Dog Upset Stomach Treatment

There are several causes for a dog upset stomach, and there are natural treatments you can do at home, if caught in time. By carefully following these treatments, it's possible that you won't have to take your dog to the vet. If you follow these treatments and the upset stomach persists, taking your dog to the vet will be necessary. Effective treatment depends on what caused the upset stomach, and if you know the cause was poison, you need to get your dog to the vet right away.

Symptoms

An upset stomach will usually exhibit symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy.

Fasting

At the first sign of a dog upset stomach, remove all food and allow your dog to fast for 12 to 24 hours. If you have a puppy, don't fast for more than 12 hours. Fasting includes removing all food and treats and in some cases, water. Water sometimes will upset the stomach if the dog is vomiting, so decrease his water intake and give him ice chips until he feels a bit better.

Start with a Bland Diet

After the fasting period is over, start your dog on a bland diet consisting of boiled, unseasoned rice and boiled or baked unseasoned boneless, skinless chicken. Give your dog this meal in small amounts 3 to 4 times per day. You can also use hamburger, but make sure to drain off all the fat. If your dog goes outside, you might notice him eating grass and vomiting. Don't worry about this, as it's his way of getting rid of whatever is making him feel ill. Remember to keep your dog hydrated unless he is vomiting repeatedly. In this case, give him ice chips and get him to the vet.

Good Bacteria

Plain yogurt and cottage cheese are good for the intestinal tracts of dogs. Yogurt contains the good bacteria acidophilus, and helps heal an inflamed intestine. A small amount each day will help keep your dog’s intestinal tract in good shape. Giving your dog small amounts of water or ice chips will decrease the chances of dehydration.

Replace Your Dog's Electrolytes

If frequent diarrhea is the problem, your dog could become dehydrated. A good electrolyte replacement is Pedialyte or Gatorade mixed in with his water. If the intake of water is causing frequent vomiting, take your dog to the vet right away, as the vet will need to hydrate your dog with the use of IV fluids. In addition, you should take your dog to the vet if you notice that he's vomiting blood.

Alternative Medications

Ask your vet for advice before administrating any of the following medications as the doses vary for different dogs.

  • Pepto-Bismol - Give one teaspoon per 20 pounds of weight, every four to six hours for stomach upset.
  • Kaopectate - Give one teaspoon per ten pounds of weight, every four hours for stomach upset.
  • Flagyl – Used for diarrhea and has anti-inflammatory effects in the bowel. Ask your vet about the dosage for this medication.

If you have to take your dog to the vet, you can help your vet determine what the cause of the dog's upset stomach could be. Make a list of everything your dog has eaten since the onset of the first symptoms.

 

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