Dogs can be some of the best companions in the world. They are loyal, loving, and always happy to see us. But like humans, dogs can also get sick. One of the most common illnesses dogs suffer from is an upset stomach. While there are many commercial remedies available for upset stomachs in dogs, some pet owners prefer to use home remedies instead. This article will discuss several home remedies that can help relieve an upset stomach in dogs.
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Mix In Ginger Powder
A common way to relieve an upset stomach is by giving the dog ginger powder. Ginger has been used as a remedy for upset stomachs for thousands of years, and it still works today. It is best to give dogs ginger powder in its dry form, which can easily be sprinkled on their food. However, it is best to only give dogs small amounts of ginger at a time because larger doses can make the upset stomach in dogs worse. Depending on the size of your dog around a quarter to a half of a teaspoon is the appropriate dose.
Increase How Much Water They Have
Sometimes the most effective home remedy for an upset stomach is water. This will help ease symptoms and also prevent dehydration which can make symptoms worse. There are several different ways to administer this home remedy. You can give the dog water in its usual drinking bowl, or you can soak a towel with cool water and wring out any excess. Wrap it around the stomach for some cooling relief while simultaneously giving your dog more water.
Try Giving Them Fiber Supplements
Fiber supplements are an excellent remedy for many different types of illnesses, especially stomach upsets. Fiber supplements can help move things through your dog’s digestive system more quickly and prevent intestinal blockages that could cause serious problems. It is also beneficial because it helps promote healthy digestion by feeding good bacteria in their stomach. Fiber supplements are available as either a powder or a gel. It is best to put this in the dog’s food dish and stir it into their food so they will eat it more easily.
Change Their Diet For A Couple Of Days
If your dog is enduring a bout of upset stomach, the best thing you can do is change its diet for a couple of days. This will allow their digestive system to rest and give it time to recover from whatever has been upsetting it. Avoid feeding the dog any foods that might have caused the upset stomach in the first place, so they don’t feel the urge to throw up again. Most upset stomachs in dogs can be resolved by a bland diet after a few days of mild symptoms. If your dog’s upset stomach doesn’t go away or gets worse after three days, contact your veterinarian.
Feed Them Oatmeal
Another common home remedy for an upset stomach in dogs is oatmeal. Oatmeal has a lot of great soothing properties and can help settle a dog’s stomach. This helps if the dog has diarrhea, which may be a symptom of their upset stomach. Just cook some plain oatmeal and let it cool to room temperature before serving it to your dog. Some dogs will eat it plain, while others might need a little help from peanut butter or canned pumpkin to entice them to eat it.
Let Them Fast For 24 Hours
Sometimes dogs will be so nauseous it is best to let them fast for 24 hours. This means no food and just water for a full day. This will help them to feel better faster and lessen symptoms as it prevents food from sitting in their stomach and making them sick again. After the 24-hour fast, you can give your dog a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice or even just some plain chicken with no seasonings. Avoid feeding the dog any fatty foods or spicy foods because this could make nausea worse.
Feed Them Canned Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin is a great source of fiber and does a good job at easing the symptoms of stomach upsets in dogs. This can help relieve constipation, which could be a cause or a symptom of an upset stomach in dogs. It also helps to thicken the dog’s stool, making it less likely they will have diarrhea while also easing diarrhea if they are suffering from it. Make sure you get 100 percent canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, as you don’t want to give your dog spices or other additives. Also check there aren’t any ingredients listed besides pumpkin, such as sugar or sugar substitutes.
Feed Them Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein that can help put some extra energy into your sick dog while easing their upset stomach. It is also full of fat
oils, which can help with bowel movements by increasing the amount of stool they produce. Make sure you get all-natural peanut butter without any added sugar or salt. For the most beneficial results, you can try mixing in some canned pumpkin to make it more effective at reducing diarrhea.
Add Some Probiotics
There are a lot of great probiotics your dog can take to ease their upset stomach and kill off any bad bacteria in their system. You can find both powdered and liquid probiotics at most pet stores and even some grocery stores. Probiotics come in capsules that you just open and pour into the dog’s food dish or mix it with water. If you find your dog is having trouble swallowing the powder, you can mix it with some peanut butter or canned pumpkin to make it easier for them to eat.
Conclusion
Making some simple changes to your dog’s diet can easily help with an upset stomach. Just remember that dogs don’t handle spicy foods like humans do, so be sure to avoid those kinds of foods as well as fatty or greasy foods. Also, remember to be patient, as it can take several days for your dog’s upset stomach to clear up. It might even last a few weeks, just try slowly reintroducing more complex foods into their diet once they start feeling better. If at any point it doesn’t seem like your dog is getting better be sure to take them to the vet so they can get the proper treatment they need.