For most canines this is not an issue however some canines are just prone to sensitivity or intolerance of some foods. These few unlucky canines finish devouring a bowl of brand name dog food to find in a short period of time vomiting, diarrhea or flatulence occurs. This can be an immense disturbance on a daily basis however the problem usually is not known. This agitation can be caused by a digestive tract reaction to a food ingredient from the canine brand name food that has been consumed. Fortunately, this agitation is a known problem in canines today and there have been common treatments and remedies to support a sensitive stomach. Here are the steps that are needed to treat this issue:
1. Purchase or make a lifted bowl holder for your canine’s food. See attached photo to understand the appearance of a “lifted bowl”. A lifted bowl can assist in helping the food go down the throat properly without getting stuck.
2. If the lifted bowl does not change in the reactions to eating food the next step is to make an appointment. Make an appointment with a local veterinarian to assure that the stomach sensitivity is not caused by something potentially more drastic. Take advantage of the veterinarian’s expertise at this time to talk about the sensitivity and come up with a game plan together.
3. Proportion food amounts according to brand food labels. The Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) which is a division of the Food and Drug Administration has created an appropriate amount that is per pound and size of the breed. These amounts are usually given in a day amount, therefore split the amount among the amount of meals given each day. This will assist in overeating and for fast eaters.
4. Choose the proper brand food that is right for the canine in your house. Reading labels on canine dog foods may be daunting however can settle a canines’ sensitive stomach. (Seek information from associated content about reading dog food labels.) Several different types of canine food may be needed to try before finding the correct food that fits your canines’ sensitive stomach. Try each food for a few weeks before changing food. The canine stomach will need to get used to the food before a change is noticed. If there is a drastic change though, do not continue with that brand. Some good selections are lamb, rice or oatmeal based brand name foods. Some bad selections would be foods with large amounts of corn or wheat which are hard to digest. Once a brand seems to work, stick to that diet solely.
5. Wet dog foods (such as in can or foil packet) should be exchanged with dry foods. Wet foods are harsh on the canine stomach since they contain higher levels of sugar and water percentages instead of essential proteins.
6. Steer away from table scraps and treats. Not all human food is good for a canine’s stomach and will actually cause an irritation. Although it may be hard to say “no” to those adorable canine eyes, it is essential to the cure of those sore stomachs. Treats can also cause an irritation in the reaction from overeating or reaction with the canine food ingredients. Try giving affection and attention for treats which are equally effective.
7. Establish a meal plan. Although a “puppy buffet” may be simple for those whom have active lifestyle it can lead to harmful aftereffects. Preferably schedule to feed your canine several meals a day in equal proportions to allow time for the canines’ stomach to relax after each one. This established meal plan will also prevent obesity issues later in life.
If none of these options work, then it is time for a veterinary office visit. Some methods your veterinarian will assist with is triggering harmful ingredients, detecting more serious problems and helping with a game plan. It is important to note though that if the canine in question shows signs of lethargy, depression, fever or passes blood or mucus in the feces a veterinarian should be contacted immediately! If this is the case, food sensitivity is not the cause and is something more serious and should not be taken lightly. Most cases the above should correct the issue over a month or so. There are no fast solutions however all are needed tasks to get to the solution.
