Most dogs & cats will disguise the fact we are in pain.  In the wild it’s unwise to show sickness or injury; it makes us vulnerable to predators. However for dogs & cats who suffer with tummy upsets & technicolor yawns ( a term we just undug & are doglighted by; that means, ‘vomit’) it’s difficult to hide.  Hi CEO Olivia here today to talk about just that.      

What are the causes a good dog or cat to have gastrointestinal distress which in turn can give rise to borborygmi ( another term we dug up today that refers to a rrrumbling or gurrrrgling noise made by the movement of fluid & gas in the intestines) in dogs or the most unpleasant & undignified upchuck of yuck by cats?

Food Intolerances or allergies are a  pawsible cause.  Did you nose cats are commonly allergic to fish & dairy?  It’s fact, just because a cat will eat it, even enjoy it, doesn’t mean they should eat it.  I’d eat it or try before huMom swooped it away from me, bol.  Eating those treasures we find on the ground or in the trash is a pawsibilty too.  

Jerry Underfoot has been pawing & meownowing for us to include the dreaded hairball.  Constant licky licky, excessive amounts of hair loss or shedding can create hairball issues for our furbulous feline especially because this as this is how they groom. Long haired cats or purrpuff ball cats can be at even greater risk of technicolor yawns. Let’s not forget cats losing hair due to food allergies & licking all that lost hair. Who wouldn’t yack?  By they way, I’ve seen them. Hairballs, hair yacks or hairy technicolor yawns whatever you want to call them, they look like something from a horror movie.  

I pawsonally wanted to share that my anti seizure medications especially my cluster buster, Keppra can upset my tummy.  Other medications can cause gastrointestinal disturbances too.

Intestinal parasites, pancreatis or chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases need to be addressed by a pawfessional health practitioner /Veterinarian.  We are not suggesting that you treat these serious issues at home.  If your dog or cat has had diarrhea or vomiting for more than 24 hour period it is time to go to the Vet. If there is blood in either the diarrhea or vomit you need to go to the Vet. Dehydration is serious & should also be addressed by a Vet.  If your dog or cat seems somewhere else, lethargic, not eating or drinking go to the Vet. 

What we are yapping is, if your dog or cat is still very alert, active, eating & drinking just walking around with a noisy tummy or chucking up a hairball or two they are a good candidate for home remedies or management to help heal their tummy issues. 

It’s impawtant to give the body time to heal by resting the GI tract if there has been any vomiting or diarrhea. Hydration is most impawtant.  HuMom pawfers both water & coconut water (pawsome for restoring hydration & replenishing lost electrolytes) for hydration.

Doctor Karen Becker recommends that for dogs who are experiencing diarrhea, activated charcoal can be used. The recommended dose is 1mg/kg twice daily of coconut charcoal for intermittent episodes of diarrhea. Do not use activated charcoal if your dog is constipated or consumed caustic materials. 

Famotidine is an over the counter antacid also known as Pepcid.  This cat remedy is intended for a short term use and should be given at 2.5mg every 8 hours for 2-3 days.  The typical dose of famotidine administered to dogs is 0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg) every 12 to 24 hours. There is a diminished effect when given for more than 14 consecutive days. For this reason, twice daily dosing may be recommended.

Cats who are shedding or experiencing hair loss would do well by their humans helped with the grooming. Get that brush or glove out.  You nose you are going to love it too.

Once food can be introduced a bland diet, good dog…is pawscribed.  It’s a pawsome idea to include canned / steamed pumpkin or sweet potato, yum & thank dog. We nose diet is impawtant to our over all health.  Feed a good quality food.  Try to stay away from kibble.  We start with WellyChef Food Base Mix. It  couldn’t be easier; just  add a quality protein, some oil could  be hemp, coconut, olive oil, as long as it’s quality oil.  It’s pawsitively nutritious & doglicious.  

Slippery elm (“nature’s Pepto-Bismol”) helps soothe irritated bowels & can be easily mixed into a bland diet. Dog dose per meal is 1/2 teaspoon for every 10 pounds of body weight. Cats can also benefit from Slippery elm but this remedy is specifically for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Dogpending on your cat’s weight, the dose should be 400mg/10lbs, taken once a day. Break the capsule & mix it with cat food, or give your cat 1 capsule orally/day.  This remedy is specifically for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).  Slippery elm is good to have in the house; I nose we always do. We keep a jar of loose herb & huMom makes a tea that she adds to our food.  She also drinks it occasionally.

Chamomile, Peppermint or Fennel Tea is pawsome for tummy issues. – Leave loose leaf herbs or  tea bag brewing for 10 to 15 minutes so it’s pawsitively strong. Let it cool & give 5mL or 1 teaspoon to your cat 2-3 times daily. Dogs under 10 pounds give1/8 teaspoon. Medium-size dogs give1/4 teaspoon & large dogs pawfer 1/2 teaspoon.

Pawviding a good quality probiotic (Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium) supplement is a wagnificent idea for ANY dog with tummy troubles & ANY cat that is chronically  vomiting. The good bacteria can decrease gut inflammation, lessening the vomiting.  Our go to is Omega Alpha‘s ProbioticPluse8.

Occasional GI upsets are normal.  By being pawpared & informed  you can be proactive & manage these normal tummy troubles & technicolor yawns safely & naturally at home.   

Have a pawsome week, CEO Olivia, Dot & Jerry Underfoot 💜  

 

 

PS 🐾 Looking for wagnifient healthy & furbulously fun toys or pawsibly a supplement for the well being of your pawtacular good dog or cat? Shop Naturally

 

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