Be Patient And Persistent
Maybe youre contemplating how to treat your dogs acid reflux. Or maybe your dog is stuck on the merry-go-round of drugs and you want to get off.
It will take time theres no quick fix each dog is different. But Shivas experience is testament to the fact that you can heal canine acid reflux. You need to remove the cause and support the bodys natural regenerative processes by what and how you feed.
Acid reflux in dogs is more common than you might think. There are even social media groups devoted to the problem. Just remember, youre not alone.
Purina Pro Plan Focus Salmon & Rice Entree
Designed specifically for dogs prone to allergic reactions, tummy problems, and acid reflux, the Purina Pro Plan Focus Salmon & Rice Entree is a great option if you want your pooch to enjoy mealtime again. The recipe contains premium salmon loaded with omega DHA, which helps promote and maintain cognitive functions as your dog starts to age.
In addition to natural ingredients, the wet dog food doesnt contain artificial flavors or colors, and preservatives, making it a great option for dogs prone to acid reflux. The recipe also contains omega-6 fatty acids that help promote overall skin and coat health.
Natural Dietary Solutions To Manage Acid Reflux
There are also some changes you can make to your dogs diet to help with acid reflux.
- Protein increases stomach acidity so feeding less protein can reduce acidity.
- A blend of prebiotics and probiotics can address intestinal dysbiosis and help return balance to the gut.
- Digestive enzymescan help improve your dogs digestion. They minimize acid production, improve nutrient absorption and support detoxification.
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Feed Small Frequent Meals
Whether you choose to swap your dog food with another brand or cook it at home, feed them smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. Along with this, keep a bowl full of water beside or soak the dry food in water or bone broth. Feeding smaller meals more frequently causes less stress on their stomach and lowers the acidity level, which helps in reducing acid reflux. Also, if you feel like your dog eats too fast, purchase a slow-feeding bowl to help reduce both bloating and burping.
How Is Gerd Treated
There are a number of different treatments for GERD. Most patients require a combination of treatments, each of which addresses the problem in a different way.
Antacid medications are often prescribed to decrease stomach acidity. These medications, which include famotidine , cimetidine , ranitidine , and omeprazole , decrease acid production. Reflux can still occur, but it will be less painful and less damaging to the esophagus.
Dogs with GERD also benefit from medication to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. These medications, such as cisapride and metoclopramide , help increase muscle tone at the sphincter, decreasing the likelihood that stomach acid will enter the esophagus.
Diet can also help reduce signs of GERD. Dogs with GERD often do best with a low-fat prescription diet. This helps reduce the production of stomach acid. Feeding small, frequent meals can also help reduce reflux into the esophagus.
Finally, despite all of these measures, it is likely that at least some degree of reflux will still occur. Sucralfate is often prescribed to dogs with GERD and given as a slurry . This allows the sucralfate to coat the esophagus, protecting its delicate lining and slowing the progression of esophageal inflammation and ulcers.
In some cases, GERD is caused by an underlying anatomical abnormality, such as a hiatal hernia. If this is the case, your veterinarian may recommend surgical correction of the underlying defect.
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Dealing With Acid Reflux
When the problem has been determined, it is just a matter of determining the best dog heartburn treatment for the dog in question. For those asking what can I do, it ultimately depends on the cause of the heartburn.
The best dog acid reflux natural treatment can either be surgery if the sphincters are herniated or relieve the stress of the dog. When it comes to what to give a dog for acid reflux, relaxation is probably the best natural treatment for esophagitis in dogs for those curious what natural remedy can I give my dog for acid reflux.
If you need to know what to feed a dog with acid reflux, look for foods that are low in acid with no to minimal spices. Probiotics will be suggested for those asking, Do probiotics help with acid reflux in dogs?, the answer is yes.
Probiotics are one of the best way to deal with acid reflux in dogs treatment as they help deal with intestinal fluids and prevent them from heading up the digestive tract. Thus when one asks, Can probiotics help acid reflux in dogs? that they increase natural flora which helps a wide variety of problems makes the answer yes, especially when it comes to eliminating some of the intestinal fluids.
Control Your Dogs Weight
This is a big one. Obese dogs are more likely to suffer from acid reflux. If your dog can lose a few pounds, be sure to put them on lower calorie dog food to speed up the weight loss. Its essential not to decrease the eating frequency. An empty stomach can make acid reflux even worse, so continue to feed your dog at least three times per day.
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Feed Small Amounts Of Food Every 4
Best raw dog food for acid reflux. Luckily, acid reflux in dogs is treatable. But i saw a correlation between bouts of acid reflux and when shiva ate previously frozen meat. Omeprazole is a very safe medication, with few reported side effects.
The best dog foods for acid reflux can help minimize symptoms, treat the condition, and give your dog the relief they so desperately need. I think part of it is the smaller volume of food and high water content. Place your dogs food bowl on a stool or low table.
She has had belching with acid reflux but not flatulence. This problem can be assessed clinically and is readily treatable. Soft foods decrease how much work their digestive enzymes must do to digest their food.
Misty does better on raw than on kibble. If a foods protein comes from plants, that protein is less digestible by a dog than protein from meat. Certain foods can often be an aggravator of reflux, so understanding what might be bothering your dog is essential.
A common symptom is diarrhoea. Home made cooked or raw food are often best in this instance. Symptoms include gurgling, burping and persistent bad breath.
Sun, mar 28, 2021 5:04 pm. Provide 3 or 4 small meals instead of 1 or 2 larger meals, and minimize fiber from the diet. No matter what breed or size your dog is, the purina pro plan focus dog food is a good choice for dogs with digestive and acid reflux issues.
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Homemade Dog Food For Acid Reflux
Making your dogs food at home can be much simpler than you may realize.
At the same time, it can save you tons of money, especially over the long term, and puts you in charge of every single ingredient.
No more worries about vitamins that may have come from China or some other overseas location.
No more worrying about when the next recall is going to happen. You will have everything within the realms of your control.
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Moderated Fat Content With Omega
Too much fat can increase the severity of the symptoms of acid reflux. Therefore, it is recommended to choose a dog food with a 5-15% fat content.
Animal fats are not only delicious but very nutritious and healthy for canines.
Also, please pay attention to omega-3 fatty acids as they have been proven to have anti-inflammatory effects. The best omega sources are fish, fish oil, flaxseed, and canola oil.
Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Adult Dry Food
Every dog deserves a diet made with premium, natural ingredients and this Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Adult Dry Food delivers just that. This formula is designed to nourish your dogs body from the inside out, made with real, whole chicken and no rendered meat meals.
It features non-GMO fruits and vegetables which deliver a natural source of key ingredients, plus it is supplemented with Proprietary DreamCoat supplement to support your dogs skin and coat. This recipe is considered highly digestible due to the quality of the ingredients and it is highly palatable as well.
Better ingredients means better nutrition and more regular digestion all of this adds up to a holistic picture of improved health and wellness. This recipe provides 25% protein and 15% fat with 5% fiber at 403 calories per cup.
- Pros: Holistic natural recipe, premium quality ingredients, real whole chicken, digestible whole grain carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, vitamins and chelated minerals, complete and balanced
- Cons: Very expensive compared to the average kibble
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The Principle Behind Fasting
Fasting can be psychologically challenging for some owners. Wolves fast regularly in the wild as part of the natural cycle of boom and bust. There is reason to think fasting is as good for dogs as it is for humans.
Its about digestive rest.
Heres the logic. When the body isnt occupied digesting meat, it can use its energy for cellular repair and regeneration processes. This is a natural process that happens all the time especially during sleep. Its called autophagy.
Ever hear that every cell in the human body is replaced every 7 years? Well, thats not quite accurate as some cells stay with us for a lifetime. But gut epithelial cells replace themselves about every 5 to 7 days. To give your dogs gut a chance to heal, you want to offer maximum digestive rest.
The protein and especially the fat in meat, make the body work hard to break it down. Fat must be broken down, which is an energy-intensive process.
By contrast, the simple sugars in ripe to overripe fruit are much easier to digest. They pass through the stomach much faster and provide free calories. By that I mean calories that the body expends little energy to receive.
Dogs And Fruit
Dogs are facultative carnivores. They can sustain themselves on secondary foods when their preferred prey isnt available.
Great fruits for dogs include bananas and mangoes. Ive also fed fresh, pitted dates, which are more nutrient-dense.
Fasting Frequency
Video Answer: Homemade Dog Food For Upset Stomach Recipe Easy To
Dogs with GERD often do best with a low-fat prescription diet. This helps reduce the production of stomach acid. Feeding small, frequent meals can also help reduce reflux into the esophagus. Finally, despite all of these measures, it is likely that at least some degree of reflux will still occur.
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How Will The Vet Diagnose
During the visit, your vet will perform a number of tests including a blood test and an endoscopy. This is when the vet will use a small camera to look for damage to the esophagus caused by stomach acids. This camera is inserted through the dogs throat so anesthetics will be required. Theyll also look for any sort of foreign body in the throat that could be causing pain.
Dont try to diagnose acid reflux on your own. If you suspect something is wrong with your dog, get them to the vet ASAP.
How To Treat Dog Indigestion
If you notice any signs of indigestion, take your dog to your veterinarian. Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical examination, but acid reflux cannot be seen from the outside. Your dogs history and symptoms will help guide your vets diagnostic process.
Many other conditions mimic acid reflux in dogs, and your vet will need to rule these out during his diagnostic process. Conditions that mimic acid reflux in dogs include the ingestion of a toxin, an abscess, tumours, megaesophagus, and cancer of the mouth or throat.
An x-ray may reveal a hiatal hernia if its large. However, smaller Hiatal hernias typically dont show up on radiographs.
If your vet suspects acid reflux, he may want to confirm the diagnosis with an endoscopy. In an endoscopy, your dog will receive anaesthesia, and a small camera will be inserted down his throat and into his oesophagus. Your vet can see if there is any oesophagal damage with this procedure.
Acid reflux in dogs can be treated or managed in different ways. If your dog has a hiatal hernia, he will need surgery to correct the defect.
You may need to change your dogs diet to manage his indigestion. Typically, food is withheld for a day or two before you begin to feed your dog a new diet. The special diet used to treat acid reflux is low in fat and protein. Youll feed your dog several small meals throughout the day on his new diet.
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How To Diagnose Acid Reflux In Dogs
Diagnosing acid reflux in dogs is not always straightforward. The only way to confirm GERD in dogs is through an endoscopy, and not all owners are able to explore this option.
This is why most cases of acid reflux in dogs are diagnosed by ruling out other potential complications, allowing your vet to scratch off other conditions that can cause the above symptoms.
First, your vet will perform a thorough physical exam that will help them identify any areas of discomfort. Your vet will also ask you questions about the symptoms they are currently experiencing at home, as well as unique questions that fit your dogs case.
Once your vet has gathered a detailed history on your furry friend, they will likely suggest performing a full panel of blood work and diagnostic imaging.
The blood work can help your vet rule out any metabolic issues that could cause your dogs symptoms, while the x-rays can help them rule out any obvious GI complications.
If each of these diagnostics come back clear, this can point to the potential for acid reflux in your dog.
The best way to diagnose GERD in dogs is by having an endoscopy performed with a specialist.
This involves moving a camera through your dogs esophagus and into their stomach, allowing the vet to assess the tissue within the esophagus.
Your dog will be asleep throughout this procedure, so they will not experience any discomfort.
What Are The Symptoms Of Acid Reflux In Dogs
Signs of acid reflux can be really variable and sometimes hard to recognize. Some dogs have very mild reflux. Therefore, they have very subtle symptoms. Other dogs have more severe inflammation of the esophagus. This can cause more serious or obvious signs.
If you think your dog may be experiencing acid reflux, watch for these symptoms:
- Weight loss
- Coughing or wheezing
Not all dogs with acid reflux exhibit all of these signs, and this is not an exhaustive list. Always consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog.
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Best Dog Food For Acid Reflux
Last Updated on 01/30/2021 by Veronica Jones
Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux is an uncontrolled backflow of GI fluids into the esophagus.
This condition can easily damage the mucosal lining of your dogs esophagus and lead to inflammation.
In most cases, acid reflux occurs when your pup feeds on a diet that has a high-fat content. It can also occur after your dog has eaten too much of hard to digest foods.
The solution lies with the best dog food for acid reflux. The most ideal nutrition contains highly digestible ingredients and low-fat content.
This will help your four-legged friend fight acid reflux and other stomach issues. Here are our selections of dog foods that can help prevent GERD.
Top Pick
Hills Science Diet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Chicken Recipe Dry Dog Food. This nutrient-packed nutrition is suitable for your dogs sensitive stomach.
It is uniquely formulated to help fight acid and other stomach issues. It contains chicken as the first ingredient along with omega 6, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and prebiotic fiber.
- Omega 6 fatty acids
- Ascorbic acid
Chicken is the first ingredient, which is great because it is a good energy source without a higher calorie count.
This amazing ingredient contains higher levels of omega 6 for supporting healthy skin and coat.
It is also rich in glucosamine and amino acids for promoting bone health.
They increase the presence of friendly bacteria in your dogs gut to help deal with acid reflux.
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Merrick Limited Ingredient Diet Grain
Top 5 Ingredients: 1. Deboned Lamb, 2. Lamb Liver, 3. Dried Peas, 4. Sunflower Oil, 5. Flaxseed
Wet foods with easily digestible proteins and limited ingredients are a good choice for dogs experiencing acid reflux, and thats what Merricks L.I.D. canned food is all about. It all starts with real, deboned lamb, which is not only very easy to digest but also contains plenty of essential amino acids to aid in muscle nourishment. Most of the carbs come from peas, along with sunflower oil and flaxseed which provide additional vitamins and minerals. Additionally, this recipe is completely free from grains, soy, wheat or corn which can upset the digestive system of some dogs. Along with this, the formula is also free of artificial colors, preservatives or flavors, which might cause allergies otherwise.
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Chicken Soup For The Soul Mature Chicken Turkey & Duck Recipe
Some dogs suffering from acid reflux simply do better on a wet food diet. When shopping for wet food, you need to be sure that the recipe is still made from high-quality natural ingredients and formulated for balanced nutrition.
This Chicken Soup for the Soul Mature Chicken, Turkey & Duck Recipe Canned Food is a great choice because it comes from a trusted brand but is still very affordable.
This recipe features real chicken and turkey as the first two ingredients, and it contains no corn, wheat, or soy and is completely free from artificial additives. It does contain whole-grain ingredients, however, which are very nutritious and highly digestible.
This is a senior recipe, so it has slightly lower levels of protein, fat, and calories than average which is perfect for dogs with acid reflux. This recipe also contains fresh fruits and vegetables as natural sources for key nutrients but is supplemented with essential vitamin and chelated minerals for balance. Overall, it is a healthy source of balanced nutrition for your dog.
Pros: Senior recipe lower in protein and fat, real chicken first ingredient, digestible whole grain carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, complete and balanced nutrition
Cons: Senior recipe may not be ideal for all dogs