You know the feeling of an upset stomach. Maybe you ate too fast, too much, or something that didn’t agree with you. Unfortunately, your dog may also know the feeling of an upset stomach.
As a pet parent, it can be frustrating trying to determine the cause of your dog’s discomfort. After all, dogs can’t talk. They can’t tell you where it hurts or why.
Indications of pet tummy troubles can include vomiting, unusual bowel movements, lethargy, skin conditions or other abnormal behaviours.
If this is the case with your dog, the first step should always be a visit to your vet. They will explore obvious causes and try to narrow down the culprit. If serious conditions are ruled out and a sensitive tummy or allergies are likely, it’s time to look into options to bring comfort to your canine companion.
For infrequent concerns, pumpkin can be helpful. Add a few heaping tablespoons of pure, unsweetened, 100% pureed pumpkin to morning and evening meals for a few days. The fibre often helps soothe minor upsets.
Aloe, which has been referred to as the miracle plant, can also be soothing. Specially create for pets, Melissa’s Aloe Pet Formula is a supplement that can be added to food on a regular basis. This Canadian product helps build immune systems to fight hot spots, itchy skin, arthritis and even removes tear stains.
Natural, unsweetened yogurt can build dogs’ probiotic levels and reduce tummy upsets, but sometimes, like with humans, yogurt just isn’t enough. Look to a probiotic product made for pets like Omega Alpha’s Probiotic 8 Plus. A healthy dose of probiotics improves gut flora and promotes overall digestive health. Not only will it make your pup more comfortable, it will also reduce that unwelcome gas that usually comes with bloating and indigestion.
Dogs can also be subjected to another all-too-common human condition: food sensitivities. There are a number of food choices to support your dog’s health. Starting with those that remove most of the common allergens can be beneficial.
Petcurean’s Go! Limited Ingredient Diet Formulas include omega oils and skip the grains, gluten, potatoes, by-product meals, added growth hormones, artificial preservatives, corn, soy and the most likely meat allergens: beef and chicken.
Zignature’s Limited Ingredient Diet formulas are also easy on sensitive tummies because they don’t include potatoes, grains, chicken, eggs, gluten, tapioca, corn or soy.
It takes time to find the right combination of foods and supplements for your dog. Start with a visit with your vet then explore the options available to help calm an upset belly and get your best friend back to normal.