Did you know processed foods can cause your dog’s stomach to bloat?
Feeding them home-cooked meals or raw food would be far better for preventing bloat in dogs. The most common bloat disease is GVD (Gastric Dilation Volvulus), which affects larger dog breeds. It causes the dog’s stomach to twist and gas formation.
Tips to prevent bloat in dogs naturally:
1. Don’t feed grains or kibble to your dogs
It is a well-known fact that a dog’s digestive tract has a highly acidic pH and quickly digests proteins. It can resist almost every pathogenic bacteria but cannot digest grains properly. Dogs are, by nature, carnivores. Treating them as herbivores can mess up their digestive system.
Most commercial foods are processed foods which increases the risk of bloat. Consumption of processed foods for a long period can weaken the stomach, and a weak stomach is prone to dilation, and gas gets formed easily with carbohydrate-rich foods. Grains are one of the main sources of stomach bloat in dogs.
Read Also: Healthy Human Foods That Your Pet Dog Will Love
2. Feed The Right Bones
You should consider feeding chicken or lambs medium-sized raw bones to your dog. It will make their stomach wall and muscles grow stronger. It prevents dilation or distension. If any gas is formed in the stomach, it will be easy for the dog to pass.
Read Also: The Best Sources Of Calcium For Your Dogs
3. Don’t Feed Fruits With A High Protein Meal
Dogs love fruits. They love the taste. However, if you plan to feed fruits to your dog, make sure you don’t feed them along with the protein meal. They digest quickly, so if you give them fruits and a protein meal, they will start fermenting and can cause bloating.
The best idea would be to feed fruits at least one or two hours before a meal.
Read Also: 5 Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes
4. Caution With Exercise
Do not suddenly let your dog run, jump, or move after a full meal. It increases the chances of the stomach flipping and twisting. Never let your dog exercise within 3-4 hours after a meal.
5. Maintain Overall Fitness To Prevent Bloat In Dogs Naturally
You should consider paying attention to your dog’s spine and ensure it is in good condition. It has been found that spine issues in large dogs do contribute to bloating in dogs.
It is quite evident in the X-rays of bloated dogs. Treatments such as physiotherapy, IMS and acupuncture, etc., can be helpful.
The fitness level of the dog is a major factor in causing bloat. However, it would be best to remember that dogs don’t require long hours of exercise.
Their body is not designed that way and can cause exhaustion and injuries. Their fitness level can be maintained by short periods of exercise that are not more than 20 minutes.
Signs of bloat in dogs
- Restlessness
- Pacing
- Swollen or painful abdomen
- Distress
- Retching
- Drooling
- Rapid breathing
- Inability to stand
If you see any of these signs, take them to the vet immediately.
