Help! Confusion on Bloat and Raised Bowls

Pregreen

Pregreen

New member
The jury is still out if it actually prevents or causes bloat. I feed and water from raised bowls just because my dogs seem more comfortable with the height.
 
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lmfoltyn

New member
Jake has a raised feed bowl and an on the ground water bowl. I prefer the raised bowl for him to eat as it seems easier for him to get to it. I do feed 3 meals per day though instead of just one or two large meals and he eats very slowly which is good also. This is the ONE thing that scares the crap out of me...I really worry about this. I was up most of last night with him because his tummy was making such loud noises I thought it was almost time to go to the emergency room.
 
dreamchaser456

dreamchaser456

New member
As you said, it depends on where you get the info about raised feeding. All 3 of mine have raised bowls (and lots of dogs before that feed raised and on floor) and so far I've never had bloat issues. I do make sure that both before and after meals that it is "quiet time" where they rest, no excitement, etc. I also do not feed a stressed dog as I feel that also contributes to the possibility of bloat.
 
Whybu1

Whybu1

New member
All my large dogs eat from the floor, Rockers, my speed eater, has a "slow feeder" type bowl to slow him down. Never had any issues with bloat.

Jury does indeed seems to be split on effectiveness of raised feeding on preventing bloat.
 
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wrknnwf

Active member
My dogs always eat from the floor, too. Never any problems here. I tried a raised bowl when I got my first newf. He always took the bowl out and put it down on the floor. And he slopped a whole lot less.
 
R Taft

R Taft

Active member
I have only ever had one bloat type episode and it was a stress bloat..not from food.
My dogs have always eaten from the floor (I have had newfies since the eighty's)........never raised
I do feed two smallish meals..no dry food...at least one bone a day...and fruit and veggies. When we go water training I feed a very small meal and I keep my dogs calm before and after meals, though I will go for a walk after a meal in the morning....but I think the size and type of food is very important.
I never restrict water and i do not give my dogs very cold water on a hot day, but i will let them have some icecubes (small number). Not sure if all of this is relevant, but i have been rather lucky so far. I have dealt with a few emergency bloat episodes of a friends dog (wolfhound) and it is very frightening....katy had an episode after her major operation, but I used the pressure points on her and tubed her on the way to the vet....she never had any further treatment and just stayed at the vets when we went to work for a fortnight as just in case, 8am untill 5pm......And she had a Gastropexy a few weeks later for safety.
 
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