Deep chested dogs/raised bowls

[MollyMoomin]

confused.com...!!

The breeder of Herman told us TO get raised feed/water bowls because he is a deep chested dog, at risk of bloating and having a raised bowl will help decrease that risk.... Two of my friends also have Weimys (admittedly from the same breeder) and they both have raised bowls for their dogs.

I've read though (on the internet so it must be true(!) ) that having raised bowls can actually increase the risk of bloat.

So should he, or shouldn't he?

He's 11months old and sometimes has his bowl on top of his dog treat tub (it's about a foot high) sometimes not. We're irritatingly careful about when he eats in relation to exercise/type of exercise due to his potential to bloat.

His water bowl is a Road Refresher, mainly because he dribbles everywhere (although he has learnt 'wipe your mouth!'

) and that helps reduce it but also because it keeps his ears out of the water.

And for the last question(!) we're having large amounts of building work done and instead of a crate (we'll still have an 'emergency' one), Herman is off to live under the stairs. Because the stairs have only just gone in, we're about to specify how we want it to be - would it help if I put pictures on? They'd be Facebook links and not great pictures at that, but it would give some idea of how it would be. Anyway, the builders will sort out HermansHole (or HoundHole or BarkyBedroom or..!) to how we want it, so they're skimming plaster all the way down to the floor so no skirting boards for him to chew and they'll also build us a raised water bowl into it if we want. Do we want them to? And where?!

Urgh, that got longer than I intended. Thoughts, anyone?

And Sainsburys Eric the Elephant gummy sweets for anyone who read it all...

 

[mattilda]

I have 2 rotties and a ridgeback and they all have raised feed bowls but not water. I mainly use them so they are not crouching to eat and also so I don't have to listen to 3 metal bowls being chased all over the kitchen floor. Have never heard of the bloat thing.

 

[CAYLA]

I have always owned large deep chested breeds and Im have NEVER raised food bowls, I go as far as to not allow them to gulp down to much water after food, and not feed before or after exercise, until panting has ceased.
I have never (touched wood) had a dog bloat. (includes all the large breed rescues we get in) so a fair few hundred.
The only dog I feed in a heightened manor is my pointer to prevent probelms assosiated with magasophigus, to give the food a better chance of reaching the stomach and not sitting in his throat, (as he has a neuromuscular disorder)
So basically my answer to your question is I have never fed and never will feed my large breeds from elivated bowls, unless they are old or have a neck injury

alot do though, it's up to you in the end.

 

[millimoo]

My mums Bull Mastiff (number 4) has had Bloat - he nearly died.
Every one of them has been fed off the floor, however we have also heard it can be a contributing factor. Interestingly enough he's the tallest dog they've ever had, very athletic and does fling himself around (which can't help his stomach)

We tried to feed & water him from the floor since the Bloat and he won't touch any of it.
My mum makes up his food rather than use the dried all in ones, and she thinks that was a contributing factor as he doesn't always drink enough and was a bit faddy.
He has made a full recovery following surgery 8 months ago, but he periodically threatens us with dribbling (early signs for him) so he has tablets from the vets when he shows symptoms.
We also follow Cayla's advise - no food before or after exercise.
On the other hand, I thought feeding on the floor for large dogs wasn't good for their joints - having said that, my Bro's bull mastif is fed on the floor and she's fine - although not as big

 

[CorvusCorax]

Touch wood no bloat or torsion.


Fed all ours on the floor.


I am totally paranoid and leave at least an hour between food and exercise/car travel/excitement but even then it can still happen.
It never happens on an empty stomach, but there is only so much you can do.