My Dog Has A Stomach Ache

Are You Giving Your Dog Poor Nutrition?

Canine nutrition has been the subject of much research in recent years. Since prepared dog food accounts for a greater volume of supermarket sales than any other single grocery item, the commercial incentive is tremendous. As a result, American dogs are the best fed in the world, probably the most expensively fed, and certainly the most often overfed.

Biologists describe the dog as a carnivorous mammal. But modern authorities say that his cohabitation with man has caused him to become like us, omnivorous. Dogs are remarkably adaptable to different kinds of diets, including diets that are high in vegetable content.

The dog's digestive system is not exactly like ours. The general process is the same, but the timing is different. First of all, mastication is less important in canine digestion. The dog's teeth and jaws are designed for tearing meat and grinding bones with amazing efficiency and up to 300 pounds of force. Dogs chew little and swallow rapidly. They cannot chew with their mouths closed.

The dog's taste buds are situated under his tongue, but his food passes quickly, practically untasted, through the pharynx and esophagus into the stomach, where the principle digestive process takes place. The dogs gastric juices are much stronger than ours, allowing him to digest matter which would give us a severe stomach ache, to say the least.

Your dog's stomach is very elastic, and can expand to a capacity of one pint in a small lap dog, while large dogs make room for 8 quarts of food. The gastric juices in his stomach are high in acid and food remains there longer than it does in ours. This is why they require a richer, more concentrated diet than we do. Digestion takes place mostly in the stomach, very little in the mouth.

The dog's nutritional requirements are similar to ours. However, puppies, since they grow and mature faster than we do, need a richer diet than do babies, with more protein and less bulk. Baby food, except for all-meat products is unsuitable for puppies. Adult dogs need a balanced diet including proteins for body building, fails and carbohydrates for supplying energy and heat, bulk for elimination, vitamins and minerals to catalyze various body processes, and a total caloric intake that corresponds to individual living conditions, age, weight, metabolism, and activity.

Water is very important, representing an estimated 70 percent of the dog's weight. Protein content can be provided by meat, fish, cheese, milk, and eggs. Fat is an important source of calories, valuable in cold climates, and during winter. It also helps to maintain a healthy coat and skin. Dogs housed out of doors may be given as much as 20 percent fat in their diet to provide calories and promote a heavy growth of fur, while 10-15 percent is sufficient for most pet dogs.

Carbohydrates include sugars and starches, both of which are sources of quick energy. Dogs assimilate sugar easily, although it is often an acquired taste. Their gastric juices are less efficient in digesting starches, unless they have been cooked very well. Commercially prepared dog biscuits are specially processed and enriched in order to fill the dog's nutritional requirements. On the other hand, potatoes, white bread, treated rice, and pasta are not advisable for dogs, partly because of indigestibility, but mostly because they provide little to no nourishment.

In addition to starches, the cellulose that is found in greens and vegetables provides bulk and favors elimination. Green vegetables are actually indigestible to dogs, which eat grass for this very reason in order to purge themselves. If your dog has as obsession for grass, you might examine his diet to make sure that it agrees with him. Carrots and spinach provide useful vitamins and minerals, while cooked vegetables and greens in the diet of obese or inactive dogs can satisfy their hunger temporarily without providing fattening calories.

The principle canine vitamin requirements are those of the B group, and vitamins A, D, and E. Oddly enough, dogs do not need Vitamin C, because their body produces it naturally. Liver and milk are particularly rich in these essential vitamins. Carrots are a natural source of vitamin A, and whole wheat cereals supply the B group. Cod liver oil is the richest source of Vitamin D, essential for growing puppies, and adult dogs that don't get a lot of sunshine.

Finally, there are the minerals, the most important of which are calcium and phosphorus, especially for growing puppies. The principal decision an owner has to make is whether to give his dog commercial dog food, a homemade diet plan, or a combination of the two.

Learn about chihuahua behavior and chihuahua health problems at the Types Of Chihuahua site.

My dog has a stomach ache?
For the past week or so my dog's stomach has been making these noises, kinda like the noises our stomachs make when we are hungry. She had diarrhea for a few days, but now her stool is solid. However, the noises are still there and this morning she didn't eat her food, which is not like her. But she did eat grass this morning, which I know dogs to when they aren't feeling well. Her attitude seems fine, last night for instance she seemed her normal self. I don't yet want to take her to the vet b/c, but I will if this continues on for a few more days. What I would like to know is if anyone has ever gave their dog some pepto bismol. I have heard of people giving their dogs pepto in the tablet form. Is this harmful to them or do you know any other remedies for an upset stomach? Thank you! By the way, my dog is spayed, she can not be pregnant.

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I think my dog has a stomach ache? Please help!?
I have a 2-year-old Pekingese and just earlier today she started acting strange. She has short breaths and when you touch her stomach she arches her back and starts to shake a little. I won't be able to take her to the vet until tomorrow, so I'm not sure if anyone knows what could be wrong. Thank you! Thanks all, except for that one jerk. Anyway, I talked to my vet and she suggested childrens aspirin, which I gave her. I just carried her outside to see if she wanted to take her walk and I put her down and she took off as usual.

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My Dog has a stomach ache?
I have a llasa appso. He has lways had stomach problems. His stomach makes really funny noises like the ones we make when we're hungry. I never thought anything of it. But now it's kind of getting on my nerves and I don't know if it's hurting his stomach. Should I give him some mylanta? Can dogs have mylanta? Or should I just leave him be? It doesn't look like his stomach actually hurts. I don't think he's eating grass. I am not taking him to the vet, or else I wouldn't have asked a question on yahoo answers. I would have just went to the vet.

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What to feed my sick dog?
my dog has a stomach ache and threw up a little bit earlier, she wont eat her dog food but she will eat MY food! i gave her a piece of ham and she ate it, so it looks like she does have a appetite. What should i feed her that wont mess her stomach up even more? Should I give her a little tsp of childrens motrin? My vet recommended that whenever i would take her for car rides cuz she throws up repeatedly in the car, even if its just a 5 min ride!!! We don't take her anywhere, its only when she needs to be taken to the vet or be seen for anything.. oh...and she is a 1 yr old rat terrier, 18lbs.

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My dog had a stomach ache yesterday and now her ass is bleeding?
I normally give her dry food but the other day I gave her Pedigree wet food mixed in. She eat all of it and seemed to like and and then the next day she was fine till about 4pm when she started pooping all over the place. I thought she just had a stomach thing and it seemed to stop but then this morning when I woke up I found she got sick again and that she was bleeding out of her ass. Has anyone heard of this before? What should I do? I have given her wet dog food before and never had a problem.

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