Saturday, April 20, 2024

What To Do If Your Dog’s Stomach Hurts

Other Home Remedies For Stomach Pain In Dogs

What to do if your dog has an upset stomach

Complementary to the dietary changes we must make, we can use other natural remedies that will be very useful. The first to mention is aloe vera, since it is a plant that will help the body to regain its state of health when ingested. However, it also has properties that help to calm the inflammation of the gastric mucosa and that promotes healing if there is an injury.

Another home remedy for stomach pain in dogs, besides being very easy to access, is fresh grass rich in chlorophyll, and generally we do not even have to offer it to our dog. The ideal thing is to be able to take our dog on a walk in an environment where they can find this type of grass. They will tend to eat it if they have problems in the digestive system, since they take it for its purgative effect.

As we mentioned initially, any treatment, even if it is only dietary, should be supervised by the vet.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Home Remedies for Stomach Pain in Dogs, we recommend you visit our Home Remedies category.

What Are Some Of The Causes Of Gastroenteritis

There are many causes of the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Some of the more common conditions that your veterinarian will attempt to eliminate during the diagnostic workup include:

  • infections
  • foreign bodies or other objects
  • intussusception
  • tumors/cancer
  • poisoning/toxins
  • endocrine disease
  • pancreatic, liver, or kidney disease

This is only a partial list of some of the more serious conditions that can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Your veterinarian may discuss other possibilities based on your dog’s specific condition.

Soothing Food Ingredients To Give Your Dog

If you notice your dog having gut-related issues, the best would be to restrict and change his diet for the time being. Ingredients like rice, yogurt, cooked chicken, bone broth, and pumpkin puree are beneficial for balancing out the gut bacteria and improving digestion. Broths and soups are full of beneficial nutrients like bone marrow, protein and minerals, and are also very hydrating. Make sure to give your dog much smaller portions to prevent nausea and stomach pain. Cooked or canned pumpkin is also great as it slowly absorbs, thus helping with digestion without upsetting the stomach.

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Feed Some Yogurt As A Source Of Probiotics

Certain foods are good for a dog with an upset stomach.

Yogurt contains natural probiotics, the helpful live bacteria that will relieve an upset stomach and help get rid of gas and diarrhea.

Scientists confirm that a helping of yogurt can positively affect the digestive system in humans, mice, and our pets, dogs, and cats in particular.

When feeding it, ensure that its plain yogurt, the kind used for cooking, and not flavored or sweetened yogurt.

Determine If Your Dog Is A Candidate For These Remedies

Laparoscopic Gastropexy

Once again, the home remedies listed in this article are not for all dogssome should see the vet as soon as possible, as their upset stomach may have a serious underlying cause that needs to be addressed.

Please see your vet if your dog is acting sick or lethargic, running a fever, and not acting like his normal self. There could be a serious condition that needs immediate veterinary attention, such as parvovirus, an intestinal obstruction, gastroenteritis, or pancreatitis!

So who are these remedies good for? They may help those dogs who:

  • Have an upset stomach from recently switching foods .
  • Underwent a recent dietary indiscretionthink raiding the trash can. This only applies if the dog did not consume fatty foods , toxic products, or bones that can cause a blockage.

Do not try home remedies for an upset stomach if your dog is:

  • Acting lethargic

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Know How Much Water Your Dog Needs

Dogs need one ounce of water for each pound of their body weight. A 70 lb. Labrador Retriever needs approximately 70 ounces of water per day.

It can be a little challenging to monitor how much water your dog is drinking, especially if he or she drinks from multiple water sources. But if you are concerned about your dog being dehydrated, it is a good idea to keep track of his or her water intake as best you can.

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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Finally Sometimes Its Best Not To Do Anything

In cases of food poisoning or ingesting something questionable, the best solution is to let the stomach be for a while. The digestive system has its defense mechanisms and can cleanse from toxins and bacteria on its own. For the first 12 to 24 hours, fasting may be the simple solution for your dogs issues. Adding any food or herbs to the already upset stomach may interrupt the healing process, so before applying any remedies and treatment, your vet may advise you just to wait until the symptoms reduce.

Is Upset Stomach In Dogs A Sign Of Food Allergies

How To Settle A Dogs Stomach

An upset stomach every once in a while can be normal in a dog, but if it happens often, it could signal that something is wrong in their GI tract, says Randy Aronson, DVM, of P.A.W.S. Veterinary Center in Tucson, Arizona.

If digestive upset is a frequent occurrence for your dog, discuss the possibility of a food allergy with your veterinarian. When food allergies are diagnosed in dogs, it is often an allergy to a protein source, which is why a more novel protein may be recommended.

There are many options on the market, but examples may include beef, buffalo, venison, or lamb.

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Diagnosis Of Abdominal Effusion

Your veterinarian will often start with a basic blood work panel to assess your dogs red and white blood cell counts as well as organ function. Imaging of the abdomen with radiographs and/or ultrasound will also be recommended. A sample of the fluid in the abdomen can also be obtained using a fine needle aspiration with ultrasound guidance. The fine needle aspiration involves placing a sterile needle into the fluid build-up in the abdomen and withdrawing a few milliliters of fluid. The fluid can then be analyzed either in-house or by sending it out to the laboratory. If heart disease is suspected, an echocardiogram and consultation with a cardiologist may be recommended.

Home Remedies For Stomach Pain In Dogs

See files for Dogs

When a dog suffers stomach pain, it is not always something that we can easily detect with the naked eye. A dog suffering from this symptom may show lethargy, groans, unusual body langauge to protect their stomach, abdominal swelling and difficulty breathing. Occasionally, the stomach pain will also be accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting, signs that obviously should alarm us.

Sometimes it is possible to offer natural treatment in these cases, so AnimalWised want to elaborate on some home remedies for stomach pain in dogs.

  • Other home remedies for stomach pain in dogs
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    How To Cure A Dog’s Stomach Ache

    This article was co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM. Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragleys specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease, and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through Chi University.There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 92% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 299,474 times.

    From time to time we all suffer the discomfort of stomach ache and dogs are no different. If you suspect your dog has stomach ache, there are actions you should take to help him feel comfortable and reduce the risk of it developing into sickness or diarrhea.

    Symptoms Of An Upset Stomach In Dogs

    Dog Stomach Problems

    The usual signs that your dog has an upset stomach are ones you see in people as well. Your dog will have nausea, accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea.

    If youve ever seen your dog eating grass, it means theyre trying to induce vomiting to get rid of whatever is causing the upset stomach. This is their instinctive way of expelling the offending substance and soothing a dogs upset stomach.

    Other symptoms of an upset stomach to watch for are:

    • Acid reflux
    • Reduced water intake
    • Salivating

    Be mindful that some of these symptoms can point to other health problems. Therefore, its wise to keep a close eye on your dog to see if there are signs things are getting better or worse.

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    Stop Or Modify Physical Activities With Your Pet

    If your pet is showing signs of pain during an activity, avoid it until you can talk to your veterinarian.

    Your veterinarian will be able to help you figure out how to best help your pet, whether it is stopping that activity altogether or establishing modifications that will minimize pain.

    Simple pain-reducing modifications to common activities can include: taking shorter walks, using a ramp or steps, rolling the ball or tossing it shorter distances, and raising food/water dishes to a more comfortable height.

    For some instances of acute pain, these changes might be temporary, but for some chronic pain conditions, they may be long-term.

    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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    How To Prevent Bloat In Dogs

    Avoiding bloat in dogs altogether can be tricky since theres a lot of moving parts to the condition. Switching your dog to a raw diet, noticing poor eating habits and monitoring their exercise times can all be beneficial.

    Raw Diet

    The digestive tract in dogs is ideal for breaking down protein, and not so much for grains and starches. Processed dog food like kibble, premixes, and synthetic vitamins contain carbs your dog doesnt need.

    Research suggests dog food that features rendered meat meal with bone and fat in the first four ingredients drastically increases your dogs risk of developing bloat. These benefits make raw diets optimal for preventing bloat.

    Raw bones also offer many nutrients that are great for cleaning a dogs teeth. Some bones help strengthen a dogs stomach muscles, which can improve digestion and reduce gas buildup.

    Elevated Bowls

    Interestingly, there is a lot of controversy surrounding the topic of using raised bowls. While theres no evidence backing elevated bowls, there is a study that found that in 20% of cases among large breed dogs and in 52% of cases among giant breed dogs, the bloat was actually directly related to having a raised food bowl.

    Exercise

    Exercise is essential, but it might not be when it comes to bloating. All dogs need it, but the level and type vary depending on the dog. Although several people swim after they eat and live to tell the story, that same line of thinking might not work for dogs.

    Find Out What Your Dog Ate

    Home Remedies For Stomach Pain In Dogs

    Looking for clues may help the vets diagnosis of your dogs situation. If your dog has nibbled on any houseplants, thats a red flag. Many houseplants are toxic to dogs. Also, check the trash bags and cans around your home for signs of scavengers. Be sure to reference our list of foods not to feed dogs for more possible toxic foods to consider.

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    Your Dog Keeps Chasing Her Tail

    If you notice your dog running in circles or chasing her tail, she might have an inner ear disease called labyrinthitis. It affects a dogs posture, balance and coordination, so she may appear to be dizzy for no reason. Another cause could be ideopathi vestibular syndrome, which usually presents in older dogs. The cause of this disease is unknown, but it may require hospitalization. Dont hesitate to call the vet if you suspect your dog could have either of these illnesses.

    What Are The Signs Of Gastroenteritis

    Most dogs with gastroenteritis will have intermittent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. The vomit may contain foamy, yellowish bile, especially after the stomach has been emptied. Many owners will observe dry heaving or gagging after their dog eats or drinks.

    “Most dogs with gastroenteritis will have intermittent episodes of vomiting and diarrhea.”

    Characteristically, there will be large volumes of diarrhea produced several times a day. The diarrhea may have the consistency a soft-serve ice cream. Many dogs will be tender when picked up around the abdomen or will resist handling of the stomach and hindquarters. Most dogs affected with gastroenteritis will appear less active and have a decreased appetite. A low-grade fever is also common. Dehydration can occur quickly if the vomiting and diarrhea persists for more than twenty-four hours.

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    How Do I Know If My Dog’s Stomach Hurts

    Its a struggle that every dog owner will go through at some point. Your pup will be acting strange or sick, and youll be worrying over whats wrong and how you can help. Most often, itll come down to an upset stomach. Knowing the signs that your dogs stomach hurts will make it easier to soothe both their discomfort and your fears.

    This blog covers the common causes of upset stomach , signs to watch out for, and the steps you can take to treat it.

    What Is Painful Abdomen

    Painful Abdomen in Dogs

    A painful abdomen is known to be caused by many possible disorders. Acute episodes of discomfort often indicate an underlying disorder that will have to be addressed in order to resolve the problem. Though abdominal pain experienced by your dog may be difficult for you to recognize, a change in your pets behavior should always be paid attention to. Take your dog to see the veterinarian by scheduling an appointment any time that you suspect your pet is acting differently. In the case of abdominal pain, any underlying pathology will need to be treated without delay because there may be a risk of illnesses such as an obstruction, tumor or organ disease.

    Pain in the abdomen in dogs is also described as ‘acute abdomen’. Behavior indicating pain can point to a serious disorder that must be investigated promptly. A diagnosis may lead to an intervention of a medical or surgical nature, in order to prevent a life-threatening situation.

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    Determine What Caused The Upset Stomach

    Most of the time an upset stomach in a dog is caused by something the dog ingested. Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldnt, and theres a long list of items that can cause problems for your dog. Try to figure out what might have caused your dogs upset stomach to help your vet make a diagnosis.

    Check out these posts to learn more

    What Is The Prognosis For Gastroenteritis

    Most cases of acute gastroenteritis improve rapidly after rehydration. If the vomiting and diarrhea do not improve significantly within 48 hours of treatment, call your veterinarian.

    “Early recognition and treatment are the cornerstones to returning your dog to his normal healthy state as quickly as possible.”

    Gastroenteritis is a common condition seen in veterinary practice. Early recognition and treatment are the cornerstones to returning your dog to his normal healthy state as quickly as possible. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact your veterinarian.

    Contributors: Tammy Hunter, DVM Ernest Ward, DVM

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