Before or after walk? Vets give surprising answer about feeding your dog
Vets explain how to properly feed your dog (photo: magnific)
Feeding a dog before a walk can turn into a serious health risk. It increases dangers that most pet owners are not even aware of, Good Housekeeping warns.
Should dogs be walked after eating?
Veterinarian Hannah Donnelly recommends walking a dog first and feeding it afterward. The reason dogs should not be walked after eating is that excessive activity after a meal can cause stomach problems.
When a dog eats a large portion of food and then goes for a walk, gastric torsion can occur. In this condition, a large amount of gas becomes trapped, blood flow is restricted, and it can become life-threatening.
Bloating can also occur in small breeds such as chihuahuas. However, large dogs are at the highest risk, especially when they eat a full meal and then go on an active walk or play outdoors.
If you need to feed your large dog before going outside, the veterinarian advises adding water to dry food. This can at least partially reduce the risk associated with stomach problems.
Walking a small or medium-sized dog after eating is generally acceptable, especially if the walk is calm, such as a leashed stroll around the block without vigorous activity.
Symptoms of stomach problems
In cases of gastric torsion, a dog usually first shows signs of severe restlessness. It cannot settle, constantly gets up and lies down, and walks back and forth. It may look like panic or intense discomfort.
This is often followed by unsuccessful attempts to vomit. The dog strains but produces nothing, sometimes only saliva or foam. No food comes out.
The abdomen may rapidly expand and become hard and tense — one of the most important warning signs.
The dog's condition then worsens: it becomes weak, may struggle to stand or lie down, breathing and heart rate increase, and the gums may turn pale.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
