Resources and Additional Learning

The dangers of bloat in dogs

1. Feeding Supermarket Meat

• Dogs need a COMPLETE diet. Muscle meat alone is not a complete diet.
• Meat and fish require correct freezing methods to be safe for raw feeding.

2. Feeding the Wrong Produce or With the Wrong Method

• Keep sugar intake (yes, even natural sugars like fruit) to a minimum. Only provide occasional organic berries.
• Avoid all starchy vegetables.
• Finely chop (non-starchy) veggies and leafy greens.

3. Bad Hygiene Practices

• Wash and sanitize bowls after EVERY meal.
• Handle raw meat safely (more in the “Proper Overall Hygiene” chapter).

4. Too Much Variety

• Feeding too many ingredients and supplements in one meal can cause stomach upsets and allergic reactions.

5. Worrying That Raw Simple Feeding Is Incomplete

• It takes a change in mindset to accept that real food in nature is usually very simple.

6. Transitioning Too Fast

• Give the gut bacteria time to adapt.
• Pace yourself according to the individual needs of your pup.

7. Expecting Overnight Results

• As Dr. Keith Weingradt DVM explains, if it took a dog 5 years to have health issues, it won’t all resolve overnight. Respect the process.

8. Giving Up

• Seek help instead of giving up. Don’t go back to the same kibble diet and lifestyle that can lead to problems (if it hasn’t already).

9. Exercising Too Close to Mealtime

• This can lead to stomach bloat, which is VERY dangerous for dogs. It can even be fatal.
• We wait one hour after exercise before we feed our pups, and wait at least 3 hours after we feed them to give them exercise.

Defrosting Mistakes (not mentioned in the video)

1. Use best practices. ALWAYS defrost meats, fish, and bones in the fridge to safely avoid rapid bacterial growth. Yes, it takes longer, but it’s the only correct way.
2. Only serve completely defrosted food. According to our holistic veterinarian, serving frozen food causes excessive stress on the internal organs and leads to various health problems.
3. Only serve completely defrosted bones. Frozen bones can splinter into sharper edges, dramatically increasing the risk of mouth and internal injuries.