How to relieve overeating in dogs

When we joyfully watch our dogs feast and enjoy the pleasure of food, we may inadvertently let them overeat. At the moment when the dog was full of food, our hearts also hung up. Looking at their round bellies, we felt both heartache and self blame. Dogs cannot speak and cannot express their physical discomfort clearly. They can only convey this discomfort through subtle behavioral changes.

After a dog gets fed up, it will show a series of obvious symptoms. Firstly, their abdomen will noticeably expand, and the originally flat belly will become round and hard to touch. This is because a large amount of food accumulates in the stomach, leading to excessive expansion of the stomach. Dogs may exhibit restlessness, constantly pacing back and forth, finding it difficult to calm down, and their eyes may reveal discomfort and confusion. Some dogs still lie on the ground, unwilling to move, and lose enthusiasm for toys and games they used to be interested in. Seeing dogs so uncomfortable, we wish we could bear this pain for them, filled with guilt and regret not controlling their food intake.

When we find that dogs are overeating, we can take some measures to help them relieve discomfort. Firstly, it is necessary to allow the dog to exercise appropriately, but be careful not to be too intense. Taking a slow walk with your dog is a good choice. During the walking process, the dog's body will naturally move, promoting gastrointestinal peristalsis and helping to digest food in the stomach. However, dogs should never be allowed to engage in vigorous activities such as running or jumping, as their stomachs are excessively full at this time. Intense exercise may lead to serious consequences such as stomach torsion, further endangering the dog's life.

Massage is also an effective method of relief. Let the dog lie quietly on the ground, and we use warm palms to gently massage the dog's abdomen in a clockwise direction with gentle force. The massage intensity should be moderate, just like gently caressing a precious treasure, to avoid excessive force causing harm to the dog. Clockwise massage can stimulate intestinal peristalsis, helping food to move and digest better in the intestines. During the massage process, we can observe the dog's reaction. If the dog shows a comfortable appearance, it indicates that the massage has had a positive effect. At the same time, massage can also make dogs feel our care and relieve their anxiety.

Controlling diet is also crucial. After the dog is fully fed, feeding should be paused for a short period of time to allow the dog's digestive system to rest adequately. Generally speaking, dogs can fast for 4-6 hours, but it is important to ensure that they have access to clean water at all times. Water can help dogs replenish the water consumed by digesting food, promote metabolism, and also help dilute food in the stomach, reducing gastrointestinal burden. After fasting, do not immediately feed your dog a large amount of food, but gradually return to a normal diet. You can first feed your dog a small amount of easily digestible food, such as cooked chicken breast, pumpkin puree, etc. These foods are rich in nutrients and easily absorbed by the dog's digestive system, without causing too much pressure on the stomach. Then, based on the dog's recovery, gradually increase the amount of food until it returns to normal dietary levels.

If a dog experiences severe symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, mental fatigue, abdominal pain, etc. after overeating, or if the discomfort symptoms of the dog do not improve significantly after the above treatment, it is necessary to take the dog to see a veterinarian in a timely manner. Veterinarians will conduct detailed examinations, such as palpating the abdomen and conducting blood tests, to assess the physical condition of dogs and take appropriate treatment measures. Medications may be administered to promote digestion, stop vomiting and diarrhea, or other necessary treatments may be carried out.

Dogs are our closest companions in life, providing us with endless joy and companionship. When they feel uncomfortable due to overeating, we should give them enough care and attention. By using scientific methods to alleviate discomfort in dogs, controlling their diet, and ensuring that dogs always maintain a healthy body. When we see dogs regain their vitality, running and playing happily, licking our hands with their warm tongues, and wagging their tails to express love, we know that all the efforts made for their health are worth it. Let us use this deep love to protect the health of dogs, accompany them through every beautiful time, and make our companionship with dogs longer and more beautiful.