What to Feed Dogs When They Have an Upset Stomach
One of the common problems most pet owners face in their daily routine is their furry friend's diarrhea or an upset stomach. Dogs often eat those things that they are not allowed to eat, and it is entirely normal when their stomach responds through diarrhea or vomiting.
Diarrhea can occur in any part of life. However, this problem will spread or decrease depending on your dog's age, diet, and temperament.
When diarrhea is acute, it means that it is a spontaneous response of the body to what your dog eats.
On the other hand, chronic issues indicate any serious problem.
If your puppy suffers from diarrhea often, it is essential to contact your veterinarian and rule out the cause of the problem. Your vet can prescribe certain medications and change your dog's diet. There are some foods that can help your dog ease symptoms of an upset stomach and increase hydration and help your dog feel better. Here we will discuss some of the best foods that you can feed your dog when he has an upset stomach.
What to Feed Dog With Upset Stomach?
As you know, digestive upset is quite common in dogs, and there are some supplements, medications, and over-the-counter medications that can help control symptoms. But if you want to deal with this problem in the long term, you have to do it through a change in diet.
Diet changes can be made possible through home-cooked foods or some commercial foods.
Frequently, foods for a sensitive stomach recommended by vets are homemade foods. This is also useful because, in homemade food, you know what you are feeding your dog.
However, before giving your dog any homemade food, the first thing to do is make your dog fast for 12 hours or more. Basically, the stomach is trying to get rid of all those things that are causing the problem, so it will be helpful to the stomach if you don't add anything. You just have to observe your pup's hydration status; otherwise, he will be okay with fasting for a day.
Top 6 Options for Dogs With An Upset Stomach
Here are the top five foods that can help your dog recover from an upset stomach.
1. Bland diet
A bland diet is a food that your dog's gastrointestinal tract can easily digest. The bland diet actually helps the stomach get all the necessary nutrients without causing further discomfort.
The bland diet is basically made up of carbohydrates and protein, and some people add vegetables to increase the fiber content of the food.
The essential things that are present in a bland diet are:
· Easily digestible carbohydrates
White rice is one of the best sources of easily digestible carbohydrates. They are not only a good source of energy, but they also absorb excess water in the gastrointestinal tract. White rice has higher water absorption qualities when compared to barley, millet, brown rice, winter squash, rice bran, and whole wheat macaroni.
· Low-fat protein
Low-fat protein is available in turkey, chicken, and lean beef. A protein source that has a higher fat ratio is not suitable for puppies with digestive disorders. Excess fat plays a role in worsening the condition because the fat draws extra water into the intestines, leading to more diarrhea.
· Vegetable source
In some conditions, the dog's stomach responds well to vegetables. Some vegetables like celery, cucumber, lettuce, squash, and mushrooms are higher in fiber and help ease digestive upset.
2. Probiotics and Prebiotics
Bacteria play an essential role in the dog's gastrointestinal tract. When a dog suffers from digestive disorders, the bacterial population is affected as well.
When a dog is supplemented with prebiotics or probiotics, it helps rebalance the bacterial population and prevents worsening symptoms.
For example, Black Balance by Medrego prebiotics promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut, which in turn produce nutrients for colon cells, which then improve the function and health of the digestive system.
While prebiotics is a safe supplement that you can add to your dog's diet without worrying, you should never feed probiotics without consulting your vet.
Sometimes a bland diet is not the best option to control intestinal discomfort in dogs. A balanced diet is not a complete diet. A complete diet is one that contains all the necessary vitamins and minerals. All commercial dog foods available on the market are whole and balanced.
The bland diet is only safe if it is fed in the short term. If a long-term bland diet is administered, metabolic abnormalities and diseases such as weight loss and weakness will occur.
In case it is necessary to keep your pet on a bland diet for longer than necessary, vitamins and minerals should be added to the diet, and the diet should be discussed with the veterinarian.
If you are having difficulty with a bland diet, some commercial food brands sell bland diets on the market.
3. Rice
Rice is another option that can be added to your dog's diet. They can be fed during and after bouts of diarrhea. Rice helps the stomach to return to normal. Brown rice can be used regularly in the diet because it has a higher nutritional value, and white rice can be used for digestive upset.
4. Lean Meat Sources
Lean meat is the best diet for dogs with an upset stomach. The main benefit of lean meat is that they are also an excellent source of protein. If you want to feed your dog lean meat, then provide boneless, skinless chicken breast.
5. Pumpkin and Sweet Potato
Vegetables can also be used during an upset stomach. Sweet potatoes and pumpkins are readily available, and they are also very beneficial to your fido during and after episodes of diarrhea. These vegetables provide a lot of fiber and help control intestinal problems. Canned pumpkin is always a better option because it absorbs slowly and helps with digestion.
6. Yogurt
Yogurt has been used to soothe digestive discomfort for centuries. Adding a tablespoon or two to your dog's diet can ease a sick stomach. Basically, the probiotics present in yogurt can also restore the good bacteria population.
Conclusion
Digestive disorders can occur in dogs from time to time, and it is essential to treat these problems. Consulting your vet and choosing the best medication and what to feed a dog with an upset stomach is very important. The diet described above can go a long way in controlling digestive disorders.
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Source: https://www.medrego.com/what-to-feed-a-dog-with-upset-stomach-top-5-options/