An upset stomach, is a common dog health problem that can cause nasty episodes of diarrhea and vomiting in dogs leaving the canines and their owners quite distressed. This can be even more problematic if you little puppy loves to wander around the neighborhood and chews on just about anything that it can find. A sudden change in the diet, eating large quantities of food, dietary indiscretion and mental stress in dogs can all contribute to the upset stomach problems. While there are a number of over the counter antacids that are available, it is best to stick to simple upset stomach remedies for dogs to prevent any side effects of the medications. Here is a look at the causes, symptoms and remedies for an upset stomach in dogs.

Upset Stomach Causes in Dogs

Eating inadequate, toxic, chemical or decomposed food is one of the major causes of upset stomach in dogs. A sudden change in diet can also worsen the problem. In addition diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, inflammatory bowel disease in dogs and poor digestion can also contribute to the problem. Stress and other such problems can also trigger off an upset stomach.

Upset Stomach Symptoms in Dogs

You can identify that your dog is suffering from an upset stomach when it displays certain symptoms. Some of the common upset stomach symptoms include constipation, loss of appetite, abdominal pain. Other symptoms of upset stomach in dogs include:
  • Vomiting
  • Loose watery, and in some cases bloody stool
  • Lethargy
  • Persistent high fever
  • Increased thirst
  • Dehydration
Upset Stomach Remedies for Your Dog

Restrict Food: For dogs suffering from an upset stomach, the first rule is to restrict the food for a minimum of twelve hours. An overnight fast gives your dog's stomach time to recover.

Bland Diet: After the period of fasting, feed the dog a bland diet consisting of boiled rice and chicken or boiled rice and hamburger. Chicken should be fed only after taking off the skin and make sure the hamburger is fat free before serving it to the dog. Make sure that you serve the food in small quantities and continue with the diet till the vomiting subsides.

Eating Grass: No I am not bonkers. Eating grass helps the dog vomit out the food and ease the symptoms of an upset stomach.

Avoid Dehydration: The constant vomiting and loose stool increase the odds of your dog becoming dehydrated. Fill its bowl with half water and half Gatorade or give it some Pedialyte to replace the electrolytes. A dog suffering from upset stomach should not be fed water continuously. This can only make the condition worse by increasing the vomiting. Check if your dog is getting dehydrated by lifting the skin on its shoulder and back. If it stays firm instead of flapping back, then you might need to consult a veterinarian for introduction of subcutaneous fluids.

Yogurt: Probiotic yogurt and cottage cheese contains bacteria that is quite effective in soothing the upset stomach and the irritated intestines.

Herbal Remedies: Herbal remedies are known to be effective in soothing the disgestive system and restore its balance. Some well-known herbal remedies include plantain, Podophyllum and Alchemilla vulgaris. While plantain is great for animals in hot weather, the others are suitable for animals suffering from upset stomach in hot weather.

While most mild cases of diarrhea and upset stomach can be cured in a few days with these simple upset stomach remedies for dogs, remember that the vomiting and other symptoms can be the result of something serious. These serious issues can result in persistent symptoms which are extremely difficult to treat. So if the symptoms do not subside in a few days, it is a good idea to consult a veterinarian.