Dogs have a high appetite and thus can feed on any food at their disposal. Therefore, getting a stomach upset or indigestion is very common.
At times, healthy dogs vomit or have diarrhea due to eating indiscriminately. Spoilt food, allergy, or overeating are some of the reasons that contribute to sensitive stomach issues.
A stomach ache is not a major illness unless symptoms worsen. So, as the owner, you can look for ways to soothe your dog’s sensitive stomach at home without visiting a vet.
However, if your efforts bore no fruit, you can consult a vet for further diagnosis. The key factor in succeeding in natural treatment is to ascertain what caused the problem.
What Causes Your Dog to Have a Sensitive Stomach?
1. Overeating
Dogs can’t control the amount of food to take. If you fill its bowl, it will gulp every bit, so it’s up to you to control its intake. However, high-calorie greasy food is a common cause of stomach upset.
2. Viruses
Viruses such as parvo and distemper can weaken your dog’s immune system, thus subjecting it to bacterial infection. Among the common causes of gastrointestinal upsets is bacterial attacks.
3. Changing Diet
Changing a dog’s meal can cause stomach upset and more so if done abruptly. So, introduce new food at intervals to check, which will be considerable. A dog may also have an allergy to a particular food.
4. Taking Poison
Dogs feed and snuff on almost everything at their disposal. They can feed on pesticides or medicine thrown at dustbins. Dogs that get out often can feed on spoilt food in garbage leading to diarrhea and vomiting.
5. Stress and Nervousness
Like humans, stress and anxiety affect dogs and can cause stomach upset. The feeling of uneasiness affects gastrointestinal functioning leading to diarrhea or flatulence. To avoid that, look around the dog’s environment to ascertain the cause of stress, solve the matter or seek the vet’s assistance.
6. Parasites Infestation
Worms such as whipworm, hookworm, and giardia, among others, can make a dog to have a stomach upset. If the dog stays long without deworming, these tiny parasites can cause havoc to your dog’s stomach leading to diarrhea.
7. Food Sensitivity
Foods such as chocolates, garlic, grapes, etc., can cause a stomach upset if ingested in large quantities. Natural sweeteners such as xylitol are toxic to dogs and thus should be avoided.
How Would You Know If Your Dog Has a Sensitive Stomach?
A sensitive stomach is a pervasive issue with dogs. Since the dog can’t tell you when it has a sick stomach, defining the problem may be more challenging. However, if you notice the following signs and symptoms, your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Recurrent Loose Stools
Changing a dog’s meal can lead to loose poops or stool, which looks different from their usual poop. Therefore, if you suspect the new food or supplement is the cause, observe your dog for some time to see if it will normalize. The possibility is that your dog has a stomach upset.
Check His /Her Temperature
The recommended thermometer, which is more precise, is a rectal thermometer. But if you don’t have a rectal thermometer, you can use an ear thermometer. The normal temperature of a dog is 101.5F. Therefore, any temperature slightly higher than that means the dog has a fever. Likewise, if the temperatures go below the average, your dog is unwell.
Frequent Vomiting
Sometimes it’s no big deal when a dog pukes, especially after eating random things. It may be contaminated food or a type they aren’t used to consuming. However, if you notice frequent vomiting around mealtimes, it clearly indicates that your dog has a sensitive stomach.
Unending Diarrhea
If you notice your dog is experiencing ongoing diarrhea, and all the efforts to stop it bore no fruit, it’s necessary to visit a vet. The vet will ascertain if the dog has a bacterial infection or a sensitive stomach.
You Hear Stomach Sounds
Indigestion causes a gurgly tummy, which is common after eating. The stomach growling and rumbling are very noticeable. Therefore, be keen and watch for other signs of a sensitive stomach that may occur later.
Loss of Appetite
Dogs lose interest in food when having a sensitive tummy. But while experiencing that, they tend to have excessive thirst. So, ensure you keep it hydrated all through.
Natural Ways to Soothe Your Dog’s Sensitive Stomach
An upset tummy isn’t a nice feeling for the dog and the owner, who may be required to clean every mess, such as accidental diarrhea or vomits. So, knowing a few home remedies to clear an upset stomach is very necessary. Check the following.
1. Do Away with Food for 12-24 Hours
Canines can survive without food for a slightly more extended period while in the wild. Therefore, subjecting fasting to your dog won’t do them any harm. The fact is, denying them food will help the gastrointestinal tract to clear and recover quickly.
However, do not remove food for puppies for over 12 hours. But in the meantime, you can rub Marple syrup on your puppy’s gums to stabilize glucose levels.
2. Give Him/Her DiarRice
DiarRice is a rice and probiotics formulation that is essential for calming a dog’s irritated stomach. It also contains pumpkin and rice fiber, which is easy to digest, and thus it’s supposed to work speedily. So, if you notice prolonged healing time, seek vet’s services.
3. Use Over-the-Counter Drugs
Over-the-counter medication is good but should be administered with the guidance of a professional veterinarian. Pepcid, Imodium, or Pepto –Bismol drugs are the most commonly used drugs to cure diarrhea. However, know the side effects of the drugs before using them on your dogs.
4. Ensure the Dog Is Hydrated
It is necessary to keep your dog hydrated but vital when the dog is vomiting and having diarrhea. Both conditions dehydrate the dog within hours, so it’s better to add vitamins or electrolytes to the drink.
5. A Bland Diet
Avoid fatty food, oils, or spices, as it worsens diarrhea. Settle for easy-to-digest food such as plain rice or boiled chicken. Also, ensure you gradually increase the amount of food until you feel he/she is strong enough to take the usual portion.
Take Away
Dogs feel uneasy and restless whenever they get a sensitive stomach. Just figure out how you felt when you had a sensitive stomach last. It wasn’t a good feeling. Therefore, if your dog shows signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, salivation, gurgling stomach noises, and loss of appetite, you should act quickly to alleviate the pain.
Now that you’ve read the above tips for curing a dog’s sensitive stomach, you don’t have any reason to let your pup suffer in pain. Follow the right natural remedies to relieve stomach pain as soon as possible. However, consult your vet if the symptoms persist, such as bloody stool, dry vomiting, fever, and uncontrollable diarrhea.
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