Minor stomach upsets involving diarrhea or vomiting can often be monitored at home for a day or two before heading to the veterinarianâs office. These symptoms can often be traced to something simple such as ingesting something unusual (like the kitchen garbage), or eating too much or too fast, or exercising shortly after eating, etc.
For the occasional bout of diarrhea, adding some canned pumpkin and probiotics to the food and feeding a bland diet for several meals may be all that is required. Canned pumpkin is an essential in every guardianâs pantry as it can help both diarrhea and constipation. Cats can get 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, dogs 1 tablespoon to ¼ cup or more depending on size. Once symptoms subside you can transition gradually back to her normal diet.
A bland diet would be equal parts of boiled chicken and white rice â given in small meals. Hamburger and rice can be substituted with as much of the fat drained as possible.
For occasional vomiting, a short fast (one or two meals), small drinks of water and a bland diet can do the trick. Â (A big drink of water can further irritate a troubled tummy and cause more vomiting).
Handy remedies to have on hand for minor stomach upsets include Phytomucil or Perfect Form . Both contain Slippery Elm Bark which is a key herb for digestive upsets, along with other supportive herbs. Slippery elm bark or marshmallow herb from the health food store will do in a pinch.
Ginger Mint and/or Homeopet Digestive Upsets can speed recovery from occasional vomiting for dogs and cats. They can be given alone or in combination â and give several more doses after symptoms subside.
Cats often vomit or âgagâ due to hairballs that irritate their stomach or esophagus. Long haired cats seem to have a greater problem since there is more hair to ingest during the self-grooming process. Prevention is the best course of action for hairball problems â through daily grooming and the addition of digestive enzymes and essential fatty acids to the food.
When to see a vet:
- When vomiting and diarrhea occur together
- Blood in vomit or diarrhea
- Vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a day or two
- Animal appears listless
- Multiple bouts of vomiting or diarrhea over a short period of time
- Animal trying to vomit unsuccessfully (sometimes with profuse drool)
- Distended abdomen or bloating present
- Abdomen tender to touch
- Animal shows labored breathing or appears in pain
Dogs and cats with chronic loose stools or diarrhea, or chronic vomiting should be evaluated by a holistic veterinarian for food intolerances, allergies or other underlying illness.