Note the emphasis on raised food bowls and the first 3-4 ingredients in comercial dogs foods.

Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Schellenberg DB, Raghavan M, Lee T. have also posted a followup study on the dietary risk factors that they found associated with GDV. People might be interested in viewing their site/referring clients to this site as well. Here is a cut and paste of the abstract (not yet in print as best I can tell):

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/epi/dietrisk.htm

Dietary Risk Factors for Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) in 11 Large and Giant Dog Breeds: A Nested Case-Control Study ABSTRACT

Malathi Raghavan, DVM, MS; Lawrence T. Glickman, VMD, DrPH; Nita W. Glickman, MS, MPH; Diana B. Schellenberg*, MS.

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 (p<0.05) relationship with GDV risk using unconditional logistic regression.

The study confirmed previous reports of an increased risk of GDV associated with increasing age, having a first-degree relative with GDV, and having a raised food bowl. New significant findings included a 2.6-fold (or 160%) increased risk of GDV in dogs that consumed dry foods containing fat among the first four ingredients. The risk of GDV significantly increased 3-fold (or 200%) in dogs that consumed dry foods containing citric acid as a preservative. Dry foods containing a rendered meat meal with bone product among the first four ingredients significantly decreased GDV risk by 53.0%. Moistening of dry food alone was not associated with GDV risk, but consumption of owner-moistened dry foods that also contained citric acid significantly increased GDV risk 4-fold (or 300%). Approximately 30 and 33% of all cases of GDV in this study could be attributed to consumption of dry foods containing fat among their first four ingredients or citric acid, respectively. These findings can ! be used by owners to select dry foods that may reduce the risk of GDV.

Note: A detailed report of this study will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed veterinary journal. Until it is published, we are prevented by journal copyright policy to release any information other than this abstract.