Gastritis in dogs is commonly accompanied by distressing symptoms, stirring up immense worry in pet owners. In certain cases, this condition is manageable at home and can be alleviated through proper dietary adjustments.
We will walk you through different types of gastritis and also share some useful tips on how to care for a dog during the onset of this condition.
What Is Gastritis in Dogs?
Gastritis occurs when a dog’s stomach lining becomes inflamed, commonly resulting in vomiting. Various factors can trigger this gastrointestinal issue, such as:
- Eating table scraps
- Ingesting foreign objects
- Food allergies
- Intestinal parasites
- Underlying illness (e.g., IBD, pancreatitis, and viral infections)
- Medications (e.g., NSAIDs)
- Toxicosis
Gastritis in dogs come in three types: acute, chronic, and atrophic. The acute variety refers to the sudden onset of the condition. In most cases, it is self-limiting and goes away on its own.
When gastritis in dogs continues to happen for over a week, it is considered a chronic ailment and is often caused by an underlying health problem.
Unlike acute gastritis, chronic gastritis symptoms are more severe and persistent, which often calls for timely treatment.
If chronic gastritis in dogs is not resolved, in rare cases, it will progress to atrophic gastritis. Pets affected with this ailment suffer from stomach gland damage, resulting in abnormally slow digestion.
Read: The Impact of Food Allergies on Your Dog’s Health: How to Identify and Treat Them
Are Gastritis and Gastroenteritis in Dogs the Same?
People often confuse gastritis and gastroenteritis as similar health conditions. However, although both illnesses involve the GI system, gastroenteritis refers to the inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
On the other hand, gastritis in dogs specifically impacts the stomach lining. The most common symptom associated with gastroenteritis is diarrhea, but this clinical sign does not occur during gastritis episodes.
What Are the Clinical Signs of Gastritis in Dogs?
Aside from vomiting, other symptoms that usually accompany canine gastritis are:
- Sudden weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Lethargy
- Hunching due to abdominal discomfort
Dogs that are diagnosed with gastritis are typically prescribed antivomiting medications by the veterinarian. Frequent vomiting may lead to dehydration, so canines suffering from this symptom will receive fluid therapy.
When it comes to chronic gastritis in dogs, the condition typically has an underlying trigger. The veterinarian must treat the root cause to dispel this health issue.
For instance, intestinal parasites will be treated with anthelmintic drugs. If gastritis was induced by NSAIDs, weaning them off the medication might be needed.
What to Do If Your Pet Has a Sudden Bout of Gastritis?
Acute gastritis in dogs can be handled at home with the help of a few dietary adjustments. Here are the steps to take to alleviate its GI symptoms:
1. Fast Your Pooch
Withholding food for at least 1 to 2 days gives your pet’s digestive system time to rest. It also aids in easing the inflammation of the stomach lining.
However, beware that fasting is not recommended for puppies because their developing bodies require regular sustenance. The same goes for miniature or small dog breeds since they might suffer from hypoglycemia.
Skipping meals is also bad for canines with ailments that rely on following a proper feeding schedule like diabetic dogs. If your furry pal belongs to any of these 3 categories, consult the vet to know the safest option for your dog.
2. Do Not Withhold Water
Gastritis in dogs causes frequent vomiting, which can result in dehydration. Thus, make sure that your pooch drinks adequate amounts of water while he fasts.
But keep him from drinking too much in one go to avoid worsening gastric upset. Offer him water in a small bowl at short intervals, usually every 2 to 3 hours.
If your pet struggles to keep down water, take him to the animal clinic immediately. Otherwise, he might suffer from severe dehydration.
3. Temporarily Switch Your Dog to Bland Food
If your furry pal manages to fast for the first 24 hours without vomiting, gradually transition him to bland food for the time being. Some good choices for this type of diet are:
- Plain egg whites
- Canned unflavored pumpkin purée
- Cooked white rice
- Skinless and boneless lean chicken meat
- Low-fat cottage cheese
- Low-sodium bone broth
Avoid feeding him fatty food as it can exacerbate the inflammation in his stomach lining.
Begin by feeding him 2 to 3 tablespoons of food every 2 to 3 hours. Then increase the amount in small increments if he does not throw up. Try serving him ¼ to ½ cup of bland food every 4 hours.
Drive your dog to the veterinarian if his vomiting persists after the 24-hour mark.
4. Transition Your Dog Back to His Regular Diet
Although bland food helps soothe the digestive tract of a dog with gastritis, it should not be fed long-term. This diet does not contain all the nutrients your pet needs and may cause nutrient deficiencies in the long run.
Generally, canines can be on a bland diet for at least 3 to 5 days. If your dog is already showing signs of recovery, introduce him back to his original food.
Offer his original food in small amounts for the first 2 days. Mix at least 25% of it to 75% of his bland food.
On the next day, increase his regular food to another 25%. Repeat this process for the next consecutive days until you have successfully switched him back to his original food.
5. Monitor and Observe
Even after gastritis symptoms have stopped occurring, make sure to keep an eye on your dog for a day or two. Make sure to check for any changes in his behavior or occurrence of vomiting.
If he shows signs of feeling sick again, it would be best to get him checked by the veterinarian.
FAQs About Gastritis in Dogs
1. How Long Can Gastritis Last in a Dog?
How long gastritis can last in a dog depends on its severity, if it is acute or chronic. Acute canine gastritis typically lasts for about 2 to 3 days before going away. On the other hand, chronic gastritis often has a 7- to 12-day duration.
Without medical intervention, chronic gastritis in dogs can turn into atrophic gastritis, which causes severe damage to the stomach lining.
2. What Food Causes Gastritis in Dogs?
Indiscriminate eating of human food items, especially the ones with high-fat content, can cause gastritis. It irritates the stomach lining, leading to excessive vomiting.
Dietary indiscretion should be prevented to prevent the recurrence of gastritis once it is treated.
Avoid feeding your pet table scraps, refrain from leaving food on the dining table to prevent counter surfing, and make sure to securely cover garbage bins to discourage scavenging.
3. How Do You Treat Gastritis in Dogs at Home?
Mild or acute gastritis in dogs can be treated at home by withholding food for 24 to 48 hours to let their stomach rest.
If they stopped vomiting within 24 hours, temporarily switch them to a bland food diet until the gastric symptoms subsided.
Remember to provide them with enough water at all times to avoid dehydration.
A bland food diet should not be used as a long-term solution as it can cause nutrient deficiencies. So be sure to transition them back to their original diet after 3 or 5 days.
4. Is Gastritis Contagious to Dogs?
Gastritis itself is not contagious to dogs. However, if it is caused by a bacterial or viral infection, the infectious pathogen might get passed on to another dog.
Hence, it is important to get your pooch properly diagnosed. Doing so helps contain contagious diseases early if they are the root cause of gastritis.
Conclusion
Mild or acute forms of gastritis in dogs can be resolved through dietary modifications. However, it is essential to keep track of symptoms.
If vomiting persists for more than a day, affected pets must be seen by the veterinarian to assess if medical treatment is necessary.
