Some research suggest that raised bowls may increase the chance of bloat.

I've heard that as well, but it would not have made any differance with Amber she always lay down to eat.

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Sorry about any wrong spelling, but I'm feed up of looking things up in the dictionary

I lost a Bullmastiff to bloat. He was raw fed so not fed in a bowl and did not bolt his food.

Gastric Dilatation - Stomach Bloat and Torsion In Dogs
Bloat in Dogs
Bloat - The Mother of All Emergencies - VeterinaryPartner.com - a VIN company!

Thanks for these links, hawksport.

It was interesting to read that we should control a dog's access to water during meal times, when most food manufacturers recommend a plentiful supply of fresh water. I've got to say that I'd feel unhappy about removing Bingley's water bowl during meal times. Do any of you do this?

I have only recently got my first dog from a resue centre so am learning quite alot by reading the posts on here. I'm concerned that I feed my dog in the morning about 30mins before he goes for his walk (30 mins slow paced first thing). As the cats are fed first he also anticipates his meal so is fed afterwards then walked after which I go to work. He is then walked again at lunchtime (15 - 20mins) then again in the evening (45mins - 1hr) after which he has his second meal approx 30 mins after getting home.
Should I give him his first meal after his first walk? Maybe take him out whilst the cats are being fed so he doesn't get jealous? Also he does tend to wolf his food down (he is currently on Purina OM dry food as he needs to lose a further 5kg) so should I split the meal to slow him down? he looks forward to his food so much (don't we all when we're on diets!) that I don't want to upset him but also don't want to get things badlywrong. Any advice is much appreciated!!

I lost my beautiful Leonberger to this nasty condition last april. I never restrict water just make sure that they dont gulp down loads as Bailey used to do.

My dog used to do very loud and large Burps after a meal.. this may also be a sign that they are prone to bloat.

I was sorry to read about Bailey, leosfarb; he looks very handsome in that photo.

Thanks for the advice. I haven't seen any indications that my own dog might be in danger of bloat, but reading some of the reports did make me stop and think. For the time being I've decided not to limit his access to water during meal times; he's clearly very thirsty after he's eaten and I'd feel uneasy about removing is water bowl (especially when there have been no indications that anything is amiss). I tend to think of him as a delicate drinker, rather than a gulper; and although he does sometimes give a loud burp, it's quite a rare event and I don’t feel too concerned about it. But for sure I'll now be on the lookout for any changes in this area.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

We feed our two labs from raised bowls I didnt realise it could cause bloat, would they be better to eat from the floor??

New studies have shown that this would be safer