For those of you who are not familiar with bloat, bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus or GDV) is the second leading killer of dogs after cancer. Bloat is a genuine veterinary emergency. Nearly every supplier and manufacturer of dog feeding bowls is selling raised food bowls. The bowls are being promoted, among things, as aiding a dog's digestion and as reducing the risk of bloat.
In fact, just the opposite is the case. Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine has found that use of the raised feeder increases by 110% the risk of bloat. No research exists to support the claim that the raised feeder reduces the risk of bloat.
Many breeds are particularly susceptible to bloat and dogs of all breeds have been known to bloat. The only medical problem for which the raised feeder is recommended is a condition known as megaesophagus. Only a veterinarian should diagnose megaesophagus.
Unfortunately, the general public as well as veterinarians trust the claims of suppliers and manufacturers. The findings related to the raised/elevated feeders were published in November 2000 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association: Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Schellenberg DB, et al. Non-dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation-volvulus in large and giant breed dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2000; 217:1492-1499. Surprisingly, many vets are unaware of this article.
The public needs to alerted that the raised feeder is potentially dangerous. Suppliers and manufacturers must stop advertising the raised feeder as a means to prevent bloat. Our kennel (Raid The Wind Kennels, LLC) publishes a brochure about this danger. We give a copy to all of our customers. Any assistance readers of this article can provide in alerting the public to this risk will be most appreciated and will likely prevent heartbreak for a dog owner, not to mention a dog's death.
Diane McClure
Raid The Wind Kennels
Tyro, Virginia