Upset stomachs are a common dog problem. While it is important to monitor your dog's bowel movements and consult a veterinarian, you can help ease your pup’s stomach pain with items you already have at home.
Try giving your dog rice with boiled chicken (no salt or seasoning added). You can also offer some sugar-free ginger snap cookies or ice cubes, which can be an easy way to help ease nausea and vomiting.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Dogs with upset stomachs may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or bloating. Often times these are signs of food intolerances or allergies, but they can also be caused by other factors such as pancreatitis, internal parasites, and even poisoning.
When diluted with water, apple cider vinegar can help settle dogs' tummies by helping with digestion. Make sure it's raw, unpasteurized, and that the "mother" is present since these are the enzymes that are beneficial to a dog's health.
Other natural remedies that are a great addition to any pet parent's cupboard include ginger (which is an anti-inflammatory) and rosemary (which is an anti-spasmodic). A few tablespoons of either in water or broth can help to soothe a tum. The addition of prebiotics and probiotics, like those found in GUTSY, can also aid in your dog's digestive function. Read more
Ginger
Like humans, dogs can suffer from nausea and stomach issues. It's important to keep them hydrated during these times to prevent dehydration, which can lead to more serious health problems.
Ginger root has compounds that soothe upset tummies and aid digestion. It's also an effective anti-inflammatory and can help reduce bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Ginger is available in many forms, including dry powders, teas, tablets, and tinctures.
If your dog is panting excessively, drooling, smacking their lips, drinking less water than usual, or having odd facial expressions, they may be experiencing nausea. While it's not always an emergency, it's best to treat it as soon as possible so your pup doesn't become dehydrated or experience further complications.
Bone Broth
Bone broth is nutrient-rich and satiating, making it an ideal food for dogs who have upset stomachs. It can also help them absorb important nutrients that they aren’t able to get from highly processed pet foods. The amino acids glycine, collagen and gelatin support healing and gut health while chondroitin sulfate helps maintain cartilage and reduces inflammation caused by intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome.
You can make your own bone broth by simmering bones and other animal parts for a few days with an acid like vinegar, herbs and vegetables. It’s also available in dog-safe pouches, such as Solid Gold’s GUTSY natural tummy suspension, that provide probiotics, digestive enzymes and a 5-strain blend of healthy bacteria. This helps promote a balanced gut microbiome to reduce symptoms of gas and diarrhea.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is one of the little miracle products that is sitting in your pantry and can zap smells, whiten teeth, and cure upset stomachs. It works by changing the pH level of an acid to neutralize it.
Dogs can also benefit from this natural remedy when they have gas or a bloated stomach. Simply mix a teaspoon of baking soda with half a cup of water and give your dog sips every two hours until their tummy settles.
If your dog has bloat you should never make them vomit as this can be dangerous and can lead to severe dehydration. Instead, contact a veterinarian as they may recommend hydrogen peroxide or anti-emetic medication like apomorphine hydrochloride (brand name Immobilon) or chlorpromazine maleate (trade names Aptrol and Thorazine). They can also treat any underlying condition that is causing your pup’s stomach to upset.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice that has anti-inflammatory properties that can ease your dog’s stomach pain. It has been shown to work just as well as ibuprofen and acetaminophen at decreasing inflammation.
It can help your dog’s upset stomach by reducing blood flow to the area and by triggering bile production, which regulates gastric fluids. It can also decrease the amount of inflammatory chemicals released by the body, such as cytokines.
Ginger is another natural remedy that can be used for your dog’s upset stomach. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a tea or chew. It has antiemetic properties that help curb nausea and vomiting, which can be a sign of a stomach virus or infection. It also helps relieve bloating and can encourage regular bowel movements.