Relieving Your Dog's Tummy Troubles: What to Giv
Jan 04,2025 | puaintapets
As pet owners, we understand how concerning it can be when our furry friends suffer from an upset stomach. Whether it's caused by a sudden dietary change, an illness, or even anxiety, dogs can experience stomach discomfort just like humans. Thankfully, there are several things you can give your dog to help soothe their upset stomach and support their recovery.
In this article, we’ll explore some safe home remedies and helpful tips for treating an upset stomach in dogs. We'll also discuss when it's necessary to contact your veterinarian for further assistance.
What are the Symptoms of an Upset Stomach in Dogs?
I. Digestive Symptoms
This is one of the common symptoms of gastrointestinal upset in dogs. It may be vomiting undigested food or white foamy liquid. If there is yellow bile or blood in the vomit, the situation is more serious.
For example, if your dog vomits up some of his food shortly after eating, it may be because the food is difficult to digest or the stomach is irritated.
This is manifested by unformed faeces, which may be soft, loose or watery. The frequency of diarrhoea varies from once or twice a day in mild cases to frequently in severe cases.
Dogs that are infected with intestinal parasites or have eaten spoiled food may show signs of diarrhoea.
- Loss of appetite
The dog lacks interest in food and doesn't want to eat food that he originally enjoyed. This is because when the stomach and intestines are upset, digestion decreases and the dog does not feel hungry or eating causes discomfort.
For example, dogs may turn away from the smell of food when they have gastrointestinal inflammation.
- Bloating
The dog's abdomen looks swollen than usual and feels gassy or hard when touched. This may be due to slow digestion of food in the gut, which produces gas or a build-up of undigested food.
Dogs are prone to bloating when they eat too much indigestible food, for example.
- Increased farting
Due to the digestive disorders in the stomach and intestines, the production of gas in the intestines increases, and the frequency of farting in dogs will be higher than usual.
II. Systemic Symptoms
- Mental depression
Dogs with gastrointestinal distress will appear listless and not as active as usual. They may lie on their backs all day and lack interest in things around them.
For example, after contracting gastroenteritis, the dog will be less active and show mental depression due to the discomfort.
- Symptoms of dehydration (in severe cases)
If the gastrointestinal discomfort leads to diarrhoea and vomiting for a prolonged period of time, the dog may show signs of dehydration. This is manifested by sunken eyes, reduced skin elasticity, and a slowing of the skin to return to its original shape after pinching the skin on the dog's neck or back with the hand.
What Causes Gastrointestinal Discomfort in Dogs?
There are many reasons for gastrointestinal upset in dogs, and here are some common causes.
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Dietary problem
Dogs may have eaten food that is not fresh or spoiled, or human food. The dog may also be allergic to certain foods or unable to digest certain foods. Additionally, the dog may have swallowed foreign objects during the eating process, which can lead to intestinal problems and diarrhoea.
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Digestive Problems
A dog's digestive system can be affected for a number of reasons. For example, a dog may be infected with digestive bacteria or viruses, or suffer from a digestive disorder such as gastroenteritis. Dogs may also have diarrhoea as a result of intestinal discomfort caused by certain medications.
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Environmental Problems
Environmental issues may also cause diarrhoea in dogs. For example, the dog may be infected with certain environmental bacteria or parasites, or be in an environment that contains toxic substances. In addition, changing the environment in which your dog lives, such as changing homes or travelling, may also cause gastrointestinal upset.
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Disease
Diarrhoea in dogs can also be a sign of certain illnesses. For example, a dog may be suffering from infectious diseases, immune system problems or other serious illnesses that can lead to gastrointestinal problems and diarrhoea.
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Parasitic infection
Dogs that are infected with parasites, such as roundworms and hookworms, may also cause diarrhoea. These parasites can multiply in your dog's intestines and damage the mucous membranes of your dog's intestines.
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Food poisoning
Dogs accidentally eat something poisonous, or eat expired mouldy food, which irritates the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to pain, diarrhea and other symptoms.
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Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis in dogs can also cause severe abdominal pain in the upper abdomen, which is mainly manifested by the affected dog walking with an arched back. This condition requires treatment for pancreatitis in addition to pain relief.
Related: How to Best Comfort a Dog With Pancreatitis
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Gastroenteritis
When a dog suffers from gastroenteritis or viral gastrointestinal, there may be intestinal spasms that can cause pain.
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Stress or anxiety
Dogs can also feel stress and anxiety, and when they are in this state, gastrointestinal function may be affected, leading to diarrhoea.
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Sudden change of dog food
Some pooper scoopers may suddenly change their dog's food, which may cause your dog's stomach to become uncomfortable, which in turn can cause diarrhoea.
If your dog shows symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort, it is recommended that you take it to the vet in time in order to determine the exact cause and treat it accordingly.
What Can You Give a Dog For Upset Stomach?
There are several safe and natural remedies you can try at home to help relieve your dog’s stomach discomfort. These remedies are typically mild and can work wonders in easing digestive issues.
Safe Home Remedies for an Upset Stomach
1.Fasting and Water
If your dog has an upset stomach, it’s important to give their digestive system a break. Fasting for 12 to 24 hours (depending on the dog’s age, size, and overall health) can help their stomach recover. However, make sure to offer plenty of fresh water during this time to prevent dehydration.
2.Plain Rice and Boiled Chicken
A bland diet is a common recommendation for dogs with upset stomachs. Boiled chicken (without skin or bones) and plain white rice are easy on your dog’s digestive system. This combination provides easy-to-digest proteins and carbohydrates, which can help soothe your dog’s stomach.
How to Prepare a Bland Diet
- Boil the chicken (boneless, skinless) without any seasoning or spices.
- Cook the rice until it's soft and easily digestible.
- Mix a small amount of chicken with rice in a 1:2 ratio.
Feed your dog small portions of this bland diet several times a day for a few days, gradually reintroducing their regular food as they start feeling better.
3.Pumpkin for Dogs
Pumpkin is a great remedy for digestive issues in dogs. It’s high in fiber, which helps regulate digestion and can relieve both constipation and diarrhea. You can add plain, canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) to your dog's food.
- How to Use: Add 1-2 teaspoons of pumpkin to your dog's food for small dogs and 1-2 tablespoons for large dogs.
4.Ginger and Other Natural Remedies
Ginger is another excellent natural remedy that can help soothe your dog’s stomach. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce nausea and vomiting. A small amount of ginger (fresh or powdered) mixed with their food can be beneficial.
Other natural remedies include slippery elm or papaya, both of which can help calm your dog’s digestive tract.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Ginger
Treatment with medication (under the guidance of a veterinarian)
Probiotics: Probiotics can regulate intestinal flora and improve digestion. You can choose pet-specific probiotic products and add them to your dog's food according to the dosage instructions.
Antibiotics: If your dog's gastrointestinal discomfort is caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics may be required for treatment. However, the use of antibiotics must be under the guidance of a veterinarian, as different bacterial infections require different antibiotics and misuse of antibiotics may lead to resistance problems.
Antiemetics and antidiarrhoeal medication: If your dog has severe symptoms of vomiting or diarrhoea, antiemetic medication (e.g. Gastrografin) and antidiarrhoeal medication (e.g. montelukast) can be used to alleviate the symptoms. But again, they need to be used under the guidance of a veterinarian to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the medication.
When to Seek Veterinary Help
While many cases of upset stomach in dogs can be resolved at home, there are situations where professional help is necessary. You should seek veterinary care if:
Severe Vomiting or Diarrhea
If your dog is vomiting or having diarrhea frequently (more than 3 times in 24 hours), it’s important to consult with a vet. These symptoms can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous if not addressed.
Blood in Stool or Vomit
If you notice blood in your dog’s stool or vomit, it’s important to seek immediate veterinary attention. This could be a sign of a more serious issue, such as gastrointestinal bleeding or infection.
FAQs
What human medicine can I give my dog for an upset stomach?
Human medications that can be used with caution for gastrointestinal upset in dogs (must be under veterinary supervision)
- Metoclopramide
When a dog is experiencing symptoms of vomiting, Gastroflora can act as an antiemetic by acting on dopamine receptors in the central nervous system. For example, if a dog is vomiting due to motion sickness, mild food poisoning, or gastrointestinal inflammation, it may be used when judged appropriate by a veterinarian.
Precautions
The dosage varies for different sized dogs and overdose may cause some side effects such as muscle tremors and ataxia. And not all cases of vomiting are suitable for the use of Gastrodin, for example, if the vomiting is caused by a serious illness such as intestinal obstruction, the use of Gastrodin may mask the symptoms and delay treatment.
- Berberine
If the dog is suffering from diarrhoea and gastrointestinal discomfort due to a mild intestinal bacterial infection, Berberis may have some antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
Cautions
The tolerance of dogs to Berberisin is different from that of humans, and the dosage needs to be strictly controlled. And if your dog's gastrointestinal discomfort is caused by viral infections, parasitic infections, or other non-bacterial factors, safranin may be ineffective and may even have adverse effects.
What food is good for dogs upset stomach?
Conclusion
In conclusion, when your dog has an upset stomach, it’s essential to monitor their symptoms carefully and provide supportive care. Simple home remedies, such as fasting, a bland diet, and pumpkin, can help soothe your dog’s stomach. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, it's always best to consult a veterinarian to rule out more serious health issues.