The Purdue Bloat study, the largest and longest running bloat project to date, was done with the help of the AKC Canine Health foundation and main parent clubs. Results were published in the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.

Prospective Study of Morphometric, Genetic and Dietary Risk Factors for Bloat Lawrence Glickman, VMD, PhD; Purdue University.  Sponsors:  Akita Club of America, American Bloodhound Club, America Rottweiler Club, Collie Club of America Foundation, Irish Setter Club of America, Irish Wolfhound Club of America, Morris Animal Foundation, New-Pen-Del Newfoundland Club, and The Weimaraner Club of America.

Abstract:  In the largest prospective health study ever done involving companion animals, this project identified 1900 healthy dogs of 11 giant and large breeds and collected information from owners.  The dogs were followed for five years to measure the incidence of bloat, evaluate the effectiveness of commonly used bloat-prevention practices and determine the relationship between diet and bloat.  The researchers found that the risk of bloat increased with increasing age, having a first-degree relative with bloat and increasing chest/width ratio.  The breed at the highest risk was the Great Dane.  None of the practices usually advised by experts to prevent bloat, such as raising the food bowl and limiting the amount of exercise and water before or after eating, appeared effective.  In act one of these, raising the food bowl, was associated with a higher incidence of bloat.

Abstract of the dietary part:  Dietary risk factors for gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV) in dogs were identified using a nested case-control study. Of 1991 dogs from 11 large and giant-breeds in a previous prospective study of GDV, 106 dogs that developed GDV were selected as cases while 212 remaining dogs were randomly selected as controls. A complete profile of nutrient intake was constructed for each dog based on owner-reported information, published references and nutrient databases. Potential risk factors were examined for a significant (0.05) relationship with GDV risk using unconditional logistic regression.

The study: This study confirmed previous reports of increased risks of GDV associated with increasing age, having a first-degree relative with GDV, and having a raised food bowl. New significant findings included a 2.7-fold (or 170%) increased risk of GDV in dogs that consumed dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients. The risk of GDV was increased 4.2-fold (or 320%) in dogs that consumed dry foods containing citric acid that were also moistened prior to feeding by owners. Dry foods containing a rendered meat meal with bone among the first four ingredients significantly decreased GDV risk by 53.0%. Approximately 30% of all cases of GDV in this study could be attributed to consumption of dry foods containing fat among their first four ingredients, while 32% could be attributed to consumption of owner-moistened dry foods that also contained citric acid. These findings can be used by owners to reduce their dogs' risk of GDV.

To find detailed articles and information about Canine Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) see Purdue University's website at: Purdue University Epidemiology GDV.

Thank you Cindy Franklin for this very important article regarding Bloat.