After reading this two part series on the causes and prevention of Bloat I have a new appreciation for the severity of this condition. Second to cancer, Bloat is the biggest cause of death in dogs. There are some simple prevention steps we can take, including cutting back on the amount of fat intake, feeding several smaller meals, and avoiding activity for an hour after eating. But the two biggest, and easiest changes we can make for our pets are to feed using raised feeders, and slow down bowls.
There are lovely raised feeders out now, like these custom mosaic feeders from Pawsitively Elegant. They're made with stained glass, wood, and steel bowls, to include your pet's name. So, as one of their pet parents says, "Not only are they functional, but they are visually appealing and the ability to customize the pieces is fantastic!" These platforms come in three heights, and start as little as $65 for the single bowl version.
There are also lots of bowls to help slow down speedy eaters, like the Brake-Fast Dog Food Bowl ($26). But, there are a couple of ways a trainer might suggest slowing down an eater, using your existing bowl and raised feeder. First off, if your dog's bowl has a inverted bottom, like this bowl, just flip it upside down and feed them in
the outside ring. Another quick fix: stick a kong or durable toy in the bowl, so your dog has to eat around it. Either trick will slow down your dog's rate of intake, aiding digestion.
And, while we can never completely prevent bloat, it's a good idea to consider an Embrace Pet Insurance policy, just in case. As Bloat is always an emergency, it often requires ER visits and surgeries, starting at $2000. Read how Embrace's accident coverage helped Kylie (shown left.)
Doctors Fosters & Smith


