4Health food and bloat?

[Dizzy Z]

Hello again! I actually had a question this time about feeding. I would like to use a 4 star+ food when we get our boxer, but want one that is reasonable. I thought I had found that in 4Health. Its sold at my Tractor Supply and the ingredients list looks pretty good, and looking online it rates about a 4 star dogfood, with the exception of 2 formulas. The price is right, and the ingredients arent bad... my biggest concern: bloat.

I know Boxers, being deep chested dogs are more prone to it, and I read an account online about a kennel losing their GSD after feeding this food to bloat, and he conducted an experiment with the kibble in water, and noticed it swelled up quite a bit compared to other foods. I havent found anything else relating to it, or others experience. Could be an isolated incident? Opinions? Thoughts?

I do know that it does have grains in it, and if the Boxer has allergies I will be switching to a grain free food. Ive already chosen TOTW if that happens, but I figured I would give 4Health a shot, as saving $15 per bag sounds pretty good budget wise when feeding 2 larger sized dogs. Looking at the feeding quantities, they are pretty close as well.

 

[LILYLARUE]

I don't know about this food, but it is not well known that kibble containing citric acid can create bloat if mixed with water. And yep, just like you said, it swells up, creating a chemical reaction, in turn causing excessive build up of gas - Bloat. What typically happens is the stomach then turns/twists and that is what kills the dogs - Tersion.

My one dog used to get extreme gas, and could tell immediately when her belly sounded like a drum if I tapped on it. I would then spend up to an hour, massaging and "beating" her torso to help her pass some gas (boy oh boy was she tooting up a storm!). Luckily it always worked and never had to run to the ER. But I am sure had I not known this was one of her allergy issues, I may have lost her to bloat/tersion.