What to feed a dog with diarrhea or stomach upset?

‘Help! My dog has an upset tummy. What do I feed him?’ This is one of the most common questions anxious pet parents ask the vet. Now we understand how unpleasant a stomach upset is and know what works best for us. You can do the same for your pet as well. All you have to do is to find out what caused the problem and if their condition is serious enough to seek medical help or is easily treatable at home by using simple home remedies.

If the symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea still persist after 24 hours, along with other symptoms like lethargy and poor appetite then you must take them to the vet. But if the stomach upset is due to changes in their diet or due to stress colitis, it can be easily treated at home.

Foods have properties which either warm the body, cool them or are neutral. When either of the balance goes haywire, diseases creep in. Most often gastrointestinal upsets are a result of too much heat in the body so you need to eat foods that cool you down.

Here are a few foods that you can feed your sick dog:

• Fasting – By not feeding your pet for 12 to 24 hours and giving them only water can help ease the situation. Once you allow their gastrointestinal tract to rest they will be able to efficiently receive and digest nutrients that are then given to them. But you need to ensure that your pet stays well hydrated by giving them water or ice chips frequently.
• Cooling proteins – Feeding you dog chicken when they have a tummy upset is not a good idea. Chicken is a protein that causes heat in body. Giving them lamb or goat is also not a good idea. Instead, introduce them to cooling proteins like turkey, eggs, cottage cheese, pork or tofu.
• Millet – Millet is a cooling food which is high in protein and rich in vitamins and minerals that will help to recuperate your pet’s ailing stomach.
• Potato – Potatoes are another cooling food that are bland, easy to digest and source of carbs that help to soothe upset stomachs and provide energy. You can boil, steam or bake the potatoes. Mash them well but remember to peel away the skin before serving it to your pet.
• Banana – Bananas are a cooling food that provide energy as well as strengthen the dehydrated digestive system. Bananas have pectin, a soluble fibre that binds water in the colon and coats the gastrointestinal tract. They are also rich in potassium that will help to quickly energise a dehydrated body.
• Peppermint or pudina – Pudina is a very valuable medicinal plant that soothes an upset stomach, relieves gas and eases indigestion. Pudina also has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. Feeding them its fresh form in the form of chopped leaves will ensure their stomach recovers soon. You can feed ¼ teaspoon of pudina to small breeds, ½ teaspoon to medium size breeds and 1 teaspoon to large breeds.

You can try any of the above remedies. But if the symptoms still persist then you must take them to the vet for quicker medical intervention.