Upset Stomach in Dogs

Every dog breed is prone to suffer from an upset stomach at some time or the other. It is a common dog health problem, that all dog owners should be aware about. Puppies are most likely to develop an upset stomach and to treat it on time, it is essential that you watch out for the signs and symptoms of upset stomach in dogs. Stomach upset in dogs should not be ignored or left untreated as it can lead to various other dog illnesses. Mentioned below are the causes, symptoms, treatment, and some home remedies for upset stomach in dogs.

Causes of Upset Stomach in Dogs

Upset stomach in dogs can be caused due to various reasons like infections caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses, indigestion, food allergies, change in diet, motion sickness, intestinal worms, stress or trauma, etc. An upset stomach could also be caused if your dog is suffering from inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis. Eating the wrong food like stale food or food that contains a high fat content can also lead to stomach upset in dogs. Puppies develop an upset stomach because of eating stuff that they are not supposed to be eating and due to their underdeveloped digestive system. An upset stomach in dogs is triggered suddenly and it can be treated by identifying the following symptoms. Read more on inflammatory bowel disease in dogs.

Symptoms of Upset Stomach in Dogs

The following symptoms can be useful in identifying an upset stomach in dogs. If your dog is having an upset stomach, it may display a combination or all of these symptoms.

• Frequent loose or watery stools
• Vomiting
• Lack of appetite
• Increased thirst
• Bloating
• High fever
• Lethargy

Treatment for Upset Stomach in Dogs

It is essential to treat the dog as soon as it starts displaying these symptoms or else it could lead to chronic diarrhea, dehydration, and excessive weight loss. Treating upset stomach would be easier if the cause of it can be determined before administering the treatment. The best treatment for upset stomach in dogs caused due to indigestion or eating wrong, is to starve your dog for a day and to provide it with lots of drinking water. After the completion of 24 hours, you can feed the dog a little bland food to check if the upset stomach is any better. You can then gradually increase the quantity of food once you are sure that it is getting better. You can also administer an over-the-counter medication called pepto bismol in case its stomach is not better even after a day.

Remedies for Upset Stomach in Dogs

• You can make use of the following home remedies as a cure for upset stomach in dogs.
• While feeding the dog bland food, you can add a little yogurt to the food. The bacteria in the yogurt will help regulate the dog's bowel movements and will also reduce intestinal inflammation.
• Feeding your dog a little grass can be a good cure for upset stomach in dogs. Grass will help cleanse out your dog's digestive system.
• To prevent dehydration in your dog, you can administer Gatorade mixed with water or you can freeze it and let your dog lick it.
• To regulate upset stomach in dogs, you can add some probiotics to its food or even administer dietary supplements.
• Avoid feeding your dog any commercial food when it is suffering from an upset stomach. Feed it only fresh, bland, home cooked food like boiled chicken and boiled white rice.

In case the upset stomach persists, you should consult a veterinarian for medical assistance. Upset stomach in dogs should be treated appropriately to ensure its overall well-being.