Sometimes the hardest part of being a pet owner is that your beloved four-legged companion can’t tell you exactly what is wrong and how to make them feel better.
We understand just how important it is to make sure that your dog is always feeling top tier, filled with energy and a zest for life! Here are some tail-wagging home remedies for your dog’s upset stomach.
What Causes Stomach Upset in Dogs?
When your dog is suffering from an upset stomach, the usual cause is that your sweet doggo has gone for a wander, sniffed something they thought looked just grand and ate it immediately. A lot of this comes down to what is going into your dog’s mouth and (bear with us here) out the other side.
Just like humans, an upset stomach is most often the body trying to expect any toxins or poisons from the stomach as quickly as possible. Always keep in mind, however, that this is only advice for a mild case of an upset stomach, and you should use your discretion to decide whether your dog needs a quick pumpkin puree or a visit to your vet.
If your dog has a runny tummy or constipation these could both be signs of diabetes, allergies, or other underlying issues so best be safe and ensure your pup gets all the regular check-ups they need!
Home Remedies for Your Dog’s Upset Stomach
If you find yourself in the position where your dog is less than chipper in the stomach department, don’t panic, we’ve got you covered!
Any signs of vomiting, diarrhoea or even your dog licking its lips or the air of surrounding objects (we know, weird right??) mean your dog has an upset stomach.
Give these super simple remedies a go (emphasis on the simple – you want your dog’s meals to be as bland and plain as possible for the best results).
Discover: 9 healthy human foods for dogs
Apple Sauce
If your dog is dehydrated from losing too many bodily fluids, this is a goodie. Many families have used this remedy for human stomach upsets, and it works just as well with dogs! Gather about 4 apples and make sure to peel them properly.
Boil the apples until they can be mashed with a fork and then go to town on making the remedy as smooth as you can. Remember to make sure the apples are deseeded as the seeds can be dangerous for dogs.
Pumpkin Puree
Another smooth mixture to aid your dog with constipation OR diarrhoea is a pawsome pumpkin puree. Make sure your pumpkin is unsalted and unseasoned because this will do more damage than good.
You need to also be aware that too much pumpkin isn’t a good idea, so limit your dog to between 1 and 4 tablespoons of the puree. Start low to be safe! You’re going to dice your pumpkin and bake it for about 90 minutes.
If you don’t have any pumpkins around, carrots are a good alternative as they are loaded with the same vitamins as our humble pumpkin: Vitamin A, C B6 and E as well as high levels of magnesium.
Read this: How Quality Nutrition & Pet Insurance Can Improve Your Pet’s Life
Chicken and Rice
Sounds good, right? But it isn’t for you! Don’t worry, this meal needs to be as bland as possible so you can head over to the spice rack for your human meal afterwards! Chicken and rice are a go-to for dogs with an upset stomach because of the soothing effect the food has on your dog’s body and the easy digestibility.
What you’ll need is one cup of deboned and deskinned chicken (save the bones for the next remedy!) and one cup of plain water. Bear in mind this recipe is for a dog that weighs in at about 9,5kgs, so use your discretion for how much your dog can actually eat. Boil the chicken and rice together until you have a hearty meal for your ill cuddle-companion.
A quick rice tip: white rice is going to be more beneficial for diarrhoea whilst brown rice is going to aid your dog more with constipation!
Bone Broth
Can we make a joke about throwing a dog a bone here? Too corny? Cool, we’ll let it slide. Bone broth is one of the most nutrient-dense choices you can make for your dog and can be incorporated into their diet on a usual basis, not only when their stomachs aren’t quite right.
Making bone broth takes the most time of our recipes so it’s recommended to have it premade frozen and ready on hand for when you need it. You’re going to need 24 to 48 hours handy, just under 1kg of cooked or raw animal bones – we love a waste-free remedy! Add 3-4 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar, your bones and unfiltered water into your slow cooker.
Cook at low heat for as long as possible – the more time on the heat, the more nutrients are going to be pulled out of the bones. This concoction is great to freeze – just remember to scrape off the layer of fat that will rise to the surface before feeding to your dog.
We hope that you give these remedies a go, feel free to use them even without your dog being ill because there are only benefits for your furry friend’s body and wellbeing!
