Home Remedy for a Small Dog With a Bellyache

All dogs have stomach aches at some point in their lives. Small dogs and puppies, with smaller bladders and other organs, may not be able to fend off the dehydration and other symptoms that an upset stomach can cause. There are many causes of stomach aches for small dogs. Some serious causes may need to be treated by a veterinarian; other less dangerous causes can be treated using various methods.

  1. Monitoring Your Dog

    • Many pet owners are not able to watch every move that their dog makes every moment of the day. If your small dog is sick, follow it around for a while. Take note of what your dog may sneak into its mouth when you are usually not looking. This will provide you with an opportunity to manage your pet's harmful habits. Even garbage, toilets and backyards may attract your small dog and cause bellyaches.

    Treats for Your Dog

    • Dogs, even small ones, usually enjoy being fed treats. But too many treats can upset your dog's nutritional balance and can cause stomach aches, vomiting and diarrhea. Feeding the dog healthy treats may rectify the situation. Cutting back on treats until your dog is showing signs of improvement may be even better. Also, fasting is a proven method for relieving the symptoms of an upset stomach, including a bellyache, in small dogs. Having a dog go an entire day without food will allow harmful foods or toxins to pass through the system, restoring the dog's health.

    Changing Dog Food

    • When people get sick, they often prefer to eat bland food in hopes of settling their stomachs. The same tendency applies to small dogs. Instead of feeding them richly flavored dog food, offer unseasoned, boiled chicken, rice and broth to easy their stomach aches. Provide plenty of water, since smaller dogs retain less water than larger dogs. If the dog is incessantly vomiting or has lost control of its bowels and cannot keep liquids down, consult a veterinary professional.

    Other Tips

    • Both small and large dogs may try to eat grass when their stomachs are upset. The grass helps to purge their intestines of whatever is aggravating them. Adding small doses of herbal and veterinary recommended medications and supplements to their food or water may calm their stomachs and help them to feel better.