Prevention of Stomach Flip in Dogs - These Easy Strategies May Save the Life of Your Best Friend

Let's take a look at the reasons for stomach flip in order to learn how to prevent its occurrence.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Your dogs stomach has an enormous capacity to take in food, to stretch and grow to take in as much as possible.

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

This is part of his ancestors heritage.

Before civilisation dogs did not have access to regular meals and there was competition at the table when food was around. So once a group of dogs had found their prey they stuffed themselves as much as possible. After supper each member of the family went to a quiet place to digest - often bringing up the food from inside the stomach to re-eat it in peace.

This behavior was also useful to bring up the young: Parents would go out hunting and bring back food in their stomachs to feed their pups.

This age old habit can still be seen in brood bitches much to the dislike of their owners who often do not understand why the dam brings up her own food in front of her puppies.

Since stomach flip most often occurs when the dog has a full stomach the first line of prevention is this:

Do not allow your pet to eat as much as he can! Rather feed him two to three times a day so his stomach is never packed. Make sure his food is always fresh and up to scratch, never feed him anything that has gone off or is on the verge of fermenting. Do not feed him on anything which may upset his stomach.

If you feed him on dried food: Remember dried food does expand when you add fluid and even a small looking quantity of food pellets may take up a lot of space inside your dogs stomach.

Never exercise him after a meal but make sure he gets time to rest and digest. Do not feed him before any strenuous activity. Remember, he was made to digest his meal lying down and not running around. Do not play with your dog for some time after a meal.

If you have two or more dogs they often want to play right after their meal - do not let them

The reason for all these precautions is this:

If your dog rolls over on a full stomach his stomach might not be able to follow the movement of the body. As it stays in place it gets cut off from the gullet and the small intestine. Food inside the stomach can not be passed on anymore but digestion continues.

The digestive process produces digested food as well as gasses which can not leave the stomach so it just builds up inside causing a lot of pressure.

Your dog tries to vomit but can not get rid of the food since the gullet is blocked.

Imagine the pain and suffering this causes him!

If he does not get help in this situation, he will die within hours.

So in order to protect his life why not consider putting him under the Stomach Flip Prevention scheme?

It may take some getting used to but as they say: Prevention is always better than cure!

Prevention of Stomach Flip in Dogs - These Easy Strategies May Save the Life of Your Best Friend

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

Caring For Your Pet Bichon Frise - Are You Giving Your Best Friend the Best Canine Care?

Bichon Frises mature slower than other dogs and require more patience and different techniques than with other breeds. The needs of a German Shepherd may not be those of a Bichon Frise.

dog food for sensitive stomachs

Do not buy your puppy from a pet store; you may never learn the dog's background and rearing history which a good breeder will always reveal. A pet store puppy may have lived outside of a home and be fearful of household activity; good breeders ensure their puppies are used to all the experiences of a home environment and will settle quickly with new owners. A pet store seldom takes an interest in their puppies once they have sold them; good breeders know which of their puppies are dominant or quiet, enthusiastic, lively or placid. They are able to match the right puppy to the right owner and offer advice on grooming, feeding, training and health care. You and your dog should be happy with each other!

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs

So now you have your new companion, what care does your new friend need? Well, for a start, the Bichon Frise needs frequent grooming. Brushing will help maintain a clean and healthy coat and also help you keep a closer eye on your animal's health while strengthening the bond between you. If the coat is left ungroomed, it will turn tight and curly and lose its snowy appearance. Brush your Bichon's coat frequently, and always before bathing, to remove tangles and loose or matted hair. Brush very carefully around the nose and eyes to avoid distressing your dog. Clean around the eyes daily to remove unsightly tear staining and help prevent dirt and bacteria from causing harm. Clean your Bichon's ears gently with a warm, damp cloth. Bichons can develop ear infections as the hair grows thickly around the ear canals; attention here will help prevent this. Trim nails too; long nails can affect the way your dog walks, as well as causing damage to flooring! The Bichon Frise also needs good dental hygiene, so be sure to brush the teeth twice weekly to avoid build up of plaque and tartar which cause cavities and disease.

Feeding the Bichon Frise requires careful thought too. Most animals will thrive on fresh food, and the Bichon Frise is no exception. A dietary blend that contains poultry, lamb and fish is closest to the dog's natural requirement. It is perfectly safe to feed dogs raw meat; although it is unsafe for humans to eat uncooked meat due to bacteria such as salmonella, dogs have a natural immunity and can eat the bacteria in meat without a problem. However, you should never feed them moldy food or cooked bones.

Most artificial diets are based on grains and cereals, diets suited to mammals with long digestive tracts such as grazing animals. Dogs have the large stomach and short straight digestive tract required to digest meat. They cannot break down complex carbohydrates such as corn, soybean and wheat, which can cause chronic digestive problems or itchy skin. Avoid corn-based dry dog food in case this has been tainted with aflatoxins which are lethal. Avoid artificial preservatives and additives too; these can cause cancer, skin problems, or allergies. Switching dog food brands too rapidly can also cause digestive troubles; mix the new food in with the familiar food in gradual amounts to avoid sudden reactions. Bichons should always be fed top quality dog food containing no harmful meat or poultry by-products.

Look after your Bichon Frise and you will have a wonderful companion and friend!

Caring For Your Pet Bichon Frise - Are You Giving Your Best Friend the Best Canine Care?

Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs