When your dog is sick, it can be stressful trying to find what will help them feel better. If your dog is experiencing an upset stomach, you may not know what to give them to help. You might have Pepto-Bismol and ginger ale on hand for yourself, but these remedies for upset stomachs will not work for your pup.
Bland food diets are a great option for attempting to ease your dog’s stomach troubles. They are great at alleviating symptoms such as gas, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, all while providing the nutrients our canine friends need.
Below are some techniques to settle the stomach of your dog and some ingredients you can add to their diet to make them feel better.
Hydration is Key
When dealing with a pup with an upset stomach, keeping them hydrated is very important. This is especially true if your dog is vomiting or having diarrhea, as they can quickly dehydrate in these situations.
If you find that your dog cannot keep water down, try giving them some ice chips every two hours. Once you notice an improvement, you can give them small amounts of water, gradually increasing until they are feeling better.
Water is not the only thing needed to stay properly hydrated. Your pup will also require electrolytes and vitamins to stave off dehydration. You can use children’s Pedialyte to achieve this or a powder sold at most animal feed stores to mix with water.
Bone Broth
Another great option to help settle your dog’s stomach while also keeping them hydrated is bone broth. It is a mildly flavored liquid dense with nutrients that will help your dog feel better. You can use it on its own or combine it with your pup’s dry food to encourage them to eat.
Making bone broth is quite simple. All you will need are some beef marrow bones or bones with many joints, such as chicken or turkey bones, and water. Place the bones in a crockpot and pour water in until it is around 2 inches above the bones.
Cover and cook it on low for around 24 hours. When it is finished, you will want to skim the fat off the top, which you can easily do by placing the broth in the fridge.
Cooked bones are dangerous for dogs. You need to remove all of the bones and strain the broth to catch any tiny bone fragments that may have broken off into the pot.
Bone broth takes a while to make properly, so it is good to prepare it ahead of time and freeze it for emergencies.
Shredded Chicken And Rice
Bland foods are excellent for treating upset stomachs. They are easy to digest and provide much-needed nutrition.
Shredded chicken and rice is a great bland food mix to give your dog if they are experiencing stomach troubles. While white rice has fewer nutrients than brown rice, it is the blander option and, therefore, better when dealing with an upset stomach.
Boil the chicken breast and rice until fully cooked. You can also bake the chicken if you prefer. Do not use any oils, butter, or seasonings when you cook the chicken and rice because these things can further upset your pup’s digestive system.
You should cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces or shred it to make it easier for your dog to eat and digest.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin has some great digestive health benefits, similar to sweet potatoes. It is high in fiber, which is great for digestion issues, and contains many vitamins that provide a nutrition boost for your dog. Pumpkin is best used if your dog is experiencing mild constipation or diarrhea. You can also give them Peanut Butter Dog Treat once in a while.
You should feed your pup one to four tablespoons of pumpkin, depending on their size, to help alleviate any stomach issues. You can check other benefits of pumpkin for dogs here: https://whatthepup.spotandtango.com/can-dogs-eat-pumpkin/
It is important to note that not all pumpkin is created equal. If you cannot prepare pumpkin yourself, canned pumpkin is just fine. However, pumpkin pie mix is unsuitable for dogs, especially when dealing with an upset stomach.
You want to make sure the pumpkin you feed your pup has no seasonings or additives. You can also find pumpkin powders to mix in with their dry food.
Conclusion
It is stressful to see your dog feeling sick, especially with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. You can do many things to help them feel better while you get ahold of their vet, though.
Make sure your dog stays well-hydrated and try to find them a bland diet. Chicken, white rice, and pumpkin are great food options when alleviating an upset stomach. You can also try similar foods like oatmeal, plain yogurt, and bananas.
You should always check with your pet’s vet if they show symptoms of an upset stomach, as it could be part of a larger problem.
