Q: One of my Great Danes recently died of stomach bloat and I have heard of several other Danes recently with the same fate. What can I do to prevent this from happening to my other Danes? What causes this terrible problem?

A: Yes, bloat is a really terrible thing. I have seen many cases of it. Experts do not really know exactly why it occurs, but in my experience it was always associated with a big meal, lots of water, and exercise within 30 minutes of eating. I would recommend the following items:

1. Feed 2 to 3 times daily on a strict schedule.

2. Soak food in water for 20 minutes before feeding and then throw a small handful on top for “crunch” factor.

3. No major exercise for at least 30 minutes after eating.

4. Spread food out in a cake pan rather than a bowl to slow down eating.

I have never seen bloat occur using this protocol, but I obviously can not guarantee that it will not happen as we do not know, with 100% certainty, what causes bloat and how to prevent it. Thank you for your interest in Best Breed dog food.