Dealing with dog stomach pain? here's how i handle it.

​​I recently had a severe case of acute gastritis. I couldn't stand, became suddenly weak, felt really nauseous, and couldn't eat. I couldn't eat for a whole 2 days, and for the next several days, I basically forced myself to eat. I couldn't sleep because of the discomfort and unstoppable nausea.

Well, that is my story. 

However, I have encountered a similar situation perhaps once a year or every two years with one of my dogs. She is a medium-sized mixed breed, likely resembling a terrier.
If you own a terrier, you are probably aware that they tend to be picky eaters. Yes, my dog is a picky eater. She has strong opinions about what qualifies as food for her and what does not. Additionally, she has a very sensitive stomach. When we observe her excessively consuming grass outside, it serves as a clear indication that her stomach is upset. In 90% of cases, the cause remains unknown.

Since I now understand how tough it can be to experience nausea, lack of appetite, and stomach discomfort, I totally feel for my dog's symptoms and can't help but think about what I can do to assist her. Here's how I handle the situation. Just a friendly reminder, though, this is not medical advice.

​How to Take Care of a Dog with Stomach Pain (Gastritis)

Disclaimer: The following is not medical advice. It is simply how I handle the situation with my own dog.

Before we delve into home care, let's review your dog's condition:

• The stomach pain is acute (sudden), meaning your dog was perfectly fine yesterday but not today.
• Your dog appears stable, still able to walk and run normally, but hesitates to eat.
• Your dog may be obsessively eating grass, although it is not necessary.
• The dog has vomited no more than twice.
• It is evident that your dog has not consumed anything harmful, such as human medications, pesticides, compost, toys, bones, or a fatty diet.

​Please do not underestimate your dog's condition. If you are unsure, please contact your vet.

If you have confirmed all the above, you can consider the following steps for home care:

No feeding for the next 12 hours.

Some picky eaters are just a little particular. I'm sure you've already figured out whether your dog is being fussy about the food you're giving them or if they're not feeling well.

Either way, it's perfectly fine to hold off on feeding them for 12 hours. You can even wait up to 24 hours. But please make sure to always have water available for your dog.

​Fasting is actually a really important and healthy way to help their digestive system. I understand that you might feel guilty or want to see your dog start eating right away. Just be patient. Just like with our own bodies, fasting is the best way to let their body heal on its own. I remember when I had gastritis, I didn't want to eat anything either. So, please give your dog some space for a little while.

Famotidine

​I rarely recommend OTC drugs on my website. However, if it can be useful and helpful for your baby, why not give it a try? Just keep in mind that famotidine is a temporary solution, so it's not something you should give to your dog for an extended period of time. If you don't notice any improvement within 2-3 days, famotidine may not be the right choice for your dog.

CBD oil

CBD oil is known for its pain-relieving properties. There have been studies that suggest CBD can help reduce stomach pain. Here are some ways CBD may be beneficial for dogs with gastritis:

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: CBD, derived from the cannabis plant, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. This means it may help reduce inflammation in the stomach lining, which is a common characteristic of gastritis.

Pain Management: Some studies have indicated that CBD may help reduce stomach pain. This could be particularly helpful for pets suffering from gastritis, as abdominal pain is a prominent symptom of the condition.

Regulation of Gastric Acid: Evidence suggests that CBD may help regulate gastric acid secretion. In dogs with gastritis, excessive gastric acid production can worsen the condition. By regulating gastric acid levels, CBD oil may potentially help manage this aspect of gastritis.

Protection of Gastric Mucosa: Preliminary research suggests that CBD may have a protective effect on the gastric mucosa, potentially shielding the stomach lining from damage caused by inflammation and excessive acid production.

Promotion of Appetite and Digestion: Some pets with gastritis may experience a loss of appetite and digestive disturbances. CBD has been reported to have effects on appetite and digestion, which could potentially benefit those with gastritis.



Then, after 12 or 24 hours, give a bland diet a try. You can cook lean meat like chicken and turkey (with little to no fat and skin) since they're easy to digest. If you're looking for an easier option, grab a glass jar of baby food (single protein).​

High Fiber and Low Fat

​I actually know quite a few dog owners who subscribe to my newsletter and read my blogs (Thank you always!) and they feed their furry friends high-quality, grain-free, high-protein food. And you know what? There's absolutely nothing wrong with that kind of food.

But here's the thing. I'd like you to shift your focus from high nutritional value to better healing food. It's just temporary, you see. When I say "healing food," I'm talking about high fiber. There have been many studies showing that fiber soothes the GI lining and makes it easier for your dog to pass stool.

Sure, high-quality, high-protein food might be nutritionally superior, but right now we're all about healing your dog's GI. Think about it this way: you wouldn't give a 50 lb. dumbbell to a very skinny, less active person, right? High protein and fat requires a lot of energy for GI to digest. It's just too much. Same goes for your pup.

I know this might go against what you believe, but I usually go for some good-quality, reputable bland weight management canned food. You see, weight management food has more fiber and less fat.

​Now, I don't know about your dog, but my picky eater absolutely loves meat. She's not a fan of steamed vegetables to up her fiber intake. So, during the recovery period, I usually give her some boiled/cooked lean chicken along with the weight management canned food.
And once I see that she's able to eat some, I start adding probiotics into the mix.

​Additional option - Herbal tea

Here is some additional information. If your dog doesn't want to drink either, you might consider giving water with a syringe. Staying hydrated is really important, and we definitely want to avoid "dehydration." That's why a vet usually gives "SQ fluid."

I personally use some herbs to make herbal tea to soothe the stomach. Here are the herbs I use:

Chamomile: If you've been following me for a while, you probably know how much I love this herb. It's super safe and has a lot of great medicinal properties. Plus, it's really gentle on the stomach.

Ginger: If you drink Ginger Ale or ginger tea for motion sickness, then you know ginger is great for nausea. Just remember, you only need a tiny amount, especially since it has a bit of a bitter taste.

Marshmallow root: Another herb that's really soothing. Marshmallow root has this slimy substance that coats the irritated layer.

After you make the tea, I recommend trying it yourself first. You'll be able to tell if your dog can handle it or not. Most dogs don't mind the taste of chamomile. And if you think ginger is too strong, you can always reduce the amount or increase the ratio of chamomile next time.
​
Your dog won't need a large volume of tea. Start with 1 ml or less. If they seem okay, you can give them a bit more (around 3-4 ml), or save it for later in the day. You can give it multiple times a day. Just remember to discard the tea after 4 hours if you leave it at room temperature. If you refrigerate it, you can store it for up to 24 hours. Or, you can even drink it yourself for your own stomach.

Conclusion

It can be emotionally difficult to see your dog in pain or experiencing nausea. However, you may question whether it is necessary to immediately take them to a vet if they are still able to walk with a happy tail wag and have normal urination and bowel movements, but simply lack appetite.
​
The home care method described above is what I personally do for my dogs. It is a relatively simple and affordable approach. If you have gastritis, you can try it on yourself (except for eating weight management canned food :) Once you confirm the healing ability that we all possess, you may want to consider trying it for your beloved pets.
Please remember that if you are unsure about the stability of your dog's condition, it is important to call your veterinarian and seek their advice.

Need Help?

​If you feel your pet could benefit from natural food and herbal care including mushrooms, consider scheduling an appointment with me. I’m happy to help you and your furry friend!

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