Traditionally, most Irish wolfhound breeders and experts have advised that wolfhounds be fed twice a day from a raised bowl, and that if you use a dry food it should be pre-soaked so that the kibble softens and expands. The reason given for these measures is to reduce the risk of bloat and torsion (gastric dilation/volvulus or GDV).
However, we do things differently: our dogs are fed three times day, lying prone on the floor, and we don't soak the kibble. Our thinking is as follows:
We feed three times a day
We have always done this, but a recent, comprehensive study into the causes of GDV by Professor Larry Glickman of Purdue University shows a clear link between smaller, more frequent meals and a reduced incidence of GDV.
We feed prone
McGinty started this and the others have continued it. We don't know that it makes GDV less likely, but it seems to us that a dog is more relaxed and its internal organs are supported when it's lying down. Contrary to the widely held belief that raising the food bowl makes GDV less likely, Prof Glickman has shown that it actually increases the risk, possibly by encouraging greater intake of air (though it must be stressed that he was looking at several breeds of dog as well as wolfhounds). We do not know if the same is true of feeding prone.
At an early age, McGinty decided that
standing to eat was too much like hard work . . .
. . . so ever since, we've fed our dogs lying down.
Puppies quickly learn to do it in stages . . .
After all, it's natural for them to lie down
to chew on a bone.
. . and even Chewbacca, who was four when
he came to us, soon adapted.
We don't soak
We use a good quality, complete, dry, adult maintenance diet, to which we add interest in the form of a little warm 'gravy' made from tinned dog food, tuna, sardines or any left-overs that we may have, without allowing the kibble time to soften.
Breakfast in bed can be
a very sociable event.
The addition of something scrummy is essential . . .
. . . but there are limits!
Water is taken as required.
(Although we feed prone, water bowls
are raised for comfort.)
We have owned wolfhounds since 1994 and only Darcy has suffered from bloat (so far, fingers crossed). The first episode followed a prolonged period of recurrent colitis, and it seems reasonable to assume that this was an important contributory factor. The second occurred after a day at a particularly crowded and stressful dog show, when we had fed her from a raised bowl. Because we were present both times, neither episode progressed to torsion, and after the second she underwent gastropexy (surgical fixing of the stomach to the abdominal wall) to prevent recurrence. This procedure can be carried out as a preventative measure, and is well worth considering if your dog should ever have to undergo other abdominal surgery such as spaying.
Contrary to popular opinion, Dr Glickman's study showed no correlation between exercise on a full stomach and GDV. However, for our dogs' comfort (and our own) we avoid exercising for at least an hour after a meal, and delay feeding after a walk until they have at least had a chance to cool off and their breathing and heart rate has returned to normal.
The reason given for pre-soaking dry food is that the expansion of dry kibble in the stomach may cause GDV. However, it seems to us that by adding water to the food before feeding the stomach has to cope with a large volume and weight of food in a very short space of time.
Our dogs eat more slowly because the kibble is intact and requires chewing, and they then add the water they need themselves at their leisure. The ultimate volume and weight of food in the stomach is the same as in pre-soaking, but the stomach is filled over perhaps twenty minutes instead of two - or less.
We don't necessarily recommend that everyone should do as we do - it's for each individual owner to look at the options and to choose a feeding regime that suits their wolfhound and their lifestyle. However, we do suggest that you find out as much as you can about GDV and discuss it with your vet and breeder. When speaking to your breeder, try to find out if any of your wolfhound's direct relatives (ie parent or sibling) have had the condition, as this could mean that your wolfhound is at greater risk than average.
Exercise on a full stomach is uncomfortable,
and to be avoided regardless of
whether it increase the risk of bloat.
Finally, make sure that you and your family know the signs and symptoms of GDV, and that everyone understands that it is an emergency situation in which your wolfhound's life depends on getting the correct treatment as swiftly as possible.
The Irish Wolfhound Health Group provides a free, downloadable guide to bloat.
