DAY 17 - Bloating & Acid Reflux in Chow Chows: What We Learned from Zoey’s Tummy Troubles

If you’ve ever noticed your Chow Chow acting a little "off" after a meal—restless, licking their lips, or skipping food altogether—you’re not imagining it. We went through the same thing with Zoey. One day she was her usual happy self, and the next, she was clearly uncomfortable... but we had no clue why.

After a visit to the vet, we learned it was mild bloating paired with acid reflux—two digestive issues that Chow Chows are unfortunately more prone to than many other breeds.

Here’s Zoey’s story, what the vet told us, and how we’re now managing it at home with small changes that make a big difference.

🐾 What Are Bloating and Acid Reflux in Dogs?

Bloating in Dogs (Gastric Dilatation)

Bloating is more than just a full tummy—it’s a serious condition where the stomach fills with gas or food and expands. In severe cases, it can twist (a life-threatening condition called Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or GDV).

Acid Reflux in Dogs (Canine GERD)

Acid reflux, just like in humans, is when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. It causes burning, nausea, loss of appetite, and general discomfort—and is often overlooked in dogs.

🦁 Why Are Chow Chows More Prone to Digestive Issues?

Chow Chows are built differently—literally.

🔸 Their deep chests make them more likely to experience bloating.

🔸 They’re stoic by nature, so they don’t always show signs of discomfort right away.

🔸 Many Chows have food sensitivities that trigger digestive issues without warning.

For Zoey, it came out of nowhere. She seemed uncomfortable, wasn’t excited about her food, and kept licking her lips. That’s when we booked a quick vet visit—just to be safe.

🩺 Zoey’s Diagnosis & What the Vet Recommended

The vet ran a few checks, ruled out any serious conditions, and confirmed it was mild bloating with signs of acid reflux.

She was given a vet-prescribed digestive aid to soothe her tummy, and we were advised to make some simple lifestyle and diet changes at home to help prevent it from coming back.

🏡 What We're Doing at Home to Manage Bloating & Reflux

Here’s Zoey’s new tummy-care routine—and yes, it’s been working like magic!

🥣 1. Smaller, More Frequent Meals

We now split her meals into 3-4 portions throughout the day to avoid overloading her stomach.

🐾 2. Slightly Elevated Feeding Bowl

This reduces air swallowing while eating, but it’s kept low enough to maintain proper posture.

🐟 3. Gentle, Sensitive-Protein Diet

We switched to salmon- or lamb-based kibble, avoiding chicken and common allergens.

✅ Grain-free

✅ No artificial preservatives

✅ Omega-3 enriched for gut and skin health

🛌 4. Rest Time After Meals

We make sure Zoey rests at least 30–45 minutes after eating—no zoomies or walks right after meals.

🧊 5. Hydration, But Controlled

Water is always available, but we prevent Zoey from gulping large amounts after meals to avoid bloat.

🦴 6. Slow Feeders & Lick Mats

These tools slow down eating, helping reduce gas buildup and keeping mealtime mentally engaging.

⚠️ Early Warning Signs of Bloating or Acid Reflux in Dogs

Not sure what to look out for? Here are some signs Zoey showed:

🔸 Lip licking or air swallowing

🔸 Loss of appetite

🔸 Mild burping

🔸 Pacing or restlessness after meals

🔸 Standing with head lowered

🔸 Occasional gagging without vomiting

If your dog shows any of these, don’t wait—a vet visit could save you time and your pup discomfort.

🐶 Final Woof: Listen to Your Dog’s Gut (Literally!)

Chow Chows are majestic, low-key, and pretty quiet about their discomfort—so it’s up to us to catch the subtle signs.

With Zoey, we caught it early, and with a combo of vet care and simple at-home changes, she’s back to her happy, fluffy self. Now, we’re more aware of how big a role digestion plays in her overall mood and energy.

📢 Has your Chow experienced tummy troubles? What worked for you? Share your experience below so we can learn from each other—Zoey would approve! 🐾💛