Bloat in Dogs - Signs, Causes & Treatments

Many of you may be aware of various advice that is often given around feeding dogs, such as not exercising after eating, how often they should be fed and how they are fed, without really understanding some of the reasons behind it.

One condition that is a very serious emergency in dogs is something called Bloat or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV) which is the clinical term. It can develop very quickly, and it can escalate fast, and if treatment is not prompt, sadly it can become life-threatening.

There is, of course, a lot of information about what bloat (GDV) is from a clinical perspective meaning what happens in your dog’s body, but there are still varying opinions on what actually causes it. 

However there is growing understanding, supported by veterinary research, that it seems there is not one single cause for the condition and that there are multiple factors that increase the risk. 

These include a dog's body shape, what they inherit from their parents, environment, activity after eating, theIr natural emotional state and feeding practices. Understanding both the physical and behavioural aspects helps us recognise risk earlier and seek help more quickly for dogs. 

What happens when a dog has Bloat or GDV is their stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid. In some cases, the stomach can also twist completely on itself which is what makes it so serious. 

When this happens, everything inside becomes trapped. Food cannot come back up through vomiting or pass out through defecation, blood flow is restricted, and the stomach (and sometimes other organs) cannot function properly.

This quickly makes the dog very unwell, they can go into shock and without urgent treatment, it can become a serious risk to their life. 

It's not just a case of being bloated like we might think of in people, it’s a real veterinary emergency where the whole body can be affected very quickly and the stomach is unable to empty or work normally.

With many dogs that have a physical issue going on, the first sign of dog bloat can be changes in behaviour rather than obvious symptoms, often indicating that they are uncomfortable or that something is not quite right internally.

Behaviours may include:

• Pacing back and forth

• Seeking closeness to their guardian

• General restlessness not able to settle

• Persistently standing up and lying down

• Suddenly anxious or irritated

• Frequently looking at their stomach

• Lying with forelimbs extended further than normal and chest closer to the ground

Behaviour changes are usually the earliest warning signs of bloat to take note of.

One of the important first physical signs can be retching and it's really important to understand the difference between this and vomiting. 

In the case of bloat (GDV) dogs will often repeatedly start retching or making heaving motions appearing like they are trying to be sick. Generally in most cases however nothing is actually produced like sick, fluid or food. 

There might be drooling, swallowing or gagging but nothing or very little is expelled. This happens because the stomach is beginning to fill and normal movement through the stomach has become disrupted. It can be uncomfortable to watch but this early sign of bloat requires immediate attention.

As the condition gets worse the physical signs can start to become more obvious you may see:

• A swollen, tight abdomen

• Drooling 

• Continued heaving

• The dog becoming more unsettled and agitated

• Noticeable signs of discomfort

• Increased breathing rate, or it becoming laboured 

• And when it becomes even more severe there can be lethargy or collapse

Although Bloat is the common name for GDV the visible signs of bloating are not always seen at the beginning, which is why observing behaviour changes are crucial as an early indicator.

Research from the Royal Veterinary College and large studies have shown that bloat (GDV) does not have a single cause.

Risk factors can include:

• Deep-chested body conformation (a strong and consistent predictor in RVC research)

• Breed of dog some are more at risk, but it can happen in any dog

• Increasing age

• Family history of the condition

• Feeding large single meals per day

• Eating quickly which can increase air swallowing

• The body’s automatic nervous system not regulating digestion normally

The RVC has emphasised “that body shape is one of the strongest non-modifiable risk factors, particularly in large and giant breeds.”

Other behavioural factors identified were in dogs described as:

• Anxious or fearful

• Highly excitable or easily overstimulated

• Showing signs of stress during feeding or routine change

Stress can disrupt gut movement, making digestion either faster (diarrhoea/urgency) this is thought to be a natural survival response, helping an animal become lighter and more able to move quickly when in danger.

On the other hand, stress can also slow digestion leading to constipation or bloating because blood flow to the gut may be reduced as the body diverts energy away from non urgent systems like digestion and focuses instead on the muscles, hearts and lungs.

Studies have also shown that feeding one large daily meal is associated with increased risk, while splitting food into two or more meals may reduce risk in susceptible breeds. Which is generally thought to be closer to how dogs would naturally have eaten, likely eating smaller, more irregular amounts rather than large single meals.

Despite long-standing debate, current research indicates that there is no evidence to support that dry food expansion in the stomach as a direct cause of bloat (GDV). Instead, studies indicate that factors such as meal size, fat content, and feeding behaviour are more relevant than food formation alone.

Older advice often suggested that raised feeding bowls might reduce the risk of bloat because they were thought to reduce air swallowing, make eating more comfortable for large dogs and improve posture during feeding. 

However, more recent larger scale veterinary studies have found that raised bowls are not protective against bloat (GDV) and in some studies, they have actually been associated with an increased risk in certain dogs. Therefore they are no longer routinely recommended as a prevention strategy for Bloat.

One area that is often considered high risk is the period after eating, particularly in susceptible dogs. During this time, the stomach is full and actively digesting, and increased physical or emotional arousal may contribute to gastric distension. 

After eating, blood flow is directed to the stomach and intestines to help digestion. If humans start exercising immediately, blood is redirected to working muscles instead, which can interfere with digestion and create discomfort which could be another reason why this is thought to put dogs at risk.

The RVC and veterinary literature indicate that the concern is not movement itself, but vigorous or intense exercise or activity straight after meals. Examples include rough play, high excitement, or situations that cause elevated arousal such as:

• Running out in the garden perimeter barking

• Rushing and barking at the door

• Multiple visitors arriving

• Or excessive excitable greetings

• Particularly during this period so where arousal levels are high

Lower-risk activity includes:

• Calm walking

• Sniffing-based movement

• Rest and quiet recovery after eating

The key factor identified is physiological arousal rather than exercise alone.

Bloat (GDV) should always be treated as a veterinary emergency!

Treatment usually involves a combination of veterinary interventions:

• Immediate stabilisation with IV fluids to treat shock, pain relief, and often oxygen support

• Decompression of the stomach using a stomach tube or, if needed, a needle/catheter to release gas

• Emergency surgery is performed if the stomach is twisted, to untwist it and assess any damage to the stomach and spleen.

• Removal of any severely damaged or dead tissue if present

• Gradual reintroduction of food and water once stable

Survival rates are strongly influenced by how quickly treatment is started, with veterinary literature consistently showing that earlier intervention significantly improves outcomes. For this reason, it is always recommended to seek veterinary attention as soon as early signs appear, rather than waiting to see if symptoms improve. It's better to be safe than sorry!

In some high-risk dogs, vets may recommend a preventative surgery called a gastropexy. This is where the stomach is gently attached to the body wall so it cannot twist. This is important because it greatly reduces the risk of the most dangerous part of bloat when the stomach twists on itself. 

However, it’s also important to understand that this surgery does not stop bloat from happening altogether. A dog can still get a swollen, gasfilled stomach, but it is much less likely to become life-threatening because the twisting is prevented.