Dogs' health, just like humans', can suffer from various problems in everyday life and stomach pain is one of them. The reasons for this can be varied, from inadequate nutrition to something more serious, such as gastritis in dogs. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the signs of a dog with stomach pain to seek help as soon as possible. To clarify the main onesquestions and guidance on the subject, the Paws of the House talked to veterinarian Fernanda Serafim, from São Paulo. Check out what she told us!

Dog with stomach pain: how to identify this type of situation?

When we come across a dog in pain, the signs are often clear that something is not right with your four-legged friend. As Fernanda reveals, the dog with stomach pain may show symptoms such as lethargy, whimpering, an abnormal posture to protect the stomach, abdominal bloating and difficulty breathing. On some occasions, stomach pain is accompanied by diarrhoeaIn addition, changes in the dog's behavior may include sialorrhea (excessive salivation), prostration and lack of appetite.

It is also common to find the dog eating grass or weeds when he has an upset stomach. "About the ingestion of weeds, it may be due to some intestinal discomfort and, by instinct, when an animal has gastritis and / or intestinal cramps, it can ingest the weeds in order to "expel" what is hurting it", explains the veterinarian, who adds: "But not always eating weeds is a sign ofhealth problems, sometimes he may eat grass just because he likes the taste".

It is worth noting that several causes can be associated with stomach pain, the main ones, according to the specialist, are: gastritis in dogs, viruses affecting the gastrointestinal tract and obstruction of the renal and biliary tracts. Therefore, when identifying symptoms, it is recommended to seek the help of a veterinarian.

"My dog is in pain, what medicine can I give?"

No one likes to see their dog getting sick, but it is necessary to have responsibility for the health of the animal and respect the guidelines of those who understand the subject. Therefore, before giving any type of pain medication, dogs need to be examined by a qualified professional. "Any medication must be prescribed by the veterinarian. Medicating the animal on your own may be a good idea.Only after a rigorous analysis of your pet's health condition will the veterinarian be able to indicate the best type of treatment for the dog.

Dog with abdominal pain: what to do? Here are some tips!

If you don't know how to take care of your puppy at this time, no problem. The veterinarian has separated some important tips:

- Control your diet. As the animal's digestive system is irritated, let it rest for a while. Feeding the dog causes the body to produce digestive juices, which can make any inflammation or pain worse.

- Always serve fresh, clean water. If the animal vomits the water, control consumption in small amounts every half hour. If the dog drinks and goes about 2 to 3 hours without vomiting, release access to the water. If vomiting persists, take him to the vet.

- Return to feeding gradually. Low-fat and easily digestible food and feed can be adopted: chicken breast, for example, can be combined with rice or wholemeal pasta, mashed potatoes. But remember: everything without any kind of seasoning! The canine organism is very different from ours, and even garlic and onion can be bad for these animals.

Dog food makes a difference when it comes to preventing stomach ache

The best way to prevent your dog from getting an upset stomach is to invest in a quality diet that meets all of your pet's nutritional needs. "A diet that's right for your dog's age, breed and lifestyle is one of the simplest ways to help prevent digestive upset," she says. But, of course, if you notice any significant changes in your dog's digestive system, it's important to make sure you're getting the right diet.your dog's eating behavior, the best alternative is to visit a trusted veterinarian to find out what may be going on with your four-legged friend. "These may be indicators of some health problems in your pet," he concludes.