Bloat Prevention

New Thoughts about Bloat Prevention

The standard thought for many years has been that avoiding physical activity following a meal would help prevent bloat. For those who don't know, bloat is when the dog's stomach flips, cutting off the blood supply to the spleen and other tissues. The suspected causes of bloat are essential information because standard poodles are one of the breeds more susceptible to bloat due to their deep chest.  Since most doodles inherit the build of their poodle parent, it's always better to be aware of a situation and plan accordingly.

New research has shown that moderate exercise following a meal stimulates the digestive tract to get moving and reduces the risk of bloat. Another finding during the study, although inconclusive, suggested that feeding dogs moistened kibble resulted in less bloat than dogs eating dry kibble. The theory was that the wet kibble had already expanded, so their stomachs expanded less following consumption. Again, this portion of the study didn't show a tremendous difference in the overall result.

Ultimately, the key is to strike a balance. A short leisurely walk can aid your doodle's digestion, but it's still advisable to wait at least one hour after a meal before engaging in more strenuous activities like a game of fetch or a long run. This approach ensures that your dog's digestive system is not overwhelmed, reducing the risk of bloat.