Every dog experiences an upset stomach at some time, and if it is not serious, there are several things you may do to cure it yourself. Learn how you can help your dog’s stomach troubles.
It can be upsetting to witness your dog suffering from gastrointestinal pain. You want to assist them in feeling better, yet they are unable to convey what they require. Furthermore, human medicines may or may not be effective for your canine companion.
Even yet, there are a few measures you can do if you suspect your dog is suffering from an upset stomach since, let’s face it, dogs frequently consume stuff they shouldn’t be eating.
First, let’s go over some of the indications and warning indications of stomach troubles in dogs before we get into the specifics of how to cure upset stomach in dogs and reduce your dog’s bellyache.
Table of Contents
What Causes Dogs to Get an Upset Stomach?
First and foremost, you must ensure that your dog did not eat anything harmful before beginning to provide natural treatments for the upset stomach to alleviate their discomfort. If you have been with them all day, go through their day with them to see where they have been and what they may have gotten themselves into.
Make a mental note of anything you could have forgotten about, such as a shoe or a tiny toy, and keep an eye out for evidence of anything they could have chewed or eaten.
Also, study the list of plants that are harmful to dogs, as well as the list of human foods that are hazardous to dogs, to ensure that your pet has not come into touch with or eaten any of these substances. Call your veterinarian immediately for assistance when you believe your dog has consumed an item or harmful substance.
Dietary Modifications:
Dyspepsia can occur in dogs due to a change in their food or as a result of ingesting something they shouldn’t have. Check out this list of foods that dogs should not consume to ensure you’re not giving them anything that might cause them to have a stomach ache or indigestion. In other instances, your canine companion’s inability to eat is caused by previously undiagnosed food sensitivities. You might also go here to see if there are any other probable explanations for your dog’s lack of appetite.
Anxiety and Stress:
When a dog is frightened or anxious, they may experience gastrointestinal discomfort. When our canine companions are feeling unsettled, they might experience the same symptoms that we do: feeling “sick to the stomach.” The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include nausea, gas, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and aversion to eating.
After noticing these symptoms, take a look around your surroundings to see if any important triggers or changes made may be to blame. It may be necessary to consult with your veterinarian if you cannot eradicate the source of your dog’s tension and anxiety.
Your veterinarian can prescribe potential drugs, such as trazodone and offer specialist therapies that can help keep your pup quiet and collected.
Intolerance to Certain Foods:
There are some meals that dogs cannot consume, even though they are completely fine for people. When dogs eat seemingly harmless things such as grape, garlic, onions, and chocolate, they might become unwell due to the poisoning.
This is particularly true if your dog eats a considerable quantity of poisonous substances. Artificial sweetener xylitol is extremely hazardous to animals, and it should be kept in a high pantry in a tightly sealed container, away from your furry companion.
Toxins:
Your dog is experiencing digestive problems because he may have poisoned himself by eating something poisonous. Simply getting your dog’s paws into common home goods like over-the-counter medications or cleaning detergents might cause him to be poisoned.
Some plants might be harmful to your dog if they can run around in the garden with you. Ingestion of some plants, such as nettles and elephant ears, may result in vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs also have a penchant for rummaging into garbage cans, where they frequently discover a variety of intriguing and potentially harmful items to consume.
Parasites:
An upset stomach in a dog may be caused by parasites such as hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, giardia, coccidia, whipworm, and other types of parasites. Giardia is one of the more prevalent parasites on this list, but coccidia is uncommon.
If left untreated, these tiny parasites can have several negative effects on your pup, ranging from simple annoyance to potentially life-threatening complications.
Symptoms Your Dog Is Suffering From Stomach Pain:
A bloated stomach may cause us to lie down and relax or alert someone that we feel unwell. Also written all over our faces are the signs of our suffering and agony.
On the other hand, dogs do not express signals of suffering as freely as humans do because of their drive to conceal any vulnerabilities. Many indications are mild, and you may be inclined to dismiss them as unimportant or unimportant. Keep a lookout, though, for the following behaviors to occur.
Drooling and Smacking of the Lips:
The acid may cause harm to the esophagus, mouth, and teeth in dogs and humans alike when they vomit. Dogs suffering from nausea frequently have excessive saliva produced, which helps to neutralize the effects of acidic vomiting.
As a result, you may notice your dog drooling more than normal or smacking its lips in an attempt to keep the additional saliva under control.
Vomiting and Diarrhea Are Common Symptoms:
Vulnerability to vomiting and diarrhea are among the most visible indications of gastrointestinal disorders. If you notice your dog vomiting, make a note of the vomit’s color and substance if you need to take your dog to the veterinarian.
Additionally, while it may not be pleasant, it is always important to examine your dog’s feces to ensure that they are in good health. You may uncover fragments of whatever shoe or item your dog devoured!
Gas and Burping Are Common:
Burping and farts are entirely normal bodily functions. So, how can you tell if you’re experiencing something normal or if it’s an indication of stomach problems? Increased gas, gurgling sounds in the stomach, and excessive burping should all be kept an eye out for.
Loss of Weight:
When your dog’s stomach hurts, particularly if the condition persists, it will influence their ability to eat properly and efficiently. Your dog may have difficulty with the process of eating itself at first, coughing or hacking as it attempts to get the food down its throat.
The situation may deteriorate to the point when the animal stops eating entirely or reduces its appetite significantly. This will result in a significant reduction in body weight over time.
Grass Consumption:
If dogs eat grass intentionally induces vomiting or whether they eat it for enjoyment and then it happens to produce vomiting is a source of considerable debate among dog enthusiasts. We’ve observed enough nauseated dogs begin to eat grass to believe that it’s the former scenario.
However, if you notice your dog chewing grass in conjunction with some of the other signs listed above, they probably suffer from an upset stomach.
Not Eating:
When dogs’ stomachs are hurt, they behave similarly to people in that they refuse to eat. If you observe that your dog refuses to eat items that they normally enjoy, this might be a symptom of stomach pain. –
Dog Stretches His Neck and Raises His Head:
If your dog abruptly extends their neck and looks upwards, there is a significant possibility of feeling discomfort in its abdomen region. It’s an effort to alleviate the discomfort in their stomach area, and it’s typically a clear indication that they’re experiencing gastrointestinal problems.
Bad Breath:
When your dog vomits, chokes back bile, or has too much stomach acid, his breath will smell less than nice. Even though it does not often smell like roses, the odor is very intense and acidic.
Behavioral Change:
It’s probable that your pup is experiencing discomfort and low energy levels due to faulty digestion if they’re generally lively but begin to act differently, especially if their behavior is defined by lethargy and that they’re dealing with both.
The Underlying Problem:
An upset stomach may also indicate a more serious underlying problem. Your dog might be suffering from anything as innocuous as the flu or as potentially fatal as the parvovirus.
Your dog will probably exhibit other symptoms in addition to an upset stomach while suffering from a bacterial illness or a virus.
If the illness persists, dehydration will most likely be the most significant concern. This occurs when the body’s ability to retain fluids is impaired. Water accounts for around 75% of a dog’s total body weight, yet even ingesting significant amounts of water may not be enough to keep your dog from becoming dehydrated.
How to Treat Your Dog?
Following your determination that your dog’s upset stomach does not necessitate emergency medical assistance, you may try some of the tactics listed below to keep them healthy and happy. Listed below are the most popular methods of treating an upset stomach in canines.
Keep Them Hydrated at All Times:
Maintaining hydration is one of the critical things you can do for a dog experiencing stomach trouble. Your dog does not deserve to wind up at the vet’s office because of dehydration!
Keeping them hydrated entails more than just making sure their water dish is always full of water. Your dog may not be interested in drinking much water, or they may spit it back up after drinking a small amount. You might start by giving them a couple of ice chips or a little amount of water to drink in modest amounts.
Make Sure You Have Pedialyte on Hand:
Combating dehydration entails more than just providing water. The electrolytes that dogs and people require to be hydrated are the same. This is especially true when they are puking or have diarrhea.
One remedy that may be effective is administering some Pedialyte. While children’s Pedialyte may be sufficient, you may also get a canine version from your local pet store, which is generally available in powder form, if you prefer.
Keep an Eye on Their Body Temperature:
If you recall, a fever was one of the significant signs that necessitated immediate medical care in our previous article. Because dogs have thick coats of fur, it is unlikely that you will notice if your pet is experiencing fever symptoms.
If your child has an upset stomach, you should take their temperature regularly to ensure that there isn’t an underlying problem with them.
An oral thermometer is preferable to a rectal thermometer for taking a dog’s temperature. A dog’s typical body temperature is far greater than ours. The normal body temperature of a dog is between 101 and 102.5 Fahrenheit (or Celsius). If your dog’s temperature is 103 degrees or above, you should take them to the veterinarian.
Bland Diet:
During nausea, dogs may benefit from a bland diet consisting of soft foods (for example, cooked and diced chicken with bland white rice) that are easier to digest. Even though bland diets are designed to be boring, they can help relax your pet’s digestive tract until their typical taste, loose stools, and metabolism function are restored.
Bone Broth is a Delicacy:
According to PetMD, bone broth is an excellent approach to treat your dog’s digestive system. Not the canned variety – place the beef on a bone in a crockpot with some apple cider vinegar and water and cook on low for several hours.
It is OK to offer your tiny dog amounts of meat once it has fallen off the bone and cooled down. Alternatively, you may create bone broth ice cubes (after skimming off the fat and freezing it) and defrost them when your dog is unwell, rather than making a fresh batch. If you’re in a hurry, canned goods will suffice.
Prebiotics and Probiotics:
Prebiotics and probiotics must be used in conjunction to sustain a healthy microbiome in your dog’s digestive tract. By boosting the number of beneficial bacteria in your dog’s gut, you may assist him in getting rid of some of the harmful bacteria and toxins, allowing him to maintain a healthy balance that promotes wellbeing and reduces stomach problems.
Probiotics can be purchased at your local veterinarian clinic or through a pet speciality partner of your choosing. Alternatively, you may buy a portion of natural dog food that contains these components designed to promote digestive health.
Let them Fast:
We normally have rigorous feeding regimens for our dogs, calculating out exact amounts of food to serve them at specific times of the day. On the other hand, dogs in the wild do not adhere to a strict feeding schedule, and they may go for many days without eating.
One of the most straightforward methods of treating a dog with an upset stomach is restricting food intake for 12-24 hours. Their time without meals will allow their stomach to calm down, allowing indigestion to pass more easily. However, if you have a puppy, you should keep the fast to a maximum of 12 hours.
Discourage Your Dog From Consuming Any Greenery:
In certain dogs, it appears that they are compelled to consume grass when their stomach is not feeling well. According to some, the dog may be attempting to induce vomiting, but not all veterinarians agree. On the other hand, a consensus among veterinarians is that many lawns have been treated with fertilizers and other chemicals, rendering them unfit for a canine diet.
Some Additional Suggestions:
In addition to the home cures for an upset stomach, we have a few additional suggestions for you to consider.
Medication Available Over-The-Counter:
What to Give Your Dog If He Has a Stomachache
Some over-the-counter medications may be beneficial to your dog but always consult with your veterinarian first. Pepcid (for acid reflux and rumbling stomach) and Pepto-Bismol (for heartburn) are two often prescribed medications (for diarrhea).
Change the Dog Food:
If your dog suffers from indigestion regularly, you should consider switching to a portion of different dog food. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to dogs, and the brand you are presently using may not be the best fit for your dog’s breed or specific digestive system. Consult with your veterinarian for some advice.
In the Case of Emergency:
As previously said, if your dog’s condition does not improve or if they develop any more serious symptoms, take them to the veterinarian immediately.
Veterinary care should be sought if you are worried about dehydration in your child, particularly if you do not see any improvement after administering Pedialyte. Dehydration may be just as dangerous as a gastrointestinal issue in terms of its consequences.
How to Treat Your Dog’s Upset Stomach With Natural Remedies?
If you choose not to provide human pharmaceuticals to your dog, certain natural home remedies may be able to provide the necessary relief. However, they may not be the most effective treatments for your dog, so consult with your veterinarian before starting with any of these methods.
Some examples of natural home cures are as follows:
Rice with boiling chicken (boneless and without salt or spices added) — This dish is a favourite of mine. The exact portion varies from dog to dog. Starting with a half cup of cooked rice and around 4 ounces of chicken is a good place to start. You may also add water to the mixture if your dog isn’t drinking enough of it now.
Do Not Use Hamburger Meat in This Recipe (Ground Beef):
The meat in this recipe is extremely oily and will not relieve your dog’s upset stomach, despite it being a regular tip on forums.
Comparison of Home Remedies and Veterinary Consultation:
When your dog has an infrequent bad stomach, you can usually treat him at home. However, if your dog experiences recurrent episodes or exhibits any of the more serious symptoms listed above, we urge that you take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Symptoms that Need a Visit to the Veterinarian:
- Pacing with trepidation.
- Stool containing blood.
- Vomiting on an ongoing basis.
- Dehydration.
- The stomach is distended.
- Vomiting that is not wet (nothing coming out).
- Fever.
- Lethargy.
- Diarrhea that does not stop.
- Drooling is uncontrollable.
- Weight loss
The presence of any of these signs might indicate the presence of a more serious disease requiring veterinarian intervention. Even if your dog is suffering from a small stomach upset, you should always see your veterinarian before attempting any home cures.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What natural cure can I offer my dog if he has an upset stomach?
Following a period during which your dog can eat and looks to be feeling better, you may want to explore feeding them unsweetened plain yogurt that includes probiotics or a dog probiotic like that FortiFlora, Prostora, or Provable. Probiotics are live bacteria present naturally in the digestive tract and are beneficial to the gut’s health.
Is it OK to give Tums to dogs?
To summarize, you can provide Tums to your dog for digestive disorders. It may provide temporary comfort, even though it is almost probably not the most effective course of therapy. You must, however, follow specific standards and check with your veterinarian first, or else you risk making your dog even sicker than it already is.
Do bananas provide relief for a dog’s upset stomach?
The nutritional value of bananas is not only delicious for humans, but they are also a wonderful source of dietary fiber and magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C for both humans and dogs. Bananas can assist in calming a dog’s stomach while also providing a low-calorie source of energy.
Final Words:
As you can see, there are various options for treating an upset stomach in dogs, including natural therapies at home. If you have any worries or are unsure whether or not your dog is suffering from an emergency, contact your veterinarian immediately! When it comes to your pet’s health, it’s always better to be safe than regretful.
