Hot, humid weather will cause cattle to eat a greater proportion of their feed at night, rather than during the day. Improper mixing of feed can cause acidosis. As previously discussed improper bunk management can be a cause of acidosis. Only occasional cleaning of water troughs will also affect intake. Inclusion of an ionophore may help reduce intake fluctuations.
Gas then accumulates causing distention of the rumen.
The skin on the left side of the animal behind the last rib may appear distended. Although bloat is often classified as being either pasture or feedlot bloat, it is probably more accurate to identify it as being either free-gas bloat or frothy bloat. Frothy bloat is more common in cattle eating legumes or lush grass than in feedlot cattle. Free-gas bloat is more common in feedlot cattle. In situations of foamy or frothy bloat, gas production is not greatly increased but the gases are trapped in the foam.