Dog Breeds Most At Risk for Bloat

Gastric dilation volvulus (GDV), commonly known as “bloat,” is a life-threatening condition that can affect every breed of any age at any time. Bloat is the second most common cause of death in dogs, proving to be fatal in roughly 50% of cases. Though all dogs are susceptible to canine bloat, there are certain factors that can increase the risks significantly. Currently, only two treatments exist for bloat, and with no absolutely way to prevent it, knowing the canine bloat symptoms is a necessity.

Canine Bloat Symptoms
The most telling signs of bloat are restlessness, pacing, increased salivation, retching, unsuccessful vomiting attempts and an enlarged, sensitive abdomen that produces a hollow sound when thumped. There are, however, situations in which bloat is present, but no dog bloat symptoms are obvious. More subtle symptoms may occur in the early stages of bloat, such as lethargy, obvious discomfort, stiff movement, head-hanging and a slightly tight abdomen.

   
View Breeds with High Risk for Bloat

In the late stages of bloat, when shock is nearly certain, symptoms include rapid or labored breathing and heart rate, weak pulse, pale gums and tongue and weakness or collapse. If the dog is able to belch or vomit, it is more than likely that the issue is not bloat.

Gastric bloat in dogs is a threat to all breeds. There have been several factors linked to an increased chance of bloat in dogs occurring, which are large meals eaten at once, dry dog food high in grain, intense exercise before or after meals, drinking large amounts of water during meals, high energy levels, deep-chested breeds, the size of the dog, the dog’s age and dogs whose ancestors have had bloat at some point in time. It has been argued that the dog’s size and age are the most important things to consider when assessing bloat risk. Data suggests that the risk of bloat increases by 20% for large breeds after age 5 and 20% for giant breeds after age 3. After age 7, the risk increases significantly for any breed. 

Treatment 

The best treatment is to know the dog bloat symptoms, the risk factors involved and how to prevent bloat in dogs before it can even occur. 

There is no surefire way to prevent bloat in dogs, but some things can be done to reduce the likelihood of it occurring. Monitor your dog’s eating habits, ensure that they do not drink a lot of water or expend large amounts of energy after eating. Avoiding high-grain foods and wetting down dry food with water is recommended. 

Also watch how quickly these loyal companions consume their food, if they inhale it in less than a minute then that's an early warning sign. BrakeFast has created a patented slow feeding bowl that has proven to reduce the rate at which dogs eat their food. 

Once signs of bloat have occurred, gastric bloat in dogs is usually treated in one of two ways: The first way is for the veterinarian to insert a tube down the dog’s throat, which will hopefully allow the gases to escape. If that method is unsuccessful, the other option is to make a small surgical incision in the dog’s stomach to release the gas. If the animal does end up having the surgery done, the veterinarian may give you the option to have the dog’s stomach stapled or anchored in place to prevent it from blowing up if another incident of bloat is encountered. It is also advisable to keep Gas-X or a similar product with simethicone in it on hand, as a small dose of this can help ease the symptoms of bloat until a veterinarian can be reached.


We have built a list of dog breeds that have been identified as having a higher likelihood of experiencing bloat or gastric volvulus. The symptoms to look for in each breed are universal. Please note, however, that even if a specific breed is not on this list they may still be at risk. Knowing these early warning signs can help you prevent bloat in dogs and extend its life:

Afghan – due to its large size and deep-chested physique, Afghans made this list of dogs highly susceptible for bloat.

Akita – Akitas are big dogs with above-average gastro-intestinal tracts making them a candidate for gastric volvulus.

Alaskan Malamute – Their large size makes them at risk for acquiring bloat.

Bernese Mountain Dog – These huggable teddy bears are one of the more larger breeds that are unfortunately also susceptible to bloat.

Bloodhound – Because of their larger physique, Bloodhounds made this top dog breeds most at risk.

Boxer – Boxers' high energy level, large size combined with their deep chests make them a viable candidate to be susceptible to bloat.

Doberman – Their large size, high energy level and being deep-chested are all factors to consider and thus they made this list. 

Great Dane – Great Danes are big dogs with above-average gastro-intestinal tracts making them a candidate for gastric volvulus.

Great Pyrenees – Their large size with an above average sized GI tract make them at risk.

German Shepherd – Their large size makes them at risk for acquiring bloat.

Golden Retriever – Because of their larger physique and high energy, Goldens are a leading candidate.

Irish Setter – Irish Setters are a good-sized canine and so their increased energy levels combined with deep-barrel chests make them a candidate for bloat.

Irish Wolfhound – Because of their larger physique, Irish Wolfhounds made this top dog breeds most at risk.

King Shepherd – This breed is larger than most with huge gastro-intestinal tracts making them a candidate for gastric volvulus.

Kuvasz – This large breed due to their size make them susceptible to bloat/gastric volvulus.

Labrador Retriever – Labs' crazy high energy and larger size make them an ideal candidate for bloat.

Newfoundland – Because of their larger physique, Newfoundlands made this top dog breeds most at risk.

Poodle (Standard) – Their large size with an above average sized GI tract make standard poodles most at risk for bloat.

Rottweiler – Rottweilers made this list because of their large muscular physique, more GI tract means higher likelihood of them acquiring gastric volvulus.

Shiloh Shepherd – Shilohs are larger breeds with a lot of stomach and lengthy intestinal tract making them a bloat candidate.

St. Bernard – Because of their larger physique, Saint Bernards have made this list of top dog breeds most at risk.

Weimaraner – Weimaraners are big dogs with super high energy and deep chests making them more susceptible to acquiring bloat.

6 comments


  • Holly

    I’m really sorry to hear about your dog Martha I’m just looking this up because my tiny pug dog is bloated but isn’t in pain and I think she just scoffs her food down too fast, drinks heaps of water after eating and also may play a bit after eating. I will be sure to not let her do that from now on! R.I.P to your black lab im sure she is happy up in heaven !!


  • Elena Iannone

    You are 100% Correct…. Large Breed dog owners need to be informed thoroughly about GDV (BLOAT). I just had to put down my beloved Cleo a Greater Swiss Mountain dog on December 20, 2016. She had GDV in June and was successfully operated on and her stomach was tacked so it would not twist again. But it did on December 20 again, this time she was in really bad shape and probably wound not make it through the operation again. It is a horrible trauma to our beloved fury friends. I think I might post something on facebook so others can know the dangers.


  • Evelyn Aquallo

    I had an English bulldog which to me also is very susceptible to bloat. I did know the signed but didn’t know the cause. Unfortunately the doctor could not save him even though I took quick action getting him to the doctor. The cause drinking lots of water real fast.


  • Lucy

    GRANTED,BLOAT OR GDV IS LIFE THREATENING TO UR DOG. FROM MY YEARS OF OWNING DOBERMANS , I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NONE OF MY DOGS GOT IT. ONE OF THE MANY THINGS I DID WAS TO FEED TWICE A DAY. AM AND PM FEEDINGS. NO EXERCISE 1 HOUR BEFORE MEAL TIME AND 1 HOUR AFTER MEAL TIME. SOAKING THE DRY FOOD IN WARM WATER TO BLOW UP SO IT DOES NOT BLOW UP IN UR DOGS STOMACH. ALSO I LEARNED FROM A VARY WISE DOBERMAN BREEDER YEARS AGO, BRUSHING UR DOG DAILY OR EVEN SEVERAL TIMES A DAY HELPS WITH DIGESTION. HOPE THIS HELPS ALL U DOG LOVERS. GOOD LUCK!!!!


  • April

    Firstly I am very sorry for your loss, it scares me to think of my girl possibly ever having to endure that. I have a Doberman Pinscher, my vet has never ever mentioned to me about her breed being predisposed to this sufferable condition, I’m glad I came across your article! We bike ride and just by chance I always feed her after, so again I’m glad I came across this article so I’ll never make the mistake of feeding her first.

    April


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