Pet Ki Gadbadi! (Tummy Troubles!): A Caring Guide to Your Dog’s Upset Stomach

Seeing your dog skip a meal, throw up, or have loose motions (dheele dast) is worrying. Just like us, our furry companions have delicate digestive systems. Whether it’s something they ate outside, a sudden change in food, or even stress—a lot of things can give them an upset stomach.

The good news is that most cases are minor and treatable. The most important thing is knowing when to treat them at home and when to rush to the doctor.

1. Understanding the Signs (Nishaniyan Kya Hain?)

An upset stomach can show up in several ways. Look out for these common red flags:

• Vomiting (Ulti): Throwing up food or liquid.
• Diarrhea (Dast): Loose, watery stools.
• Refusing Food: Skipping meals or showing a lack of appetite.
• Lethargy: Being unusually tired or low on energy.
• Bloated Belly: Their tummy looks swollen or feels tender when you touch it.
• Eating Grass: A dog often eats grass when their stomach is uneasy.

2. The Root Causes: Why Did This Happen? (Mool Kaaran)

• The Khaana (Food) Factor: The most common reason! This includes sudden change in food (switching kibble brands too quickly), eating table scraps (spicy/oily human food), or raiding the trash bin.
• Outside Germs: Picking up viral or bacterial infections from contaminated water or spoiled food outside.
• Parasites (Keede): Worms or microscopic parasites like Giardia are very common culprits, especially in young puppies.
• Stress and Chinta (Worry): Dogs are sensitive! Moving homes, loud patakhas (firecrackers), or severe separation anxiety can trigger digestive issues in nervous pets.
• Serious Issues: Sometimes, ongoing stomach trouble can be a sign of a deeper illness like kidney disease or pancreatitis. These need immediate professional attention.

3. What Happens at the Vet? (Doctor ke Paas Kya Hoga?)

If symptoms are severe or last more than 1-2 days, a vet visit is essential.

1. The Conversation:Your vet will ask you everything:When did it start? What did the dog eat last? Did they get into the trash? Be honest!
2. The Check-up: They will feel your dog’s tummy, check for fever, and see if your dog is dehydrated.
3. The Tests: If needed, they might take a poop sample (to check for worms/Giardia), blood tests (to check for infection or organ issues), or take X-rays (to see if they swallowed a foreign object like a bone or toy).
   • The goal is to find the root cause, not just mask the symptoms.

4. Treatment and Recovery: Getting Back to Normal

For mild cases, your vet might recommend a simple plan:

• Rest the Tummy: Your vet might advise holding off all food for 12 to 24 hours (only fresh water allowed) to give the stomach a break. Never stop water!
• Bland Diet (Halka Khana): Once the vomiting stops, slowly introduce food. The typical “get well soon” meal is plain, boiled chicken (no spices/oil/salt) mixed with plain boiled rice. Feed small portions frequently.
• Medication: If the diarrhea is bad, the vet will give medicine to stop nausea, reduce inflammation, or give probiotics to fix the good bacteria in the gut. If worms are found, deworming medicine is a must.
• Hospitalization: For serious issues (like severe dehydration or a blockage), IV fluids and hospital care may be required.

Recovery: Continue the bland diet for a few days even after your dog feels better. Gradually mix their regular kibble back into the chicken and rice until they are fully back to normal.

5. Prevention: Savdhani Rakhiye (Be Watchful)

You can’t stop every stomach upset, but you can definitely reduce the chances:

• Stick to the Diet: Feed a consistent, balanced diet that your dog tolerates well. Absolutely NO human food (especially fatty or spicy leftovers) and secure your kachra-patti (trash bin).
• Slow Changes: If you change food brands or introduce a new treat, do it gradually over a week.
• Hygiene and Deworming: Keep them up-to-date with deworming, and keep an eye on them outside so they don’t eat soil or strange objects.

• • Manage Stress: Ensure your dog gets regular exercise and mental stimulation. A happy, busy dog is less prone to stress-induced tummy issues.