What food is best for gastroenteritis in dogs?

When the furry child droops his ears, curls up in a corner, and his soft abdomen twitches slightly due to gastrointestinal colic, every owner will be worried. Dog gastroenteritis is like a sudden storm, attacking their originally lively little bodies. At this time, in addition to following the veterinarian's treatment plan, a scientific and reasonable diet arrangement is like a warm harbor to protect the stomach and intestines, which can help dogs pass through the fog of illness faster and regain the vitality of running happily. ​

In the acute stage of dog gastroenteritis, the gastrointestinal mucosa is in a sensitive state of congestion and edema, just like a wound that hurts when touched lightly. At this time, any rough and irritating food may make the already fragile stomach and intestines worse. Mild liquid food is like a gentle comfort, which can replenish water and energy while minimizing the digestive burden. ​

White porridge is a familiar choice for many owners. After a long time of boiling, the starch of the rice grains is fully gelatinized to form a delicate and smooth porridge. The light rice aroma contains easily absorbed carbohydrates, which can provide basic energy for weak dogs. When cooking white porridge, you can add a small amount of skinless and boneless chicken breast, cut into very fine minced meat, just like adding a warm protective cover to the white porridge. Chicken breast is rich in high-quality protein and low in fat. After being fully stewed, it becomes soft and easy to digest, just like a "repair assistant" for the stomach and intestines, helping to maintain the body's nutritional needs. Pumpkin puree is also a thoughtful choice for acute diet. Choose fresh pumpkin, peel and seed it, cut it into small pieces, steam it, and press it into a fine puree with a spoon. The rich pectin in pumpkin is like a loyal guard, which can absorb harmful substances in the stomach and intestines, and at the same time form a thin protective film on the surface of the mucosa to reduce the irritation of inflammation to the stomach and intestines. The warm orange-yellow color can not only bring visual comfort to dogs, but also deliver gentle nourishment to the taste buds.​

When the dog's vomiting and diarrhea symptoms are relieved and the stomach and intestines gradually begin to recover their peristaltic function, just like the morning sun gradually dispels the night haze, the diet also needs to be gently adjusted, gradually transitioning from liquid food to semi-liquid food, giving the stomach and intestines a process of adaptation. ​

Cooked soft oatmeal is a good choice. Oatmeal is rich in dietary fiber, but after being fully cooked, the fiber structure becomes soft, like a silk thread softened by warmth, which will not cause friction to the stomach and intestines. Oatmeal can be mixed with an appropriate amount of warm water or low-sodium chicken soup to make a thick and moderate paste. Low-sodium chicken soup contains a small amount of electrolytes and amino acids, which is like a gentle "energy rain" for the stomach and intestines, which can not only increase the palatability of food, but also further supplement the nutrients needed by the body. ​

At this time, you can also start to try to feed your dog a small amount of boiled vegetables, such as carrots and broccoli. Wash the vegetables and cut them into small pieces, cook until they are completely soft, and then use a food processor to make a fine paste. The rich carotene in carrots can be converted into vitamin A in the body, just like a "repair brush" for the gastrointestinal mucosa, which helps to restore the damaged mucosa; broccoli contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, providing comprehensive support for the dog's body, like a small nutritional treasure house. ​

As the dog's mental state gradually improves, defecation tends to be normal, and the gastrointestinal function begins to slowly recover like the land ushering in the rain after a long drought. At this time, it is necessary to choose a nutritionally balanced and easy-to-digest adult dog food for the dog to help them gradually return to a normal diet, but it is still necessary to follow the principle of gradual progress, just like holding the dog's paw and slowly walking through a path covered with flowers, and not rushing. ​

When choosing adult dog food, check the ingredient list carefully. Give priority to dog food with high-quality animal protein as the main raw material, such as chicken, beef, etc. These proteins are like bricks for building the body, which can provide dogs with sufficient energy and nutrition. At the same time, avoid dog food containing grains, additives and preservatives. These ingredients may burden the stomach and intestines that have not yet fully recovered, just like accidentally stepping into a small trap, which may slow down the dog's recovery process.​

Adult dog food can be softened with warm water to make it soft and easy to chew, just like grinding hard stones into smooth pebbles, so that the dog's teeth and stomach can easily accept it. At the beginning, the number of feedings per day can be appropriately increased, and the amount of each feeding should be reduced, just like giving the stomach a small "exercise plan" to allow them to gradually adapt to the normal digestive rhythm. As the dog's gastrointestinal function is fully restored, slowly adjust to the normal number of feedings and feeding amounts. ​

During the entire recovery process of dog gastroenteritis, dietary adjustments are like a carefully choreographed dance, and every step requires the owner's patience and care. Always pay attention to the dog's eating situation and physical reactions. If you find that the dog has abnormal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after eating, it is like seeing discordant notes on the stage. Stop the current diet in time and contact a veterinarian for further examination and treatment. ​

At the same time, make sure that the dog can drink clean warm water at any time. Water is like the "transport captain" in the body, which can help maintain the body's metabolism and promote the excretion of toxins. You can place more water bowls beside the dog's nest and activity area so that they can drink at any time. ​

When the dog can finally wag its tail happily and eat food with big mouthfuls, all the hard work and worries in the process of care will turn into a smile on the corner of the mouth. Every careful choice of diet and every careful control of the feeding amount are the owner's deep love for the dog. This kind of love is like the sunshine in spring, warming the dog's body; like the breeze in summer, caressing the dog's heart; more like the fruit in autumn, carrying full of hope; like the fire in winter, conveying eternal warmth. I hope that every dog ​​who has experienced gastroenteritis can regain health and happiness under the careful care of the owner through scientific and reasonable diet, run freely in the sun, and make every day of life full of vitality and beauty.