Does your pet have stomach issues? Dogs, cats, and other pets can be troubled by bellyaches, nausea, vomiting, poor digestion, and other stomach ailments - just like people. Try the following natural remedies to help your pet find relief!
Not only are stomach ailments uncomfortable for your pets, they can lead to further health issues and over the long-term reduce your pet's dietary health. A health digestive system keeps the rest of your pet happy and healthy! Parasitic worms and viruses can cause stomach complaints, but more often than not digestive issues in dogs and other pets are the result of something it shouldn't have eaten, food allergies, or from eating too fast. A change in dog food or diet may help, especially a grain-free or reduced carbohydrate diet, which may resolve intestinal issues in dogs.
Natural Pet Cures for Stomach Issues
Yogurt and pureed pumpkin are two dependable natural remedies for a number of digestive issues in our pets, including vomiting and diarrhea. Yogurt is especially good if your pet has just completed a course of antibiotics, in order to restore your dog or cat's intestinal flora and digestive health. Probiotics and digestive enzymes are also available as health supplements to improve your pet's intestinal health and eliminate stomach complaints.
The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
My dog has developed acid reflux disease after stomach operation to prevent it from turning, plus a history of bloating, etc., the gagging leads to pneumonia which is chronic with my dog now. We have her on Prilosec, Zantac, Reglan (aid stomach muscle), and semitocone if needed. She might be on Reglan for ever. I added digestive enzymes/probiotics to her diet. The vet throws the kitchen sink at you when they don't know what to do, she seems to respond to all these meds, but maybe also the enzymes are working best. She also on a bland diet by prescription also highly digestible. My question, can I eliminate the Prilosec and the Zantac and replace them with something natural. I will continue with the food and the enzymes/probiotics and the Reglan, but what do I use to replace prilosec and zantac, do you have any info pleaaaaaaaaaaaase? I don't want my dog to live with all these meds because the two I mentioned might fry her organs if used for a long time I think. I also feeding her small meals 5 times a day. I am doing everything I can to help the gagging which seems to subside, but can it subside without meds? I want her to live naturally. She is an ole gal 12.3 years old now ;(. Thank you so much.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Posted by Laure (Middletown, CT, USA) on 09/27/2008 ★★★★★
My dog Kodi (10 years-old) has had a sensitive stomach and she even has an allergy to gluten so I buy her special dog food without gluten in it. What she has from time to time is stomach gurgles and reflux vomiting. I give her aloe vera juice, which I take also for my digestion problems. I give her 1/4 cup of juice per day until she is better, that is when there is no more hint of stomach gurgles. I have been trying to give it to her on a regular basis, but she does not always want it so I don't force her.
I too give it to my senior cat, George. I buy the reverse osmosis aloe vera juice with the same manufacturer name as my senior cat. I found it in the health food store, but the big online retailer (named after a river in South America) has it cheaper.
The preservative "sodium benzoate" is toxic to cats, not dogs. Sodium Benzoate is in some brands of aloe vera juice. It is NOT dangerous to pets (IMHO). I have been giving it to my dogs and cats for many many years and have never had an issue with it. It had always been a benefit, and my pets tend to live very long healthy lives!
Posted by Sandy (Edmotnon, Alberta Canada) on 01/25/2009 ★★★★★
I have two Shih Tzu and one has chronic IBS. I have tried pills, diet vet after vet. The most effective solution is a high protein dog food (all natural products and no by products) along with one can of tuna and sweet potatoes mashed together. She also gets one probiotic capsule with yogurt.
In her water I put one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. So far this is the only thing that has worked. She does have the odd flare up but for the most part she is much better.
It sounds to me like these animals may have the same diseases humans get that seriously effect their stomaches.By this I mean test for heliobactor pylori Iif the dog or cat drinks or eats out of your food & a human had it, I wonder if the animal would not also get it. Makes sense to me. I imagine that's why adding apple cider vinegar makes it better since in humans it also helps since they arent producing enough acid to help it & by taking the vinegar they are helping their stomach to be able to digest it. All the remedies being mentioned work on humans also. cayenne, aloe vera & apple cider vinegar.The only one missing that has been found to seriously inhibit H pylori is coconut oil. No idea how that would effect cats though.
Just wanted to say that I to have a shitsu with IBS totally contolled with a drug called metrodiazadole (flagyl). Went for years with bouts of diahrea. Now one quarter tab a day and he can even have his beloved liver treats. Made my life so much easier.
cayenne for dogs? I'm sold on trying cayenne on myself! But a quick question: can you use it on dogs? Of course I'd use it in capsule form for them. My dog has issues with stomach upset. I know that most human foods are ok for dogs. But I also know that some of the best food for humans can kill a dog within 24 hrs: grapes.
Even one pill starting from no tolerance can be really be hard to deal with. You might try turmeric or start with adding a pinch to her food. Turmeric is supposed to help the stomach and is much easier to adjust to.
I'm not an animal expert by any means- here's my experience:
I used cayenne on my doberman for 2-3 years. I believe it extended her life and it definitely healed an open sore that had refused to heal (we were about to result to amputating the toe until we tried the cayenne). She got up to about 3 capsules of the regular (not extra hot) per day- she was about 80 lbs. The vets had no explanation for how her foot healed and accepted that the cayenne was a good idea. Her heart disease progressed very slowly as well.
Our heeler (45lbs) on the other hand is very sensitive to it. It seems to increase her irritable nature. We only give it to her in small amounts (less than a pinch) in her food. We give her one pill of turmeric with the food as an alternative to cayenne (from what I've read these two supplements complement each other). This seems to help keep pests away and skin allergies down.
Neither dog had an issue with eating it in small amounts and this is the best way I've found to build tolerance since even a single pill can really cause some stomach discomfort (my personal experience with ingesting it multiple ways and my doberman was very expressive- she looked uncomfortable when we started with one pill).
My family is big on ingesting cayenne for medicinal purposes- even my 4 year old handles it like a champ. Building tolerance slowly is the key.
Overall I would say if anything, its not dangerous, just temporarily uncomfortable.
Replied by Pam E. (SouthWestern California)
11/01/2022 148 posts
I would mix it as powder into their food, rather than feed in pill or capsule form! Start with a low dose, & gradually build it up....
(I & my DH each took a single capsule w/ dinner once, but it caused us to feel like we were having heart attacks when it opened! We had to drink lots of water to get it diluted enough to get rid of the pain & resulting panicky feelings associated with it! I've always mixed it into our food since, so just buy it as a powder to begin with! )
Posted by Buddy's Mom (Pueblo Of Acoma, Nm) on 04/30/2015 ★★★★★
I gave Buddy, my rescue rottweiler/chow mix VCO for an upset stomach and it worked like a charm. He would not eat his food, which is totally not like him, but would eat lots of grass and then throw it up. I wasn't sure if he would like the VCO so I started with just a small amount on top of a small amount of food and he ate it right up. He went back outside so I watched him for an hour or two to see if he would throw up. He did not throw up, but came back inside, so I gave him a little more VCO and food and again he ate it all. The next day I gave him 1 tablespoon of VCO on his regular portion of food and he ate it all and seemed to have more energy and spunk. I have not seen him throw up or eat any more grass either. Thanks Earth Clinic!
Our 6 year old morkie dog has borborygmi (stomach sounds from gas or fluid moving in the intestines) ...this occurs anywhere from 2-6 times a month and makes her very sick..no eating, no drinking, for usually 24 hours... We are wondering if her diet needs changed ..which we have done numerous times. She never gets loose stools but occasionally she will vomit yellow bile. We give her a recommended dose of pepcid each day plus put recommended essential oils on her ...these have all helped but wonder if anyone else has a solution for this ...her stomach sounds are audible across the room when she has these bouts.
Posted by Kokila (Roslyn Heights, Ny/usa) on 07/19/2011 ★★★★★
HI, I have a Shih Tzu, who for YEARS has been suffering on and off with Colitis. I have consulted Vets, etc. To no avail. Given her yogurt, ACV, Petdolphilis, etc. to no avail.
What DID work, was a wonderful pet store's owners sage advice: CHANGE her protein in her diet. yes! I eliminated chicken, and voila! She is cured. Only tolerates beef and fish (like salmon, scrod, etc.)
So hope this helps others. Some dogs don't tolerate wheat either very well. She also has a reaction to pasta.
Posted by Ann (Cranford, New Jersey) on 09/24/2008 ★★★★★
I have an aging German Sheppard mix, about eleven years old. He was vomiting bile every night and ruined my kitchen cabinet with the stomach fluid that he was bringing up nightly. After trying many over the counter products, herbal supplements, food changes, feeding position changes etc. I was at my wits end. After receiving a suggestion from a friend, I decided to try splitting his food ration into two meals. Half in the morning and half at night. Lo n behold, it worked. I now can replace my kitchen cabinet and it will not be ruined by the critter leaving a puddle of bile next to it every night. He just could not eat that much in one feeding. Poor dog. It's a good thing his mom finally woke up n got his feeding right.
Dear Ann, I have a rescue shitzu who had the same problem. The vet told me that some dogs need to have more frequent feedings and said that one feeding per day is not enough. I was actually giving Katie two feedings daily at the time and now I need to give her 3 feedings to prevent vomiting bile. I also found that sticking to her low-fat Science Diet and limiting chicken which I was adding to it has helped a lot. Instead of just splitting the one feeding you were giving you need to give your dog two good-sized feedings per day. My vet told me that dogs should be fed at least twice daily.
I just wanted to post up there for future searchers:
My Malinois did this too and was miserable most of the time. the same thing helped him. He would also scratch his body up against things after eating. After $$$ vet bills we know he has pancreas problems. Eating too much at one time (for his compromised organ) will cause lifesaving surgery or death. Glad you made the change to twice a day without spending thousands! The scratching indicated an allergy to something in the food. My guy is fine now!
Posted by Lana (Mishmar HaEmek, Israel) on 07/30/2007 ★★★★★
My 6-1/2 year old dog started vomiting daily. This went on for months, though she didn't seem to be suffering in any way. Every vet I consulted said there was nothing wrong with her and that I needed to buy her a better grade of food, so I did, but she continued vomiting. Finally I decided to get her a dry food for senior dogs, even though she wasn't strictly a senior yet - and it worked instantly! The higher quality regular brands were just too rich for her to digest. Maybe this will work for others too.
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Consider a nutritional approach with foods that are natural remedies for protozoans.
This is my usual "go to":
2 raw baby carrots [avoid Bunny Luv Brand] grated and shredded
1 table spoon sunflower seeds [raw or cooked]
1 teaspoon C&H Brown sugar
I mix these up in a tablespoon or two of canned tuna [tuna is actually a remedy and not just something tasty for the dog! ] and dose in the tuna for 2 days, and then without the tuna for another 6 days - dose am and pm.
Other nutritionals to consider:
Blueberries - 1 tablespoon twice a day for 5 days
Broccoli - 4 flowerets twice daily for 5 days
Carrots - 2 baby raw organic carrots twice a day for 8 days
Celery - 1 raw stick twice a day for 7 days
Green Pepper - 1 half-dollar sized piece twice a day for 2 days
Lemon Juice - 1/2 teaspoon twice a day for 5 days
Pumpkin Seeds - 1 tablespoon twice a day for 8 days
Spinach - 1 tablespoon twice a day for 5 days
Sunflower Seeds - 1 tablespoon twice a day for 8 days
C&H Brown sugar - 1 teaspoon twice a day for 8 days
I mix these up with a little water and dose with a medicine dropper or put into wet food:
Astragulus - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Bilberry - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Cat's Claw - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Dandelion Root - 1 capsule twice a day for5 days
Garlic -1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Kelp - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Licorice - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Milk Thistle - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Olive Leaf Extract - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Oregano Oil - 1 pill or 1/4 teaspoon twice a day for 5 days
Oregon Grape Root - 1 capsule twice a day for 5 days
Posted by Jean (Vancouver, Wa) on 09/08/2010 ★★★★★
Upset stomach for dog
Ginger Extract helping my dog's morning sickness. My 4 year-old, 20 pounds, Bichon Freese has a sensitive stomach. He would vomit yellow fluid in the early morning two or three times per month all his life, but last month, he started to vomit yellow fluid more often. I got to the point that I knew when he was going to vomit the next morning. His stomach would gurgle aloud in the evening, followed by waking up in the middle of the night and eating grass urgently, and vomit first thing in the morning before the breakfast. I visited vet., tested parasites, tried aloe vera juice, not-fat yogurt, fed him five times per day(small portions), cut down fresh vegetables and fruits, limited activity following meals, ACV, etc. But he was still having morning sickness. After reading many articles, I gave him 1/2 chewable ginger extract tablet along with 1/2 tums after supper. I also boiled chicken and put couple slices of ginger root and gave him broth couple of times during the day. Since this treatment, his stomach is quiet and he no longer eats grass and vomits.
My 6 yr old Bichon has vomited bloody bile for over 4years. After spending $6,000 in 3 years at the vet I changed vets, went to a country vet and he sort of solved the problem...... We give him 1/4 pill of famotadine which sort of acts as a peptobismol. Instead of waiting until he starts vomiting I put the pill in his food every night and he's pretty good for about a week or two at the most. I only give him Hills I/D dry food mixed with Iams gastro intestinal wet food ( smaller amount seems to sit better with him). We manage the problem only... No one seems to know what the problem is, but everyone with a bichon seems to have the same issues. I'd like to try the ginger, but how do you have him ingest it?
The wonderful Theresa from Minneapolis, MN has been helping pet owners and their beloved pets around the world on Earth Clinic since 2013.
About Theresa
Theresa from Minneapolis was born and raised in the inner city, always wishing she had been raised on a farm.
Her love for creatures great and small began at an early age, starting with caterpillars - which continues to this day, along with an interest in all insects and 'creepy crawlies'.
Theresa's interest in pet health started with a bird keeping hobby at age 14, where she learned from another hobbyist that the simple addition of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) in a bird's drinking water kept fungal infections away; she was able to share this with her avian vet who in turn prescribed it to her own clients; Theresa was surprised to learn that she could teach her vet a thing or two. This important lesson - that each of us can be a teacher - was a turning point for Theresa, and fueled her quest for the knowledge held in lore, and remedies passed by word of mouth. That quest for knowledge continues to this day, as new and old remedies alike are explored. She may not have experience with a particular issue, but she will research it to the best of her ability and share what she finds freely, in the hopes that you can heal or improve your pet's health.
-----------------------------
How To Show Theresa Your Appreciation
If you would like to thank Theresa for her helpful posts, she asks if you would please consider making a donation to one of her favorite local rescue organizations, or by making a donation to help the genius contributor, Ted from Bangkok, recover from his stroke.
Google "chewable ginger extract tablets" and you will see several brands that offer this product. You don't need a special formulation for canines. Start with half a tab and go from there.
My vet put my 14# poodle on MERTAZIPENE (1/4 tab), NO fat diet: I cook chicken breast mixed with some yam or Brown rice. Dry food: Natural Balance Limited Ingredient formula. After 8 yrs on the above, his system can tolerate a chicken thigh mixed in for flavor or lean beef mixed with breast. NO NO NO treats or ANYTHING fr CHINA!!! = huge vet bills or death.
My puppy has IBD, (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) from ten weeks old he has had upset stomach with blood and then later came the sickness, he couldn't keep anything down. He is 7 Months old and has not had one week without upset stomach until now. I read about tap water and decided to try him on Bottled Water, I also kept him on the special anallergenic Royal canine food but this food alone did not clear up upset stomach, I gave him the water in the morning and added Sweet Potato and Ground Turkey with his food in the afternoon, and by early evening he had normal stools, It is now the longest he has gone with no upset stomach a week and a half so far. He is on steroids for his sickness as he would be sick if I was to stop this medication, I am slowly reducing this to the lowest he can be on without being sick until he is a year old and hopefully I will be able to stop them completely.
I also give him teaspoon Salmon Oil daily and white thistle milk tablets to help with any damage to his kidneys the steroids may cause, I also give him teaspoon of Bionic Biotics daily to help with his stools. He has Zantac Syrup twice daily to help prevent ulcers. But it seems to me that the Water was the thing that fixed the upset stomach, I havent seen any blood since either. Early days but I feel I am getting somewhere at last.
Posted by Mary Anne (Virginia Beach, Va) on 06/20/2011
My daughter has a 95 lb Doberman 'puppy'. He is 1 and 1/2 yrs old. The vet thinks he has a blockage in his intestines because he throws up every day. A couple of times a day. He does eat the kids toys when he gets a chance and we think he might of eaten a toy and it became blocked. What can we give him to expell the blockage? I am going to e-mail Ted too. Please this is urgent... The vet wants do a x-ray for $1500.00 that she does not have.
Posted by Julie (Las Vegas, Nevada) on 04/18/2008 ★★★★★
My cat was vomiting all the time. A lady told me about Royal Canin cat food; they have a formula Special 33, which is for intestinal problems. It worked!
the key in this cat food is that the bites are of different shapes and sizes. this slows the cat down when they eat and causes them to actually chew their food. many cats get used to the size and shape of their food and just get lazy about chewing. when lots of unchewed food hits the tummy, especially as the cat ages, the tummy just can't digest. so, vomiting results. you don't need to spend big bucks on the fancy food. just find a brand that has different shapes of food in the same box. kind of like lucky charms for cats!
Replied by Holly (Colorado Springs, Colorado United States)
06/24/2010
Very good point indeed about different sized dry food. My cat had also been vomitting quite often. I tried a different brand of food and still it persisted. So then I started giving her canned food because she had lost weight. It helped a lot and I think that has to do with the moisture in the canned food. I read an article about how the dry food can be hard on cats' stomach after awhile due to the lack of water. Because felines used to only eat raw meat which has water in it. My cat still has her vomitting moments it could be because she has so much fur.
Posted by Debbie (Newcomerstown, USA) on 10/24/2008
Daisy, 6 mo old calf, mom died giving birth, so I had to bottle feed her & love her. now her belly looks pot-bellied, she is off bottle & eats grain , grass, & hay. How do I get rid of pot belly? Also, she is not as big as other calves her age. I would appreciate any ideas! I love my Daisy!!!
She was getting 'sweet feed', a mix I buy at feed store, will get her off of it. Also read where someone was mixing 2 teaspoons of ACV in with a bottle of milk, I am going to give her a bottle tonight, if she will still take on, & see if this helps also. Thanks to everyone who responded.
What is ACV? My calf is nursing off an adopted mother cow who has her own calf and they all eat out of a 20% molasses tub and I feed them hay since we are in a drought and there is no grass. Could the tub be causing the problem?
Replied by Kathleen Thomas (Mankato, KS)
04/13/2009
Keep the calf on a good quality grain and free chioce hay. Alfalfa hay is best starting with a small portion and then slowly go to only alfalfa and grain. The pot belly will diminish as the calf matures. The calf needs quality forage now to grow and the pot belly is an indication of the tremendous needs the calf is trying to fill. It cannot get the nutrients and energy it needs from only hay at a young age and in fact by removing grain and adding more hay the belly will enlarge and the calfs rate of growth will slow even more. You can add calf milk replacer to her grain or mix in a bucket giving her needed nutrients. Keep her on a free chioce grain ration and you will see a difference. These babies need time and lots of concentrated feed.Have faith I have raised thenm for 35 years.
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