Common Digestive Issues in Dogs and How to Deal With Their Sensitive Stomach

Being a pet parent is more than feeding your furry baby—it includes taking overall care of their health as well. People mostly complain about why their dogs face digestive issues even after being on a perfect diet. Well, there can be several reasons, such as infections, allergies, and the ingestion of foreign objects or toxins.

Along with this, there are also other reasons, such as stress, chronic conditions, medications, and inflammatory bowel movement. Regardless of the reasons, dog parents must remain aware of the types of common digestive issues found in dogs and how to deal with them. The article is written with the aim to educate pet parents about the sensitive stomachs of their pets and ways to manage them.

The common Digestive Issues in Dogs

As per research, 34.8% of the dogs in the U.S. face digestive issues. Certainly, it affects their overall health and well-being. For this reason, veterinary visits are growing day by day. Thus, know these common digestive issues found in dogs.

1. Gastritis

It is the inflammation of the stomach lining and can also be acute or chronic. Most of the time, it is caused by dietary indiscretion, such as eating spoiled food or garbage, food allergies, bacterial infections, parasites, or even stress. How to know if your dog is dealing with gastritis—consider symptoms like decreased appetite, vomiting, increased water consumption, abdominal discomfort, and lethargy.

2. Diarrhea

One of the common and frequent digestive issues in dogs is diarrhea. It is caused by various reasons, including dietary indiscretion, bacterial or viral infections, food allergies, stress, and parasites.

You might see symptoms like watery stools, increased frequency of bowel movements, and sometimes blood or mucus in the stool.

3. Constipation

When dogs face difficulty in passing stool or experience frequent bowel movements—that is when constipation occurs. Common causes for this issue include insufficient dietary fiber, lack of exercise, dehydration, certain medications, and ingestion of foreign objects.

Might observe the symptoms like hard and dry stool, infrequent bowel movements, and discomfort. They might even ignore trying their favorite snack.

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

It is a chronic condition characterized by persistent inflammation in the digestive tract. It generally occurs when the immune system overreacts to normal components in the intestinal tract.

Gradually it leads to chronic inflammation and damage to the lining of the digestive tract. The major symptoms pointing towards IBD include persistent diarrhea, weight loss, poor appetite, lethargy, and blood or mucus in the stool.

Ways to Deal With the Digestive Issues in Dogs

Every problem comes with a solution. There are several ways for your dog to get rid of their sensitive stomach and digestive issues. Some effective and easy ways are discussed below.

1. Diet and Nutrition

A properly balanced diet is required for dogs to maintain their digestive health. Especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs, a limited-ingredient diet with a novel protein source and easily digestible ingredients can be beneficial.

Consider adding fiber to their diet, such as pumpkin, apples, carrots, and more can help restore and maintain healthy gut bacteria.

2. Hydration

In simple science, water is essential for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and helping prevent constipation. Additionally, it helps flush waste products and regulate body temperature. Therefore, encouraging water intake by offering fresh water frequently can be beneficial.

You can also opt for adding ice cubes, using a pet fountain, or flavoring water with low-sodium chicken broth. To recognize the signs of dehydration, look for dry gums, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity, and concentrated urine.

3. Exercise

To maintain a healthy digestive system, regular physical activities are a must. Take your dogs on daily walks to regulate bowel movements—because for them, running is the best exercise. Most of the pet parents lack quality time with dogs, which leads to different health issues in dogs, including digestive issues.

Go for the ultimate solution, like a pet door installation, where your dog can freely move in and out of the house without the need of their parents. Like that, they will keep moving and get rid of their digestive issues.

4. Veterinary Care

Whether the symptoms are mild or chronic, taking your dogs to the vet is mandatory. Especially if the symptoms are accompanied by signs like blood in vomit or stool, lethargy, or pain. Veterinary care involves medications, IV fluids, or dietary management tailored to your dogs’ specific needs. Therefore, it will be better for pets if there is at least one veterinary visit a week.

End Note

Digestive issues in dogs or them having sensitive stomachs are definitely matters of concern. But with proper knowledge and care, they can be managed as well as prevented. For this, ensure you maintain proper hydration, a balanced diet, and a stress-free environment. If the dog eats well, sleeps well, and moves well, there will be no digestive issues at all. Therefore, pet parents must take proactive measures to help their furry baby maintain a healthy, happy, and active life.