Optimeal® Blog

Home Remedies To Settle a Dog’s Upset Stomach

By Bridget Reed

13

Jan

Stomach issues are never fun to deal with, whether for you or your dog. You can usually tell if your dog is experiencing a health problem, but you might not be sure how to support their recovery or know when their symptoms are serious enough to visit your vet.

While there are some things you can’t control, there are a few simple remedies for an dog’s upset stomach. They’re safe, easy, and effective on various stomach issues, though they may not fix the underlying cause of your dog’s ailment.

While not all illnesses can be prevented, you can always do your best to support your dog through any health issues that might arise. If your dog’s health gets worse or they contract a serious disease, your vet will be able to help with any medical treatment your dog might need. 

In the meantime, read on to find some home remedies that you can use to help your dog’s tummy feel a lot better.

Why Is My Dog Having Stomach Issues?

There are multiple potential causes of stomach issues in dogs, but the most common one shouldn’t be too surprising. Usually, stomach problems trace back to something unhealthy that your pup ate or drank.

Your dog has a sensitive mouth and nose, which they use to explore the world around them. Sometimes, that means putting their stomach at risk by getting into something nasty, rotting, or just plain inedible. Your dog doesn’t have to have a sensitive stomach to get tummy upset. 

Depending on what they ate, you can probably assume these stomach issues will clear up after your dog removes the unwanted material in their system. That can happen through vomiting or diarrhea, which empty your dog’s stomach and protect their intestinal system from damage.

Your dog may develop a food allergy or sensitivity to their normal dog food. You might consider getting them allergy tested if they experience stomach distress after every meal.

However, your dog may suffer from other potential causes of stomach issues. Their intestines may be off-balance, causing the wrong kinds of gut bacteria to gain a foothold. An imbalanced glut flora might lead to digestive issues, gas build-up, and bloating. 

You might not be able to diagnose these issues, but you’ll notice that your dog is behaving differently or displaying discomfort around mealtime and eating.

It’s also possible for your dog to contract a parasite infection, such as tapeworms, which can lead to stomach issues. If left untreated, your dog will continue suffering uncomfortable symptoms, including calorie deficiency and gut pain. These parasites are harder to detect, but you can easily treat them with a deworming medication provided by your vet. 

Finally, stomach problems can be a symptom of a serious issue, such as diabetes or cancer. If your dog doesn’t feel any better after a short time, you should ask your vet for further guidance. They’ll be able to run the tests necessary to figure out what’s bothering your dog.

What Are the Symptoms of an Upset Stomach in Dogs?

You might wonder how to tell if your dog has an upset stomach. While your dog’s symptoms will vary depending on the issue affecting them, here’s a list of things to watch out for.

Loss of Appetite

You should always take note if your dog isn’t as interested in their food bowl as they used to be. Most dogs are happy to wolf down a bowl of their favorite food. 

A bit of hesitation isn’t necessarily bad. If your dog has stopped eating entirely, that’s a good reason to visit your vet and figure out what might affect their appetite.

Fatigue or Depression

If your dog is unusually tired or has lost their usual enthusiasm, there’s a chance they’re experiencing a stomach issue. They might also have another health problem causing persistent pain and discomfort. 

Since they can’t communicate their unhappiness directly, you might just notice they lack their usual energy and spend a lot of time lying around.

Diarrhea, Constipation, or Vomiting

If you see your dog vomiting or their stool doesn’t have the typical consistency, your pup may have an upset stomach. Depending on how severe the symptoms seem, you might wait for your dog to recover on their own or see a veterinarian to address more concerning symptoms.

Excessive drooling can also indicate nausea and indigestion — even dogs experience acid reflux. This is especially common with car sickness and motion sickness. 

Gulping, Stretching, or Licking

If your dog spends an unusual amount of time licking the air, gulping air in, or stretching their stomach as much as possible, this might indicate a build-up of gas or other stomach problems. 

Gurgling

If you hear your pup’s tummy gurgling, there’s a chance it’s upset. While some gastrointestinal noise is expected, you shouldn’t be able to hear it across the room. 

Similarly, pay attention if you notice your dog responding to their tummy noises. Here are some home remedies that may solve digestive tract issues. 

What Home Remedies Can I Use for My Dog’s Stomach?

If you’re dealing with an unhappy dog experiencing stomach issues, don’t worry. We have the tips and tricks you’ll need to get them back on their feet.

These natural remedies are convenient and helpful for any queasy dog, but they’re not necessarily suited for every situation. You can apply these recommendations if your dog suffers from a temporary bout of nausea, gas, or mild constipation. 

You should ask your vet about any serious or ongoing stomach issues since they can help your dog with a specific diagnosis and medication if necessary.

Fasting

In some situations, preventing your dog from eating anything else will help their stomach fix any issues and get back to normal working order.

The more your dog has to digest, the more strain on their stomach. Fasting is a great way to reduce the pressure on their gut, giving them a chance to clear their system of any unwanted material.

However, you should consult a vet before cutting back on your dog’s food; some breeds and dogs with specific medical conditions don’t tolerate fasting well. If your vet gives you the go-ahead, you can wait 12 to 24 hours before giving your dog a small amount of bland food and monitoring their response.

Chicken and Rice

Feeding your dog a simple and bland diet will often settle their upset stomach. Chicken and rice meals are a great option because they contain lots of protein and fiber to help your dog’s digestion. 

It’s also convenient and easy to make. Plus, chicken has all the fats, amino acids, and vitamins your dog needs to stay on the path to recovery.

Be sure to remove the skin and bones from the chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces. You should also avoid using any seasonings, butter, or other additives. 

Stick to boiled chicken and white rice to help your dog get the most out of this meal. Be sure to avoid other human foods while addressing your pup’s digestive problems. 

Alternatively, you can provide your dog with simple dog food containing chicken and rice as the main ingredients. We recommend our Chicken and Rice Recipe, which contains lots of fiber, protein, and prebiotics to help your dog's digestion. It’s also free of potentially aggravating ingredients like artificial preservatives and indigestible chicken by-products meals.

Pumpkin

Believe it or not, canned pumpkin is one of the healthiest foods you can give to your dog. For one thing, it’s a high-fiber food that’s easy on your dog’s digestive system while providing an incredible amount of vitamins and minerals that your dog needs to thrive. 

Pumpkin is also rich in antioxidants, which help your dog fight off free radicals and improve their overall wellbeing.

Pumpkin is beneficial if your dog is experiencing a mild case of constipation. Depending on your dog's size, you can use anywhere between one and four tablespoons. Save the pumpkin pie for yourself and stick to plain, cooked, and unseasoned pumpkin. 

Excessive salt, sugar, or additives can cause even more problems for your dog’s stomach. Canned sweet potatoes have a similar effect. Remember, if you are cooking your pumpkin or sweet potato, ensure it is skinless when fed to your pup. 

Pumpkin is also found in many premium dog foods, such as our Turkey & Veggies Recipe for All Adult Breeds. This recipe includes added berries for additional antioxidants and fatty acids to promote skin and coat health, making it a great choice if you’d like to support your dog’s wellness with every meal.

Ice Cubes

If your dog has difficulty keeping any amount of food in their stomach, you might worry about their hydration. An upset tummy might sometimes make drinking water difficult for your pup.

You should consult your vet if your dog can’t seem to keep anything down, but feeding them ice chips is one easy way to keep them hydrated. These are unlikely to impact their gut negatively and will provide your dog with small amounts of water to stay hydrated through their sickness.

Bone Broth

Bone broth is a nutritious, mild broth that a sick dog can easily lap up. It should provide hydration and nourishment to any pup experiencing a stomach upset. 

You can buy bone broth in a grocery store or make your own with a crock-pot and some chicken bones. Make sure the bone broth you buy does not have added salt or sugar.

Dog Food

At some point, your dog will need to return to dog food for a complete, balanced diet to provide them with the nutrients they need. We recommend our collection of dog foods, which provide complete immune system support with our carefully selected blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

By giving your dog the tools they need to maintain a healthy immune system, you’re helping them prepare for any health threats that might come their way.

Handling Your Dog’s Stomach Issues

Caring for a dog with stomach issues can be daunting, but with help from a vet and a few simple tricks, you can get your pup back to their usual self in no time. They’ll probably need some time to recover, but as long as you give them the attention, nutrition, and hydration they need, you’ll support them every step.

Sources:

What to Do if Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach | Fetch

3 Remedies for Upset Stomach in Dogs | PetMD

Five Foods to Feed Your Dog When He's Sick | American Kennel Club