Having worked at a veterinary hospital for some time, I have learned about some good old home remedies for a dog’s upset stomach. At the veterinary clinic, we offered these tips as an option to clients when we’d no same day appointments.

If followed carefully, these natural home remedies may help sooth an upset stomach or even heal it in the ideal cases. However, while most cases may benefit from a home remedy, there are some circumstances, where home remedies are not sufficient and where medical treatment is really the only option.

Home remedies for an upset stomach may help those dogs that have an indigestion due to an abrupt diet change or if they got into the garbage can or simply overate.

1) PICK UP ALL FOOD

The general protocol for dogs vomiting or with diarrhea is to fast these dogs for a minimum of 12 to 24 hours. Puppies should not be fasted for more than 12 hours, usually the whole night will suffix.

The fast will consist of no food or treats. Water may further upset a vomiting dog, so ice chips may be a good alternative until the dog feels better.

2) BLAND DIET

After the 12-24 hour fast offer a bland diet composed of boiled rice and chicken or boiled rice and hamburger. If you chose chicken make sure the skin is taken off. If you choosehamburger make sure the fat is drained off. Make sure the rice is the bulky part of the meal.Offer this in 3-4 small meals throughout the day.

3)GOOD OLD BACTERIA

Add a dollop of plain yogurt or cottage cheese to allow some good bacteria to help out the inflamed intestines.

4) CHECK HYDRATION LEVEL

You need to make sure your dog is not becoming dehydrated. Lift gently the skin on the back or between shoulder blades in a tent. If it snap back into position good. If it delays or worse, stays lifted then the dog may need subcutaneous fluids from the vet.

5) REPLACE ELECTROLYTES

If the dog is having frequent liquid squirts of diarrhea or continuos vomiting,the odds of becoming dehydrated are great. You may help by giving some unflavored Pedialyte or mix in some Gatorade into the dog’s water bowl. If the dog is vomiting persistently offering water may further cause vomiting making the situation worse. You can try to freeze some Gatorade and offer it to lick. However, in severe cases the only way to keep dog hydrated is through fluids provided by the vet.

6)MONITOR

At this point all you can do is monitor your pet. Do not hesitate to have your dog seen if he becomes lethargic, laying around and not acting its normal self. Ensure that following the bland diet your dog has no more vomiting episodes and that the stools are betterformed. At this point gradually add the regular diet and taper off the rice meal. If the vomiting or diarrhea still is present then the dog needs medical attention. The underlying cause needs addressed. The dog may have a parasite infestation, or if vomiting consistently the dog may have swallowed a foreign object that’s causing a blockage or the vomiting and diarrhea may be caused by a virus such as parvo.

The natural home remedy of a bland diet may be therefore helpful in many cases, however there are those cases that need immediate vet attention. Usually, your dog’s behavior will give you hints on what to do. Chances are, if your dog is not acting right the vet may need seen the same day.