As much as you’d like to protect your pup, there are just some aches, pains, and discomforts that occur no matter how careful you are.
Canine nausea is one such ailment. It is not uncommon for your dog to develop diarrhea or an upset stomach, seemingly without warning.
While an isolated incident of vomiting or diarrhea in dogs is common, persistent symptoms demand treatment. Other symptoms to look out for include excessive drooling, persistent licking or chewing, and/or dry heaving.
Fortunately for both you and your dog, there are several ways to treat nausea.
Home Remedies for Canine Nausea
Nausea is no fun for anyone. The good news? It is generally easy to treat, and you may even have just the remedies you need at home.
Grass
Have you ever caught your dog chewing on the greenery in your backyard? Dogs tend to nibble on grass, especially when their stomachs aren’t feeling so hot. Grass is a natural remedy that will lead your dog to vomit, cleaning out his system and hopefully clearing out the nausea.
Baking soda and water
Mix one teaspoon of baking soda with half a cup of water. This combination is a long-standing home remedy proven to help calm the stomach and reduce both nausea and bloat in dogs. Let your dog lap a few licks of this mix about every two hours.
Ginger
Have you ever tried combating an upset stomach with ginger ale? Ginger is a powerful root that helps calm nausea. Ginger also helps appease motion sickness and prevents canine bronchitis, colitis, and heart disease in dogs.
Ginger is available for your dog in the following forms. Though the commonly advised amounts are listed here, it is good practice to consult your vet for your dog’s case.
- Raw ginger: Opt for a smaller amount, as too much can cause heartburn and an even more upset stomach
- Capsule form
- Essential oil
- Dog treats which contain ginger
- Tea. Mix 1 tablespoon of grated ginger in a pot with a half cup of coconut milk. Simmer for 10 minutes, then feed 1 to 3 teaspoons to your dog every 1 to 2 hours.
Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk beverage that has quickly gained traction in the health world. The reason? Much like yogurt, it supplies your digestive tract with good probiotics, improving digestion and overall health. While regular milk is irritating to a dog’s intestinal tract, kefir can actually help.
Kefir can be found at your local grocery store, in the refrigerated aisle. Look near the dairy or yogurt.
Once your dog vomits, feed him kefir once an hour for three hours, according to size:
- For small dogs, 1 to 2 teaspoons every hour will suffice
- 2 tablespoons for medium dogs, and
- 4 tablespoons for large dogs
Once your dog’s nausea has been treated, you can even add kefir to his diet. Three teaspoons of kefir to your dog’s meals can help improve your dog’s gut, acting as a preventative for nausea in the long-term.
Medicine for Canine Nausea
So you’ve tried a home remedy above, but nothing still seems to work. If your dog still exhibits nausea, your best bet is to consult your vet for treatment. Often, treatment for dog nausea can be prescribed over the phone.
The following are treatments often prescribed for canine nausea:
Pepto Bismol
When it comes to nausea, both humans and dogs may turn to the same treatment. A child’s dose for every 40 pounds of a dog’s weight, administered every four hours until needed, is the oft-given dose for this ailment.
Pedialyte
Another human remedy that your vet may suggest is Pedialyte. Pedialyte is a liquid medicine that rehydrates and restores the electrolytes from nausea in children. For dogs, it’s often recommended to administer ¼ cup every half hour for every 40 pounds of a dog’s weight.
What to Give Your Dog for Nausea: The Bottom Line
For humans and dogs alike, nausea is an interruptive ailment—random at best, but generally easy to treat. While a single episode of vomiting or diarrhea is nothing to be concerned about, more persistent cases deserve treatment.
Call your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has nausea. Together, you can tackle a treatment plan—often involving the remedies listed above—to ease your dog’s nausea today.
Sources:
- “Vomiting in Dogs: Causes and Treatment.” WebMD, Accessed 3 Oct. 2017. www.pets.webmd.com/dogs/vomiting-dogs-causes-treatment.
- “Tips To Cure Your Dog’s Upset Stomach.” CanineJournal.com, 7 Aug. 2018, Accessed 3 Oct. 2017. www.caninejournal.com/cure-dogs-upset-stomach/.
- Normann, Igor. “What Can I Give My Dog For Nausea?” PetMD, Accessed 3 Oct. 2017. www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_remedies-for-upset-stomach-in-dogs.
- “Effective Home Remedies for Vomiting Dogs.” PetHelpful, Accessed 3 Oct. 2017. www.pethelpful.com/dogs/Home-remedies-for-vomitng-dogs.
- Burke, Anna. “6 Natural Foods to Feed Your Sick Dog.” American Kennel Club, 9 Aug. 2016, Accessed 3 Oct. 2017. www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/six-foods-to-feed-your-dog-when-hes-sick/.
