Since the gut controls pretty much all human and animal behavior, it has become more important than ever to understand it. While all stomach and gut problems in dogs seem similar on the outside, vomiting, bloating, or constipation are the most common symptoms of poor gut health in dogs.
The term ‘gut health’ basically refers to the overall health of your dog’s digestive system. The ‘gut’ includes all the organs that play a role in the digestion and absorption of all nutrients from their food.
For overall well-being and health, a healthy gut is a prerequisite. It stands as the pillar of the immune system, absorbing all the right nutrients and removing the waste from the dog’s body. In this way, they tend to catch less health problems and diseases.
The gastrointestinal tract is the most important tract of a dog’s body. But there is more to gut health than we can imagine. It is not just about the unpleasant bodily fluids. A dog’s gut is not very different from a human’s gut as it plays an important role in the
A dog’s gastrointestinal tract is home to thousands of different types of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms, collectively called the gut microbiome. Because a dog’s overall health crucially depends on nutrient absorption and normal cognitive functions, a diverse, well-balanced gut microbiome is necessary. When these populations of gut bacteria go out of balance, they cause problems like inflammatory bowel disease, immune system reactions, and even mental health issues like depression, several case studies and experts have proven.
The disorders related to the microbiome are becoming more common in dogs in the modern world and there are many factors behind it like commercial pet diets, medications, especially antibiotics, and lifestyle changes. Surprisingly, something as small as the use of antimicrobial cleaners in the doors is impacting a dog’s gut health negatively.
Now that makes it all the more important to understand the warning signals that, if we cope with in time, can save dog parents from big trouble. We all know that human and animal bodies send many warning signals to take action before things go completely out of control. If the gut is not functioning properly, the rest of the body won’t either.
Let’s try to understand these signs of upset stomach in dogs.
A dog’s body starts giving out the signals that something is not right before it goes completely berserk. Now what are those signals? There will be a noticeable change in the dog’s normal habits. The appearance of their poop and its smell will change. The stools will be more frequent. If the gut health has been affected, the movement of their poop through the gut will either get too fast or too slow.
You will see some abrupt changes especially in the dog’s normal habits. The stools will be more frequent. If the gut health has been affected, the movement of their poop through the gut will either get too fast or too slow.
You will see the following dog upset stomach symptoms:
It is one of the most noticeable symptoms. The dog’s gut working gets so fast that the content moves too quickly due to fast contractions of the intestines that there’s not enough time for the fluids to get absorbed which results in diarrhea. It can also get to the point where you might notice blood in the stools.
Vomiting is harsh on the animal body so try to see the cause and treat it as soon as possible. When the dog frequently vomits, it hints at gastrointestinal distress. It is possible that your dog might recover from the vomit without medications but might become lethargic and not eat or drink anything. In this case, getting them checked is the best recommendation as they could have some underlying condition.
As the dog owners know, normal gas is fine for the animal. But when flatulence occurs frequently which means excess of gas, then it is a sign of an upset stomach which means it’s a symptom of poor gut health. It is a foul gas that is a sign of dysbiosis which means good and bad bacteria are out of balance or there are imbalances in pH levels. Foul-smelling gas becomes regular for the dog. Try feeding your dog with food like bone broth that promotes digestion and avoid food like potatoes and grains that are high glycemic carbs as they irritate the stomach lining causing upset the stomach.
When flatulence occurs more often, it might be a sign of an upset stomach. It might be hinting at dysbiosis which means good and bad bacteria are out of balance or there are imbalances in pH levels. Foul-smelling gas becomes regular for the dog. In this situation, we should feed the dog with foods like bone broth that promotes digestion and avoid food like potatoes and grains that are high glycemic carbs as they irritate the stomach lining causing upset stomach.
Unlike diarrhea, the movement in the gut slows down which causes constipation. In this situation, fecal material spends more time in the intestine which is more than enough, and maximum water from the material is absorbed making the matter worse. Due to this reason, dog poop becomes hard and they have a hard time passing it. The causes may include dehydration, lack of fiber, stress, or some medications which lead to constipation.
The normal bacteria in the dog’s intestine produce gas but they might result in an imbalance of gut flora. It leads to the dog passing gas more often that too with a bad odor than normal. This upsetting causes inflammation and becomes the reason for other issues.
The dog’s upset stomach gurgling or rumbling in the stomach is called borborygmi. It might be caused by increased gut movement, diarrhea, or gas. The dog seems to be uncomfortable and may avoid food which indicates something off going with your pet. Try to understand the cause or consult a vet to avoid further issues associated with this.
The dogs that seem bloated or uncomfortable due to gas issues indicate poor gut health. It might go on its own but if it persists or looks unusual and the dog is unwell, it’s best time to get it checked by a veterinarian before it leads to other issues.
The dog might have stomach aches due to poor diet or any imbalances in the gut. Abdominal pain can also be caused due to obstruction or other health conditions. If it becomes too painful for the dog that it pants, hides, shakes, whines, or does stretching, you need to consult a veterinarian immediately.
Pet owners have to be vigilant in all cases when it comes to their pups. You should know what’s normal for your dog so that once there is some change you can immediately spot that and take the necessary steps to treat the dog’s issue.
The dogs show symptoms as soon as their gut goes out of the track. They might be having little food or not passing feces as usually they do. Also, your dog’s poor gut health prevents absorption of nutrients and energy which makes them hungry all the time and they are restless most of the time. So, if you see a noticeable decrease in appetite, it is enough to suggest issues with your stomach. Consider sharing their eating habits when consulting the vet.
The bad bacteria in dogs’ gut can create havoc on the dog’s skin. If you notice frequent yeast infections and itchiness, especially in the dog’s ears it is a typical sign of poor gut.
The shiny coat or hair in the dogs is a big sign of dog health. If the coat (expansion of skin)is dull and the dog frequently sheds scratches or continuously licks its paws, it’s a clear sign that there’s something wrong with the gut health of the dog. A diet low in fats and proteins causes this condition as fats maintain healthy skin and fur. So carbs must be avoided and replaced with good fats and proteins that come from meat, poultry eggs, and fish to provide essential fatty acids that will enhance the skin and coat of the dog.
Dysbiosis (foul gas) lowers dogs immune system. In normal conditions, bacteria protect against harmful bacteria by producing acids that inhibit their growth. But there comes a time when the healthy bacteria also gets out of balance with bad ones which leads to no further protection and fighting off the irritations of dogs. With poor immune health, your dogs become more open to illness.
The gut is very crucial for animals’ bodies. It gets affected by almost every change an animal might experience. Bad immunity affects the mood of the dog because so much is going on which starts this. The imbalance of the gut microbiome affects both the digestive system and the mental health of the dog. For example, being a human you can notice the health differences between when you eat junk and when you eat healthy. It affects the mood when the junk starts creating irritation in your stomach. So everyday choices should also be healthy to sustain the good health of the gut.
One most common signs of poor gut health is bad breadth which is also called halitosis. You may notice it immediately and be able to fix the issue by yourself. Poor dental hygiene or an unhealthy diet can also cause this condition. Make sure to keep an eye on your dog and if the issue persists, consult the veterinarian.
Another sign is dog’s bad breath from stomach. It is called halitosis. You may notice it immediately. Poor dental hygiene or an unhealthy diet can also cause this condition.
When the gut bacteria isn’t balanced, it leads to higher inflammatory responses which cause food intolerances. The macronutrients that are not digested may be seen as allergens by the immune system leading to poor skin and coat health.
Food allergies vary from dog to dog. It can affect any breed. If your dog is itching and scratching but you are unable to detect any issue or cannot understand if the diet is causing it, you should greatly consider getting them tested for food-based allergies.
We have discussed the symptoms in detail but they are not specific diagnoses of the gut issues. One needs to go through a process to find exactly what is happening with dogs’ gut health. Reaching a diagnosis involves:
Tell the veterinarian about the symptoms or anything important that could be any clue to the condition. Tell them everything they have been going through in the most recent or past days. Telling the details of each symptom might help the vet to diagnose faster.
The vet will perform a physical exam which will include feeling the abdomen, temperature, pulse, heart, lungs, hydration, lymph nodes, and much more. It helps them in their diagnostic testing plan.
The veterinarian might have to get Laboratory tests to provide information about what’s going on inside a pet’s body. Common examples of diagnostic tests for stomach issues in dogs include:
The doctor won’t perform the tests all at once but the ones depending on the symptoms and condition of the dog. The treatment will be suggested accordingly but in most of the pet gut related issue Dog Microbiome Test best to provides detailed insights into your dog’s gut health by analyzing the bacteria present in their feces and and understanding gut-related issues allowing for tailored treatments and dietary recommendations.
The symptoms are a blessing in disguise. They let you treat the illness as soon as possible. As an owner of a pet, you must be an animal lover so it demands that you keep a close eye on the dog too, and see their routine if there are changes in their behavior, voice, or eating pattern. It will help them in their healthy life. This is as simple as that to identify the ongoing health of the dog. We have discussed the symptoms in detail that relate to gut health as it is the most important part of the human body the health check is very crucial to them. You can also see the causes of upset stomachs in dogs here.
