Every dog owner wants to provide their best friend with the highest quality of life. When your pup has a sensitive stomach, it can make them feel ill and not get the most out of life. There are many causes of chronic upset stomach in dogs, including breeding, digestive issues, and food sourcing.
If your dog gets diarrhea, experiences frequent vomiting after eating, or has a lot of cramping and gas, they are probably pretty uncomfortable and need your help. It can take some time to determine the cause of your dog’s sensitive stomach, so you must work closely with your veterinarian to find the best solution.
While several sensitive stomach dog food brands on the market may help your furry friend, other issues may be causing the problem, and all avenues should be explored. Let’s take a closer look at a few ways that you can help your dog with a sensitive stomach.
Dog-Friendly Environment
One reason behind your dog’s upset stomach may be that they are getting into things that they shouldn’t. Just like a toddler, dogs are curious and tempted by many things and will eat anything. To ensure your dog is not eating things that will make them ill, you will need to puppy-proof your home using the following methods:
- Hide all electrical cords
- Put small items and knick-knacks up out of reach
- Cover kitchen and bathroom garbage
- Keep all medications out of reach or locked up
- Household cleaners and chemicals should be safely in cupboards
- Poisonous outdoor plants should be removed
- Keep the toilet seats down
- Keep toys in a specific area or in a toy box
Slow Eating
Some dogs are impulsive or food protective and tend to gorge on their food quickly. Allowing your dog to eat quickly can result in an upset stomach or vomiting. If your dog eats too fast, it can interfere with their digestion cycle and cause gas and bloating. To help them slow down, you can try reducing the portions and feeding them more often, or get them a specially designed bowl that forces them to eat slowly.
Minimize Treats
We all want to spoil our dogs and reward them for good behavior, but too many treats can cause gas or interfere with your dog’s normal appetite. If your dog is fussy about their food or experiencing digestive issues, you may want to manage the number of treats you are handing out. It’s best to buy treats made from natural ingredients and only hand them out as a reward for good behavior.
Elimination Diet
If your dog is experiencing an upset stomach, your first instinct may be to switch their food or try several different brands until you find the right one. However, changing your dog’s food too quickly can cause further digestive problems. Instead, you may want to start with an elimination diet to find the root cause of the issue. Prepare a simple rice and chicken meal and slowly add different ingredients over time to help you find the items that may be bothering your dog.
If your pup is struggling with a sensitive stomach, try these tips to help them learn to enjoy their feeding time and relieve their upset tummy.
