If you love your canine companion as much as most pup parents, it’s always sad when your dog isn’t feeling his or her best. And from time to time, dogs will struggle with indigestion or stomach distress.
Fortunately, there are some simple ways to help your dog feel better. Here are some tips from the Green Paws team for understanding your dog’s digestive process and when they might be feeling poorly, along with some advice for dealing with dog indigestion and ensuring sustainable gut health for dogs.
How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Digest Food?
A dog typically takes anywhere from four to 12 hours to digest food, with the average usually being closer to eight to 10 hours. There are a number of factors that influence how quickly a dog digests food.
- Puppies digest food more quickly than mature dogs
- Larger dogs tend to take longer to digest food than smaller dogs.
- Type of food matters: Foods with more protein and moisture digest faster than dry foods and foods high in fiber.
Signs of Upset Stomach in Dogs
Two of the clearest signs that a dog has indigestion of some sort are vomiting or diarrhea. Either can be an indicator that your dog’s stomach is upset. However, there are other symptoms that aren’t quite as obvious.
Either a loss of appetite or lethargy and discomfort can indicate that a dog’s stomach is upset. If your dog is showing less energy than normal or is pacing and whining in an unusual way, it could be because of indigestion. Yet another sign might be drooling, gulping or lip-smacking. Indigestion can also cause a dog to have worse breath than normal.
Over a longer time period, your dog losing weight might be a sign of consistent indigestion problems, even if the dog isn’t exhibiting any dramatic signs in the short term. You may also see behavior like eating grass when your dog’s stomach is upset.
What Can You Give a Dog For an Upset Stomach?
If you believe your dog is suffering from indigestion, the first remedy you should try is to change the dog’s diet. Often, indigestion is a result of the dog’s food causing an adverse reaction.
One of the tried-and-true diets for a dog with an upset stomach is a combination of boiled chicken and rice. Just be sure that you don’t apply any seasonings or salt to the chicken like you would if cooking for humans.
Additionally, consider feeding your dog plain, canned pumpkin with no added sugar or sweetener. Pumpkin is an excellent, natural choice for a dog’s upset stomach due to its rich fiber content, prebiotic benefits, and nutrient-rich profile. Begin by adding 1-2 teaspoons of the pumpkin puree into your dog’s food, and increasing the amount as necessary.
You can also help your dog out in a handful of other ways, like making sure the dog is properly hydrated. Dehydration is often the result of vomiting and diarrhea and can make indigestion worse. Additionally, make sure to feed the dog multiple smaller meals rather than one or two large ones, as this can overload the stomach.
Finally, if none of these techniques are working, consulting a veterinarian can help you learn what to give a dog for upset stomach and vomiting. There are a variety of medicines, like Famotidine or pro-motility medications that can aid in the digestion process.
Tips for Ensuring Sustainable Gut Health for Dogs
The best way to avoid indigestion for your dog is to be proactive about maintaining good gut health. A mix of probiotics and prebiotics can be beneficial in regulating your dog’s gut, both from supplements and through natural sources. Yogurt is one such natural source, and introducing yogurt to your dog’s diet can improve gut health.
Raw or less processed dog foods tend to be easier for a dog’s stomach to digest. And a high fiber diet often cuts down on the risk of diarrhea and constipation.
If your dog is suffering from indigestion, he or she will probably exhibit a range of symptoms that will let you know there’s a problem.
In summary, in order to help your dog with their stomach pain, there are several natural options to choose from – from pumpkin, to increased water intake, and even chicken and rice. Additionally, be as observant as possible of your dog’s behavior, comfort level, and pain threshold. If your furry friend isn’t improving within 1-2 days, be sure to consult your veterinarian, and, if necessary, bring them in for a check-up. Here’s to ensuring that your dog stays safe, happy, and healthy!
