Evie Randall
30 January 2024
Is your pooch experiencing tummy troubles, and you are wondering ‘What can I give my senior dog for upset stomach?’ Here are some fixes and solutions for relieving your older dog’s discomfort at home.
We all get an upset stomach sometimes, whether we are canine or human, and for the former this can result in diarrhea, constipation, foul odors, and general gastro intestinal discomfort.
More often than not this is caused by something your dog has eaten.
Sometimes I’ll eat anything without realizing it’s bad and it can give me an upset stomach, but this might be a symptom of a sensitive stomach which can require diet change.
If your dog has a persistent upset stomach they might need a diet change and put on different food, or you may require a temporary solution to help a dog pass the bad stuff out.
In today’s article we are going to discuss long term solutions to sensitive stomachs, what to do when you need a temporary fix, and also the causes of an upset stomach in dogs.
Learn more about caring for your senior dog with an upset stomach below.
An upset stomach can be used to describe when your dog feels ill.
There are some clear symptoms that your dog might be suffering gastrointestinal issues such as foul smelling flatulence, occasional vomiting, loose stools (diarrhea) or trouble passing stool (constipation).
With younger dogs this can pass and be a simple consequence of eating something bad, whereas this can occur long-term in senior dogs.
If this occurs frequently then there is a large chance your dog might suffer from a sensitive stomach.
This can occur naturally with seniority as your dog’s immune system weakens and they gain intolerances to things, as well as a weaker stomach.
One thing to note is that you might catch your dog eating grass if they do have an upset stomach.
This is their natural response to an upset stomach and can naturally help them pass stool, but we can also do this for them by feeding them some of the foods mentioned later.
First off, a senior dog can have a sensitive stomach purely as a result of being old and their immune systems weakening.
Food you used to feed them might not cut it anymore. Otherwise there are some more common causes of a short term stomach upset.
This means they will even eat things that are off, dead, or just not food at all, and this can cause a large amount of stomach discomfort.
Sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach – I will literally eat anything so keep an eye on me!
Did you know dogs have a neuron connection between their stomach and their brain that humans don’t? It means when I’m stressed or sad I can feel it in my stomach.
A trip to the vets can help you understand what kind of diet might suit your senior dog better.
There are a few kinds of foods that can help both passing stool and stiffening it.
You can feed these foods to your dog if they have suffered from one of the symptoms described and it can provide short term relief where necessary, but it might be worth considering a more long term fix if the issue persists.
Below we have suggested some commercially available dog foods that might be suitable for your dog if they have prolonged stomach issues indicative of a sensitive stomach in old age.
This is a great wet food option for a dog with a sensitive stomach. While it is full of all the stuff your dog needs, it is engineered to support digestive health.
A lot of the ingredients are easy to digest for the dog and are conducive to passing more normal stool. There are around three flavor options to choose from as well.
This is a really great dry food option that is aimed specifically at dogs over the age of 7.
Not only does it have the calcium and other minerals to improve joint and bone health, but also helps support immunity with antioxidant vitamins.
Yet, importantly, it also contains prebiotic fiber and fiber rich superfoods to ensure your dog passes consistent and natural stools that are helpful for a sensitive stomach.
This is another dry dog kibble that is ideal to support the sensitive stomach of your dog.
It contains high digestible ingredients like chicken and fiber and ensures that all artificial and by product ingredients are omitted so your dog can eat organic and natural rather than consuming by products that are bad for their digestion.
This is also pretty reasonably priced and also supports US dog food makers.
As you can see there are many causes of an upset stomach in your dog, but also ways to treat it in the short term and the long term.
Here’s the takeaways:
To ensure your aging canine companion receives the best care for digestive discomfort and address the question ‘What can I give my senior dog for upset stomach?’ involves collaborating with your vet and making thoughtful dietary choices.
Evie Randall is a talented writer at KnowMyDog.com who specializes in creating content that provides senior dog owners with the knowledge they need to take care of their furry friends. Her passion for dogs and her exceptional writing skills have enabled her to create engaging and informative articles that cover a wide range of topics related to senior dog care, from the importance of regular veterinary checkups to tips on managing age-related health issues.
Through her writing, Evie has helped to build a community of dog owners who rely on KnowMyDog.com for guidance and support in caring for their aging pets. Her dedication to providing high-quality content that is both informative and easy to understand has earned her a loyal following among dog owners, who appreciate her expertise and her ability to make complex topics accessible. Overall, Evie’s work at KnowMyDog.com has made a significant impact in the pet industry, and her commitment to helping senior dogs and their owners is sure to continue benefiting countless pets and their human companions for years to come.
