You’ve noticed your dog is behaving a little differently. She’s been eating grass, and she may have regurgitated some of it along with some yellow bile. She also may have suffered a few bouts of diarrhea, or began passing gas frequently. Not only is this a little gross to experience, but it’s also heartwrenching to witness your beloved pet in distress. Dogs’ stomachs can become upset for a number of reasons, and many of them are temporary and not serious. Before you rush your dog to the vet, consider trying one or more of the following remedies.
Canned Pumpkin
Unsweet canned pumpkin is easy to find at your local grocery store and great for your dog’s digestion. Avoid the sweetened pie filling, and look for 100% pure pumpkin in the vegetable aisle. Pumpkin is packed with healthy fiber which will help with stool firmness and regularity. Simply add a few spoonfuls on top of your dog’s regular meal. Not only will it help her feel better, but she’ll probably enjoy the new treat.
Plain Yogurt
Unflavored, plain yogurt is wonderful for treating a dog’s upset stomach. Yogurt contains healthy bacteria that help regulate digestion. Try to stay away from the sweetened products. Plain Greek yogurt works perfectly as well. Just as with the pumpkin, put a few dollops on top of your dog’s regular meal, and even the pickiest dog will down it in a flash.
Pepcid
Pepcid is an antacid drug usually used by humans to treat indigestion. Believe it or not it works just as well for dogs, and it will reduce excess stomach acid and help prevent vomiting. Both branded and generic pepcid products work well, and you can follow the instructions on the package. Try to equate the dosage with your dog’s weight. A 30 lb dog is one fifth as large as a 150 lb adult human, so treat her with one fifth of the adult dose.
Gas Relief Medications
Although they are two different medications, Gas-X (simethicone) and Beano both help to reduce gas. As with pepcid, these products are just as effective and healthy for dogs as they are for humans. Follow the indications given on the package, again adjusting for weight. For smaller dogs, consider Baby Gas-X which is gentler and comes in an easy-to-administer liquid form.
Try a couple of these inexpensive and effective remedies the next time your dog’s stomach is upset. Hopefully you will see positive results in a day or two. Be sure to monitor your dog’s progress. If she has shown no improvement or her condition has deteriorated, please take her immediately to see a veterinarian. However, in most cases these home treatments will have your dog feeling better in no time.
