Every dog breed is prone to suffer from an upset stomach at some time or the other. It is a common dog health problem, that all dog owners should be aware about. 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 dog illnesses.

Causes

It 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. An upset stomach could also be caused if your dog is suffering from inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis. Eating the wrong food like stale food or food that contains a high fat content can also lead to stomach upset. Puppies develop this condition because of eating stuff that they are not supposed to be eating and due to their underdeveloped digestive system.

Symptoms

If your dog is having a stomach upset, it may display a combination or all of these 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 contion would be easier if the cause of it can be determined before administering the treatment. The best treatment for stomach upset in dogs caused due to indigestion or eating wrong, 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 it is getting better. You can also administer an over-the-counter medication called pepto bismol in case its stomach is not better even after a day.

Remedies
  • While feeding the dog bland food, you can add a little yogurt to the food. 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 Gatorade 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 suffering from 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. It should be treated appropriately to ensure overall well-being in dogs.