canine bloat. Always consult with a veterinarian for guidance tailored to your specific situation and your dog's health.

Canine Bloat Prevention

One of the key factors in preventing canine bloat is maintaining a proper feeding routine. Feeding your dog a high-moisture diet, preferably a frozen raw diet, can help reduce the risk associated with dry kibble. Avoid hard-to-digest fillers like grains, soy and pulps. If your dog has allergic skin problems like scratching and itching avoid poultry, dairy and beef to reduce inflammation. Offering smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, rather than one large meal, can also contribute to preventing bloat. It's crucial to have fresh water readily available for your dog, encouraging proper hydration, which aids in digestion. Limiting strenuous exercise around mealtime is another preventive measure that pet owners can implement. Excessive activity immediately following meals may exacerbate the risk of bloat, so allowing your dog some time to rest after eating is advisable. Additionally, incorporating digestive supplements into your dog's routine can provide added support for their gastrointestinal health. Many veterinarians recommend Ask Ariel's K9 Digestive Enzymes and Power Probiotic to help dogs with bloat. These digestive supplements for canine bloat are designed to improve digestion, reduce gas and discomfort in dogs. The inclusion of HCL (hydrochloric acid) and pancreatic enzymes in K9 Digestive Enzymes is particularly beneficial for dogs with a history of bloat, as these components play a crucial role in breaking down food and supporting overall digestive health.

K9 Digestive Enzymes - Contains two key ingredients (ox bile extract and HCL) that are essential for the digestion of fats & protein. Healthy levels of acid (HCL) are needed in a dog's stomach to prevent the overgrowth of pathogens in the upper GI tract.

Power Probiotic - Multi-strain dog probiotic supplement for bloat that promotes the growth of friendly bacteria.  Contains 6 powerful strains along with prebiotics to increase absorption and survival of the bacteria. 

Canine Bloat Prevention Summary

1) Feed small meals throughout the day

2) Feed a high moisture diet, preferably a raw frozen diet

3) Keep fresh water readily available

4) Have your dog rest after meals

5) Use digestive enzymes and probiotics to enhance digestion

Be Mindful Of Canine Bloat Symptoms

Staying informed about the signs of canine bloat, especially if you have a big, deep chested dog is essential. Bloat can happen to any dog and it is an emergency. Taking proactive measures in your dog's care can significantly reduce the risk of this life-threatening condition. A holistic approach including a high moisture diet, proper hydration, controlled exercise, and beneficial supplements like Ask Ariel's K9 Digestive Enzymes, you can help ensure the well-being of your beloved dog.

Author:  Susan Blake Davis

First Published 12/1/2023

Updated 3/19/2024   

All treatment protocols reviewed and approved by a veterinarian.  

Why Does My Dog Vomit After Eating?

Q: My beloved rescue dog often vomits after he eats; is it a digestion issue, food issue, or how he eats (he scarfs down his food in no time)… what can I do?

A: You have reason to be concerned. Of course it depends on how soon after and how often this occurs, but scarfing down his food can cause serious health problems.  Eating too fast can cause burping and flatulence (not dangerous, but can be unpleasant), choking, gastric dilatation, or volvulus, which is also known as bloat. Bloat is a condition that needs to be treated by a veterinarian immediately.  It can occur when a dog swallows too much air when they are eating their meals and the distension of the stomach can cause it to twist. This can cause damage to the stomach and even death.

To slow down your dogs eating, you need to determine the cause. Being a rescue dog it could be a case of conditioned competitive eating (often occurs in a shelter situation). If you have another pet, consider feeding them in different locations or times. Feeding your pet regularly will also help them have food security. Also use distraction with positive reinforcement to keep them from the other pet’s bowl can help too.

However, if they are the only pet in the house you can try to change how you are feeding them. Changing the bowl can help.  You can purchase a slow feed pet bowl, or make your own at home version by turning their feeding bowl upside down or using a muffin tin to separate their food to force them to pause. You can also feed smaller, more frequent meals.

Two supplements can greatly improve your dog's digestion.  Power Probiotics for Pets and K9 Digestive Enzymes will help your dog properly digest his food and reduce vomiting instances.   Dogs can suffer from malabsorption and even though they are eating the food quickly, they will not get the benefit of the nutrients if they are not digesting the food properly. 

Is A German Shepherd Right For You?

Do you want a dog that is loyal, intelligent, active and protective of  its family and home? If the answer is yes, then you should consider a German Shepherd. They can be a devoted, fun-loving member of the family. It is important to know that they are not usually aggressive, they can be territorial and be shy around unknown dogs and strangers. They are very trainable and like to be active with their people. These characteristics have made them popular in law enforcement, military roles and as service dogs. It also means you need to make sure they do not get bored, frustrated or lonely to avoid bad behavior. If you have little ones, it is good to know that German Shepherds can be great companions with children, providing they have had early socialization. On the downside, they can be vocal, shed everywhere, have a tendency to chew things up, and sometimes get carried away and play a little rough.   Unfortunately, many pet owners don't take the time to train or work with their German Shepherds and many end up in rescue or at shelters.  Adopting a rescue German Shepherd is an ideal way to find out your pet's personality before you adopt them. German Shepherds grow to be about 24 inches and weigh between 75-95 pounds.  They are generally healthy, and life expectancy is 10-12 years, but like all breeds are predisposed to certain conditions. They include the following: 

• Hip Dysplasia: Hip dyplasia is a heritable condition in which the leg doesn't fit correctly into the pelvic socket of the hip joint. Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical signs. Using Special SAMe, Canine Comfort, Arthrtitis & Joint Support Kit can help keep your pets pain under control. 

• Elbow Dysplasia: This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. It's thought to be caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog's elbow, causing joint laxity. This can lead to painful lameness. 

• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Commonly called bloat, this is a life-threatening condition that affects large, deep-chested. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid itself of the excess air in its stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. See our blog for more information.
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency: EPI is a genetic disease of the pancreas in which the cells that produce digestive enzymes are destroyed. As a result, the dog can no longer digest and absorb food. Consider adding Power Probiotics for Pets and K-9 digestive enzymes to help your pets digestion.
• Allergies: Some German Shepherds suffer from a variety of allergies, ranging from contact allergies to  food allergies. Regardless if they are food or contact holistic supplements can help. See our entire line of options including Amazing Omegas and Power Probiotic for Pets

Breed Characteristics

Adaptability ***** 

Exercise*** 

Social Needs***

Apartment Friendly ***

Grooming***

Stranger Friendly *

Barking Tendencies **

Health Issues****

Intelligence*****

Trainability*****

Child Friendly*****

When To Feed Your Pets?

It’s really important to feed your pet twice a day. Feeding pets at least 2x a day regulates blood sugar, reduces stress and improves digestion. Twice-daily meals can keep your pet's body running on schedule. Your pet's stomach will empty in 6-8 hours. Some pets do best when they have several small meals throughout the day. By feeding smaller and more frequent meals, you can help ease acid stomach and reduce the risk of bloat. Regular mealtimes provide security and may reduce anxious and destructive behavior. It can also help you identify potential health issues, as a change in eating habits can be an early warning sign of illness.

How can you feed more without your pet getting overweight?  Take the daily portion and put into containers so it measured out.  Adding vegetables to meals can also help pets feel more satiated.  Mix in vegetables like squash, pumpkin or green beans along with your pet’s food.

If your pet has acid stomach, feeding a small snack before bedtime can really help.  Many pet owners notice that if their dog eats his last meal around 6 pm and then doesn’t eat again u til the next morning, the dog may vomit bile in the morning.  Some ideas for a small snack would be a little canned or raw food or some raw freeze dried food mixed with water. You can also mix in raw goat milk as that helps to coat the stomach. Giving probiotics mixed into the snack can also help.

Raw Diets For Pets vs. Kibble

Raw Frozen Diets

When it comes to pet food, commercially prepared raw frozen diets are the gold standard. Raw frozen diets contain fresh protein (meat, poultry, etc) combined with vegetables and omega oils giving pets easily digestible, optimal nutrition that is low in carbohydrates. Some major brands include: Stella and Chewys, Instinct, Primal for example. Raw frozen diets can be especially helpful for pets with allergies, digestive problems and young, active pets. These are high protein diets containing real meat and poultry, organ meats, vegetables, omega oils and assorted nutrients. The ingredients are well balanced and speak for themselves.

Raw frozen diets are expensive and some cats won't eat them. Raw frozen diets don't have to be an all or nothing part of the pet's diet. Mixing a portion of raw frozen diets into your pet's food is a great option and is far better than not mixing in any at all. Many brands have tasty raw "mixers" and freeze dried raw options that pets will eat readily.

Pets that eat a raw frozen diet are getting a high moisture content which promotes overall health. This is why pets that eat raw frozen diets drink less water. The food is highly digestible so the stool size is often much smaller especially when compared to dry kibble. Since raw frozen diets are low in carbohydrates, they are an excellent choice for pets with allergies and/or yeast.

Click here to learn more about raw frozen diets

Dry Kibble Diets

Dry kibble is highly processed pet food made with carbohydrates to form the food along with a limited amount of protein. A portion of the protein percentage reported on the label is often derived from the starchy carbohydrates (e.g. potatoes) rather than from meat, fish or poultry. The primary reason dry kibble is produced is for convenience--not for your pet's nutrition. Carbohydrates used to make kibble range from grain-free legumes and potatoes to the less healthy grains such as rice and barley. Dry kibble can lead to bloat, yeast, itching, poor digestion since their ingredients are made for ease of administration. It can also contribute to autoimmune disorders in both cats and dogs.

Dry kibble is affordable and processed with preservatives to ensure a long shelf-life. Pets eating dry kibble often have large stools since many of the ingredients are not well digested. Cats are carnivores and have no need for dry kibble and yet, most cat foods are made with them. If you do choose to feed your pet dry kibble, please consider adding some raw frozen, canned or homemade food to their diet (NOT tablescraps!). Including lean protein, crumbled raw freeze dried or some raw frozen nuggets will add to their overall nutrition and good health. At the very least, consider adding green beans and other fresh vegetables to a dog's dry kibble to add enzymes and fresh nutrients to the diet.

Click here to learn more about dry kibble

When You Have To Leave Food Out

Dry kibble is a convenient way to leave food out for pets especially for working professionals. While free feeding is not optimal, sometimes it is a necessity when you are working long hours. We love our pets but we have to work. If this is your current situation, consider feeding dry kibble when you are not home and raw when you are OR as an even better alternative - consider RAW FREEZE DRIED. Raw freeze dried food is made with the same ingredients as the raw frozen diets but cooked slightly at low temperatures to make it a stable food that can be left out (if your pet doesn't devour it). Brands such as Stella and Chewys and Instinct offer companion freeze dried foods to their raw frozen diets for just this reason.

Finally, dehydrated food is made to appear as a "homemade alternative" and is also made with carbohydrates but these diets generally contain more nutritious ingredients and can be mixed with raw frozen diets. Due to the carbohydrates in most dehydrated food, these diets are not nearly as beneficial as raw frozen diets, but their convenience makes them a healthier option than over processed dry kibble.

Why Are Too Many Carbohydrates A Problem?

Why are too many carbohydrates a problem? Carbohydrates convert to sugar and can lead to yeast, diabetes and even cancer. Most notably they can affect immunity and worsen autoimmune disorders. Many cat owners with autoimmune disorders such as stomatitis are feeding their cats dry food not realizing that the carbohydrates in the food are worsening their cat's condition---the carbohydrates convert to sugar feeding the bacteria in the mouth. Moreover, while protein and fats are slow to be digested, the sugar from carbohydrates are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, spiking (and then dropping) insulin making pets hungry faster. Is your dog always acting starved? Could be that your dog is eating a kibble diet loaded with carbohydrates.

In summary, finding the right balance that works for your lifestyle, budget and your pet's well being can be accomplished by choosing different forms of food. If at all possible, try to incorporate something fresh (vegetables or lean protein) into your pet's diet.