Large breed dogs (anything from a Labrador size and up) have a couple of things to consider when feeding them  the calcium balance and bloat is linked to diet

 

Calcium

 

Diets in which meat (fresh or cooked) makes up a significant proportion (say more than 25%) of the diet need to be supplemented with Ca (Calcium) and P (Potassium).  This is vitally important in the growing dog but adult animals should also have the meat portion of the diet balanced by CA and P.

 

Milk (if tolerated by the G.I.T.) and raw bone can provide Ca and P in a balanced form it there is a need for additional amounts of these minerals.

 

Balanced commercial diets to not require calcium supplementation.

 

My advice to owners and breeders when asked to feed their young rapidly growing large breed dog (e.g. Rottweiler) is to use one of the professional dry food diets (Pedigree Advance Growth, Eukanuba Puppy, etc.) and to feed it as a sole diet by food restricted feeding.  Iams and Waltham now make a large puppy formulation with a lower Ca content to help prevent excessive Ca intake.  If variety is desired to increase appetite, the base diet can be used  to make up 75% of the dogs food intake and canned food, meat, raw bones and vegetables can be used to make up the remaining 25% of the diet.  I do not recommend supplementing this diet but suggest that is the remaining 25% is always meat, bone meal should be added to the appropriate amount (usually 2 teaspoons per kg of meat until adulthood).

Bloat

A recent survey  of large breed dogs showed that within their lifetime there is a 24% chance of getting the potentially fatal disease bloat. 

What is bloat?

Bloat is a disease of large breeds such as Great Danes, Rottweilers, German Shepherds etc., that causes the stomach to stop working, distend with air and maybe even turn around on it’s axis.  This series of events can be so serious that death often ensues.  One study indicates that only 60% of dogs that develop bloat will survive.

Bloat causes abdominal distension particularly on the left side, this distension often occurs quickly and will cause pain and shock.  Many dogs with bloat will lie in a ‘praying position’ with the front legs pulled forward and the rump in the air.  Often its development is associated with eating and/or exercise.

Dogs with bloat need immediate treatment and this involves decompressing the stomach, getting it back into a normal position and treating the shock and other associated problems.  Most dogs need emergency surgery.

Identified risk factors are

Ø  Maleness - male dogs have increased incidence

Ø  Breed – some studies indicate up to 42% of Great Danes may suffer bloat in their lifetime

Ø  Age – the incidence goes up with age

Ø  Exercise – before and after eating

Ø  Food particle size – food should be fed as larger lumps, preferably greater than 3 cm in diameter

Ø  Frequency of Feeding – feed frequently to avoid bloat

Ø  Variable diet – a diet which varies is less liklely to cause bloat. Include table scraps and other foods to achieve this

Ø  Decrease Stress – periods of stress like going into boarding kennels can induce an attack of bloat

Ø  Deep narrow-chested dogs are more prone to the problem

Ø  Happy dogs don’t get bloat as often as fearful, anxious dogs