Healthy Eating for Your Dog

Did you know the way you feed your dog could make him sick? It's not the type of food or the amount (although if you buy cheaply made dog food or feed too much you could be doing that); the height of your dog's bowls can also be a consideration. Some dogs will gulp air as they eat and if their heads are down as they eat, it can severely exaggerate the problem leading to a life threatening problem called canine bloat.

Canine bloat is also called gastric dilatation-volvulus complex, and every breed of dog can be affected. It is mostly found in large dogs. The exact cause of the condition is still up for debate, however what happens is known. The dog eats rapidly and then exercises or plays hard after a meal and the heavy food filled stomach of the dog acts like a weighted down bag and swings back and forth until it twists on itself. It can happen if your dog eats wet or dry food and no matter what breed of dog you have, the signs will be similar.

Early stages of the condition will make your dog anxious, restless, salivating and drooling and he will be not interested in food or water; they may vomit once or twice and then follow this with retching and gagging motions which are usually unproductive. Normally, within an hour the dog will begin to appear swollen and breathing will become rapid and shallow. It is important to get your dog to a veterinarian immediately to relieve the problem or your dog's life could be in danger.

You can help avoid this issue by using an elevated feeder for your dog and also have him relax for thirty minutes after a meal. Many owners groom their dogs after a meal and this is a great way to bond with your dog as well as have him sit and digest his food to avoid the problem of canine bloat.
posted by Home Decor Experts - Accent Architecturals