You know that feeling of polishing off your third plate at Thanksgiving dinner, when you lean back in your chair, rub your full stomach, and swear you wonāt be able to eat again for a week? Well, food bloat in pets is sort of like that — minus the silverware and cornucopia centerpiece — with potentially more serious consequences. So letās dig in and talk about food bloat in pets and what pet parents need to know!
What is food bloat?Ā
Food bloat is a conditionĀ in whichĀ a petās stomach has become over-filled andĀ distendedĀ after the pet eatsĀ a large amount of food all at once. The majority of food bloat casesĀ happenĀ because a petĀ ransackedĀ aĀ bag of dog or cat foodĀ and thenĀ gorgedĀ to capacity (or beyond!)Ā However, food bloatĀ canĀ also occur if a pet gets into the trash or eats a lotĀ of human food.
What are the symptoms of food bloat?Ā
Pets with food bloat tend toĀ getĀ large,Ā distendedĀ ā and sometimes painful ā bellies. These pets oftenĀ mopeĀ around like a beached whale or paceĀ because they’re too uncomfortable to lie down. Other common symptoms include vomiting, retching without producingĀ anyĀ vomit, vocalizing or whining, diarrhea,Ā andĀ exaggerated breathing.Ā Ā
How is food bloat diagnosed?Ā
A veterinarian diagnoses food bloat by taking x-rays of the abdomen.Ā X-raysĀ allow the veterinarian to seeĀ inside theĀ petās big, full stomach ā andĀ weĀ can sometimesĀ evenĀ see a ākibbleā pattern! X-rays also allow the veterinarian to rule out other possible causes of the petās symptoms such as foreign object obstruction,Ā Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (GDV),Ā masses, etc.Ā Itās actually common for veterinarians to diagnose food bloat based off of the x-rays, even before the petās ownerĀ realizesĀ the food bag or container hasĀ beenĀ raided! In addition to x-rays, the veterinarian may check bloodwork to evaluate electrolytesĀ andĀ organ function, as well asĀ guide the best treatment plan.
How is food bloat treated?Ā
Treatment for food bloat can vary, depending on the specific case. If itās safeĀ to do so, the veterinary team can induce vomiting to help lessen the load on the petās stomach. However,Ā if the pet only consumed food ā not packaging or other material āĀ itĀ will eventually be digested.Ā Another concern is dehydration. While the pet tries to digest and move all of theĀ food through,Ā he can quickly become dehydrated. Pets with food bloat usually need fluid therapy, anti-nausea medications, and sometimes, light pain medications. Often, additional x-rays are used to monitor progression of the food and the petās response to treatment. Food is often withheld for 12-24 hours to allow the petās stomach to digest āĀ butĀ donāt worry, theĀ petĀ wonāt getĀ hungry!Ā
What happens if my pet does not receive treatment?Ā
In addition to the risk of dehydration, pets with food bloat can also experienceĀ pancreatitisĀ or an obstruction caused by the foodās packaging. Most dangerously though, food bloat canĀ sometimesĀ lead toĀ Gastric Dilatation and VolvulusĀ (GDV), a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists and emergency surgery is needed. Treatment is advised to help monitorĀ and treat symptomsĀ and to rule out more grave diagnoses like GDV.Ā Ā
How can food bloat be prevented?Ā
To help prevent food bloat, containers of both pet & human foodĀ should be storedĀ where your pet canāt get at them.Ā Pet food bags can be enclosed withinĀ plastic totes; for an added level of safety, put totes in a closetĀ orĀ pantryĀ with a lock orĀ latch.Ā We also advise securing all trash cans. If you discard of a large amount of food, remove the trash bagĀ immediatelyĀ and place inĀ an outside trash bin. Pets are very clever as well asĀ determined! Some may chew through a weak container or use paws and noses to open cabinet doors,Ā so be diligent when pet-proofing your home!Ā
If you caught your petĀ overindulging onĀ food or notice your pet has a large,Ā distended stomach, contact your family veterinarian or local animal emergency hospital!Ā They can help determine the best course of action based on how much your pet ate and/or their symptoms.