There are plenty of perfectly innocent causes for a dog\u2019s digestive system to go off the rails. Maybe there was a sudden change in your dog\u2019s diet because the pet store was out of the usual brand. Or your well-intentioned friend snuck your dog table scraps or too many treats. Even stress can give your dog an upset stomach or loose bowel movements. And when that happens, you may be scrubbing the aftermath of your dog\u2019s stomachache off the living room rug.<\/p>\n
There are also many serious reasons why a dog may have digestive system trouble: toxin ingestion, a blockage by a foreign object, bacterial infections, parasites and inflammatory bowel disease, to name just a few. You should be concerned if your dog\u2019s symptoms include blood in the vomit or diarrhea, severe lethargy, abdominal pain, swelling of the abdomen, loss of appetite for more than 24 hours or if the vomiting or loose stool is progressive over time.<\/p>\n
Treatment of your dog\u2019s upset stomach depends on the cause and severity. In many cases, a \u201cwait and see\u201d approach can be devastating for your dog\u2019s health. That\u2019s why it\u2019s always best to discuss your dog\u2019s symptoms with your veterinarian before trying to manage the situation at home. If your vet determines it\u2019s a mild case of an upset stomach, there are several things dog owners can do to help their dog feel a little better.<\/p>\n
Your veterinarian may recommend medication to help manage your dog\u2019s upset stomach or probiotics to help firm up stools by restoring the natural balance of beneficial bacteria to the digestive system. While it may be tempting to give your dog human over-the-counter medications to aid in their recovery, don\u2019t do it unless instructed to do so by your vet. Many products that are deemed safe treatments for humans can be extremely toxic for pets.<\/p>\n
Dogs often lose body fluids when they vomit or have diarrhea. If they feel nauseous, they may steer clear of the water bowl and become dehydrated. You can get a general idea of your dog\u2019s hydration by touching your finger to their gums. In a healthy dog, the gums should typically be moist enough that your finger slides over the surface. If your finger sticks to the gum tissue, your dog may be dehydrated \u2014 although this may not always be reliable.<\/p>\n
A few hours after the last vomiting episode, start by offering a small amount of water. (Allowing your dog to gulp large quantities of water can cause them to vomit.) For small dogs, start with about a quarter cup of water every two hours, or half a cup every two hours for medium to large dogs. You can also replace the water in your dog\u2019s dish with ice, so they can only drink a small amount as the ice melts.<\/p>\n
If your dog isn\u2019t interested in drinking water, reach out to your veterinarian for advice. Some dogs may benefit from fluid therapy at the veterinary clinic, especially young puppies, senior dogs and those who are extremely dehydrated.<\/p>\n
Once your dog\u2019s stomach can hold down water, it\u2019s time to try solid dog foods.<\/p>\n