How to Treat a Dog's Stomach Ache

Stop feeding your dog. If your dog's digestive system is struggling, it's essential to give their stomach a break. Feeding them forces their stomach and intestines to produce digestive juices to process food, which can worsen inflammation or pain, making the condition more severe.

• Refrain from feeding your dog for 24 hours.
• Consult a veterinarian if the stomach ache symptoms persist.

Provide your dog with cool, clean water. Monitor your dog's water intake. If your dog drinks less than usual within 24 hours and still appears uncomfortable, take them to a veterinarian. Also, note if your dog seems excessively thirsty. Some dogs tend to drink large amounts of water when they're unwell. Drinking too much water at once can cause vomiting.

• If your dog vomits water, offer small amounts every 30 minutes.
• For dogs under 10 kg, give half an egg cup of water every 30 minutes. For dogs over 10 kg, offer half a teacup of water every 30 minutes.
• If your dog stops vomiting after 2-3 hours, you can resume their normal water intake.
• Consult a vet if vomiting persists despite limiting water intake.

Gradually reintroduce food to your dog. If your dog seems to have recovered after 24 hours without food and shows interest in eating, offer bland food for the next 24 hours. Provide low-fat, easily digestible options like chicken breast, rabbit, turkey, or cod. You can mix the meat with white pasta, rice, or mashed boiled potatoes (avoid dairy products).

• Avoid feeding your dog 'chicken-flavored' products, as they contain minimal real chicken and are not a substitute.
• Consult your vet for dietary recommendations to aid recovery, such as Hills ID or Purina EN diets.

Start with small portions of food. After 24 hours of fasting, offer only a quarter of their normal meal size to test their stomach. Smaller portions are gentler on their digestive system and help you monitor their recovery.

• If your dog refuses to eat or eats very little after 24 hours, seek veterinary advice.

Comfort your dog with gentle affection. When unwell, pets benefit from care and soothing gestures. Sit quietly with your dog, speak in a calm and reassuring tone, and gently stroke their head and back.

• Avoid massaging their stomach, as they cannot communicate if it helps or worsens their pain. Accidentally pressing a sensitive spot may cause sudden pain, leading them to bite.

Keep your dog warm. Some dogs feel better with heat therapy. If your dog is shivering, use a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel and gently roll it over their body. Ensure they can move away if uncomfortable (e.g., if it's too hot). Do not force them and let them decide if they want to continue the therapy.

Contact a veterinarian when necessary. If your dog is only slightly uncomfortable but still healthy, simply monitor and follow the steps above to help ease their discomfort. However, you should reach out to a vet if your dog shows any of the following concerning signs:

• Unsuccessful vomiting. Attempting to vomit without producing anything could indicate gastric torsion. Contact a vet immediately in such emergencies.
• Continuous vomiting for over 4 hours.
• Vomiting and inability to retain water in the stomach. This suggests a risk of dehydration. You should consult a vet for possible fluid therapy.
• Lethargy and lack of energy.
• Not eating for more than 24 hours.
• Diarrhea (without blood) lasting over 24 hours.
• Bloody diarrhea.
• Increased discomfort, such as whining.

Administer anti-vomiting medication to your dog. If your dog frequently suffers from stomach pain due to specific causes (such as undergoing chemotherapy or kidney disease), a vet may prescribe medication.

• Maropitant (Cerenia) is commonly prescribed for dogs post-chemotherapy. Administer once daily, effective for 24 hours. The dosage is 2 mg/kg of the dog's weight. For example, an average Labrador would require 60 mg once daily.

Be alert if your dog seems restless. As a pet owner, you'll notice when something unusual is happening. Whether your dog is usually active or prefers lounging, you can quickly detect if they're more agitated than normal. This could be a sign of stomach pain.

• The dog cannot find a comfortable position to rest.
• The dog may pace back and forth continuously.

Note if your dog keeps looking at one side. The sides of a dog are located near the legs and just in front of the thighs. Sometimes, when ill, a dog may not understand what's happening to it. In such cases, the dog often looks around its body to locate the source of discomfort and pain. A dog turning its head to look at its sides might be experiencing abdominal pain.

Excessive licking. Abdominal pain or cramps often make dogs feel nauseous. When experiencing stomach discomfort and nausea, dogs tend to lick their lips repeatedly. Some dogs may also lick their front paws or other body parts in an attempt to soothe themselves.

• Excessive or unusual drooling can also indicate nausea or stomach upset. However, certain breeds naturally drool more, so it’s important to understand your dog’s normal behavior to determine if drooling is abnormal.
• Swallowing hard or gulping may also be a sign of stomach discomfort.

Listen for gurgling or rumbling sounds in your dog’s stomach. If your dog has stomach pain due to digestive issues, you might hear unusual noises coming from their abdomen. These sounds are caused by air moving through the intestines, leading to bloating.

• Not hearing any sounds doesn’t necessarily mean your dog isn’t in pain; it could simply mean the noises are too faint to detect.

Watch for the 'praying position.' The 'praying position' is a classic sign of abdominal pain in dogs. This posture closely resembles the position dogs take when they’re playing, but you can differentiate based on their demeanor.

• Your dog will raise their hindquarters high while stretching their front legs on the ground.
• In this position, they’re trying to stretch their stomach to alleviate discomfort.

Observe if your dog vomits or has diarrhea. It’s easy to notice if your dog is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea. Like humans, dogs vomit and have diarrhea when their stomach is upset. While cleaning up isn’t pleasant, it’s important not to get angry with your dog, as they can’t control it.

Prevent your dog from eating spoiled food. Dogs are known to eat almost anything, including spoiled food, which can cause stomach pain or more severe issues. Ensure spoiled food is disposed of securely, out of your dog’s reach. Regularly clean your yard to remove insects or dead animals. Remember, dogs can detect the smell of rotting meat faster than you can.

Avoid overfeeding your dog. Many people prefer to let their dogs eat freely, believing it’s easier than scheduled feeding. However, experts advise against this practice. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and related health issues. Consuming too much food in a short time can also cause stomach pain, which can be prevented with a little effort.

• For adult dogs, feed them twice a day—once in the morning and once in the evening. The amount of food depends on the dog’s breed and size. Since food packaging recommendations vary, consult your vet for specific guidance.
• Use online tools to calculate the recommended calorie intake for your dog. Once determined, check the calorie content on the food packaging and feed accordingly.

Purchase high-quality dog food. The market offers food tailored to specific dog types, but the focus should be on the dog’s size and metabolic needs rather than breed.

• Choose food with high-quality ingredients. Cheap options often contain low-grade, hard-to-digest materials.
• Like human food, dog food must list ingredients clearly. Opt for protein-rich options like fish, meat, or eggs. Higher protein content makes digestion easier for dogs.

Avoid feeding your dog the following foods. While dogs can eat many things, they cannot digest everything humans can. Many everyday foods are toxic to dogs. Even small amounts can cause stomach pain or poisoning. Never feed your dog:

• Avocado
• Bread dough
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Grapes or raisins
• Foods containing hops
• Macadamia nuts
• Onions
• Garlic
• Xylitol, often found in sugar-free products.

Keep your dog away from sick dogs. Just as children catch the flu, dogs can contract illnesses from other sick dogs. If you know a dog is unwell, avoid letting your dog interact with it to prevent infection.

• Dog parks are challenging to monitor due to the high number of dogs present daily.
• If your dog falls ill, ask nearby dog owners if any dogs have been sick recently.
• Contact the owner of the infected dog to understand the illness and its severity.

Identify underlying health issues that may cause stomach pain in dogs. Certain conditions, such as pancreatitis, can lead to frequent abdominal discomfort. If your dog suffers from such ailments, monitor them closely for signs of stomach pain and other symptoms. Watch for lethargy, weakness, or diarrhea. Early veterinary intervention can help alleviate pain and speed up recovery.

• Be cautious with diseases like diabetes, as they can worsen if your dog stops eating. Even mild stomach pain can exacerbate these conditions. Contact your vet if you notice any changes in your dog’s eating habits.