It makes sense that our dogs would require a snack, just as we do, both before and after exercising. However, overfeeding your dog prior to exercise can result in bloat.
When a dog’s stomach fills with air, liquid, or food and twists on itself, nothing can pass through, this condition is known as bloat, also known as gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV). GDV can be fatal if not treated by a veterinarian right away because it can seriously harm your pet’s organs.
If you’re wondering how often you should feed your dog after exercise, keep reading to learn how often. What to do if your pet develops gastric torsion or bloat, and should you walk the dog or feed it first thing in the morning?
How long does it take for a dog to digest food?
The type of food consumed can affect how long it takes to digest a meal; some foods break down much more quickly than others. Additionally, the dog’s breed, age, and size can all affect how quickly it digests food.
An adult dog’s digestion of a meal takes, on average, 8 to 10 hours, but it may take less time or more time depending on the aforementioned factors.
GDV and bloating dangers after a meal
A dog might experience bloating after the first two hours of eating. When digestive system components roll, circulation is halted, and gas is trapped. This results in a dog’s stomach ballooning, as you can likely imagine.
GDV (see gastric dilation-volvulus definition) can be a lot worse the larger the meal. The treatment of GDV will depend on how serious the bloating and torsion is, with extreme cases ending in death.
I don’t wish to panic you though.
GDV isn’t as common as you might think, and in fact, my dog has probably run around and played within minutes of a big meal. However, it is a risk, but happily it doesn’t need to be a death sentence for your dog according to Vets-Now.com.
But if you want to be absolutely safe, I advise delaying exercise and a walk with your dog for at least 2 hours after eating.
How long does it take for a dog to have an empty stomach?
Dogs have a simple stomach anatomy, just like humans.
Dogs’ simple stomach structures mean that once the stomach is full of food, it will empty in a short period of time as the food moves into the small intestine. An empty stomach starts to send signals to the brain that trigger a hunger response after 8 to 10 hours.