How to Prevent Dog Swollen Stomach
By: Dr Francis Cabana (and not AI)
How to Prevent Dog Swollen Stomach (Bloat in Dogs): Causes, Symptoms & Nutrition Fixes That Can Save Lives
If your dog’s belly suddenly looks swollen or hard—stop scrolling. This can go from “weird” to life-threatening faster than you can Google “why is my dog’s stomach swollen?”
Back from the panic? Good. Let’s talk about what causes dog swollen stomach. It’s often dog bloat (GDV).
What is a Dog Swollen Stomach?
How to recognize Dog Swollen Stomach
What breed is prone to getting Dog Swollen Stomach?
What causes Dog Swollen Stomach?
How to feed dogs with Dog Swollen Stomach
What Is a Dog Swollen Stomach (Bloat / GDV)?
What is Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), better known as bloat, happens when your dog’s stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid (that’s the “dilatation”) and then twists on itself (the “volvulus”).
This twist cuts off blood flow and traps gas—think “balloon meets pressure cooker.” Without immediate vet care, GDV can be fatal within hours.
Translation: you can’t DIY your way out of this one—but you can prevent it.
⚠️ Signs of Dog Bloat You Should Never Ignore ⚠️
If your dog has a swollen, tight stomach, watch for these classic red flags:
Hard, distended abdomen (like they swallowed a bowling ball)
Unproductive retching or dry heaving
Drooling and pacing, clearly uncomfortable
Restlessness, panting, or whining in pain
Pale gums, weakness, or collapse in severe cases
(Campbell, 2011; Gaschen, 2022; Rosselli, 2022)
Rule of thumb: A swollen stomach + no vomit = bloat
Which Dogs Are Most at Risk?
Large, deep-chested breeds (think Great Danes, Weimaraners, Standard Poodles) are genetically more prone, but feeding habits and diet play massive roles too.
If your dog’s ribs look like an elegant wine glass, not a beer mug—you’ll want to read closely.
Top Feeding & Diet Mistakes That Increase Bloat Risk
One giant meal per day Over-stretching the stomach slows emptying, allowing gas buildup.
Dry kibble as the only diet Some kibble formulas ferment and trap gas more easily.
Elevated food bowls Controversially linked to higher GDV risk in deep-chested dogs.
(Pike & Smalle, 2022; Campbell, 2011)
Rapid eating (gulping air) Swallowed air = more gas, more pressure.
High-fat foods or “oil first” labels High fat delays gastric emptying—bad news for bloat risk.
How to Feed Dogs Prone to Swollen Stomachs (Science-Backed)
Here’s your prevention plan, straight from Dr Francis himself (me, hi).
If your dog is prone to getting swollen stomach, bloat and/or GDV then here are some tips specifically for your dog.
1️⃣ Feed 2–3 Smaller Meals Daily
Spreading calories over the day keeps gastric volume manageable and lowers fermentation risk. This isn’t the ideal way to feed dogs for long term health, but if your dog is prone to getting swollen stomach, then use this method.
Tip: Keep portions even. A small breakfast, moderate lunch, and lighter dinner beat one mega meal any day.
Raghavan, 2002; Rosselli, 2022
2️⃣ Keep Bowls on the Floor, Not Elevated
Unless your vet says otherwise for orthopedic reasons, skip the raised bowls. Especially if you have a deep chested dog breed.
The only thing that should be “elevated” here is your knowledge.
Pike & Smalle, 2022; Campbell, 2011
3️⃣ Soak Dry Kibble for 10–15 Minutes
Warm water + patience = reduced expansion in the stomach. This is also recommended for freeze dried or air dried diets too, anything with moisture less than 40% will expand somewhat and anything with starchy ingredients will expand a lot. Soaking your kibbles with bone broth will also do wonders for many other aspects of their life btw.
Pro tip: Imagine a thick stew, not soup. Your dog’s stomach—and microbiome—will thank you.
Beynen, 2019
4️⃣ Slow Down Feeding with Puzzle Bowls
Aerophagia (air swallowing) is the hidden villain of GDV.
Use slow-feeders, snuffle mats, or puzzle bowls. They make your dog work slower for dinner—instead of huffing and puffing.
Try one of my favourite puzzle feeders here → [Affiliate link]
Raghavan, 2002; Remya & Sooryadas, 2024
5️⃣ Add Probiotics & Soluble Fiber
Healthy gut bacteria = smoother digestion and less gas.
Probiotics: Enterococcus faecium or Lactobacillus acidophilus, ~10⁹ CFU/day (adjusted by weight)
Fiber: 0.5–1 tsp psyllium husk or beet pulp per 25 kg BW per meal to regulate gastric emptying.
Start small and monitor stools—because too much fiber too fast makes its own kind of drama.
Gaschen, 2016; Gaschen, 2022
6️⃣ Avoid “Quick-Fix” Supplements
Activated charcoal, digestive enzymes, or simethicone?
No solid evidence they help with dog bloat prevention—save your money for proven strategies.
Rosselli, 2022; Gaschen, 2022
Should You Ever Use an Elevated Bowl for Dog Swollen Stomach?
Short answer: rarely.
Elevated bowls were once thought to help large breeds—but newer data shows they may increase GDV risk.
If your dog has arthritis or megaesophagus, talk to your vet. Otherwise, gravity does its job just fine.
Pike & Smalle, 2022; Campbell, 2011; Remya & Sooryadas, 2024
Recommended Tools (Because Prevention Deserves Equipment)
Puzzle or slow-feeder bowls — reduce gulping and boredom
Veterinary-grade probiotics — strain-verified, stable CFU count
Psyllium husk supplement — gentle fiber for motility
Low fermentation dry dog food — Low carb, medium fat and high protein is the way to go
Want a Diet Built Around Your Dog’s Chest Shape?
Hi, I’m Dr. Francis, PhD in Animal Nutrition — creator of Fuelled Fur Life.
We specialize in translating confusing nutrition science into easy daily habits that actually extend your dog’s life.
👉 Download your FREE Ultimate Pet Nutrition and Wellbeing Audit for a step by step roadmap to optimize your pets diet, happiness and longevity
Dog Swollen Stomach FAQ
Is a dog’s swollen belly always bloat?
Not always—worms, fluid, or overeating can cause distension. But sudden swelling with retching = emergency.
How can I prevent dog bloat naturally?
Feed smaller meals, use floor bowls, soak kibble, add probiotics and fiber, and slow feeding pace.
Do raw diets lower GDV risk?
Research is limited, but fresh, lower-carb, moderate-fat diets with proper meal sizing may help reduce fermentation gas.
SO what I just said about dog swollen stomach was…
You can’t out-snark physics inside your dog’s stomach—but you can outsmart it. Smaller meals, soaked kibble, and science-based feeding aren’t boring—they’re longevity disguised as common sense.
So go be the fun, proactive, nerdy-cool pawrent who actually knows what a “dog swollen stomach” means—and keeps it from ever happening again.
References
Beynen A.C. (2019). Diet and canine gastric dilatation.
Buckley L. (2017). Are dogs fed a dry kibble-based diet more likely to experience GDV? Veterinary Evidence.
Campbell A. (2011). Gastrointestinal emergencies. In Veterinary Technician’s Manual for Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care.
Gaschen F. (2022). Digestive Diseases. In Clinical Medicine of the Dog and Cat (Taylor & Francis).
Gaschen F. (2016). Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Dogs.
Pike A., & Smalle T. (2022). Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in Dogs: A Review of the Literature 2000–2020. Australian Veterinary Practitioner.
Raghavan M. (2002). Diet-Related Risk Factors for Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus in Dogs.
Remya V., & Sooryadas S. (2024). Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus in Dogs: Diagnosis, Prevention & Treatment Strategies.
Rosselli D. (2022). Updated Information on Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus and Gastropexy in Dogs. Veterinary Clinics of North America.
