I'm making this post because I think there are a lot of people out there who don't know what bloat is, and I was one of them. When I first rescued my Shepherds, my friend Monica told me about Bloat, and up until then, I'd never heard of it before. I had a shepherd mix in my late teens, but had never heard of it. I used to dog-sit for 2 beautiful German Shepherds, and their owner never mentioned this to me, so I am guessing he didn't know about it either.

Bloating is what happens when a dog's stomach fills up with air, and then the stomach twists and causes "torsion" which cuts off blood supply to the stomach. This tends to happen to "deep chested dogs" (see a list of these breeds further down the page) but apparently it can happen to other dogs, too.

It's frightening to see how often this happens to dogs, when their owners didn't know what this is. I've put several videos that explain more about what bloat is, and how to avoid it, further down the page.

This condition tends to appear moreso in dogs that eat DRY KIBBLE, and that's one reason it's better to add water to their kibble, than to just give it to them dry. But there are OTHER THINGS that can put a dog at a higher risk for bloat, like anxiety and exercise (after eating). Please look at the videos on this page, to learn more!

German Shepherds, Great Danes, Poodles, doodles, Cane Corsos and all deep chested dogs, plus older dogs and anxious dogs are at the highest risk.

I did some research on "deep chested dogs" (to see what kinds of other dogs are considered "deep chested" and this is what came up in Google:

Common Deep-Chested Breeds:

Large Breeds:
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Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Doberman Pinschers, Weimaraners, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Irish Setters.
Other Breeds:
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Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Basset Hounds, Standard Poodles, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, Akitas.

Physical Characteristics of Deep-Chested Dogs:

Elongated Ribcage:
The ribcage extends down further towards the abdomen, creating a deeper chest cavity.
Lean Build:
They often have a more muscular and lean appearance, rather than a stocky build.
Increased Lung Capacity:
The deeper chest can provide more room for lung expansion, potentially leading to better endurance.

Health Considerations:

GDV (Bloat):
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Deep-chested dogs are predisposed to GDV, which can be a life-threatening emergency if not treated quickly, according to the American Kennel Club Pet Insurance and VCA Animal Hospitals.
Other Health Concerns:
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Some deep-chested breeds may also be more prone to other conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, and certain types of cancers, as noted by BetterPet.

Prevention and Management:

Proper Feeding:
Avoid large, infrequent meals and consider slow-feed bowls to help prevent gulping air, as recommended by VCA Animal Hospitals.
Exercise Management:
Avoid strenuous exercise immediately before or after meals.
Early Detection:
Be aware of the signs of bloat, such as restlessness, abdominal distension, and inability to urinate or defecate, and seek veterinary care immediately.
Palliative Care:
In some cases, a gastric tie or pyloroplasty surgery may be recommended for dogs prone to GDV.

I belong to several German Shepherd groups on Facebook, and someone posted a video of their dog panting heavily after exercise. Several people commented that you shouldn't let the dog drink water while in that state, because it could cause bloat! I thought, ok it's time to do this post, because I'm still learning about bloat, and more people need to know about these things!

It's also important to remember that, even though there are emergency surgeries that can prevent this condition, they are not always successful (though I'd think they're still worth trying). So it's better to PREVENT the condition from happening in the first place, rather than letting your dog eat and then exercise, thinking "Oh, well if they start to bloat, I can just take them to the vet." I've seen too many people in German Shepherd discussion groups on Facebook, saying their dog died from this (and some of them DID take their dog to the vet, but it was too late). Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

One thing I would probably try, is to give a dog Kangen water, because it is quickly absorbed into the cells and intestines, but even that may not work (I'd just try it because I have a machine). I've seen proof tht it works, because when I'd drink it before going running, my stomach didn't hurt from "sloshing around" like "regular water" would seem to do.

I'm not super worried about Bloat because I do take precautions. We don't exercise them after they eat, and we don't generally feed them dry kibble. I usually make their dog food kind of like a gravy, and add some extra water, to ensure they get enough hydration. They also lick their bowls really clean when you do this, so they're a breeze to wash : ).