Bloat in dogs should be taken seriously, but what is the cause? From the type of food you feed your dog to how fast they eat, there are many common reasons why bloat in dogs occurs. To learn more about the dog bloat timeline and how to attempt to prevent it from happening, read on.
What is Bloat in Dogs?
Bloat in dogs, commonly known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), is a serious condition that can be life-threatening in some cases. The condition occurs when your dog's stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted. Luckily, bloat in dogs is rare, but if your dog does become bloated, it’s essential to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
Why is Bloat in Dogs Dangerous?
Bloat in dogs is incredibly dangerous and shouldn't be ignored. But why is bloat in dogs so dangerous? According to PDSA, bloat in dogs could potentially:
- Reduce blood flow to major organs
- Put pressure on your dog's lungs
- Twist your dog's spleen (known as splenic torsion)
As mentioned, bloat in dogs is relatively rare, but that’s not to say it won’t happen. The danger of bloat in dogs varies, but the importance of seeking help remains the same.
Signs and Symptoms of Bloat in Dogs
We understand how worrying bloat in dogs can be, and no one wants to see their furry friend in pain. Common signs and symptoms of bloating in dogs can include:
- Swollen tummy
- Restlessness
- Distress
- Pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Pale gums
It’s important to understand the possible signs and symptoms of bloat in dogs to make sure your beloved pet can be treated quickly and effectively by your local vet.
Reasons for Bloat in Dogs
So, what causes bloat in dogs? While there’s no straightforward answer to what exactly causes bloat in dogs, there are a few potential reasons:
- Your dog eats too fast
- Your dog's meal portions are too big
- Your dog has exercised too soon after eating
- Your dog has drunk too much too fast
- Your dog is stressed
- Your dog is underweight or overweight
Reasons for bloating vary between dogs, and it may be hard to pinpoint the cause if bloating does occur. While these are some of the more common causes of bloat in dogs, it can happen due to other unknown factors.
Dog Bloat Timeline
1 - Onset (Instant)
When bloating occurs in dogs, it begins to happen instantly.
2 - Symptoms (Minutes to Hours)
Symptoms can develop quickly, within minutes to a few hours after your dog finishes eating or drinking. While symptoms can vary, your dog will likely appear uncomfortable and restless and show some of the potential symptoms mentioned above. Again, symptoms can differ, and some dogs may take a while to show warning signs.
3 - Expansion
The time of stomach expansion can widely vary, so it's difficult to pinpoint when this stage occurs exactly. Notable signs of stomach expansion in dogs during bloat could potentially include a hard, swollen belly and breathing difficulties.
4 - Twisting
Similar to stomach expansion during bloat, it's difficult to know if and when your dog's stomach may bloat. If your dog's stomach twists, it could be potentially life-threatening. Severe symptoms could unfold, such as rapid heart rate, pale gums, and weakness, all of which need medical attention as fast as possible.
5 - Emergency (ASAP)
As soon as you notice any of the above (symptoms, stomach expansion, and twisting) and realise your dog could be experiencing a bloat episode, you must go to the vet's immediately.
6 - Recovery (Ongoing)
If your dog requires surgery, you will need to prepare for the recovery period. Recovery time differs depending on the severity of your dog's bloat, but they’ll certainly need to rest for a while after surgery to make a full recovery.
Tips to Prevent Bloat in Dogs
We know some of the typical causes of bloat in dogs, but how do we prevent it? Ideally, no dog owner wants to get to the stage where their dog is experiencing bloat. While not every tip to prevent bloat in dogs will work, they’re certainly worth trying! Let’s take a look.
Change Diet
Your dog's diet has a lot to do with their health and well-being. The type of food you feed your dog at mealtime could be the cause of issues, such as bloat. Feeding raw is the most species-appropriate diet for your dog. Unlike processed carbohydrates found in a lot of pet food, raw food is packed with nutrients and essential vitamins to keep your dog healthy.
Ultra-processed pet food can be difficult for your dog's digestive system to break down and could be causing tummy issues. At Mersey Raw, we’re often asked about the benefits of switching to a raw diet - especially by owners with dogs experiencing ongoing digestive problems.
Assess Feeding Method
Is your dog hoovering up their food at mealtime? If so, they may be gulping too much air at once, leading to a potential bloating episode. Alongside the right diet, we advise feeding smaller amounts more frequently or making use of slow-feeder bowls that are available in most pet stores.
Avoid Exercise Around Meal Time
While your dog might seem more than happy to exercise and play after meal time, they shouldn't. Jumping and running around with a full tummy isn't the best feeling for humans, and it's the exact same for our dogs! Timing can vary, but it’s advisable to wait for a period of time before exercising your dog after they eat a meal.
Treatment for Bloat in Dogs
Despite taking all the precautions, bloat in dogs can happen at any time. Bloat causes your dog's stomach to twist and flip on itself, closing both entryways before potentially life-threatening issues unfold.
The answer is simple - seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible! Treatment will then be discussed between you and your dog's vet.
How Can We Help at Mersey Raw?
You might be wondering, how can we help with bloat if we just sell raw dog food? Just as we discussed, what you feed your dog could be the cause of potential future issues, such as bloating. Raw food aids better digestion and improves stools, proving its benefits for your dog.
At Mersey Raw, we provide high-quality and nutritious raw protein that mimics a natural and species-appropriate diet.
Explore our collection of raw mince meals for your dog today, or get in touch with us if you have any questions about switching diets.