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Symptoms, Causes And Treatment of Upset Stomach in Dogs

Dhanya Joy
An upset stomach in dogs is a common problem that most owners have to deal with. Read this write-up to know more about this dog health problem.
Every dog breed is bound to be affected by an upset stomach at some time or the other. It is a common dog health problem that all owners should be aware of.
Puppies are most likely to develop this condition, and to treat it on time, it is essential that you watch out for the signs and symptoms of stomach upset in dogs. This condition should not be ignored or left untreated as it can lead to various other illnesses.

Causes
An upset stomach can be caused due to various reasons like infections caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses, indigestion, food allergies, change in diet, motion sickness, intestinal worms, stress or trauma, etc. It could also be caused if your dog is affected by an inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis.
Eating the wrong food like stale food or that which has a high fat content can also lead to a stomach upset. Puppies develop this condition because of eating stuff that they are not supposed to, and also due to their underdeveloped digestive system.

Symptoms
If your dog is having a stomach upset, it may display a combination of or all of the following symptoms.
  • Frequent loose or watery stools
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of appetite
  • Increased thirst
  • Bloating
  • High fever
  • Lethargy

Treatment
It is essential to treat the dog as soon as it starts displaying these symptoms, or else it could lead to chronic diarrhea, dehydration, and excessive weight loss. Treating this condition would be easier if the cause can be determined before administering the treatment.
The best treatment for a stomach upset in dogs that is caused due to indigestion or wrong eating, is to starve your dog for a day and to provide it with lots of drinking water. After the completion of 24 hours, you can feed the dog a little bland food to check if the upset stomach is any better.
You can then gradually increase the quantity of food once you are sure that your dog is getting better. You can also administer medications in case the stomach is not better even after a day.

Remedies
★ While feeding the dog bland food, you can add a little yogurt to it. The bacteria in the yogurt will help regulate the dog's bowel movements and will also reduce intestinal inflammation.

★ Feeding your dog a little grass can be a good cure. Grass will help cleanse out your dog's digestive system.
★ To prevent dehydration in your dog, you can administer Anti-Dehydrants mixed with water or you can freeze it and let your dog lick it.

★ To regulate an upset stomach, you can add some probiotics to its food or even administer dietary supplements.
★ Avoid feeding your dog any commercial food when it is experiencing a stomach upset. Feed it only fresh, bland, home-cooked food like boiled chicken and boiled white rice.
In case the condition still persists, you should consult a veterinarian for medical assistance. Your dog should be treated appropriately to ensure its overall well-being.