Dog Bloated Stomach Home Remedy
andreas strauss
February 28, 2022
Is your dog suffering from a case of bloating? Pet insurance Australia takes a look at the causes and remedies of bloating and stomach upset dogs. PLUS: some top natural tips to keep your dog’s stomach feeling its best.
Dogs can suffer from a case of the dreaded gassy stomach, just like with us humans. This can be caused by a range of reasons. Firstly it is paramount that if your dog has a case of sudden bloating seek veterinary treatment immediately. Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or ‘Bloat’ as it is commonly known, can progress quickly and be a sign of a serious condition. Gastric Dilation Volvulus occurs when your dog’s stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food and is caused by the stomach twisting or flipping. This can be a life-threatening condition and needs veterinary treatment quickly.
Signs of GDV and dog bloat include:
- Restlessness/pacing
- Swollen abdomen – firm to the touch
- Painful tummy
- White gums
- Unusual behaviour or distress
- Dry-retching
- Excessive drool
- Panting
If your dog is displaying any of these symptoms it is recommended to seek help immediately to ensure the health and wellbeing of your dog.
Once you rule out any serious complications you can help your canine companion with some dog bloated home remedies. This can include changing their ‘complete’ diet with the help of a vet or adding some of the following into their diet or daily regime.
- Raw or cooked pumpkin
- Over the counter gas treatment
- Light exercise
- Consider a slow feed bowl
- Feed smaller meals
- Add some pre-biotics and probiotics to your pet’s diet
- Prevent your dog from excessive exercise or zoomies after eating.
Always remember to start slowly and only offer a small quantity. Dogs that eat too quickly commonly suffer from bloated stomachs. Slowing your dog down or feeding smaller portions throughout the day can also help.
Homemade Dog Food for an Upset Stomach
For some dogs, the types of food you are feeding can have a huge effect on the health of their gut. It’s important to note that changing your dog’s diet should be a very gradual episode, as adding a completely new diet can escalate the problem and cause tummy upsets and bloating very quickly.
If your dog’s stomach issues are ongoing it might be worth considering a total diet change to a more sensitive food. This is very true if you are feeding a ‘complete’ manufactured diet. Again go slowly – start with half a cup change per day mixed with their normal food and always follow the manufactures and your veterinarians instructions on amounts to feed.
It’s also a good idea to note when your dog’s tummy is not feeling 100%. Is it after a bone or any scraps of certain foods being fed to your dog, or is it their primary diet causing the issues? The best way to eliminate any tummy issues is to make a diary of when your dog is having episodes to get a good clear picture of what is going on. Some plants are also toxic to dogs and can cause an onset of bloating, gas, or diarrhoea. At some point, all dogs get a bad tummy and will display certain symptoms that are very uncomfortable for them, and also their two-legged humans.
A basic and mild tummy upset should only last for 24-48hrs, after this time it’s best to get some professional advice. It’s also suggested to wait for a good 12-14hrs until you give your dog any food. Allow plenty of freshwater to help flush the toxin out of the body.
After this time it’s advised to offer a very bland diet for dogs. A homemade dog food for an upset stomach is the best way to go. This can consist of cooked rice and boiled boneless chicken. The homemade dog food for a tummy upset should be around half and half ratio for protein and rice. Remember to only offer a small amount of the bland diet for dogs and not to overwhelm their system after their fasting period. Avoid raw bones, rawhide or additional dog treats until your pet is 100%. It is important to remember that a homemade dog food for bloating or a upset stomach is not suitable for a long-term diet.
Only feed a bland homemade diet to your dog for a maximum of 2-4 days before slowly returning them to their normal diet (start adding your normal food on day three). Dogs need a well-balanced diet consisting of many carefully balanced nutrients to encourage overall health and wellbeing.
The diet is also not recommended for dogs with true dog allergies or bowl/gastrointestinal disease or inflammation. These dogs need to be seen by a registered veterinarian and treated correctly. If your pet is showing continuous attacks of a bad stomach or bloating, talking to your vet and considering a sensitive diet.
Upset Stomach in Dogs Symptoms
Upset stomach in dogs can be caused by a range of issues:
- Something they’ve eaten they shouldn’t have
- An allergy to the food they are eating
- Stress or environmental changes (think moving home)
- Bacterial problems
For some dog owners, it can be a little bit of a myth as to what has caused their dog’s stomach upset that has triggered a sudden onset of bloating, gas, or diarrhoea. If your dog is displaying any other symptoms or there is the presence of blood, it’s important to seek veterinary treatment quickly.
Symptoms of a Stomach Upset in Dogs includes;
- Bloating
- Smelly gas
- Diarrhoea
If your dog is vomiting it’s important to seek advice. A mild case of a stomach upset in dogs should only last a day or two. If your dog is seeming listless or is not their normal bouncy self, and is accompanied by symptoms of a stomach upset in dogs, a check-up from your local vet may be warranted. Persistent vomiting can be a sign of a more serious condition.
Pumpkin for Dog Upset Stomach
Pumpkin has also been known to help a mild case of a dog stomach upset. Pumpkin for a upset tummy has been noted with many professionals to help ease diarrhoea. The American Kennel Club suggests adding one to four tablespoons of cooked or raw pumpkin to your dog’s diet, but as a recommendation, it’s advised to add only a little to start with. Pumpkin for a upset stomach in dogs introduces a large amount of fibre into the diet to help stop diarrhoea.
Like with any new addition to your dog’s diet, start slowly. Adding pumpkin for a dog’s upset stomach could escalate the problem if you feed too much.
Senior Dog Upset Stomach
If you have a golden oldie who is experiencing a senior dog upset stomach it’s highly recommended to book in for a check-up. Senior dogs can develop sensitive issues due to their age and it’s always best to rule out any underlying issues that could be causing upset stomachs.
Many dog owners have had some success for a senior dog upset stomach by adding a small amount of raw pumpkin into their diets. There is also a huge array of complete diets that are age-appropriate and contain many additives that can help with common senior dog issues including a dog’s upset stomach. Your vet can advise you on how to help your senior dog with their tummy issues.
Again, if it is a sudden and mild case, offering some chicken and rice for a few days can help with a senior dog upset stomach. If your pet is showing continuous symptoms or their episode is lasting more than a couple of days, veterinary treatment is advised.
Photo by Dominik QN
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