Digestive Issues In Dogs & Cats
When your pet has an upset stomach, it isn’t fun for anyone. The causes of an upset stomach are vast and varied, ranging from chronic sensitivities (like inflammatory bowel syndrome) to acute issues (if your dog or cat ate something they shouldn’t have). The first step to solving your pet’s GI problems is to figure out the cause, whether it be IBS, a parasite, cancer, or something else.
Things to consider when your pet has an upset stomach:
Does your pet have food allergies or food sensitivities, or has their diet changed recently?
For pets with sensitive stomachs, a change in diet can cause GI upset. Usually, any upset should resolve itself within a few days. If you think your pet has a food sensitivity or allergy, try feeding them a novel protein.
Is your pet stressed?
Separation anxiety and general stress can cause your dog or cat to vomit, have diarrhea, or become constipated. Try giving your pet a Raw Bone prior to a stressful event for some mental stimulation and stress relief.
Did they eat something they shouldn’t?
Household cleaners, plants from the yard, or any number of potentially harmful substances can make your dog or cat sick. If your pet has GI distress that lasts longer than 48 hours, continues to vomit on an empty stomach, or is lethargic, be sure to contact your vet. Your pet might have also eaten something indigestible, like part of a toy or string, which might require immediate veterinary attention.
Does your pet have a medical condition?
Both dogs and cats can get intestinal parasites, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other digestive disorders that cause problems. If you suspect your pet has a parasite or a medical condition, make sure to visit your vet.
So, what can you do if your pet has an upset stomach?
Feed Them Healthy Food
Your pet’s health starts with nutrition. Your dog or cat has a naturally acidic digestive system, including their saliva. Diets heavy in starch can lower the acidity in their GI tract, making it difficult for pets to digest their food and potentially causing stomach upset. Pets with sensitive stomachs may vomit or show discomfort due to their inability to digest their food. Start by feeding them a biologically-appropriate and nutritionally-superior raw diet. Raw meat-based foods help to keep the digestive system acidic, allowing food to be more easily digested and controlling bacteria that may be consumed. Try a Primal Raw Frozen Formula, which provides complete nutrition for your dog or cat.
Make Diet Changes Slowly
Switching your pet’s food too quickly can cause some GI distress. Make sure you transition slowly if you’re switching over to raw foods or adding anything else to your pet’s diet. Add small amounts of new food at a time so that your pet’s digestive system has time to adjust.
Heal & Seal Their Gut
Try Primal Bone Broth! This easily digestible liquid, packed with gelatin, essential amino acids, and minerals, helps to detoxify the liver and rids the body of toxins via the antioxidant glutathione. Bone Broth helps your pet absorb nutrients and keeps healthy bacteria thriving in their gut for healthy digestion.
Add A Dose of Probiotics
Good bacteria in your pet’s gut helps them to digest their food and absorb their nutrients. Try a probiotic supplement or simply add Primal Raw Goat Milk to their diet, which delivers 10 billion CFU per every 2 ounces of goat milk. Raw Goat Milk includes the following probiotics:
- L. acidophilus - increases immune resistance against harmful bacteria and fungi, such as Candida albicans, Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus; helps control intestinal infections, thus reducing the potential of diarrhea and other infections or diseases
- Lactococcus lactis - synthesizes both folate and riboflavin, two key B vitamins; produces large amounts of lactic acid; may be used in the future to treat Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
- E. faecium - provides important nutritional support in the event of diarrheal diseases; shown to be resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics and also to be more effective than L. acidophilus in shortening the duration of diarrheal episodes
When to Worry
If your pet vomits multiple times a day, experiences GI distress for over 48 hours, or you see blood in their vomit or stool, visit your vet as soon as possible. If your pet begins to lose weight quickly or has chronic digestive issues, make sure to bring that up as well. Your vet will be able to help you diagnose any parasites, digestive issues, food sensitivities, or food allergies.
Sources:
https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_remedies-for-upset-stomach-in-dogs