Owning a dog is a truly special gift to have in life. That bond you create with your dog is unlike any other bond. They love you, they are loyal to you, and they rely on you to keep them safe and healthy. While it would be great if every dog was free of health issues, and felt fabulous and full of energy all the time, that’s just not the case. For many dogs, a sensitive stomach can leave them feeling really quite miserable and have you stressing to figure out how to fix the problem.
So, what can you do as a responsible dog owner when you suspect your canine family member has a sensitive stomach? Here are some practical and useful steps you can take.
Get a Proper Diagnosis
The first step in fixing the problem, or at least alleviate some of that discomfort they feel, is to get a diagnosis that your dog does indeed have a sensitive stomach. It’s hard to work on making the situation better if you’re just guessing that it’s a sensitive stomach. A dog can’t tell you what’s wrong, so a physical exam and potentially some tests at the vet’s office will provide you with some much-needed answers.
It’s also important to point out that the reasons why your dog has a sensitive stomach can vary, and that reason may need to be addressed with a specific treatment. For example, it could be parasites causing the stomach issues, and it would all work out once the parasites are treated.
Take Away Anything in the House that They Can Get Into
Perhaps the sensitive stomach is caused by your dog managing to get into a bunch of things around the house that isn’t good for them. Some breeds are notorious for riffling through rubbish bins, eating scraps of food, chewing on items that aren’t digestible, and eating everything in sight outdoors.
Just as you would baby-proof your home, you need to dog-proof it and make it safe for their sensitive stomach. Anything that is low to the ground and within reach to them that they shouldn’t be eating should be put away in a secure location. When it comes to the outdoors, it may get to a point where you need to stand out there and keep an eye on them to ensure they aren’t eating anything they shouldn’t be.
Look into Vitamins for Dogs
Another avenue that you can pursue is looking into vitamins for dogs, such as those available through YuMOVE. YuMOVE offers a variety of different blends and types of vitamins, such as the YuDIGEST dog vitamins that may offer some relief of their sensitive stomach. These are actually a probiotic blend that works to support the digestive system. It can help to reduce excess wind in their digestive system, and some owners also report it helps to firm up their stool. All of this can make for a happier, more comfortable dog. Just be sure to follow the proper dosage information on the packaging so that you get the best results possible.
Stop Giving Them Treats
How many times has your pooch given you the cute eyes just begging for a tasty treat? While it may not seem like a big deal to give in and hand them over a little something, you may not be doing their stomach any good. Ideally, you want to stop giving treats all together, but if you still want to be able to give them a little something, opt for natural treats in very small quantities.
Time to Switch Up the Food
Of course, one of the biggest steps you’ll likely need to take is to change up your dog’s diet. It could be that their food is to blame for all their stomach woes. Vets typically recommend a very basic diet which consists of food that has little ingredients in it, is balanced, and simple. You want to steer clear of fillers and other potential triggers.
There are plenty of dog foods on the market that claim to be suitable for sensitive stomachs, so it may take a little trial and error to find that right blend. You can always buy small bags as you test out a new brand or flavour before committing to a larger bag.
At the end of the day, even these sensitive stomach blends may still not be enough; it may come down to you having to make a raw diet for them so you can control what ingredients are used.
The last thing you want is to see your dog in pain or discomfort thanks to stomach issues, so taking these steps to address their sensitive stomach seems like a good plan.
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