Tummy troubles and food sensitivity in dogs are fairly common problems no matter what their breed, age or size. Some dogs are naturally prone to stomach upset, while others seem to be able to eat anything — and literally everything — without an issue. Read on to learn what factors could be responsible for your dog’s upset stomach and how nutrition can play a role in resolving tummy problems.
What causes tummy troubles?
Any number of culprits could be responsible for your dog’s upset stomach. However, the most common triggers tend to have something to do with your canine companion’s diet. It could be that he or she is eating too much or too fast, is having a negative reaction to their food or something in it, is eating the wrong food (like the cat’s food or high-fat people food), is stressed, or is chowing down stuff that they shouldn’t be (like stones, food wrappers, parts of toys or garbage). Stress, motion sickness and injury also may upset your pooch’s stomach. Still other possible causes include internal parasites, bacterial or viral infections, and toxic plants. Even a change in dog treats can spark tummy troubles.
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Because numerous factors can affect the digestive system, it’s important to figure out the cause for your dog’s signs and symptoms. For an accurate diagnosis and treatment options, have your four-legged friend examined by your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will also be able to recommend the best food for your dog’s stomach and intestinal health.
A special food formula may help
Most simple stomach upsets clear up within a couple of days. Small changes like a gradual switch to a sensitive stomach dog food or more regularity in your daily routine may resolve these forms of stomach upset. And there’s most likely a commercial, non-prescription diet that you can feed, such as Diamond CARE Sensitive Stomach Formula for Adult Dogs. Typically, sensitive stomach dog foods are designed to be easily digestible, contain a limited number of ingredients to reduce the chance of negative food reactions, and include probiotics to help restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.
Be aware that some dogs may need long-term treatment because they have regular or permanent digestive problems. Since different stomach problems may require different dietary strategies — that’s why there’s no single best food for managing dogs with tummy troubles — ask your veterinarian to help you determine what type of food would be best for your dog.
Your dog’s food can have a significant impact on its digestive system health. A specially formulated diet provides the nutrition your dog needs to help manage their condition and supports their overall health while being easy on their sensitive stomach.
