is porridge good for dogs with upset stomach

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 18, 2024

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Upset Stomach in Dogs

What Is Upset Stomach in Dogs?

An upset stomach can be caused by a wide variety of conditions in dogs, some serious and some less significant.

An upset stomach in a dog, as with people, is caused by an abnormality in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The digestive system consists of organs that receive and process food, including the esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, intestines, rectum, and anus.

While an upset stomach is common in dogs, its not easy to judge what symptoms would warrant a visit to the veterinarian and what can be remedied at home.

Gastroenteritis is the medical term used when inflammation or irritation is present in the stomach or intestinal tract. Symptoms of an upset stomach are often transient, lasting only a day or two.

However, they may also persist, which indicates the possibility of a more serious problem. Symptoms lasting longer than two days require medical intervention by your vet.

Some causes of an upset stomach in dogs can be emergencies, especially if there is blood in the vomit or stool (i.e., hemorrhagic gastroenteritis).

If left untreated, some causes of upset stomach can be fatal, so its always important to consult your veterinarian when your dog is not feeling well.

Symptoms of Upset Stomach in Dogs

Common symptoms of an upset stomach in dogs include:

Causes of Upset Stomach in Dogs

A dogs upset stomach can have many possible causes, ranging from eating a different food, to ingesting foreign material, to development of a systemic disease.

Although dogs of any age can develop an upset stomach, puppies and senior dogs are more susceptible, since they have weaker immune systems.

Common causes of an upset stomach in dogs include:

How Veterinarians Diagnose Upset Stomach in Dogs

If your dog has an upset stomach, your veterinarian will start with a complete physical exam and medical history.

Be honest with your vet about any new food, treats, or table food your dog has ingested. Its also important to let them know about any potential toxins your dog may have gotten into, including medications, house plants, cleaners, chemicals, drugs, or rat poison.

When you take your dog to the vet for an upset stomach, bring a fresh sample of their stool for parasite testing. If you think your dog got into a toxic food item or substance, bring the packaging so your vet can assess the ingredients.

Your veterinarian may perform diagnostic testing to determine the underlying cause of your dogs symptoms. Bloodwork, including a complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel, is performed.

In addition to bloodwork, fecal screening for abnormal bacteria and urine testing are often done. An X-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen may also be performed to assess your dogs internal organs, including the digestive system.

Depending on the results of this testing, more specific blood or fecal testing may be recommended to look for specific conditions, such as parvovirus, pancreatitis, or salmonellosis.

If these tests are inconclusive and your dog's symptoms persist, more advanced diagnosticssuch as endoscopy, exploratory surgery, or biopsy of the GI tractmay be performed.

Treatment of Upset Stomach in Dogs

Treatment for your dogs upset stomach depends on how long it has been an issue and the underlying cause.

If your dog has had an upset stomach for less than 48 hours and they are still eating and drinking, not lethargic, and have no blood in their feces or vomit, you can try to manage the issue at home.

You can feed small amounts of a bland diet, such as boiled white-meat chicken and white rice with no salt, fat, or seasonings.

If your dog is having diarrhea, you can add fiber by giving canned 100% pumpkin puree or a fiber powder. Probiotics can also help relieve an upset stomach.

If your dogs upset stomach has persisted for longer than 48 hours or if they have any symptoms in addition to vomiting and diarrhea, they should be treated by a veterinarian.

Treatment can range from oral medications sent home with you to hospitalization and intensive care. Common treatments include:

Depending on the severity and cause of your dogs upset stomach, your vet may recommend a period of fasting to rest your dogs digestive system.

Other times it might be necessary to place a feeding tube to ensure your dog receives proper nutrition for recovery. A special diet, such as a low-fat or hydrolyzed protein diet, may be instituted to help with your dogs upset stomach. If the diet helps, your vet may recommend that you continue feeding it long-term.

If your dog has a foreign object blocking their stomach or intestines, your vet will recommend surgery to remove it. If your dog has ingested a toxin, your vet may induce vomiting or administer activated charcoal.

Recovery and Management of Upset Stomach in Dogs

Your dogs recovery from an upset stomach may take a few days to a few weeks, depending on the cause.

Some underlying causes, such as inflammatory bowel disease, can require life-long management with treatments such as oral medication, probiotics, fiber, and a special diet.

While your dog recovers from an upset stomach, its important to give them plenty of rest and affection. Take them on enough walks to prevent accidents in the house, but not so many that they get overtired. Avoid playdates with other dogs and too much activity with their housemates. If your dog eats too quickly, you may consider a slow feeder bowl.

Prevention of Upset Stomach in Dogs

To prevent your dog from developing an upset stomach, ensure they eat only the recommended portion of their regular dog food. Table scraps, especially high-fat or toxic foods, are not recommended for dogs. If you need to change your dog's diet, its always best to consult your veterinarian and slowly transition the diet over 7 to 10 days.

If your dog frequently visits dog parks or doggy day care, wipe down their paws before they have a chance to lick them, to help prevent ingestion of any contagious microbes.

Upset Stomach in Dogs FAQs

How do dogs lie down when their stomach hurts?

Dogs with an upset stomach are often restless and dont lie down for long. You may also notice signs of abdominal pain, such as stretching excessively with the front legs on the floor and the hind legs standing up.

Featured Image:Alex Potemkin/E+ via Getty Images

WRITTEN BY

Barri J. Morrison, DVM

Veterinarian

Barri Morrison was born and raised and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She went to University of Florida for her...

What to Give a Dog with Upset Stomach: 10 Remedies

What to give a dog with upset stomach?

All dogs will experience stomach upset issues at some point.

In most cases, that is not a cause for concern, and this issue will go away in a day or two.

There are also ways to alleviate the symptoms for a dog with an upset stomach to make them feel comfortable.

Note that if your dog is frequently showing signs of stomach upset, especially if they are accompanied by vomiting and/or diarrhea, they may have a food allergy, are sensitive to specific foods or ingredients, or there might be a medical problem that needs to be addressed with a veterinarian.

But you can handle a dog with an upset stomach on occasion with a minor dietary adjustment and some home remedies.

Dog with Upset Stomach Symptoms

Common tell-tale signs of a dog with upset stomach are:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Eating Grass or licking the floor
Nipping at their sides
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Passing very smelly gas
Gurgling noises from the stomach

Each of these symptoms by themselves doesnt necessarily indicate an upset stomach in a dog.

But if your pet has two or more of these symptoms, or it lasts longer than a few days, they're likely dealing with tummy issues.

How to Treat a Dog with Upset Stomach

1. Fasting

Intermittent fasting is completely safe for dogs as long as it's for a short period of time, so put your pet on a food time-out.

A 2014 study with 20 dogs treated for cancer found that fasting helped with vomiting and diarrhea and did not pose any dangers.

Therapeutic fasting is not the same as starving your dog, and it's necessary when a dog is going through bouts of diarrhea and/or vomiting caused by tummy problems.

A 24-hour fast for a dog with an upset stomach will give its digestive system time to recover. While the dog is fasting, ensure access to cool fresh water.

The more water a dog drinks, the faster this stomach upset will subside.

2. Bland Meals

Bland foods will be best for a dog with an upset stomach.

The most common homemade bland diet for adult dogs is simply mixing 75% of plain boiled white rice with 25% of boiled lean chicken breast without skin/bones (you can also use lean ground beef).

Keep a dog with an upset stomach on a bland diet for a few days to prevent further issues.

The symptoms should resolve, and stool should return to normal in about 5 days, but sometimes the bland diet regimen may take up to 10 days.

Use the below feeding amounts for a homemade diet recipe:

Dogs weighing:

<5 pounds: cup of food.

5 15 pounds: cup of food.

16 30 pounds: 1 1 cups of food.

31 50 pounds: 1 2 cups of food.

51 75 pounds: 2 3 cups of food.

76 99 pounds: 3 4 cups of food.

>100 pounds: 4 5 cups of food.

Bland homemade diet feeding instructions: For dogs with an upset stomach, it's best to feed them smaller amounts more frequently.

So take the above total amount and break it down into 3 6 meals per day (i.e., for a dog of approx. 51 75 lbs weight, cook 3 cups of food and separate it into six 1/2 cups to feed six times during the day).

Note: This bland homemade diet should be fed to your dog strictly without anything else added (no other treats, supplements, table scraps, foods, or bones) for 4-5 days.

To transition your dog back to a normal diet:

When you reach days 4 to 6 on a bland diet and the symptoms have resolved, start reintroducing your pet's regular diet by gradually mixing it with the bland diet.

Keep reducing bland diet ingredients and increasing amounts of regular food for approximately 5 7 days.

Note: When reintroducing a dog back to the normal diet, keep up with the feeding frequency (i.e., 3 6 feed times a day) until you're finished with the transition.

Also, still keep all dog treats, table scraps, etc., away from your pet for at least another week.

If homemade dog food cooking is not an option, you can also choose a commercial bland diet.

Pick either a sensitive stomach brandor among the below best bland dog food brands designed for upset stomach:

3. Feed Some Yogurt as a Source of Probiotics

Certain foods are good for a dog with an upset stomach.

Yogurt contains natural probiotics, the helpful live bacteria (albeit a minimal amount) that will relieve an upset stomach and help get rid of gas and diarrhea.

Scientists confirm that a helping of yogurt can positively affect the digestive system in humans, mice, and our pets, dogs, and cats in particular.

When feeding it, ensure that its plain yogurt, the kind used for cooking, and not flavored or sweetened yogurt.

4. Use Broth During Fasting

Bone broth is a trendy food choice for those who are fasting, and it's perfect for pets who are going through therapeutic fasting after and during bouts of diarrhea or vomiting caused by stomach upset.

When your pet is hungry for more than just water but isnt up to solid food yet, either chicken broth or beef broth is a good compromise.

You can cook it yourself or buy pre-made broth.

When buying, read the label carefully and make sure there are no spices like onion or garlic.

It cannot be easy to find completely plain broth that will be safe for dogs, but some do exist. There are also broths made specifically for dogs, and our three favorites are:

5. Include Sweet Potato or Pumpkin

Finally, two great bland foods for a dog with an upset stomach are fresh, raw sweet potato and pumpkin (not the store-bought, canned varieties).

Give the dog a fresh pumpkin or cook up a couple of sweet potatoes.

Remove the skin and mash up the insides, then give your dog a few tablespoons to help get rid of diarrhea, gas and soothe their upset stomach.

Sweet potatoes and pumpkin are often part of a bland diet guide for any dog with an upset stomach because of their low-calorie content and nutrition, their fiber content, and that they're easy on a dog's digestive system.

How to Prevent Stomach Upset in Dogs

1. Change Your Dogs Water More Frequently

Water that sits around in your dog's water bowl can get stale and even start growing bacteria from your dogs saliva.

Studies show that some pet bowls also make our dogs sick, and it's better to use a stainless steel bowl than plastic ones.

Also, ensure your dog always has fresh cold water to drink. Note that not all tap water is safe for dogs.

While it may not necessarily cause stomach issues, hard tap water can have health consequences like urinary health issues, according to a 2016 study.

If you have access only to hard water at home, you'll need to switch to bottled water or distilled water kept in the fridge so its always cool.

Distilled water is very inexpensive and is much better for dogs than hard water from the tap.

2. Dont Change Your Dogs Food Suddenly

Completely switching a pet's diet all of a sudden can be the reason for a dog with an upset stomach.

Any diet changes should happen gradually because a dog's stomach needs time to adjust to new ingredients.

Also, food variety is rarely necessary for dogs as long as they get a well-balanced meal. More than variety, dogs need consistency when it comes to their diet.

If you are going to change your dogs food, do it slowly over the course of 6-10 days.

Add a handful of new food to a dogs regular food and slowly increase the amount of new food mixed with the old food until your dog is comfortable eating only the new food.

3. Dont Feed Your Dog Human Food

Certain human foods are healthy for dogs to consume.

But most foods from your table could be the reason a dog's stomach is upset.

Their digestive system isn't designed the same way as ours is and may not process those foods properly.

Some other foods may even be downright deadly.

4. Give Your Dog Probiotics

Studies show that probiotics can benefit a dog's digestive system.

But if you have a dog with an upset stomach, you'll need to first deal with this problem until it goes away completely and starts giving probiotics only after to prevent future stomach problems.

Probiotics for dogs are a great way to keep their digestive system healthy and prevent diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach upset.

You can use probiotic supplements, adding them once or twice a day, or choose foods with probiotics in them (e.g., yogurt).

5. Avoid too Many Dog Treats

Too many rich and high-calorie treats are the most common reason a dog develops an upset stomach. No more than 10% of their daily caloric needs should come from treats.

While some healthy treatsare less likely to upset a dog's stomach, keep the amount to a minimum and only use them as a training reward.

Remember that you can also use your dog's regular dry kibble as treats, which will normally be lower in calories and healthier for the dog.

When to Take Your Dog to the Vet for a Stomach Ache

You don't necessarily need to see your vet immediately if your dog likes to eat grass or shows other mild symptoms of an upset tummy.

However, if your dog shows any of the following symptoms, it may be an emergency. If you notice the following, take your dog to the vet immediately.

Continuous vomiting
Continuous diarrhea
Retching, but nothing comes up
Blood in his stool
Foreign objects in the vomit or stool
Distended stomach
Fever
Lethargy
Dehydration
Nervous pacing
Uncontrollable drooling
Weight loss

You should also take your dog to the vet for his upset stomach if the symptoms last more than two or three days.

Most of the time, a dog's upset stomach should clear up within 48 hours, so longer than this may indicate a more serious issue.

Potential Causes of Your Dog's Upset Stomach

Part of dealing with your dog's stomach being upset is figuring out what caused the issue.

The most common reason for upset stomach in dogs is because of something your dog ate or how he ate it.

If your dog eats too quickly and immediately goes outside to play, you may find yourself dealing with an upset stomach in dogs.

Or, if your dog eats something bad for him, this can also cause an upset stomach.

Your dog's stomach may also get upset if he is constipated or has gas.

It can also be due to parasites or bacteria.

Yet another possibility is that your dog has food sensitivities.

If your pup's stomach gets upset regularly, then dog owners may want to ask their vet about possible conditions causing the problem.

Bloating, gastrointestinal infections, obstructions, inflammation, ulcers, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, digestive system cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcers, motion sickness, or malabsorption can all cause.

Other potential causes include liver failure, kidney issues, parvovirus, or uterine infections.

Your dog may also have a viral or bacterial infection or have ingested poison.

You don't always need to figure out the cause of your dog's upset tummy.

That is especially true if it goes away on its own or with one of the remedies mentioned above.

However, if it continues or happens frequently, you should visit the vet.

He will ask about your dog's symptoms other than the upset stomach.

He will also likely ask about your dog's diet.

Depending on the symptoms, your dog may also undergo some tests.

Dog With Upset Stomach: FAQs

Whether your dog only occasionally has an upset stomach or seems to have one frequently, you may still have some questions.

Your vet can answer them for you, but you don't want to waste his time if it's unimportant.

The following FAQs should get you closer to understanding upset stomachs in dogs.

What Do You Give a Dog with an Upset Stomach?

You can give your dog bland foods instead of his normal dog food. Good options include chicken, rice, pumpkin, baby food, and bone broth.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Get Over an Upset Stomach?

Your dog's stomach issues should disappear within 48 hours or so, possibly within 24 hours.

If you still notice the symptoms after a few days, you should make an appointment with the vet.

What Causes Upset Stomach in Dogs?

There are dozens of potential causes of your dog's upset stomach.

The most common reasons are the same ones humans would have an upset stomach.

These include eating something he should not have eaten or eating too fast right before playing or exercising.

Stomach issues may also be due to parasites, viral or bacterial infections, or a range of other conditions.

Your dog may get an upset stomach if there are issues with his kidneys, liver, stomach, digestive system, or other organs.

A dog's upset stomach can also be from diabetes, cancer, or a range of other conditions.

As you can tell, some of the causes of a dog's upset stomach are minor and nothing to worry about. Others are much more serious.

That is why dog owners should always take their pups to the vet for upset stomachs that last more than a few days.

What to Give a Dog for Upset Stomach and Vomiting?

Dog owners frequently wonder if they can give their pup human medicine for an upset stomach.

Most dogs can safely have bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).

However, it is best to consult your vet before giving your dog any human medication.

Your local emergency veterinary hospital can also offer suggestions.

They may also give you a prescription after examining your dog.

What Can I Give My Senior Dog for Upset Stomach?

A great option for dogs with stomach aches is canned pumpkin.

This is good for your canine's digestion.

You can also try giving him a tablespoon of unsweetened yogurt.

Other options include plain brown rice or boiled and shredded chicken.

When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet for an Upset Stomach?

Take your dog to the local emergency veterinary hospital if you notice blood in his vomit or diarrhea.

You should also take him if he vomits at least three times within eight hours.

Dog With Upset Stomach: Before You Go

If you have a dog with upset stomach, there are some remedies that you may try at home to help relieve his symptoms, ease indigestion, and speed his recovery.

It's critical to take into account the potential triggers of stomach upset in dogs and be mindful of the clinical symptoms they show.

By taking the appropriate step, you can help them feel normal again.

Dogs may recover from an upset stomach naturally, but if it persists after 48 hours, consult with your vet.