What are the causes and treatment methods of dog indigestion

Dogs, these little ones who bounce around in our lives and bring us endless joy, sometimes also suffer from health problems. Accumulated food is a common gastrointestinal problem in dogs, like a shadow quietly enveloping their lively and healthy lives. Watching dogs who used to be passionate and energetic about food, but now lack interest in it and even experience symptoms such as mental fatigue and bloating, as owners, our hearts are filled with worry and heartache.

Dog food accumulation is often the result of multiple intertwined factors. Among many reasons, improper feeding management is the first to bear the brunt. In modern fast-paced life, some owners are busy and unable to feed their dogs regularly, resulting in their dogs getting hungry and full. The gastrointestinal tract of a dog is like a delicate small machine that requires a regular operating rhythm. This irregular eating pattern can disrupt the normal digestive rhythm of the gastrointestinal tract, making it difficult for food to be digested and emptied smoothly, gradually accumulating and causing food accumulation. Some owners, out of their love for their dogs, indiscriminately feed them in large quantities when they see their dogs showing special enthusiasm for a certain food. Dogs do not know how to control their food intake and consume too much food at once, which instantly increases the burden on their stomach and far exceeds their digestive capacity. Food can only accumulate in the stomach, which is also a common cause of food accumulation.

The issue of food quality should not be underestimated. When we prepare food for dogs, if we accidentally use spoiled or moldy ingredients, or if the food is left for too long in the hot summer and becomes sour and spoiled, the dog will have difficulty digesting it properly in the gastrointestinal tract, and the accumulated food will easily come knocking on the door. In addition, if the utensils used by dogs are not cleaned or disinfected for a long time, a large number of bacteria will grow on them. These bacteria will enter the dog's body with food, interfere with the normal digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract, and may also cause food accumulation problems.

In addition, dogs have a sensitive digestive system, and certain digestive system diseases such as gastroenteritis and gastrointestinal parasitic infections can directly affect their digestive function. When dogs suffer from these diseases, the normal digestion and absorption process of the gastrointestinal tract is hindered, and food cannot be digested smoothly as usual, resulting in retention in the gastrointestinal tract and the formation of food accumulation.

Once we notice that a dog has symptoms of food accumulation, we should take prompt action. In the early stages, you can try to alleviate the problem of overeating by adjusting your diet. Temporarily stop feeding solid food to dogs and allow their stomachs to rest for a period of time to empty the accumulated food on their own. However, it should be noted that dogs should not be deprived of water. Adequate warm water should be provided, which can not only replenish water and prevent dehydration, but also help dilute gastric juice and promote digestion and excretion of food. During this period, we can also gently massage the dog's stomach in a clockwise direction, gently kneading it with our palms. The movements must be gentle and the frequency moderate, which can alleviate the tension and pain in the stomach to a certain extent, promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, and help digest food.

In addition to the above methods, feeding dogs an appropriate amount of probiotics is also a good choice. Probiotics can regulate the balance of gut microbiota, promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, and assist in better digestion and absorption of food. There are many pet specific probiotic products on the market, and we can feed them according to the instructions based on the weight and age of the dog. When resuming feeding in the future, special attention should be paid to choosing light and easily digestible foods, such as cooked rice, noodles, and vegetables rich in dietary fiber, such as carrots, broccoli, etc. These foods can provide necessary nutrition for dogs without causing too much burden on the digestive system. At the same time, it is necessary to strictly follow the feeding principle of "timing, quantity, small amount, and multiple meals" to avoid causing the dog to overeat again.

Moderate increase in exercise for dogs can also greatly help alleviate food accumulation. You can take your dog for a walk outside, allowing it to freely move around, bask in the sunshine, and breathe fresh air. However, it should be noted that the intensity of exercise should not be too high, and dogs should not be allowed to engage in vigorous exercise to avoid vomiting. If the symptoms of dog food accumulation are severe, such as continuous vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody stools, extremely poor mental state, unbearable abdominal pain, and curling up in a corner unwilling to move, we must not take it lightly. We should immediately take the dog to a professional pet hospital and seek help from a veterinarian.

Preventing dog food accumulation is far more important than treating it. In daily life, we should cultivate good feeding habits and create a healthy diet and living environment for dogs. Regularly and quantitatively feed, plan the amount and frequency of each meal based on the age, weight, and breed of the dog. Puppies under one year old, due to their underdeveloped digestive system, need to eat small and frequent meals, which can be fed four to five times a day; Adult dogs can be fed two to three times a day. At the same time, it is important to ensure the freshness and hygiene of the food, avoid feeding spoiled, moldy, or overly greasy, spicy, or sweet food, and do not give dogs human food at will, as the ingredients and flavors of these foods may not be suitable for the dog's digestive system. In addition, after each use of tableware, it should be cleaned and disinfected in a timely manner to prevent bacterial growth. We should also encourage dogs to exercise more and schedule a certain amount of time every day to take them for walks and play, enhance their physical fitness, promote gastrointestinal peristalsis, and maintain a healthy digestive system.

Dog food accumulation, although a concern for us, as long as we observe the dog's life with care, understand the causes of food accumulation, and master the correct treatment and prevention methods, we can help dogs stay away from the troubles of food accumulation. During this process, the emotional bond between us and the dog will also become stronger. Let us use love and responsibility to safeguard the health of dogs, so that they can spend every day happily with our company.