We will occasionally get a stomach ache, and dogs will too. If you suspect your dog has an upset stomach, there are steps you can take to make him feel more comfortable and reduce the risk of developing other illnesses or diarrhea.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Cure Stomach Pain in Dogs
Step 1. Keep the food away
If your dog's digestive tract has problems, you should give him a break by stopping him from feeding him. Food will make the dog's stomach and intestines secrete digestive enzymes. This enzyme may exacerbate the inflammation or disorder he is experiencing, and make his stomach hurt even more.
- Stop feeding the dog for 24 hours.
- Check your dog to the doctor, if after that he still shows symptoms of stomach pain.
Step 2. Provide fresh and clean drinking water
Watch your dog and make sure he drinks water. If your dog has been drinking less water than normal for 24 hours, and still seems uncomfortable, you should take him to the vet. Also, be aware if your dog looks thirsty. Some dogs will drink a lot more when they are sick. A bowl full of water that went into his stomach at once would probably make him throw up.
- If your dog vomits the water he drank, give him a small amount of water every half hour.
- For dogs weighing less than 10 kg, provide a small cup of water every 30 minutes. For dogs weighing more than 10 kg, give a cup of water tea every 30 minutes.
- If your dog drinks water and doesn't regurgitate it within 2-3 hours, let him drink as much water as he likes.
- If your dog is still vomiting even if the water supply is reduced, you should see a veterinarian.
Step 3. Slowly return to your dog's diet as usual
If after 24 hours without eating the dog seems to be getting better and asks for food, give him bland food for the next 24 hours. Low-fat, easy-to-digest foods include chicken breast, rabbit, turkey, or cod. You can mix the meat with pasta, rice, or mashed boiled potatoes (but without adding dairy).
- Don't give chicken flavored food. This kind of food generally contains very little chicken meat, and is not good enough to replace chicken consumption.
- You can ask your veterinarian for a special dog food to speed up the healing of an upset stomach. These foods include Hills ID or Purina EN diets.
Step 4. Give food in small portions, at first
After your dog has fasted for 24 hours, first feed him about 1/4 of his usual serving. These small portions of food are easier to digest than large portions of food. This step is also useful to ensure that the condition has indeed improved.
If your dog doesn't appear hungry or is 100% better after fasting for 24 hours, you should see your vet
Step 5. Give the dog more attention
Even as long as you are sick, attention from others can make you much better. Sit down and be with the dog, talk to him in a soft, soothing voice. Rub the head and fur along its back.
Don't massage her stomach. The dog cannot tell whether this massage makes his stomachache better or worse. If a very sensitive point is pressed, a sharp pain in the dog's stomach may appear suddenly, causing his body to turn around and kick you
Step 6. Apply gentle warmers
Warming therapy may be beneficial for some dogs. If your dog seems to be shaking, give him a hot bottle wrapped in a towel to warm him up. Just make sure your dog can stay away from the heater if he feels uncomfortable. Don't tie the heating bottle to your dog's body so he can't get it off on his own.
Step 7. Call the vet if necessary
If your dog just seems a little uncomfortable but is still healthy, you can just keep an eye on him and take the steps above to make him feel more comfortable. However, if the condition worsens, you should contact your veterinarian. You should also call your veterinarian if your dog begins to show any of the following signs:
- Appears to be vomiting but doesn't pass anything: a dog that looks sick but can't pass anything indicates a twisted stomach. Do not hesitate to contact the veterinarian as this condition is dangerous.
- Vomiting for more than 4 hours.
- Vomiting and inability to retain fluids in the digestive tract: these conditions can lead to dehydration, so contact your veterinarian. The vet can give fluids through an intravenous drip if necessary.
- Looks weak and powerless.
- Do not eat for more than 24 hours.
- Diarrhea (without blood) for more than 24 hours.
- Bloody diarrhea.
- Appearing depressed, complaining, or crying.
Step 8. Give anti-nausea medication
If your dog has recurring stomach problems due to something (such as if he's on chemotherapy, or has kidney disease), his doctor may prescribe medication to treat it.
Maropitant (Cerenia) is a medication commonly prescribed to dogs undergoing chemotherapy. This tablet is given 1 time a day and the effect is 24 hours. The oral dose of this drug is 2 mg/kg body weight, which means an average Labrador dog should take 60 mg tablets once a day
Part 2 of 3: Diagnosing Stomach Pain
Step 1. Watch for dogs that seem unsettled
You certainly recognize the dog you own and know if his behavior is odd. Whether your dog is usually very energetic or lazy, you can definitely tell if he seems restless. This could be a sign that he has a stomach ache.
- The dog may not be able to find a comfortable position to lie down.
- The dog may be walking back and forth repeatedly.
Step 2. Notice if the dog is looking at its stomach
The dog's stomach is located near the hind legs, just in front of the thighs. Sometimes a dog doesn't know what's going on while he's sick so he appears to twist his neck and look for the source of the pain, as if to see what's hurting him. A dog looking at its stomach may have a stomach ache.
Step 3. Watch for excessive dog licking
Stomach pain or cramping can make your dog feel nauseous. When this happens, dogs tend to lick their lips more often. Some dogs will even lick their front paws or other body parts to make them more comfortable.
- Excessive drooling can also be a sign of nausea or stomach upset. By nature, some dog breeds salivate more than others, so get to know your dog's habits to determine if his salivation is normal.
- Swallowing movements may also be associated with gastric disorders.
Step 4. Listen to the barking and farting of the dog
If the cause of your stomach pain is gastrointestinal distress, you may be able to hear a growling sound from your dog's stomach. The sound of air movement in the digestive tract may also come out as a fart.
Even if this rumbling sound is not heard, it does not mean that the dog is free from stomach pain. Maybe you just can't hear it
Step 5. Notice if the dog appears to be hunched over (praying position)
The classic sign of stomach upset in dogs is the "praying position". The dog will appear to be bowing as if pleading. You can tell if your dog is just playing or is sick by watching this behavior.
- The dog will stretch its bottom up and bend the front of its body toward the floor.
- The dog tries to stretch the stomach and ease the pain through this position.
Step 6. Watch for vomiting and diarrhea in dogs
If your dog has any of these symptoms, you may be able to tell them easily. Just like humans, dogs can also vomit and experience diarrhea when their stomach hurts. Even if you have to go through the hassle of cleaning up the vomit and feces, don't get mad at the dog! He can't control it!
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Stomach Pain
Step 1. Keep spoiled food out of reach of dogs
As a dog owner, you probably already know that dogs will eat anything. Unfortunately, spoiled foods that can cause stomach upset or more serious problems are also included. Be sure to store spoiled food in a safe place in the kitchen, so your dog can't reach it. Check the area around the house periodically to make sure there are no dead wild animals or other animals there. Remember that dogs can smell carrion more strongly than you can.
Step 2. Don't let your dog eat as he pleases
Some owners let their dogs eat as they please. This means they will put out a lot of food and let the dog eat it all day. Dog owners may find this method easier to do than feeding on a specific schedule. However, dogs fed this way generally overeat, the result of which is obesity and the health risks associated with it. Eating too much in a short period of time can also cause an upset stomach, which you can actually prevent with simple efforts.
- Give food in equal portions 2 times a day, once in the morning and again in the afternoon. How much a dog eats depends on the dog's body size. Recommended servings of dog food vary greatly in product packaging, so seek advice from your veterinarian.
- You can also search online calculators to determine your recommended calorie intake. After knowing how many calories your dog should eat each day, pay attention to the calorie content listed in dog food products and measure the portion of the food.
Step 3. Buy quality dog food
Some dog foods are marketed specifically for certain dog breeds. However, race was not related to the portion size of the dog's diet. You should focus on your dog's size and choosing a dog food that matches his metabolism.
- Choose dog food that contains quality ingredients. The cheapest dog food generally contains ingredients that are cheap and difficult to digest.
- Just like human food, dog food must also include the amount of each ingredient in it. Look for dog food that lists protein sources such as fish, meat, or eggs as the main ingredient or both. The more protein in it, the easier it will be for your dog to digest it.
Step 4. Do not give human food
Although dogs seem to like all kinds of food, their bodies cannot digest food like humans. Many common household foods can actually cause a toxic reaction in dogs. Stomach pain from eating these foods, even in small amounts, may be a dog's reaction to food that is toxic to him. Never give the following foods to dogs:
- Avocado
- Bread dough
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Grapes or raisins
- Foods that contain hops
- Macadamia nuts
- Onion
- Garlic
- Xylitol, an ingredient commonly found in "sugar-free" foods
Step 5. Don't let your dog play with a sick dog
Just as children transmit the flu at school, dogs can transmit the disease to each other. If you know a dog that has recently been sick, do not allow your dog to approach him until the disease is no longer contagious.
- You may find it difficult to tell if a dog is sick while in the park. Apart from having lots of dogs playing in the same place, the dogs that arrive are different every day.
- If your dog is sick, ask other dog owners who are also playing in the park to find out which other dogs have recently been sick.
- Talk to the dog's owner to find out the disease and determine the level of danger.
Step 6. Consider your dog's health concerns
Some health problems, such as pancreatitis, often cause abdominal pain. If you know your dog has this condition, pay close attention to it regularly to monitor for signs of stomach upset or other problems. Watch for decreased exertion, illness, or diarrhea in the dog. Early treatment by a veterinarian can help your dog heal faster and reduce pain.
