raised food bowls contribute to bloat?

julie_s · 12-23-2008, 01:59 PM

I know that Standard Poodles and Labs are prone to bloat. I just read an article online that lists the causes of bloat in dogs. One was "Eating habits, especially elevated food bowls." Another was rapid eating.

I use an elevated food bowl b/c I thought it was better for tall dogs. Has anyone heard of this before? Here is the link: www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm. It does have a lot of info on bloat, but I am not sure if this website is credible or not. At the end of the article it lists several links that discuss bloat.

Has anyone heard of elevated food bowls being a problem?

gene · 12-23-2008, 02:04 PM

Julie....there are so many different sites that say exact opposites of each other. Jonah's got an elevated bowl......no problems, Rumor and Miko eat in their crates. Jonah....never even gassy, Rumor bloats up after every meal and have to burp him. I've thought of trying to elevate his bowl and see if it makes any difference.

seazr · 12-23-2008, 02:20 PM

I don't believe that elevated bowls are a problem. I lost an older dog to bloat--my understanding was gulping of food was a huge factor.

Gene, I must ask; how do you "burp" Rumor??????

tuffystar · 12-23-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seazr

I don't believe that elevated bowls are a problem. I lost an older dog to bloat--my understanding was gulping of food was a huge factor.

Gene, I must ask; how do you "burp" Rumor??????

I want to know too!!!!

PlainJane · 12-23-2008, 08:49 PM

I wanna hear how you burp him (or maybe I wanna a picture of this) .......

I used raised bowls with my labs, but it was because they were so TALL. Never had any bloating whatsoever.

lmtoth2 · 12-23-2008, 10:55 PM

we feed Dex in a raised feeder most of the time and Kirby in a bowl on the ground. I don't really think it matters. We put a toy in Dex's bowl to keep him from eating too fast.

Jac · 12-24-2008, 12:52 AM

I have heard that both raised and lowered bowls make the difference...I think that means that neither do!

I have read a lot about free feeding being a good thing to combat this problem because the dogs just graze and eat little bits, not getting as much as they can hold during a feeding!

We free feed and our dogs do not eat too quickly or over eat...but if you are feeding only at certain times, I'd say that if you are worried about this, feed 1/4 cup at a time, let the food settle between offerings.

tuffystar · 12-24-2008, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jac

I have heard that both raised and lowered bowls make the difference...I think that means that neither do!

I have read a lot about free feeding being a good thing to combat this problem because the dogs just graze and eat little bits, not getting as much as they can hold during a feeding!

We free feed and our dogs do not eat too quickly or over eat...but if you are feeding only at certain times, I'd say that if you are worried about this, feed 1/4 cup at a time, let the food settle between offerings.

Free feeding is wonderful but Tia gets fat because she won't let Buddy eat. Until we got Tia we always free fed and no problems at all with weight or bloating. If Buddy goes to eat Tia pushes him out of the way and eats even when she isn't hungry. We just went to "meal feeding" because Buddy was wasting away and Tia was getting chunky. So if your dogs aren't little piggies then it is nice and may be a good idea. I have started feeding less at meals and a small snack before bed. No bloating with either dog so far!

Tink · 12-24-2008, 02:06 PM

I have to agree with Jac on free feeding. All of my animals are grazers and so far I've not had any problem.

12-23-2008, 01:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
julie_s Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: columbus, ohio Posts: 83	raised food bowls contribute to bloat? I know that Standard Poodles and Labs are prone to bloat. I just read an article online that lists the causes of bloat in dogs. One was "Eating habits, especially elevated food bowls." Another was rapid eating. I use an elevated food bowl b/c I thought it was better for tall dogs. Has anyone heard of this before? Here is the link: www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm. It does have a lot of info on bloat, but I am not sure if this website is credible or not. At the end of the article it lists several links that discuss bloat. Has anyone heard of elevated food bowls being a problem? __________________ Julie & Stella Stella is an F1B Labradoodle born February 15, 2008.

12-23-2008, 02:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
gene Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: youngstown ohio Posts: 8,619	Re: raised food bowls contribute to bloat? Julie....there are so many different sites that say exact opposites of each other. Jonah's got an elevated bowl......no problems, Rumor and Miko eat in their crates. Jonah....never even gassy, Rumor bloats up after every meal and have to burp him. I've thought of trying to elevate his bowl and see if it makes any difference. __________________ gene , jonah , miko and rumor "A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down." - Robert Benchley

12-23-2008, 02:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
seazr Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 2,971	Re: raised food bowls contribute to bloat? I don't believe that elevated bowls are a problem. I lost an older dog to bloat--my understanding was gulping of food was a huge factor. Gene, I must ask; how do you "burp" Rumor?????? __________________ Diane (and Dakota) http://s42.photobucket.com/albums/e304/seazr/

12-23-2008, 08:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
PlainJane Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 349	Re: raised food bowls contribute to bloat? I wanna hear how you burp him (or maybe I wanna a picture of this) ....... I used raised bowls with my labs, but it was because they were so TALL. Never had any bloating whatsoever.

12-23-2008, 10:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
lmtoth2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,920	Re: raised food bowls contribute to bloat? we feed Dex in a raised feeder most of the time and Kirby in a bowl on the ground. I don't really think it matters. We put a toy in Dex's bowl to keep him from eating too fast. __________________ Leslie

12-24-2008, 12:52 AM	#7 (permalink)
Jac Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: northern California Posts: 9,243	Re: raised food bowls contribute to bloat? I have heard that both raised and lowered bowls make the difference...I think that means that neither do! I have read a lot about free feeding being a good thing to combat this problem because the dogs just graze and eat little bits, not getting as much as they can hold during a feeding! We free feed and our dogs do not eat too quickly or over eat...but if you are feeding only at certain times, I'd say that if you are worried about this, feed 1/4 cup at a time, let the food settle between offerings.

12-24-2008, 02:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tink Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: West central Wisconsin Posts: 2,506	Re: raised food bowls contribute to bloat? I have to agree with Jac on free feeding. All of my animals are grazers and so far I've not had any problem. __________________ www.tinkerdoodle.net Hickory, Ava, Hana, Misty, and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

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