Gastric torsion: how do you reduce the risk?

Gastric torsion in dogs – medically known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) – is a condition that many owners of large breeds read about sooner or later, often with a mixture of worry and confusion. It is a dramatic event: the stomach fills with gas and can subsequently twist, cutting off blood supply. What makes it particularly difficult is that it develops suddenly and becomes life-threatening at breakneck speed.

What do we know from research?

Interestingly, despite decades of research, the cause is still not fully understood. Instead, a clearer picture is emerging: gastric torsion is not the result of one specific error, but rather a combination of circumstances. Think of a dog with a deep chest, that eats quickly, is perhaps a bit more sensitive to stress, and has just finished a large meal. In such a moment, the puzzle pieces can fall into place.

In breeds such as the German Shepherd, body structure plays an important role (see also Great Danes and Setters). Their relatively deep and narrow chest literally gives the stomach more room to move. That may sound harmless, but that extra room to move can increase the risk of the stomach tilting. In combination with age – older dogs are at higher risk – and possibly genetic predisposition, a kind of "sensitive foundation" is created. Other high-risk breeds include the Weimaraner, Saint Bernard, Irish Setter, Poodle, Basset, Dobermann, etc.

Regarding nutrition and feeding, the picture is more nuanced than is often thought. There are persistent beliefs that, for example, kibble by itself causes gastric torsion, but there is no convincing evidence for this. The same applies to specific types of kibble. The type of food seems less important than the way it is served and consumed. Research has shown a pattern for years: dogs that receive one large meal a day are at greater risk than dogs that have their food spread throughout the day. This is likely related to the amount of food that ends up in the stomach all at once.

In addition, speed of eating plays a notable role. Some dogs gobble up their bowl in seconds, swallowing a lot of air in the process. This seems to increase the risk of stomach distension. It is therefore no coincidence that tools that encourage slower eating are increasingly recommended for high-risk breeds today. The same applies to rest around mealtime. A dog that starts running, playing, or jumping wildly shortly after eating simply has a higher chance of the stomach moving in an undesirable way.

An interesting example of how insights can change is the raised feeding bowl. For years it was thought that a higher bowl was better, partly for the dog's posture. However, later research showed that this may actually increase the risk of gastric torsion. Nowadays, it is generally advised to let dogs simply eat from the floor, unless there is a specific medical reason not to.

Nutrition

The food itself has also been studied, but the conclusions here are less definitive. There are indications that very high-fat diets can have an influence, possibly because fat slows down gastric emptying. This means that food remains in the stomach longer, which in turn can contribute to gas formation and pressure. However, these kinds of links are not black-and-white and are difficult to separate from other factors such as portion size and eating behavior. The same applies to specific ingredients: links are sometimes found, but they are rarely strong enough to draw hard conclusions.

Behavior and emotion

What is becoming increasingly clear is that behavior and emotion should also not be underestimated. Dogs that are more anxious or sensitive to stress appear to develop gastric torsion more often. Perhaps because stress affects digestion, or perhaps because these dogs eat differently or react differently to their environment. Either way, it shows that the problem is broader than just nutrition or anatomy.

A logical picture

If you take everything together, a practical picture emerges that actually feels quite logical. It is less about one specific "mistake" and more about reducing the accumulation of risks. A dog that eats calmly, receives several smaller meals, does not exercise intensely right after eating, and lives in a stable, calm environment simply has less chance of everything going wrong at once.

Concrete advice

• Divide food into two or three moments a day instead of one large meal.
• Prevent gobbling, for example with large kibble (e.g., the BF® Giant kibble) and/or a slow feeder (lick mat).
• Avoid intense exercise just before and after eating.
• Offer the food on the ground.
• Preferably avoid extremely high-fat diets.

Increased risk

For dogs with a clearly increased risk – for example due to breed or family history – some owners and veterinarians even opt for a preventative surgery where the stomach is fixed in place (gastropexy). This does not prevent the stomach from expanding, but it does prevent it from twisting, which is the most dangerous part of the process.

Noticeably reducing risk

Ultimately, gastric torsion remains a condition that can never be completely predicted or prevented. But precisely because we now know which factors play a role, you as an owner can certainly exert influence. And perhaps that is the most important message: not everything is fixed, and with a number of conscious choices, you can noticeably reduce the risk.

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