Try Slippery Elm Bark
Slippery elm bark is the inner bark of the Red Elm or slippery bark tree. The inner bark of slippery elm contains tannins that help reduce inflammation. They also include a substance known as mucilage. When mixed with water, this slimy, gooey material coats your dogs inflamed stomach or intestines giving relief from several gastrointestinal disorders. Remember to check with your veterinarian before giving your dog natural remedies, just as you would over-the-counter medications.
Feed Your Dog A Bland Diet
For vomiting and diarrhea, vets commonly recommend feeding your dog a bland diet consisting of foods like plain skinless chicken breast, rice, and small amounts of water after a brief period of fasting . You can add a splash of broth to make it more appealing to your pet. Other foods that can help with your dogs upset stomach include, plain yogurt with active cultures, 100% pumpkin puree, boiled potatoes , and cottage cheese. According to WebMD, eating only bland foods for a period of time removes the irritating substances from food to help your dogs digestive system rebalance itself.
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What Kinds Of Foods Suit A Bland Diet
According to the Arlington Animal Hospital in Virginia, bland diets usually include a single source of carbohydrates and a single source of lean protein. The basic bland diet is made of boiled white rice and boiled chicken breast with skin and bones removed.
As an alternative to boiling meat, you can pan-fry lean ground beef or ground turkeybut make sure you drain it thoroughly to remove as much fat as possible. As an alternate protein source, you can serve unseasoned scrambled eggs, cottage cheese , baby food, or commercially prepared turkey or chicken. Combine the protein with a starch such as steamed or boiled white rice or baked sweet potato that has had the skin removed and has been cut into small cubes. Or try cooked oatmeal or pasta. Just dont add any spices or seasonings, though.
No matter which ingredients you choose, combine them in a 2:1 ratio of starch to meat. For example, mix 2 cups of baked sweet potato chunks with 1 cup of drained, pan-fried lean ground beef. Meats like chicken or turkey should be chopped into small pieces. Make sure the foods have cooled to room temperature before serving them. You can refrigerate the cooked food for several days or freeze it for long-term storage.
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Nsaid Drugs And Stomach Ulcers
A group of painkillers known as NSAIDs carries a risk of stomach ulcers. The two best-known NSAIDs are aspirin and ibuprofen.
The risk of ulcers increases if the drugs are taken in high doses, or regularly for a long time.
Stronger NSAIDs, such as those that need a prescription, are riskier for stomach ulcers than those that can be bought over-the-counter .
People should always check labels and talk to a pharmacist or a doctor about any concerns with using painkillers. They may recommend an alternative such as acetaminophen.
What Is The Best Dog Food For Sensitive Stomach
Some dogs prove to be especially sensitive to certain common ingredients. This can be a simple intolerance or a full-blown allergy. Either way, feeding your dog food with these ingredients can cause gastrointestinal issues. Continuing to feed this diet may cause recurring symptoms that may get worse over time.
If you suspect that your pup may have a food allergy or intolerance, you should try a diet thats specially formulated for dogs with sensitive stomachs. These diets often contain high levels of fiber to ensure the healthy formation of poop, along with lower percentages of fats, which can be difficult to digest.
Our very own nutritionary experts at PetPlate have devised fresh meals perfect for pups with sensitive stomachs. Its worked wonders with our previous doggy customers, and yours could be the next! Check out our blog post on the best food for sensitive stomachs to learn all about it, along with some additional helpful pointers.
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Drooling And Lip Smacking
When a dog or a human, for that matter vomits, the acid can damage the throat, mouth, and teeth. Dogs that experience nausea often have an overproduction of saliva, which helps counteract the effects of acidic vomit.
As such, you may see your dog drooling more than usual or smacking their lips to contain the extra saliva.
How To Prevent An Upset Stomach
While you cannot eliminate the risk of gastroenteritis, there is one easy step you can take to minimize the possibility. The most common cause comes down to what your dog eats.
Dog food that is made with low-quality grain fillers and zero probiotics is likely to cause upset stomach over time, due in part to the fact that 70% of a dogs immune system is located in their gut microbiome. As weve talked about before in When does your dog need a change in diet, NutriSource is a terrific choice for keeping your dogs stomach feeling good.
Its recipes incorporate healthy gut ingredients like prebiotics and probiotics, organic selenium yeast and essential trace minerals. Just remember to switch foods gradually, since sudden diet changes can also lead to sour stomach.
You can use our find a store tool to locate your nearest independent pet supply retailer. Their professional expertise can help you make diet decisions for your dog that will keep them happy and their gut healthy!
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Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey And Rice Dog Food
Image courtesy Merrick
The Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Rice Formula is a grain-free, dry dog food that is perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs. This formula is made with turkey as the first ingredient, and it also includes potatoes, peas, flaxseed, and chicken fat.
It is fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure that your pup gets all the nutrients they need. The Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Turkey and Rice Formula is a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
What Is A Bland Diet For Dogs
Do you rememberback in the daywhen your mom or dad fed you bananas or white rice because your tummy was upset? Dogs benefit from the same loving care. When feeling nauseous, they need a bland diet made up of soft foods that are easy to digest. Bland diets are boring by design so they can soothe the digestive system until your dogs normal appetite, digestion, and bowel movements have been restored.
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Natural Remedies To Cure Your Dogs Upset Stomach
If you prefer not to give your dog human medications, some natural home treatments can do the trick. However, these may not be the best cure for your dog, so make sure you check with your veterinarian before proceeding.
Some natural home remedies include:
- Banana baby food
- Rice with boiled chicken Exact portion can vary by dog. We suggest starting with a half cup of cooked rice and about 4 ounces of chicken. If your dog isnt drinking water, add some water to the mixture as well.
Do not use hamburger meat This is a fairly common recommendation on forums, but the meat is too greasy and will not help your dogs upset stomach .
Causes Of Upset Stomach In Dogs
From indigestion to cancer there are a vast number of reasons why your dog may have an upset stomach. While all dogs will vomit occasionally, if your dog vomits or has diarrhea often or continuously it’s time to visit the vet for a checkup. Chronic or frequent vomiting or diarrhea are a signs that there is an issue with your dog’s health that needs to be addressed.
Contact your vet if your dog is experiencing ongoing or frequent symptoms of an upset stomach. Your vet will be able to examine your dog and run tests if necessary in order to provide an accurate diagnosis of the problem, and provide appropriate treatment.
Some causes of upset stomach in dogs include:
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Try This Tried And True Dog Upset Stomach Remedy The Bland Diet
When youve had a stomach bug in the past, did you stick to light meals, such as chicken soup or oatmeal? While these foods may not get us salivating at the thought, theyre far easier to digest than say, a cheese pizza! A bland diet for dogs is the same concept.
As your dogs stomach is already having a rough time, we should try to avoid burdening it further with hard-to-digest ingredients. For dogs, wed recommend cooked rice with high-quality chicken or ground turkey, whichever your pooch prefers. However, dont just switch straight from their usual diet to this new meal, as that can be a shock to the stomach!
Instead, just introduce a small amount of the new food mixed in with their usual meal. If their symptoms do not worsen, you can continue to increase the ratio of the new food over several days, until the meal is a 100% bland diet. When they feel better, you can switch back to their usual diet the same way.
Symptoms Of A Dogs Upset Stomach
If your dog has an upset stomach or an issue that makes you think they have a stomach or gastrointestinal issue, they can display some or all of the following symptoms. These symptoms are grouped by cause to show you their similarities:
- Parvovirus: dullness, fever, loss of appetite, progressing to vomiting and blood in the stool
- Intestinal inflammation: diarrhea, strain to move bowels, pain when emptying bowels, weight loss, and vomiting
- Constipation: hard, dry feces, straining to move bowels
- Bloating: restlessness, discomfort, rapid breathing, abdominal swelling, dry retching, excessive drooling
- Stomach inflammation: vomiting of bile, froth, fresh blood, or digested blood
- Cancers: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weight loss, lethargy, pale gums
- Obstruction: lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, low body temperatures, dehydration
- Ulcers: vomiting fresh or digested blood, abdominal discomfort, pale gums, dark stool with blood, decreased appetite
- Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis: sudden vomiting, bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, depression
- Inflammatory bowel disease: weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, swollen abdomen, fluid retention, watery diarrhea
- Malabsorption: weight loss and/or diarrhea
Continued
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Signs Your Dog Has An Upset Stomach
The hardest part of knowing when your dog feels sick is that they cant tell you directly. Instead, dog owners have to pay close attention to body language and behaviors. While some behaviors are obvious , others require owners to pay a bit closer attention.
Here are seven indicators your dogs stomach may be bothering them:
What To Give A Dog For Upset Stomach And Vomiting
Dog owners frequently wonder if they can give their pup human medicine for an upset stomach.
Most dogs can safely have bismuth subsalicylate . However, it is best to consult your vet before giving your dog any human medication.
Your local emergency veterinary hospital can also offer suggestions. They may also give you a prescription after examining your dog.
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Remedy For Upset Stomach In Dogs
Your veterinarian is the best person to determine the suitable treatment options for your dogâs upset stomach. âA veterinarian will diagnose the reason forthe upset stomach so that we can better target specific therapies to help the pet get better,â Dr. Bullen says.
Keep your pet hydrated with water or water flavorings and tempt them to eat by warming their food, as long as theyâre not vomiting.
Most mild cases of upset stomach are cured within 24 to 36 hours, Dr. Bullen says. However, it depends on the cause and severity as some upset stomachs last for days or weeks.
When To Go To The Vet For Dog Diarrhea Or Vomiting
Its not uncommon for dogs to throw up or have loose stools from time to time. Most mild cases of stomach upset improve within 1 to 2 days, but if your pet has been vomiting or passing diarrhea for more than 48 hours, its time to see the vet. Keep in mind, if their digestive upsets occur frequently or with intensity, their condition could worsen quickly due to dehydration.
You know your dog best. Even if they dont display the symptoms listed above, but youre still worried about their health, its always best to call your vet.
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The Pros And Cons Of Pain Relief Drugs
Heres a rundown of the benefits and risks of some popular pain medications. It should help simplify your choices when youre in the drugstore.
Keep in mind that you shouldnt use any over-the-counter painkiller on a regular basis. If youre in that much pain, you need to talk with your doctor.
ACETAMINOPHENTylenol, Panadol, Tempra
- How it works. Acetaminophen is not an NSAID. Experts arent actually sure how it works, but it seems to affect chemicals that increase the feeling of pain.
- Benefits. Acetaminophen reduces pain and lowers fevers. Unlike aspirin and other NSAIDS, acetaminophen is believed to be safe for people with ulcers. It doesnt affect the natural lining of the stomach. Since it doesnt thin the blood, it doesnt increase the risk of bleeding either. It is safe for women who are pregnant and nursing.
- Side effects and risks. Experts say that acetaminophen is safe for people with ulcers. But like any drug, it can cause other side effects. Very high doses of acetaminophen well over the recommended maximum of 4,000 mg/day can cause serious liver damage. Long-term use of acetaminophen in high doses especially when combined with caffeine or codeine can cause kidney disease.
Acetaminophen doesnt reduce swelling, like aspirin and other NSAIDs do. It may be less helpful for treating pain thats caused by inflammation, such as some types of arthritis.
ASPIRINBayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin
Why Is My Dogs Stomach Hard
We have all experienced a bloated stomach from time to time.
Though a hard stomach in humans is often related to something we ate or other dietary issues, its not always as straightforward for our furry friends.
So what could cause a dog to have a hard and bloated stomach, especially when its not painful?
In this article we will discuss the most common causes of abdominal bloating in our canine friends, and help you better understand why your pup could be experiencing a hard stomach without pain.
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Symptoms Of Upset Stomach In Dogs
The most common signs of upset stomach in dogs are diarrhea and vomiting. If your dog is nauseous, you may also see him eat grass to soothe his stomach or try to induce vomiting, says Jody Bearman, DVM at Anshen Veterinary Acupuncture, Madison, Wisconsin.
Watch for other signs of upset stomach in dogs, such as:
-
Licking their lips, the air, or objects
When Should Your Dog See The Vet
Occasional vomiting or diarrhea in dogs is not uncommon. Most cases will improve within a day, but if these symptoms are present for more than 48 hours, then you should consult your vet immediately. When digestive upsets occur frequently or with intensity, the dogs condition could worsen quickly due to dehydration. Do not hesitate to take your pup to the vet if stomach issues come on suddenly or violently.
If your dog exhibits these serious symptoms, take her straight to a veterinary hospital or emergency facility for medical attention:
- continuous diarrhea and/or vomiting
- foreign objects in vomit or stool
- nervous pacing and whining
You know your pup best, but its always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to our furkids. See a vet right away if your dog is in distress!
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Bland Foods You Can Give Your Dogs When They Have Diarrhea
These bland foods can help soothe your dogs upset stomach.
Diarrhea and upset stomach are very common in dogs. If you have a dog, you know he enjoys eating things he shouldnt.
Its normal for their digestive system to get sensitive and throw up or experience diarrhea.
Nearly every dog gets nausea and diarrhea. The frequency, extent, and intensity of this issue depends on your dogs diet, age, and temperament.
An upset stomach or diarrhea usually results from something the dog ate. Chronic digestive issues could show a bigger problem.
If your dog has frequent vomiting or diarrhea, contact your vet immediately to rule out a chronic illness.
If the problem is just temporary, have your dog try these 13 bland foods that can help soothe an upset stomach, boost hydration, and make your dog feel better.
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