
Author: Courtney John
Before you begin setting a healthier diet plan for your canine, you should figure out the cause of your pet’s sensitive stomach. Like specific individuals, numerous dogs are sensitive to certain foods. Typically, a delicate stomach could be an indication of a more major issue. Hence, consult with your local veterinarian to ensure your dog is not suffering from a life-threatening complication.
After making sure it is not a symptom of major conditions such as stomach cancer, you need to look at the other potential reasons for your pet’s sensitive stomach. There is a vast assortment of food that some canines cannot tolerate. Other dogs are sensitive to specific proteins, while some are sensitive to fat.
Another probability is that your canine’s diet is inadequate, such as scarce minerals, fiber, and vitamins. On the other hand, it could also contain an excessive amount of something, like fat.
Milk or Dairy
Dairy or milk can cause loose bowels in canines, particularly if it’s not low-fat or non-fat. Fatty food sources can also cause diarrhea. However, as dogs can’t handle fat as well as humans, they can likewise trigger pancreatitis. Pancreatitis may also lead to other gastrointestinal symptoms, like weak appetite or vomiting.
Greasy gray diarrhea is an indication that your canine has eaten an excessive amount of grease or fat. Food with a significant amount of oil, like fried foods, or those with a considerable amount of saturated fats like dairy products, can cause diarrhea.
Raw Meat
Wild canines hunt and consume live prey. However, the digestive system of domestic breeds can become sick from raw meat and other animal items. One of the most common topics in canine nutrition that health experts discuss is whether to let dogs consume raw meat.
Generally, specialists agree that canines can consume raw meat as long as it is fresh. Note that stale raw meat can possess harmful microbes like listeria, E. coli, or salmonella, which can cause looseness of the bowels.
Raw bones can also upset a canine’s stomach if your dog is unaccustomed to eating them. Bones regularly have high-fat substance, which can trigger diarrhea and other digestive issues.
Splinters from bones can also give rise to stomach related problems. It’s ideal for you to remove the marrow before giving your canine a raw bone, particularly if your dog has pancreatitis since it can cause extreme diarrhea in canines. Remember that trimmed fat from meat can also prompt diarrhea, as your pet is only consuming fats and no nutrients from the meat.
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, try to switch to a safer and healthier diet, such as a safe and trusted dog food brand. Just search online for a rundown of the best dog food for a sensitive stomach, and you can choose from the best products on the list.
Chocolate and Caffeine
It is a commonly known fact that dogs cannot eat chocolate. The type and amount of chocolate your canine consumes will determine the side effects and toxicity level it will endure. Symptoms can include lethargy, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and increased thirst. Your dog may also experience seizures, muscle tremors, high body temperature, irregular heartbeat, and, at worst, death.
Also, note that the darker the chocolate type, for example, cocoa powder or baker’s chocolate, the more toxic it is for your dog. Dark chocolate contains a larger concentration of theobromine and caffeine, both of which prompt poisoning in canines. Furthermore, you should keep your dog far from any caffeinated beverages.
Fish Oil
Cooking fish in a lot of oil can lead to a gastrointestinal upset in canines or even trigger severe conditions, such as pancreatitis. No significant side effects are due to fish or olive oil consumption, but excessive amounts can trigger loose bowels. Try not to go past half a tablespoon of fish oil per meal.
You can put 5-10 drops in your dog’s food two times per day to gain the best outcomes without fear of triggering a loose bowel. Seasonings may likewise cause severe health issues for canines, particularly if they possess harmful ingredients such as garlic.
Macadamia Nuts
Although macadamia nuts are a great source of nutritional fiber for people, the opposite goes for dogs. Macadamias can be lethal to canines. Toxicosis from eating these nuts relies on the dog’s size. Nonetheless, consumption of just 2.4 g/kg can lead to clinical indications of poisoning.
Usually, canines who eat macadamia nuts experience diarrhea, rapid heartbeat, muscle tremors, fever, weakness, vomiting, and paralysis of the hindquarters. Fortunately, these adverse side effects are mild, and you can manage the impacts at home through guidance from a veterinarian. However, in more severe situations, the symptoms may need prompt veterinary care.
Avocado
Avocado is extremely toxic to cattle, horses, birds, goats, and canines. Depending on how much your dog consumes, toxicity and its subsequent side effects may vary. Avocado poisoning happens when dogs eat an avocado’s pit. The pit of an avocado contains a harmful substance called persin, which can make canines sick. For dogs, the avocado is highly poisonous, with the leaf containing the most toxicity.
The most probable aftereffect of your canine eating an excessive amount of avocado, or consuming the fruit’s stalk or skin, is either developing a loose bowel or experiencing vomiting. If your dog does vomit, let it have small sips of water and observe for further signs of poisoning.
Your dog will likely opt to rest and recuperate and recover his strength quickly after a good rest, so you don’t have to worry too much. However, if your canine is looking restless and is experiencing diarrhea, let him outside to relieve himself. Afterward, just as before, let him have small sips of water to help him rehydrate.
Final Thoughts
When your canine is experiencing diarrhea or has a sensitive stomach, it gets pretty confusing on what you should do. In any case, don’t fret. In most instances, your dog may only be experiencing diarrhea as a side effect of eating something they shouldn’t. The most crucial part of helping your pet get well is feeding them right.
Then again, make sure to focus on the frequency, color, and consistency of any gastrointestinal incidents. If your canine experiences extended loose bowels for over a day, it is best to consult your local veterinarian and look for additional medical attention. Together with the assistance of your veterinarian, you can help your pet recover from an upset stomach!
Author’s Bio
Courtney John is a freelance writer for animal and pet care for over a decade now. She is also a volunteer dedicated to animal rescue and welfare, working for different organizations all over town. She lives with her two adopted cats and rescue dog.