Dog Care Upset Stomach

Need dog care upset stomach remedy ideas? A few over the counter medicines can be used for our canine kids but dog stomach problems have many causes and many cures as well. How a about natural cure?

If you’re a Pepto-Bismal or Kaopectate kind of person, you can use half the dose you would give a child.

On the other hand, if you would like to understand the possible culprits and what natural alternatives to use to make your dog better instead of reducing symptoms, keep reading. (Aren’t I opinionated?)

Causes of Dog Stomach Problems

Okay, there could be a host of reasons but to simplify it a bit, here’s a list:

• Food
• Bacteria
• Viral Infection

So here’s my thinking. If you give Pepto-Bismal or Kaopectate for dog vomiting or diarrhea, it may halt whichever one it is, but it’s not curing the cause. Neither will it kill bacteria or a virus or make the food healthier.

Probiotics for Dogs

If your dog's stomach seems upset all the time, no matter what food he eats (you do have him on a healthy diet right?), start with Dog Probiotics Probiotics will balance out the intestinal bacteria and improve digestion.

This really works. It's what I use for myself and what I gave my kids when they complained of tummy upsets. I never had to give them Pepto-Bismol! Probiotics ARE bacteria. We tend to think of bacteria as a bad thing but it’s needed for many functions in the body.

Also, if there are plenty of good bacteria, they can and do overwhelm much of the nasty stuff.

Probiotics are especially important after taking antibiotics. Antibiotics kill all bacteria, the good along with the bad. If your dog has taken this kind of medication several times, his intestines really need help. (And the same goes for you!)

The use of antibiotics isn't the only thing that destroys good bacteria. Poor diet, stress, pollutants, environmental changes, and other prescription drugs can also deplete beneficial bacteria. Even using chlorinated tap water for dogs could pose a problem.

My favorite probiotic to use is Probiotics Eleven because it has 11 strains of bacteria and can be used for both me and my dogs so there is always some in the fridge.

Viral and Bacterial Problems

For dog care upset stomach due to viral or bacterial problems, there is echinecea and goldenseal. I tend to use a combination because the first fights viral infections and the second is more for bacteria so it covers the bases without any side effects and boosts the immune system. Another great home remedy for the medicine chest is Natures Sunshine’s Silver Shield, but I’ll cover that one later.

Vomiting

Homeopathic Remedy Ipecac is good for vomiting and has no side effects. For dosage and more information on dog vomiting, please read Stop Dog Vomiting.

Dog Care Upset Stomach – Diarrhea

If you need immediate help with dog diarrhea, give 1 capsule Probiotics Eleven. Plain can pumpkin is also a natural way to help. You don't have to worry about how much pumpkin to serve because it's nourishing and also helps eliminate constipation in dogs. I was surprised when I tried it with one of my dogs. I scooped some into her bowl and she acted like it was a special treat.

The cause of diarrhea in dogs can be from stress, bacteria, a change in food, dog treats or human snack foods. Many ingredients, flavorings or even food dyes can cause diarrhea, so be a label reader.

Dog Care Upset Stomach – Constipation

If your dog is constipated, read Constipation in Dogs.

Mineral oil can be used on a temporary basis. 1/2 to 2 teaspoons to the food once a day (depending on the size of your dog) until he poops.

Mineral oil works because it remains undigested as it passes through. Keep in mind, prolonged use of mineral oil can create a dependency. It will also take vitamin A from your dog's body.

Dog Loss of Appetite

With an upset stomach, if the dog will not eat, that is usually a good thing. Fasting is a natural way to let the body heal. Dogs know instinctually when to rest and let nature take its course. Especially with diarrhea, fasting lets the body rest after working so hard to get something bad out of the body.

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