Dogs are naturally curious and sometimes careless with the thing they put in their mouth. They are notorious for consuming everything that catches their eye if they remain unsupervised. But that is not always the case for many dogs that develop an upset stomach. Seeing your furry friend in distress can often become stressful on your part as their paw parent. Luckily, there are methods and remedies you can do to both prevent and counter this situation. In this article, we will talk all about a dog’s upset stomach and how to soothe it. But firstly, we must figure out the signs of an upset stomach.
Signs and Symptoms Of An Upset Stomach
The signs and symptoms of your dog whenever it has an upset stomach are very visible. It is as simple as it doesn’t want to eat for an extended period of time. But, to really prove that your dog has a digestive problem, here are the common signs that you need to observe.
These signs and symptoms can vary and may exist outside or within the causes.
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue or sudden weakness because of lack of energy
- Vomiting with traces of blood
- Diarrhea
- Dry stool and oral cavity because of dehydration
- Sudden weight loss
- Swelling or bloating of the abdominal area
- Pain in the abdominal area
- Excessive drooling
- Restlessness
- Paleness and unusual discoloration of the gums
- Disorientation and irritability
Causes Of An Upset Stomach
If your dog is experiencing most of the signs listed above, here are the possible causes for its abdominal problem.
? Consumption of harmful objects
If your dog remains unsupervised for a long period of time, chances are they accidentally consumed something. Some of these objects can pass through the intestines and into the dog’s excrements. However, some of them can block the intestinal lining. Blockage can cause the digestive process to become halted, which causes an upset stomach.
Usual symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, lethargy, abdominal pain and swelling, dehydration, and weight loss
? Food poisoning
Some food that is consumed can contain harmful bacteria. This will cause infections within the intestinal area of the dog.
Usual symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, restlessness, and diarrhea
? Parvovirus
This disease is known for being contagious among dogs. The virus can become very fatal if the proper treatment is not provided immediately. It can be minimized by offering vaccinations to your dog as a puppy. Symptoms can include the previously mentioned symptoms above.
Usual symptoms: loss of appetite, disorientation, diarrhea, and vomiting
? Cancers
Like humans, dogs can develop cancers in their abdominal area. Developed cancers can cause symptoms to start appearing. Unfortunately, there is no known cure nor full-proof preventive measure against cancer. It usually comes with age, along with the dog’s genetics.
Usual symptoms: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, and paleness
? Motion Sickness
This is especially prevalent in dogs who are not used to traveling. Like humans, dogs can also experience nausea due to sudden movement.
Usual symptoms: lethargy, drooling, disorientation, and diarrhea
? Excess Gas
Like in humans, digestive gases can build up if they are unable to pass outside of the body. Dogs can develop an upset stomach once these gases build up. Too much gas release or flatulent can also happen after excessive eating, especially after long periods of fasting.
Usual symptoms: dry stool, restlessness, and swelling of the abdominal area
?Ulcers
Ulcers can develop in your dog’s stomach, usually due to an infection. However, this case can also be seen in humans who develop stomach ulcers.
Usual symptoms: vomiting, restlessness, and loss of appetite
Methods To Soothe The Upset Stomach
? 24-hour Fasting
Let your dog fast for 24 hours in order to relieve some of the symptoms. Gaps in eating give their digestive system enough time to digest everything that the dog consumes entirely. If the symptoms do not disappear after 24 hours, it is recommended to go to the vet.
? Using Pumpkin
It is recommended that you use canned pumpkins for this method. Since pumpkin is easily digested, your dog will be able to stay nourished even when during or after the effects. The pumpkin digestion process may also help relieve inflammation in cases such as gas, obstructions, or food poisoning. Just be sure the pumpkin does not contain any additives. Some ingredients may cause the symptoms to get worse over time.
? Giving Them Cold Water
Coldwater may help relieve the pain or inflammation in the intestinal tract. Put ice cubes in a bowl of water or pour some from the fridge. Be sure your dog does not accidentally consume the ice cubes, as it may cause their condition to become worse.
? Having A Bland Diet
A diet that is mainly composed of rice and chicken (without skin or bone). A proper diet will keep your dog nourished while still avoiding any further inflammation. However, this may not be effective for dogs who lost their appetite.
? Probiotics
Probiotics provide helpful bacteria that can soothe the dog’s upset stomach. There are various safe options for your dog that can be bought. A therapeutic diet is usually the probiotic that your vet prescribed when your dog was still a puppy.
? Taking Them To The Vet
If your dog’s symptoms do not disappear or if they progress, this is your #1 option. Your vet will be able to recognize through clinical tests on how to treat your dog’s upset stomach. Some of these advanced symptoms to loom out for include:
- Blood in the stool or vomit
- High temperature
- Previously mentioned symptoms do not disappear for over 24 hours
- Drooling
- Signs of dehydration
- Long periods of lethargy
How To Prevent Your Dog From Having An Upset Stomach
- Supervision
Supervise your dog and what they may eat when they play outside since your dog can easily be arranged to prevent unwanted consumption when indoors. If you have no one to look after your dog, you have pet cameras as an option. It works like security cameras, and you can access them using an application on your phone. You can also record your dog’s actions during this time.
- Picky Eating
If your dog is a picky eater, so should you (unless it is about healthy food). Your dog needs to have quality food to prevent inflammations from occurring. There is a tendency that what you fed your dog already had bacteria inhabiting it. So watch out for any signs of expiration or rotting in your dog’s food.
- Probiotics
Probiotics provide helpful bacteria that can help with proper digestion. Your vet might have given these since your dog was a puppy. Regularly give them to your dog as prescribed by the vet.
- Vet Visits
Vet visits are very important in ensuring your dog’s well-being. Annual checkups are necessary, especially in puppies and in older dogs. If your dog feels any adverse symptoms, feel free to give your vet a call or a visit.
These are the methods to prevent and counter an upset stomach in dogs. Always be aware of what your dog consumes because they are not that cautious about it. As always, do not hesitate to consult your vet for any concerns you have with your dog’s health.
