Digestive problems are very common among dogs. This is because dogs have strong scavenger traits, which means they hastily ingest anything that they deem edible without proper inspection. Although these traits tend to be advantageous in the wild, dog digestive problems in pets can be problematic.
Dogs with digestive problems tend to display the following symptoms:
- Frequent Vomiting
- Irregular Bowel Movements
- Bloating and Flatulence
- Bad breath
- Lack of Appetite
- Lethargy
If these symptoms are left unchecked, more serious diseases such as pancreatitis and stomach ulcers can develop.
If your dogās condition is very serious, consult a qualified veterinarian as soon as possible. However, most of these ailments can be prevented by following these steps:
1. If any of the above symptoms are seen, letting your dog fast for 12 to 24 hours can be helpful.
In most cases, this is what helps a dogās upset stomach heal and recuperate. Provide sufficient amounts of liquids and electrolytes for your pet during the fast. Ā Maintain a bland diet for the dog after the fasting period is completed. In general, natural, fiber-rich food is the best dog food for upset stomachs.
2. Add more vegetarian foods to your dogās diet.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs are actually omnivores and can eat a variety of vegetarian foods. Pumpkin, bananas, sweet potatoes, and oats are suitable for dogs; in fact, they are incorporated by many companies into their pet foods. Ā Fiber from vegetarian sources is what helps dogs with diarrhea prevention.
3. Keep your dog away from the following:
- Meat that has been left unrefrigerated for more than a day
- Medication that has not been prescribed by a Vet
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Grapes and Raisins
- Avocados (due to toxin Persin present in Avocados)
- Cooked bones (due to splinters which may irritate the dog’s bowels)
- Uncooked Dough or Bakerās Yeast (which can cause rupturing of stomach lining in Dogs)
4. Prevent your dog from eating too fast:
Eating large quantities of food too fast can lead to serious conditions such as āGastric Dilationā, commonly known as āCanine Bloatā. This is more common in large breeds of dogs.
Basically, speed-eating among dogs leads to rapid stomach expansion. In most cases, it can lead to discomfort and bloating, in some cases, it can lead to a distortion of the stomach, which can be fatal. This can be prevented by giving your dog small portions at regular intervals as opposed to 1 or 2 large portions of food every day.
It would also be beneficial for the dog if its dry kibble is sufficiently moistened to prevent rapid expansion within the stomach. Typically 1 cup of kibble should be moistened with a quarter cup of water.
5. Keep your food waste in areas that are not accessible to your pets
6. Maintain a stress-free environment for your pets, keep it as temperature-controlled and quiet as possible.
Finally, just like humans, dogs also need healthy amounts of probiotic bacteria in their guts. Pet foods are heavily processed nowadays, hence feeding pet food to our dogs regularly leads to a gut-bacteria imbalance.
For dogs with digestive problems, “Honest Kitchens’ Dehydrated Instant Goat’s Milk with Probiotics”Ā is the perfect digestive supplement. Ā It has 5 Billion Active Probiotic Cultures and Digestive Enzymes that help with your dog ās upset stomach.
Regular doses of this supplement will also stop dog diarrhea. Human grade and made with all-natural ingredients, this product can be served as a standalone drink or it can be dissolved in water to moisten kibble. Keep your pets healthy and happy.
