Dogs are curious animals and they like to taste everything that crosses their path when they are outside. Sometimes things don’t go down well and they end up having an upset stomach. You need to restrict certain foods just until your dog gets better. The signs which indicate that your dog is unwell include vomiting, diarrhea, visible discomfort, inactivity, and loss of appetite. Usually, if the problem is caused due to incorrect eating, it only lasts a day or two and your dog will recover soon. Learn about what causes diarrhea and what to give a dog for upset stomach here. In case, if there are other symptoms such as excessive vomiting in a day or an increase in temperature, then you need to seek your vet’s help immediately.
Foods you can give your dog for upset stomach
You can try and help your dog get better when you notice that his stomach is upset.
Skip meals
As soon as you see that your dog has vomited or had had an accident, it’s better not to give anything to eat for a while. This helps in eliminating the undigested wastes out of his body. Skipping a meal or two does no harm to most dog breeds. Your dog may also show no interest in touching food either. Let him get rest as much as necessary and his stomach will settle down with fasting.
Keep hydrated
Dogs need to be hydrated in order to recover from an unwell stomach. But, offering too much water may irritate their stomachs and cause more vomiting. Hence, it should be limited to a few sips every 15 minutes or so. Experts recommend giving ice cubes for the dogs to lick so that they stay hydrated.
Bland food
You may prepare bland food without any seasoning to give your dog. This will be easy on the stomach and prevent further trouble. You can give boiled rice with chicken, oatmeal, boiled sweet potatoes or boiled meat. This is easily absorbed and digested by dogs. Most vets and dog owners recommend giving canned pumpkins to dogs going through stomach problems. This is digested and absorbed slowly by their bodies, aiding in recovery. However, you need to ensure that it is 100% pumpkin and does not include any other additives or spices.
Bone soup
You can make bland bone soup or broth to give your pet dog. This is a healthy option, which also helps in keeping hydrated when your dog is sick. Avoid processed foods or packaged products for a while, as they contain added sugars, artificial flavors, or preservatives which can further aggravate an already sensitive stomach.
If you have any concerns, you should always seek the advice of your vet, before offering anything. Some breeds may have different tolerance levels and so, it’s important to be informed.
