UPSET TUMMY? WHAT TO FEED

I will often get phone calls or someone coming in to the store whose dog may not be feeling well and they want to know what to feed.

First, if your dog is sick, don’t force him to eat. Let them fast for 12 to 24 hours. Then start small with easy to digest foods and feed smaller amounts more frequently. 

But if your dog has an underlying medical condition like diabetes, always check with your veterinarian before changing his diet. And if your dog isn’t eating at all for more than 24 hours, then it’s also time to call your vet. 

So, what are the signs that your dog has an upset stomach:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Excessive drooling or lip-smacking
• Lethargy or lack of energy
• Abdominal pain or bloating
• Frequent gurgling or rumbling stomach noises
• Constipation or straining during bowel movements
• Flatulence or passing gas

If your dog’s symptoms do not improve it can be a sign of a more serious problem and you should seek veterinarian care as soon as possible. 

So, after 12 to 24 hours, you can look at feeding your pet some bland food. Bone broth is a really good way to start. It’s nutritious and gentle on the stomach. If you pet is on the Answers diet, or you use their goat’s milk or Kiefer, then you could give them some goat’s milk as it is very easy to digest and provides a good amount of nutrition.

When your dog’s ready for more solid food, boiled chicken or turkey is a great choice for a picky dog with an upset stomach. The meat is easy to digest and provides essential protein. You can give the meat in more bone broth, or give it with some canned pumpkin, which also helps the digestion. Other alternatives are steamed or puréed veggies like carrots or sweet potato. These are gentle on the stomach and contain fiber that can help firm up loose stools, as well as provide nutrients. 

Another option is plain scrambled eggs. Again, these are easy to digest and provide a good source of protein and most dogs love them.

Keep in mind that staying hydrated is also important, so keep plenty of fresh filtered or spring water available for your dog at all times.

Remember to be patient and don’t force-feed your dog, as that can cause more harm than good. And again, if your dog still won’t eat after a couple of days, it’s time to see a vet.

If your dog is diabetic, it is important to contact your vet if he doesn’t eat after 12 hours. I prefer a holistic vet, but you need to be careful his blood sugar does not drop. 

At Beastie Boutique, we do carry the bone broths, pumpkin, lean meats that can be mixed with pumpkin or sweet potatoes and the fermented raw goat’s milk.