There is nothing worse than an upset stomach, and for your dog, it can be even tougher as they have to ask to go outside. Whether they aren’t able to wake you up in time or they made it outside, dealing with your pup’s upset stomach is never a pleasant task.
Looking into how to treat your dog’s upset stomach at home is a great way to make them feel better quickly.
Giving them bland food like chicken and rice is a great start, as well as using electrolyte treatments to keep them hydrated. There are loads of options
But don’t let us keep you, scroll on down to read more about the treatments you can use at home as well as key symptoms you need to look out for.
How Can You Treat Your Dog’s Upset Stomach?
There are several things you can do to try and treat your dog’s upset stomach. However, if you find that the symptoms persist or they are getting increasingly worse don’t hesitate to give your vet a call. A bad stomach could be the sign of something more serious (see the next section).
#1 24-Hour Fasting. If your dog is an adult and in good health, starving them for 24-hours is perfectly fine and can help settle their stomach. Old dogs and very young ones should not go through this as it could be damaging to their health.
#2 Bland Food. Cook up some plain chicken and rice and feed it to your dog. Bland foods like this can really help to settle an upset stomach. You can also try a small amount of scrambled eggs. Anything rich and fatty is just going to make their stomach worse.
#3 Smaller Meals. If your dog eats too much in one go, this can cause stomach upsets. Instead, it is better to feed them small amounts throughout the day. This also ensures that their gut doesn’t become overwhelmed while also keeping things moving.
#4 Water and Electrolytes. Diarrhoea is dehydrating, so they must have access to fresh water at all times so that they can replace lost fluids. You can also pick up canine electrolytes from your vet to add to the water to help their recovery.
#5 Rest and Recovery. Your pup needs their rest, so let them sleep and relax so that they can recover faster – avoid their walk that day. If they become lethargic, speak to your vet for advice.
#6 Probiotics. This is a friendly bacteria for your dog’s gut, and for some, it can really help to bind things and settle a bad stomach. You can pick up some doggy probiotics at your local vet or online.
Once your dog has settled and started returning to normal, you can gradually reintroduce their normal food to them. Do this over a couple of days so as not to upset their stomach further, and bear in mind that the home treatments should not have to last more than three days.
Symptoms You Need to Look Out For
An upset stomach in dogs is usually referred to as gastroenteritis, a general term that umbrellas the whole illness. It usually only lasts a couple of days, a lot like when you have a stomach bug. However, it can evolve into something known as haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.
This tends to be quite serious and will normally require veterinary care. The symptoms to watch out for are:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting and retching
- Eating less or nothing at all
- Lethargy
- Painful abdomen, such as when touching them or lifting them
- “Praying position” with front legs stretched out and bum in the air
An upset stomach could also be a condition known as colitis. This is usually treatable at home and takes a few days to recover from, but serious cases may need a vet. The symptoms to look out for are:
- Soft, runny faeces or with bright flecks of blood
- Pain while defecating
- Irregular eating habits
- Weight loss
- Increased pooping or flatulence
- Inflammation or pain in the lower regions
FAQs
Can I give my dog Pepto Bismol for an upset stomach?
Absolutely, you can give your dog Pepto Bismol for an upset stomach. The recommended dosage is one teaspoon for every ten pounds (4.5kg) of your dog’s weight. You can give it to them every 6-8 hours, but if they still have diarrhoea after a few doses take them to the vet.
Does honey help a dog’s upset stomach?
Definitely, honey can help a dog’s upset stomach in minor cases. If they have eaten too much grass or have a little upset, you can give them a spoon of honey to calm things down. However, it should not be given regularly or if the upset stomach persists.
Are scrambled eggs good for a dog’s upset stomach?
Sure thing, scrambled eggs are great for a dog’s upset stomach. They are a very bland food that is high in protein and gentle on the digestive system. Give them a small amount instead of their usual food and it should help to get things back to normal.
Take a look at these tummy settlers for your dog, not only do they work wonders, they’re great value for money. Buddy & lola tummy buddy’s are what I choose to use on my dog when she has an upset stomach and it works.
Final Thoughts
It’s never nice to watch your dog suffer from an upset stomach. Those big, sad, puppy eyes watching you from their bed. With the treatments above, you’re sure to find a home remedy that helps fix those long faces. Just remember, if symptoms persist you need a visit to the vet.
If you’ve enjoyed this instalment of our canine care guide, why not check out the rest of the series and see what it has to offer? From snacks that should be avoided to tips on their daily care, we have everything you need right here for you to check out.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.