18 Signs Your Dog Has A Upset Stomach

One of the obvious first signs, if your dog suddenly seems to lose his appetite, maybe stomach discomfort. This is quite a common reaction to nausea or digestive discomfort, and it's a sign that his body is trying to rest the digestive system.

If your food loving pup suddenly turns his nose from his bowl, especially at mealtime, it's important to take notice, as this refusal may very well be an early sign of an upset tummy. By missing even one meal, there may not initially appear to be much concern, but chronic disinterest in food should prompt a more careful study of the dog's general health and possibly a veterinary visit to rule out any serious underlying factors.

Another clear, obvious sign that your dog may be dealing with an upset stomach is vomiting. This is often the body's way of expelling something that should not be in the body, such as spoiled food or a foreign object that has been ingested.

While it probably isn't that serious if your dog vomits once after eating something he shouldn't have eaten, repeated vomiting especially more than twice in 24 hours could well mean a more serious problem, such as a gastrointestinal infection or blockage.

Sometimes the dog retches or even gags before producing the vomit and the condition is very distressing to the dog and the owner. Close monitoring should be done, and in case it persists, veterinary advice should be sought.

One common symptom of gastrointestinal distress in dogs is diarrhea. This may be due to dietary indiscretions, sudden diet changes, or infections. In fact, most commonly, it forms the first signal of something wrong in your dog's digestive system. You may notice that your dog is trying to have a bowel movement more frequently, with looser or watery stools.

This is due to food moving too swiftly through the digestive tract for the nutrition to be absorbed properly. It's always important to be on the lookout for the duration and frequency of diarrhea, as prolonged bouts can cause dehydration and other complications, leading your vet to be consulted for guidance, particularly if blood is present in the stool.

A dog may start to drool excessively when his stomach is upset, oftentimes in reaction to feeling nauseous or like he has to throw up. More saliva in the mouth would mean less irritation in the stomach and throat during vomiting.

Dogs may drool while expecting a meal or after a period of play, but if you start noticing there's excessive drooling with no clear reason for it, your dog may have an upset stomach or perhaps even be experiencing motion sickness, especially if there is other symptoms involved, like vomiting or restlessness.

To regulate this, you need to closely monitor the general state of health of your dog and investigate if there have not been any recent diet, environmental, and ingestion of toxins changes.

Dogs with upset stomachs apparently show signs of abdominal pain, like whining, whimpering, or even growling when touched, to the extreme possibly by demonstrating abnormal postures, such as hunching, that seem to alleviate the pain. You might notice that your pooch is a bit reluctant to move or is tender in the abdomen, or quickly becomes protective of his abdominal area, which could mean that there's something amiss inside.

Other associated signs to look for when your dog is painful include vomiting, diarrhea, any change in behavior, and calling your veterinarian if any of these symptoms accompany the abdominal pain, as they could be on account of some very serious conditions, such as pancreatitis or any obstruction within the intestines.

Lethargy is an indication of amazing distress, and if combined with any other symptoms, like vomiting or diarrhea, it possibly strongly indicates that your dog's stomach is off, causing them to feel weak or fatigued.

If your usually very lively dog has suddenly no interest in things it usually likes doing, like playing or going for a walk, instead of preferring to sleep or rest, then it's probably feeling a bit off and needs time to recuperate. Make sure that your dog is comfortably hydrated, keep an eye on your dog, and if the condition continues for a long time or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek advice from veterinary professionals.

Another indication that a dog has an upset stomach is that it will create certain funky gurgling or rumbling noises from the stomach a condition known to veterinarians as borborygmi. They are caused by gas moving through the intestines and the contractions linked with this process.

While a little noise after meals is normal, too much noise and the noise being very loud could be indicative of digestion problems in a canine, including gas accumulation, bloat, or GI distress. If this sound is audible and the dog is also desperately experiencing other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea or the failure to eat, it is a verification that its digestive system is off balance, and you should perhaps look into switching the diet, feeding lighter and more frequently, or book an appointment with your veterinarian for an underlying medical condition.

Dogs that bloat are in a grave situation. It is usually a signature of one heck of an upset stomach many times, and most of the time it is distinguished by a full, rounded abdomen combined with restlessness, pacing, or attempts at vomiting that end badly.

Necessary interventions should be followed if your pet's abdomen is highly enlarged or distended, and your pet appears to be in discomfort, as well as if pain is elicited during palpation, since gastric dilatation-volvulus is a life threatening disorder by which the stomach twists itself and cuts off the blood supply, requiring emergency surgery.

In case of bloating, immediate intervention is necessary, so do not hesitate to bring the pet to the clinic if you feel that this is the problem, especially if other systemic signs of discomfort are also present.

This condition in dogs may indicate a problem with digestion that is sometimes caused by eating something disagreeable, like rich foods, especially those very high in fat or fiber, rotten food, or other materials that are not actual food.

While it's perfectly normal for the average dog to pass gas occasionally, some breeds categorically pass more gas than others. An increase in frequency or particularly bad odor may mean that something is off like he may be having trouble digesting his food.

In such cases, there may be a need for revisiting what your dog eats, probably for some easy to digest food, and monitoring for other symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or bloating, which can indicate a life-threatening digestive problem requiring immediate veterinary attention. 

Many dogs think to graze when upset, believing that this doggy instinct of causing vomit or easing digestive upset in some other way might do the trick, although reasons that make your dog graze are not quite agreed upon by experts. If you notice that your dog is suddenly eating much more grass than usual and vomiting afterward, it might be an indication that something is bothering its stomach, and the dog is trying to self medicate on the grass.

Although occasional grass eating is usually considered normal, if it becomes frequent or is coupled with other signs of illness, it remains prudent to consider what could be causing your dog's distress and to contact your veterinarian, where further evaluation could be necessary to rule out any underlying conditions for treatment.

In dogs, one can experience dry heaving, where they retch but do not bring something up. It can be a symptom of nausea or an upset stomach, and it is often an indication of difficulty in getting something cleared from the stomach or throat.

This usually happens after eating something that simply disagrees with them or after a long time when the stomach is empty, since bile starts to be produced, which can be irritating to the stomach lining and cause discomfort.

A dog that often dry heaves should be watched for signs of other illnesses, such as lethargy or loss of appetite, and check if dietary changes or a visit to the vet may be in order to properly address the problem before it gets to be a more serious condition.

The change in the consistency of stool is another common sign that may indicate your dog's stomach is out of order. This is because digestive disorders usually result in either too soft stool, indicative of diarrhea, or very hard stool, indicative of constipation, both of which could be very uncomfortable for your pet.

You may also notice a change in the color of your dog's stools, either darker or lighter, from the usual which can be an additional indication that all is not well with the digestive system, especially if this is a sudden change or continuous. Observing your dog's poop consistency over a period may give you an indication of patterns or triggers, whether diet, stress, or anything else.

This might be due to your dog's upset stomach since an ailing or pained stomach can keep your dogs from relaxing or settling themselves; this will lead to one of many behaviors, including pacing, whining, and shifting positions.

If your normally quiet dog suddenly cannot stay still, is acting restless, or stands up and lies down repeatedly, it's trying to relieve a painful pressure built by bloating, gas, or another stomach related issue. Under those circumstances, look out for any other signs that accompany this restlessness like vomiting, diarrhea or loss of appetite which will enable you to make a decision as to whether intervention is required to ensure your dog is comfortable and healthy.

Excessive thirst may indicate an upset stomach in your dog, as the body can compensate for fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea by drinking more water, which can lead to increased urination. While it is normal for dogs to drink more in hot weather or after exercise, a sudden increase in water intake may indicate your dog rehydrating due to digestive distress if it occurs in combination with symptoms such as loose stool, vomiting, or lethargy.

Monitoring your dog's intake of water and having fresh water available is important, but if the unusual thirst continues or is also accompanied by other symptoms that may be disturbing, it would be necessary to see your veterinarian to eliminate specific health issues that would require treatment, also some of the conditions where increased thirst may also occur include kidney disease and diabetes.

Sudden weight loss in a dog can also be very serious since in cases of chronic digestive disorders, a dog is unable to digest enough nutrients from the taken food, thus causing a gradual or even an abrupt decrease in body mass.

If you notice your dog's ribs spreading or that your dog is losing body condition despite being fed its usual diet, it is worth considering whether chronic gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting or anorexia might be at work.

Weight loss can also be an indication of more serious conditions, including parasites, gastrointestinal infections, or some cancers, so it is critical that you consult with a veterinary professional to root out the issue and create a treatment plan that will help your dog get on the road to recovery and back to a healthy, stable weight.

Pale gums in dogs could be a sign of an upset stomach, especially with additional symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy, as occasional upsets in the gastrointestinal tract can lead to dehydration or, in grave situations, to internal bleeding that may make the gums change from the characteristic pink to pale or white. Checking a dog's gums is an easy way of checking the overall health of your dog.

If you notice them looking unusually light or pale, it may just be that your dog isn't getting enough oxygen or it's experiencing a drop in blood pressure, both related to digestive issues. In such cases, prompt action is of the essence because pale gums in a dog may indicate much more serious conditions, such as anemia, shock, or even internal bleeding all of which may require prompt veterinary action to prevent such complications and to make the dog feel well again.

Bad breath or halitosis in dogs is primarily an indication of an upset stomach, considering that there is likely a presence of stomach acids, bacteria, or undesirably digested food materials in your dog's digestive system that cause this very unpleasant odor coming from your dog's mouth.

Although rare, you should expect bad breath, especially after your dog has eaten certain types of foods; however, if this persists or is fetid, it may signal that your dog's stomach isn't transacting food correctly due to gases or toxins building up. Bad breath in some cases can also signify major underlying problems such as dental disease, kidney problems, or gastrointestinal infections.

Stooped praying posturing with an extended front limb and a raised back end can represent an unusual posture for dogs. This can be associated with some pain or discomfort in the abdomen. Dogs may present this way instinctively in an attempt to relieve pressure from the stomach or some other form of discomfort in the abdomen.

If you observe this stretching very often, especially if the dog seems a bit reluctant to move and yet uncomfortable in the position, this might be a sign that all is not well with its digestive system, where gas could be a problem or bloating, or at the worst, pancreatitis.

Use these signs to monitor your dog's posture and behavior with any other linked symptoms, such as vomit and diarrhea, that will be vital in the determination of whether, and if so how soon, veterinary care may ensure restoration of comfort and health back to the canine.