Lots of pets suffer from upset tummies from time to time. While the specific details sometimes don’t make pleasant reading, it’s important that you know what to expect.
Check Out the Signs
If you hear your pet making sounds as if they are about to be sick, act quickly to avoid a carpet emergency by giving them immediate access to somewhere that is easier to clean up. Similarly a dog whining at the door or a cat scratching at the door to be let out may be suffering from loose motions and may not have the same control over their bowels that they normally do. Some pets can seem restless, pacing around and may even start digging holes, if they have pain in their abdomen, or they may just curl up and look miserable. Other signs to be on the lookout for include weight loss, changes in appetite, flatulence, a gurgling stomach or straining while passing a motion.
What’s the Trigger?
Most of the time stomach upsets are caused by pets overeating, eating the wrong kind of food (such as spoiled food), eating something that they have a reaction to, or eating their food to quickly. With a little help, most pets get over these kinds of upsets relatively quickly, so do ask your vet for advice at an early stage.
Tasty Tips
Some pets though have more long lasting disorders that never seem to fully resolve, or that flare up at various times. A vet will usually need to perform various tests to establish the cause of tummy troubles that are more long lasting. Keep a diary of when the pet has problems, the signs they show and what they ate in the days leading up to an episode to help establish a diagnosis.
Top Tips
- If your pet is suffering from vomiting or diarrhoea, remove access to food and give only small sips of water for 24 hours.
- If the pet seems unwell, continues to vomit or has blood in their vomit or diarrhoea, contact your vet.
- If the vomiting and diarrhoea settles after 24 hours, ask your vet about offering small amounts of highly digestible pet food. Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d pet food is often recommended.
- Continue feeding the recommended pet food for around 5 days, or as directed by your vet.
- Slowly add some of your pet’s normal food, gradually increase the amount and reduce the amount of the Prescription Diet over the next 7 days, until back to being fed normally.
Always seek the advice of your vet if you are concerned about the health of your pet.
Related products
Perfect Digestion Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Perfect Digestion Small & Mini Adult Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for small breed adult dogs aged 1–6 years. This deliciously smooth mousse is precisely balanced to deliver the appropriate amount of energy and to support digestive health in adult, small breed dogs.
Perfect Weight Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Adult Small & Mini Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for adult small dogs from 1 year old that are prone to weight gain or slightly overweight. This deliciously smooth mousse is formulated to deliver the appropriate amount of energy to support weight maintenance in adult dogs.
Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dog Food
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Wet Dog Food with Chicken is a complete premium dog food for adult dogs from 1 year. This savoury tinned loaf is enriched with ingredients that support digestive health & skin care.
Hypoallergenic Small & Mini Adult Dog Food
HILL'S SCIENCE PLAN Hypoallergenic Small&Mini Adult dog food with Salmon is complete pet food for adult small dogs 1–6 years old. It's formulated for dogs with delicate skin and stomach, with limited high quality novel protein sources & no grain.
Related articles
Develop Your Gut Instinct for Pets’ Digestive Disorders
Gurgling tummies in turmoil are not good news for pets. Owners who have to clean up the unfortunate consequences, digestive problems are one of the rare downsides to owning a pet.
What to Feed Your Pregnant or Nursing Dog
Learn what you can feed your pregnant or nursing dog to keep her and her new pups healthy.
What Is The Best Dog Food For Small Breeds?
Find the best nutrition for small breed dogs and what makes the perfect food choice for their health. Explore more guidance for small dogs at Hill's Pet UK.
The Benefits of Wet Dog Food
Explore the benefits of wet dog food and how it can improve your pet's wellbeing and happiness. For more nutritional insights, visit Hill's Pet UK.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your dog on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavourful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.