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What To Do If Your Pet Has A Stomach Ache

December 18, 2023

By pawTree Home Office

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There’s nothing scarier than our sweet fur babies being sick — we want our beloved companions happy, healthy and playful! Unfortunately, upset tummies and gastrointestinal issues trouble all sorts of furry friends. Gut health is one of the most common reasons pets see their vets.

So what do you do if your dog or cat has a stomach ache? And how do you prevent gastrointestinal issues in the future? In this blog post, we'll cover potential causes of an upset stomach, signs and symptoms of stomach aches, and ways to boost their GI health for a happier future. Keep reading!

Potential Causes Of An Upset Stomach

There are several reasons your fur baby might have an upset gut! Did they start new food? Or get into something they shouldn’t have?

Here are the three most common reasons your pet might have a stomach ache:

  • Ingesting something they shouldn’t have (foreign object, “hooman” food, etc.)
  • A bacterial imbalance in the digestive tract
  • Chronic conditions, like food sensitivities or allergies

Signs & Symptoms Of An Upset Stomach In Pets

The number one sign of a four-legged family member's stomach ache is vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet is doing one of these two things, their gut health may need help.

Some additional signs your dog might be experiencing stomach upsets are:

  • eating grass
  • exhibiting a decrease in appetite
  • experiencing fatigue
  • gulping frequently to combat reflux
  • drinking less water
  • stretching out abnormally often or looking generally uncomfortable

When To Call The Vet For Upset Stomachs

Seeking expert help is never a bad idea. You can’t be too cautious! Our fur babies are of utmost importance to us, and a trusted vet can help you through any challenge — big or small.

That being said, there are a few signs that warrant an urgent response. Below are the symptoms that require immediate action:

  • If you think your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have
  • Depressed or lethargic behavior
  • Frequent vomiting or diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours
  • Blood in vomit or diarrhea

In these cases, contact your vet or another trusted urgent care provider immediately.

How To Prevent Stomach Aches In Pets

Over 70% of a pet’s immune system is in their gut! A healthy gut can improve your pup’s overall well being dramatically. As pet parents, we can help prevent future health issues with proactive treatment like giving your fur baby the vitamins, supplements and diet that boosts their gut health.

Here are our best tips for preventing GI issues in your four-legged family member:

1. Feed highly digestible food.

Food is the foundation of good health! It’s always important that your fur baby’s food is nutrient-rich, filler-free and developed by expert nutritionists. For GI health, it’s particularly important that your pet’s food is highly digestible. Easy-to-digest food like pawTree’s makes for happier tummies in the long run.

If your fur baby is struggling with stomach issues, you might also try feeding more frequent, smaller meals to see how they respond.

2. Add a bit of bone broth to their meals.

Bone broth is known for being beneficial for “hoomans,” and it’s just as good for our pets. Bone broth aids in digestion and promotes a healthy digestive tract. It’s also particularly excellent for replenishing nutrients that are lost during a vomiting or diarrhea spell.

pawTree’s bone broth is made with real protein and pumpkin (known for supporting good GI health), amongst other superfoods. You can offer it as a liquid broth, sprinkle it over your pet’s meal, or even make a gravy with it.

3. Supplement with prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes.

Hundreds of microorganisms live in your fur baby's gut. When the balance of your pet's bacteria and microbes is off, they could start to experience an upset stomach. By supplementing with prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes, you can help prevent future issues.

Supplements like Gastro Pro Plus contain prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes and soothing natural herbs to keep your pet’s digestion on the right track.

The gut is a delicate microbiome that needs a little extra care and attention! By being a little proactive, we can help our furry family members keep their tummies healthy, which will lead to a more playful, happier companion for us.


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