How to Treat a Dog's Sensitive Stomach

Some dogs are prone to sensitive stomachs for various reasons including food allergies, and can’t be fed just any diet. Luckily, there are a variety of dog foods on the market that are geared specifically for these pooches, as well as other remedies to sooth the stomach and help the food stay down.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Take your dog to the vet for an exam to make sure the problem is not more serious than a "sensitive stomach." There are a variety of medical conditions that can cause digestive problems such as colitis and pancreatitis. Only a blood test will tell for sure.

2. 
    

   Use an elevated dog bowl. This aids in digestion, especially with larger dogs, since that they don't have to bend over as far. There are a variety of styles that can be found at most stores that sell pet supplies.

3. Feed a diet consisting of easily digestible ingredients such as chicken, rice and oatmeal. If feeding a commercial dog food, a special formula for sensitive stomachs may do the trick, or if the problem is more severe and recurring, your vet may suggest a prescription dog food. Whatever the case, stick to a quality food.

4. Feed your dog treats that aid in digestion or are made specifically for sensitive stomachs. Charcoal dog biscuits, for instance, are recommended for settling upset stomachs and easing gas.

5. Supplement your sensitive stomach dog's diet with boiled chicken and rice, oatmeal, cottage cheese or yogurt. If you don't have the time to do the research and feed your dog a nutritionally-balanced homemade diet, it's better to feed a quality dog food and supplement with the aforementioned human foods.

Tips & Warnings

• Feeding smaller meals throughout the day instead of two larger meals is often easier on dogs with sensitive stomachs.
• An enzyme/probiotics powder can be mixed in with your dog's food to help aid in digestion. NaturVet makes a good one that is sold at pet supply stores and online at sites such as 1800PetMeds.com. Enzyme supplements have been proven effective for dogs with digestion problems and recurring pancreatitis.
• Famotidine (Pepcid and generic versions) is an over-the-counter drug for human indigestion that can be given to dogs with sensitive stomachs before their meal. Veterinarians usually prescribe one 10-mg. tablet per day for most dogs. It's mild enough that certain dogs with digestive issues can take it most of their lives, but always have your dog examined by a vet first and get the vet's OK.
• Control the urge to share what's on your plate with your pooch (as much as she loves Italian cuisine and stares at you with those hard-to-resist eyes).
• Avoid dog food containing corn and wheat, which are not easily digestible. Also, some dogs may develop allergies from corn and wheat or other grains and low quality dog foods containing meat by-products. There are various allergy formula, grain-free and limited-ingredient dog foods on the market. Dick Patten's Natural Balance, for instance, combines one protein source and one carbohydrate source and no grains in order to decrease the risk of allergies.
• The following foods can cause allergies in some dogs and actually aggravate a sensitive stomach: chicken, turkey, beef, dairy, corn, wheat, soy and eggs. A vet may need to test your dog to narrow it down.

[redar]

on 11/27/2009 Awesome, thank you for your doggie tips, I love them. 5*

[blacklabs]

on 8/13/2009 I've two labs and they have been fed on Salters pet food for the last 3 years. After my experiences using other foods for them I know what they prefer and benefit from. Gone are the upset tummies and leaving food in their bowls - its all gone. The vet is impressed by both their coat quality and general health.

[2furrybabies]

on 12/29/2008 I have a 7 year old lab. She has had a sensitive stomach for a couple years. I've found that Pepto Bismol...yeah that's right the nasty pick junk we drink...works like you wouldn't believe. Just check with your vet to get the right dosage.

[diggitydogg]

on 8/9/2008 I would try chicken and rice mixed with warm water without the dry kibble for a few days until the diarrhea clears up. If that doesn't work, you should probably take him to the vet for a checkup if you haven't yet. You want to make sure it's not worms or a virus. Hope this helps!

[stumpy]

on 8/9/2008 HI we have had our lab puppy for 1wk now but his stools are light and runny i have kept him on the same dried food as breeder he gets kibbles I add little water ,he was getting few treats which i have stopped .Now i have added rice and pasta to see if that will firm him up