Frequent vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or appetite loss – these all could be a sign that your dog’s food is causing digestive issues. While pinpointing the exact trigger can be quite difficult, you can keep an eye out for telltale signs their kibble or canned food is behind the tummy troubles. Trying to identify a food intolerance early will help to prevent ongoing discomfort and more serious health issues in the future. This awareness can help identify if a diet change is needed to get your dog’s digestion back on track.
Look For These 5 Signs of Food-Related Tummy Trouble
Recurrent vomiting, diarrhea, excessive gas, constipation, or loss of appetite all indicate an irritation to your canine friend’s digestive system from whatever their current food is. Watch for these troublesome tummy issues frequently occurring after meals:
- Upset Stomach Symptoms: General signs of GI distress like vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or abrupt food avoidance could mean your furry friend is having issues stomaching something in their bowl.
- Excessive Gas or Loose Stool: Overly gassy pups tend to have more sensitive digestive systems. Stools that are extra loose, mushy or mucus-filled also signal irritation in the GI tract.
- Itchy Skin or Ear Infections: Surprising as it may seem, dry, itchy skin or chronic ear infections can occasionally stem from food reactions rather than environmental allergies.
- Behavior Changes: Major crankiness, agitation, or lethargy around mealtimes or shortly thereafter is not normal.
- Persistent Bad Breath or Bloating: Repeated uncomfortable bloating or especially stinky dog breath also warrants inspection of your canine’s current food.
How to Pick a Gentler Food for Sensitive Stomachs
Does your dog often experience digestive distress after eating? The experts at Nextrition say that switching their diet to the best dog food for sensitive stomachs can help immensely. Look for an easily digestible formula free of common irritants.
- Veterinary Diet: Choose formulas designed specifically for sensitive systems, offered by major brands as veterinary diets ideal for dogs needing TLC and easier digestion.
- Limited Ingredient Diet: These contain fewer ingredients overall, helping identify potential irritants while being highly digestible.
- Fish, Fowl or Lamb-Based: Proteins like fish, chicken, turkey or lamb are typically lower in fat and offer an alternative to traditional beef or pork.
- No Artificial Contents: Avoid artificial additives that can upset sensitive tummies. Choose formulas with natural ingredients.
- Probiotics: Incorporate probiotic-rich foods or supplements to support healthy digestion and gut balance during dietary transitions.
When to Call Your Veterinarian
Most minor stomach upsets resolve once problematic ingredients get removed from your dog’s bowl. But if symptoms concern or persist despite a food swap, promptly contact your vet to discuss tailored solutions for your unique pup.
Schedule a visit if any of the below situations happen:
- Loss of appetite lasts over 48 hours.
- Repeated projectile vomiting.
- Extreme lethargy along with diarrhea or vomiting.
- Noticeable weight loss.
- Presence of blood in stool or vomit.
Serious issues like pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, parasites and other conditions can also undermine your dog’s digestion severely. Booking an exam rules these urgent matters out. During the appointment, relay all recent dietary adjustments plus any symptoms so your veterinarian can determine appropriate next steps.
Conclusion
A happy, healthy dog starts with proper nutrition suited to their needs. When routine digestive issues occur after eating, assess your pup’s current food first. Transitioning to a highly digestible, limited-ingredient formula tailored for sensitive systems can ease symptoms and improve comfort. Monitor their tummy closely after any food swaps. If severe distress continues, promptly consult your veterinarian. They can recommend veterinary diets, probiotics, or additional solutions to support your dog’s stomach and nutrition. With gentle food changes and patience, your pup’s digestion difficulties can be resolved.