There are a number of reasons dogs can get an upset stomach that will cause them discomfort and symptoms such as throwing up or diarrhea. When I rescued my black lab, Stella, she was about 18 months old, and in the first few weeks of having her, I learned she had a condition known as chronic colitis. I had hoped she would grow out of this condition either with age or better eating habits, but here we are, five years later, and I am still dealing with her frequent upset tummy problems. Here are a few remedies I’ve tested with her that work regularly.
Jarrow Pet Dophilus
This probiotic powder is a lifesaver! After several expensive appointments at her vet and trying prescription pills to help her digest and pass food, I learned that as soon as Stella would be off the prescription, she would become sick again. I found this powder at a natural grocery store so I thought I’d give it a shot. I now give her a ¼ teaspoon of powder with every 1 cup of meal. I feed her twice a day and she weighs on average about 67-72 pounds. This powder can be pricey–I’ve paid up to $20 per bottle, which will last a few weeks. I’ve started ordering it online to help my budget.
Whole Foods’ brand Wholezyme
These powder capsules are designed for adult humans, but I’ve been using them for Stella since I found the dophilus. I do this mainly because it works just as well and then I can cut back on the recommended dose of dophilus. I give her two capsules (three if she is having a colitis flare) for each meal. These pills have proven to help her digest and pass food regularly.
Plain, Greek yogurt or organic pure pumpkin puree
If your dog doesn’t necessarily have colitis or a constant upset stomach, you may want to try a dollop of plain yogurt or pure pumpkin puree in their normal food for a couple of meals. The probiotics in the yogurt seem to help Stella if she is having a flare, and a friend recommended to me the pumpkin puree, as it also can help tame an upset tummy.
Blue Buffalo brand dog food and treats
Finally, a note about Stella’s normal food. If Stella has a bad colitis flare, I will feed her very bland food for a few days, usually boiled chicken breast and plain rice. On a normal basis, however, I feed Stella the adult chicken Blue Buffalo brand food. It’s a very clean, dry dog food without fillers or heavy starches. I also give her the Blue mini bars and regular bars as treats. She has digested and passed this food better than any other brand, but there are several higher-end dog foods that are also great choices if your dog suffers from colitis.
