The appropriate and most effective dog indigestion remedy will be best determined by what's causing the ailment in the first place. Dogs commonly experience indigestion, and when it's a simple case that should pass within a day or two, a simple treatment option should suffice. Alternatively, if your dog is frequently experiencing indigestion and it seems to be leading to other symptoms or health problems, a complete examination may be recommended to help reveal and effectively treat the root cause.
Simple Indigestion
If your dog's indigestion problem has developed recently and isn't leading to other or more severe symptoms, it's quite possible that it's being caused by a simple disturbance of something ingested, such as food or a disagreeable substance. One of the first things you can do, as a simple indigestion remedy, is to withhold food for a day or so until the problems clear up. Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and stomach discomfort can clear up more quickly, if no additional food is added to the mix. You can feed your dog small amounts of vegetable broth, small amounts of water, or ice cubes until the condition subsides.
Ongoing Indigestion
If your dog frequently experiences indigestion, but no other or more severe conditions have been determined to be present, you may seek an effective indigestion remedy, such as antacids or herbal relief. Be careful to select products that are specifically formulated or have been deemed safe for dogs. Over-the-counter products, such as Maalox or Milk of Magnesia, can be used safely to help with gastrointestinal problems and indigestion, and some herbs, such as goldenseal, may produce relief. Often there are more effective ways to treat this ongoing problem, and a long-term plan of prevention should be considered.
Severe Indigestion Problems
Occasionally, a simple indigestion remedy will not be enough to help gastrointestinal problems. Severe symptoms can quickly result in an emergency situation. Bloating can be a fatal condition and can cause the stomach to tighten significantly. Air gets trapped in the stomach and can lead to non-productive vomiting and shock. Likewise, when symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea last for longer than a few days, the dog is at risk of dehydration and should be examined to determined if a disease or infection is causing symptoms.
Prevention
You may prefer to implement changes to encourage prevention and relief from the cause of dog indigestion, rather than rely on an indigestion remedy to treat the symptoms. Changes to the diet can make a significant improvement, as indigestion is often the result of poor eating habits or a low-quality diet. Avoid commercial dog foods made from grains, and gradually switch your dog's diet to include foods made from real meat products. Homemade recipes are also available using organic foods and vegetables. These ingredients will not only aid with relief from indigestion, but can help with obesity and decrease the chances of cancer, arthritis and other life-threatening illnesses.