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Everyone experiences nausea or upset stomach from time to time, and so does man’s best friend. Your dog can’t tell you when his stomach is upset or what caused the upset stomach. It’s up to you to recognize the symptoms of dyspepsia, the clinical term for a dog’s upset stomach, in order to help prevent future symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Upset Stomach in Dogs

The most obvious sign of a dog having an upset stomach is vomiting. If you notice excessive burping, this may be a sign that your dog is close to vomiting. If your dog is outside, you may notice him eating grass. The grass serves to induce vomiting, which cures the upset stomach.

Another clear sign of upset stomach is the avoidance of food. If your dog eats less than normal or avoids his food altogether, he more than likely has an upset stomach. Whining and pacing after eating also indicates an upset stomach.

Dogs suffering from an upset stomach often look for a cool, dark place to lie down. You may notice your dog lying on the hardwood floor versus the carpet, for instance. Another way dogs try to calm their stomachs is by drinking excess amounts of water.

Other signs your dog may have an upset stomach are lack of energy, depression and unusually bad breath. For usually lethargic dogs, you may not notice a decrease in energy. However, if they are unresponsive and solitary, this may indicate an upset stomach.

Causes of Upset Stomach in Dogs

The causes of a dog’s upset stomach vary greatly. Toxic or decomposed foods are common triggers. Certain table scraps may also upset a dog’s stomach. Overeating or under-eating can result in nausea as well. If your dog is overly excited or nervous, an upset stomach may occur until your dog calms down. Exhaustion can result in a dog having an upset stomach as well, especially if they try to eat or drink immediately after playing.

If you have recently changed your dog’s food, try a different type of dog food. Certain ingredients may aggravate your dog’s stomach. If the upset stomach occurs suddenly and persists for more than two hours without vomiting, consider taking your dog to the veterinarian. Your dog may have ingested something toxic. If you notice your dog eating anything poisonous, such as chemical cleansers, take your dog to the vet immediately.

For upset stomach symptoms that occur frequently, despite changing foods and behavior, take your dog to the vet to check for illness. Upset stomach may be an early sign of some treatable diseases.

When you notice your dog has an upset stomach, try taking him outside for fresh air and grass. The combination often helps relieve upset stomaches.

There are multiple symptoms your dog may show if he has an upset stomach. Activity, foods and even environment may cause the problem. Under most circumstances, your dog will feel better within a few hours. Unless you notice your dog eating toxic foods or chemicals or if the upset stomach persists with no relief, contact your local veterinarian for treatment options.