Home Remedies: How to Treat Your Dog’s Upset Stomach at Home
Comprehensive guide to recognizing, treating, and managing your dog’s upset stomach at home with safe, effective remedies.
If your dog is experiencing digestive distress, knowing what to do can make a significant difference. Dogs, much like humans, can suffer from upset stomachs for a variety of reasons, but not all tummy troubles require an immediate trip to the veterinarian. This guide walks you through how to recognize an upset stomach, decide if home remedies are appropriate, and how to help your pet feel better with safe, effective strategies.
Symptoms Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach
Recognizing the symptoms of a digestive upset is the first step to providing help. Typical signs include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Excessive salivation
- Attempts to eat grass or lick surfaces
- Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
- Flatulence (gas)
- Stomach making gurgling noises
Some dogs may display only one or two of these symptoms, while others may exhibit several. Careful observation is essential for deciding the best course of action.
When to Treat at Home vs. When to Call the Vet
Not every upset stomach is mild—some require urgent veterinary care. Call your veterinarian immediately if your dog shows any of the following:
- Lethargy or extreme fatigue
- Fever (temperature over 102°F or under 99°F)
- Persistent vomiting or retching without bringing anything up
- Endless diarrhea
- Signs of dehydration
- Continuous pacing or extreme restlessness
- Uncontrollable drooling
- Blood in stool or vomit
- Stomach appears distended or bloated
These could be symptoms of severe conditions like gastric dilatation-volvulus, poisoning, or infections that need prompt treatment.
12 Home Remedies for Your Dog’s Upset Stomach
If your dog only has mild digestive symptoms and none of the warning signs above, try these tried-and-true home remedies:
1. Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Dehydration is a serious risk when dogs are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. To help your pet stay hydrated:
- Offer ice chips every 2–3 hours to see if they can keep them down before progressing to a few teaspoons of water.
- Use an electrolyte solution like children’s unflavored Pedialyte (with veterinarian approval) to restore lost minerals and fluids.
- Monitor for signs of dehydration, such as dry gums, sunken eyes, or reduced skin elasticity.
If your dog cannot keep fluids down for over 24 hours, seek veterinary help immediately.
2. Allow a Temporary Fast
Withholding food for 12–24 hours gives your dog’s digestive tract time to settle. Always provide free access to water. Puppies and small breed dogs have less energy reserve and may need a shorter fasting period, so consult your vet before withholding food from these pets.
3. Introduce a Bland Diet
After the fasting period, gradually reintroduce food using bland, easily digestible options. The classic “bland diet” includes:
- Boiled, skinless chicken breast or turkey (no seasoning, no skin, no bones)
- Cooked plain white rice
This combination is gentle on the stomach and helps bulk up stool. Feed small amounts, 3–4 times a day, rather than a large meal. Other safe bland options include:
- Plain low-fat cottage cheese
- Boiled white fish
Gradually transition back to your dog’s regular food over several days as they improve, mixing it with the bland diet to avoid a sudden digestive shock.
4. Small, Frequent Meals
Instead of one or two large meals, provide smaller, more frequent feedings. This approach minimizes stomach workload and allows the digestive system to recover.
5. Offer Foods That Can Help
Certain foods can aid recovery and help firm up stool:
- Plain, canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) — High in fiber and helps both diarrhea and constipation.
- Oatmeal — Can calm digestive tract irritation.
- Plain, unsweetened yogurt — Contains probiotics that support gut health.
- Mashed sweet potatoes — Gentle, nutrient-rich, and soothing.
- Bananas — Easy to digest, provides potassium, can help bind stool.
6. Provide Probiotics
Adding probiotics (beneficial bacteria) can restore balance in your dog’s gut flora, improving digestion and immunity. Safe options include:
- Unsweetened, plain yogurt (in moderation)
- Veterinary-recommended probiotics such as FortiFlora, Prostora, or Proviable
Introduce probiotics after your dog is eating again and improvements have begun.
7. Use Slippery Elm Bark (Optional)
Slippery elm bark is a natural remedy some veterinarians recommend. The plant’s mucilage coats and soothes irritated stomach linings. Always consult your veterinarian for dosing and suitability before using herbal remedies.
8. Discourage Grass Eating
It’s common for dogs to eat grass when their stomach is upset, but this is best discouraged. Grass may be treated with fertilizers or pesticides and can make dogs feel worse or even cause toxicity.
9. Manage Rest and Stress
Give your pup a quiet place to rest, away from commotion. Reducing stress helps speed up recovery and keeps your dog calm as their body heals.
10. Avoid Treats and Table Scraps
While your dog is recovering, eliminate all treats, table food, and any rich or unfamiliar menu items. Stick strictly to the bland, recommended diet until symptoms resolve.
11. Monitor Temperature Closely
Check your dog’s temperature with a reliable rectal thermometer. The normal canine temperature is around 101.5°F. Anything above 102°F or below 99°F merits a prompt veterinary check.
12. Gradually Return to Normal Diet
Once your dog’s digestive issues subside over the course of a few days, mix increasing amounts of their regular food into the bland diet. Continue monitoring for any recurrence of symptoms during this reintroduction phase.
Understanding Common Causes of Upset Stomach in Dogs
Knowledge of what can trigger stomach woes helps with prevention:
- Dietary indiscretion (eating spoiled food, garbage, or non-food items)
- Sudden switch in diet without a proper transition
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Certain infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, or parasites)
- Reaction to medication or toxins
- Stress or anxiety-induced digestive upset
- Underlying chronic conditions (inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, organ dysfunction)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long should I try home remedies before calling the vet?
A: Most mild stomach upsets improve within 24 hours. If symptoms persist, worsen, or your dog develops any of the emergency signs (lethargy, blood in stool, ongoing vomiting), seek veterinary assistance immediately.
Q: Can I give human medications like Pepto-Bismol to my dog?
A: Do not give human antacids, anti-diarrheals, or other stomach medications to your dog unless your veterinarian specifically prescribes them. Some ingredients are toxic to dogs or may interact with other medications.
Q: Is pumpkin effective for all types of stomach upset?
A: Pumpkin is particularly helpful for mild diarrhea and constipation due to its fiber content. It is not a cure-all and won’t resolve serious or chronic gastrointestinal problems. Always use plain, canned pumpkin, not pie filling or spiced varieties.
Q: What’s the safest way to hydrate a vomiting dog?
A: Start with ice chips; if your dog keeps them down, offer small sips of water or diluted, unflavored electrolyte solution. Never force large volumes of water at once.
Q: Should I withhold food or try to feed my dog at the first sign of diarrhea?
A: Withholding food for 12–24 hours (while providing water) is often recommended, especially if your dog is otherwise healthy. This allows the digestive tract to reset. Very young, old, or medically fragile dogs may need earlier intervention, so check with your vet.
Sample Bland Diet Feeding Schedule
| Time | Meal |
|---|---|
| Morning | Small serving of cooked chicken and white rice (1:2 ratio) |
| Noon | Repeat, small portion |
| Evening | Small portion, add a tablespoon of plain canned pumpkin if needed |
Prevention Tips: Keeping Your Dog’s Digestion Healthy
- Transition your dog’s food over 7–10 days when changing diets.
- Limit access to garbage, leftover food, and potential toxins indoors and outdoors.
- Stick to regular feeding schedules and portions.
- Keep your dog away from lawns or plants treated with chemicals.
- Schedule regular veterinary visits, including parasite checks.
Final Thoughts
Most cases of canine upset stomach are short-lived and manageable at home using careful observation and safe, gentle remedies. Vigilance is key: monitor symptoms closely, prioritize hydration, and don’t hesitate to seek veterinary care if you have concerns at any point. Your awareness and prompt intervention will keep your dog safe, comfortable, and on the path to recovery.
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