How To Put Weight On A Dog With A Sensitive Stomach?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “How To Put Weight On A Dog With A Sensitive Stomach“.

It is more common for dogs with digestive problems to be underweight. The majority of pet owners tend to give their dogs more food to deal with sensitive stomachs which worsens the condition causing loose stools and vomiting. 

Dogs suffering from sensitive stomachs are usually suffering from a food allergy or intolerance which is usually caused by a genetic predisposition. 

BMC veterinary research found that beef protein causes digestive problems in dogs more commonly than any other food allergen. Among the dogs analyzed 34% were allergic to the beef protein 17% to dairy products and 15% and 13% had difficulty digesting chicken and wheat respectively. 

Identifying and eliminating the culprit will enable your dog to digest and absorb food without trouble so they can gain weight naturally. If your dog has frequent bouts of diarrhea and vomiting it may be caused by an ingredient in their food. 

Most common causes of sensitive stomachs

An upset stomach in dogs can be caused by a number of factors. It can be congenital or a result of dietary indiscretion. 

Congenitally sensitive dogs are born with this condition and are prone to more food allergies and stomach upsets than normal dogs. The majority of the time if your little dog has an upset stomach either excessive gas abnormal stool or has trouble digesting food then they may have a sensitive stomach. 

When a dog with a healthy digestive system suddenly develops diarrhea and vomiting it may simply be because they ate something they should not have. It is common for dogs to raid the trash and nibble on anything they find lying around so if they pick up something unhealthy their stomach will be upset. 

The digestive system can also cause stomach upset in dogs such as ulcers intestinal parasites bacteria or viral infections overeating food sensitivity and allergy reactions. A dogs sensitive stomach can also be caused by underlying health conditions such as kidney and liver disease cancer pancreatitis and stress. 

Scottish Terriers Yorkies and other small dog breeds are more prone to sensitive stomachs than others; older dogs and pups are also more susceptible to upset stomachs than middle-aged dogs. 

Most Common Symptoms of Sensitive Stomachs

A sensitive stomach in dogs isnot the same as an upset stomach but they share similar symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting. Its important to note that diarrhea in a dog does not necessarily indicate a sensitive stomach. 

Do you know if your dog has a sensitive stomach or if its just an upset stomach? Dogs with sensitive stomachs will frequently have stomach upsets like once a month or more. One-off episodes are simply upset stomachs. 

These are some of the most common symptoms of sensitive stomachs in dogs.

1. Vomiting: An inflammation of the digestive tract followed by contractions of the intestinal muscles will cause a dog to throw up. As a result of allergic reactions and trouble digesting food sensitive stomachs suffer frequent episodes of vomiting.
2. Loose stool: Dogs with sensitive stomachs often suffer from diarrhea and irregular stools. You may need to take your pup to the vet if it is accompanied by lethargy. 
3. Excessive gas: Its also a sign that something isnot right with your pups digestion if they produce a lot of farts. 
4. Nibbling on grass: There are times when dogs eat grass to soothe their upset stomachs and too much grass can cause them to vomit. This should tell you that your dog is battling with a stomach ache if they’re always nibbling on grass.

Other symptoms of an inflamed digestive tract (which can be caused by a food allergy and sensitive stomach) include red and itchy skin hair loss loud and unusual gut sounds ear infections etc. 

Dog stomach upset can also be caused by food sensitivities and intolerances. Your dog may be allergic to something you’re feeding them or an ingredient in the pet food you’re using. It is possible for some dogs to be allergic to certain protein sources used in some pet food brands as well as some grains such as wheat corn soy etc. A veterinarian should be consulted if your dog is often getting sick for no apparent reason.

Most common cures (or workarounds) for a sensitive stomach

If your dog has warning signs of an upset stomach you should take them to the vet before trying any home remedies especially if they are lethargic with frequent bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. But if there are only mild symptoms here are a few home remedies to relieve your dogs upset stomach.

Keep your dog hydrated: While stooling and vomiting dogs lose lots of water and can easily become dehydrated but giving them water will only make things worse. You can keep a dog hydrated by giving them ice cubes when they have an upset stomach. While chewing on the cubes the dog is able to stay hydrated. 

Let your dog fast: It is likely that a dog that has been stooling and vomiting has an inflamed (red and swollen) digestive tract that needs time to recover. By putting away your dogs food bowls and making sure they do not eat for at least 12 to 24 hours you will allow their digestive system to rest. It is therapeutic for a dog with an upset stomach to feed on all types of solid food (including treats and table crumbs).

Break the fast with a bland diet: Boiling rice and chicken is easy to digest and would not put much stress on your dogs digestive system. The bland diet should be followed for a few days before the fiber is added. Sensitive stomached dogs should be fed only highly digestible food containing quality ingredients. 

Most common causes of weight loss

Weight fluctuation and change in dogs are perfectly normal over time. The weight and size of your dog will change depending on the breed gender lifestyle and genes. However rapid and inexplicable weight loss can also be caused by stress anxiety changes in diet or even a serious medical condition.

Eight of the most common causes of inexplicable weight loss in dogs are listed below.

1. A dogs stomach and intestines can be affected by digestive problems that cause weight loss and difficulty digesting.
2. A dogs kidneys become inoperable when it suffers from renal failure. About 2% of dogs suffer from chronic renal failure.
3. Dental disease is in which oral bacteria spread to other parts of the body causing infections in the heart liver and kidneys.
4. Megaesophagus esophagus occurs when the esophagus swells and becomes enlarged. Due to this a dog is not able to fully digest and absorb food resulting in weight loss.
5. The symptoms of liver disease include loss of appetite vomiting and weight loss. The early signs of liver disease include rapid weight loss. 
6. It is common in middle-aged and senior dogs to experience rapid weight loss due to diabetes. 
7. Whipworms roundworms hookworms and tapeworms are intestinal parasites and cause sudden weight loss.
8. Cancerous tumors and malignant tumors can cause weight loss in dogs. Older dogs are more likely to experience this issue which can be life-threatening. 

How do you know if your dog is underweight?

When you do a body check on your dog you can determine whether it is underweight overweight or healthy. To do this you need to feel the rib cage of your dog to determine how much or how little fat it has. Run your hands over your dogs body and compare what you feel and see to whats below.

• If your dogs ribs backbone and hips can be easily seen with a very thin layer of fat and a very prominent waistline hes too thin and underweight.
• When ribs can be easily felt but not easily seen with a clear waistline your dog is at a healthy weight.
• If you can feel your dogs ribs but not see them and the waistline is barely visible its a bit overweight. 
• If the dogs ribs are difficult to see and feel under the thick layer of fat and there is no waistline he is definitely overweight (and probably obese).

How to put weight on a dog with a sensitive stomach

In order to gain weight on a dog with a sensitive stomach you must first identify the cause. If it is a particular food then you must eliminate it from the dogs diet. You will have to feed your dog only foods that are high-quality and easy to digest if your dog has congenital stomach sensitivity. 

These are three of the best and most effective ways to get your dog to put on weight.

1. Consider an elimination diet to identify the food allergen causing your stomach upset and look for alternative protein and carbohydrate sources. 
2. Give your pet small portions of food several times a day. This will help them digest food faster and absorb all the nutrients they require. In addition the more food your dog eats the harder it will be for the digestive system to process it which is why it is important to feed small amounts at a time.  
3. Supplements are the perfect way to supplement your pets diet as they provide all the essential nutrients and prevent dietary deficiency.  
4. Maintaining a healthy appetite and immune system depends on regular exercise for your pet. 

Conclusion

Usually dogs with stomach sensitivity develop it as a result of food intolerances and dietary indiscretions but it can also be congenital. Sensitive stomachs are more likely to be underweight in dogs. You can help your pup gain some weight however by identifying the cause(s) of their stomach sensitivity eliminating these foods from their diet and giving them bland diets and easily digestible food.

If you want to read more about dog health tips read here: Dog Health Tips and Tricks.

How To Put Weight On A Dog With A Sensitive Stomach? (Watch Video)