My Frenchie has an upset stomach?
What could have caused it?
I feel your worry as a loving pet parent.
That’s why I’ll tell you the causes and signs of upset stomach in Frenchies and what you can do to help in this article.
Stay with me for this and much more.
Why Frenchies Get Upset Stomach
There are several reasons why Frenchies get stomach upset. These include;
Facial structure: Frenchies are a brachycephalic dog breed. This means that they have a flat face, a short muzzle, and a broad skull, making it difficult to breathe through their noses and instead use their mouth, which causes them to inhale a lot of gas, leading to tummy upset.
Food allergies: Frenchies are prone to food-related allergies. As such, they may get an upset stomach as a reaction to food intolerance.
Medical conditions: At times, Frenchies may have upset tummies due to an underlying medical condition.
French bulldog stomach issues
These are some causes of stomach upset in Frenchies
Causes
Food sensitivity: Frenchies are naturally prone to food sensitivities. As such, they may get an upset stomach if any of the included ingredients doesn’t agree with their bellies.
Gas: Frenchies tend to swallow a lot of air while eating due to their brachycephalic nature, making them quite gassy and bloated.
Intestinal worms: Your Frenchie’s upset stomach may be related to the presence of parasites like whipworm, tapeworm, and roundworms in their body.
Indigestion: If a dog cannot properly break down and absorb particular food, it’s likely to suffer from an upset tummy.
Inflammation and obstruction: Frenchies love eating. They may ingest things that aren’t fit for consumption, which can hurt and cause intestinal inflammation or obstruction.
Dietary changes: Suddenly introducing new foods to your Frenchie or altering its meals may cause an upset stomach.
Medical conditions: Your Frenchie’s tummy woes may be due to diseases like cancer, ulcers, among others.
Symptoms your Frenchie has an upset stomach.
How do you tell that your Frenchie has an upset stomach?
Here is what to look out for:
Vomiting and diarrhea: Vomiting and passing of loose stool are some of the most apparent signs of an upset stomach. Take note of the color and consistency of the vomitus.
Loss of appetite: If your Frenchie doesn’t want to eat things that he usually enjoys or seems disinterested in food, he may be having an upset tummy.
Grass eating: If your Frenchie is munching on your lawn, he may be seeking to alleviate an upset stomach.
Salivation: A Frenchie having tummy troubles may drool more than usual and tries to smack their lips to contain the extra saliva.
Gas: If your dog is passing gas more than usual, has lots of gurgling noises in the stomach or is burping excessively, it’s most likely having an upset stomach.
10 Home Remedies to Help Your Frenchie with Upset Stomach
Keep your dog hydrated
With vomiting and diarrhea, your Frenchie may quickly get dehydrated due to the rapid loss of fluids. Which is by far the greatest danger that a dog with diarrhea and vomiting can face.
Therefore, it’s essential to increase your furry companion’s water intake a bit more than usual to replace the water content lost in the liquid stool.
Otherwise, you risk developing symptoms like lethargy and dizziness, which may land you in the hospital bed. You don’t want that, do you?
You can start by giving it a few ice chips or small amounts of water frequently.
Fast your dog
Withholding food for at least 12-24 hours is among the simplest ways of helping a dog with an upset stomach. The period without food will allow your dog’s gastrointestinal tract to rest and recover if inflamed and let indigestion pass.
Most dogs can fast naturally for a few hours after being unwell by reducing their appetite. However, if your Frenchie isn’t sick enough to lose its appetite, you may need to intervene to keep him from putting food in his stomach and further upsetting it.
Avoid giving anything, including treats but be sure to keep your dog hydrated while in the fast.
Feed bland diet
You can introduce a bland diet after your Frenchie has fasted for 12-24 hours, is no longer vomiting, and can now hold liquids down.
A bland diet consists of boiled rice and cooked skinless/boneless chicken or extra lean hamburger. You should not add any oils, fats, or spices, which will provide your dog with a highly digestible meal that will not upset your dog’s stomach.
You can substitute potatoes or oats for rice if your dog doesn’t like it. VCA Hospital recommends starting with 1-2 tablespoons of food every 2-3 hours. If your dog can keep it down, gradually increase it to about ½ -1 cup of bland diet every 3-4 hours.
Give probiotics
When your Frenchie can eat and seems to be improving, you can consider giving it probiotics. Plain, unsweetened, natural yogurt is a good source of natural probiotics. You can also opt for probiotic supplements available in the stores.
Probiotics for dogs help improve and maintain digestion by increasing the number of good bacteria in the gut. Ingesting probiotics will help your dog’s immune system and avoid gastrointestinal disorders.
Monitor your dog’s temperature
If your Frenchie has an upset stomach, it’s important to keep taking its temperature to ensure no underlying problem.
The best way to do this is by using a rectal thermometer. Dogs have a substantially higher body temperature than humans.
The average temperatures for dogs are between 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your dog’s temperature goes beyond 103 degrees, immediately take it to a vet for proper examination, as this can be dangerous.
Identify the cause of the stomach upset.
Dogs, most of the time, get stomach upset from something they ingested. Frenchies are particularly notorious for eating anything and everything that comes their way. Some of these are harmful and may cause tummy upsets in your canine.
The food they eat may also contain ingredients that may not go well with their digestive system. Therefore, it’s essential to look back and consider what your dog has lately consumed to see if there’s any possible cause for its sudden upset stomach.
At times, new foods and brands may upset a dog’s stomach. After figuring out the likely cause for the upset, you should work on eliminating it.
Give it bone broth
Bone broth’s nutritious compounds are essential for soothing upset stomachs in dogs. Since a dog with an upset stomach may not eat other foods, bone broth can help provide needed nutrition when nothing else seems appealing.
In addition, this nutritious broth is full of proteins, making it a great supplement to your dog’s diet.
To make bone broth, separate bones and simmer with apple cider vinegar and water in a pot. It will take up to 24 hours to make this, so make it ahead of time and freeze it. Ensure you skim off any excess fat before freezing.
Give digestive aids
Consider feeding your Frenchie on other foods that aid in digestion. Foods like unsweetened plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bananas, and oatmeal are great for soothing an upset stomach and firming stool if your pup has diarrhea.
These foods are rich in dietary fiber, which is essential in aiding digestion. Try offering these in moderation to ease stomach upset. However, it’s vital to ensure there are no additives that may worsen your Frenchie’s condition.
Over the counter medication
Some over-the-counter drugs may assist if your Frenchie is vomiting or has diarrhea. However, you should strictly administer them under the supervision of your veterinarian.
The most commonly used over-the-counter meds include Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, and Pepcid. These meds are effective when given in the correct dosage.
They may, however, create adverse effects. Its hence, essential to consult your vet first before administering them.
Monitor the progress
After you’ve done all the above, including hydrating your dog, fasting it, starting it on a bland diet, given probiotics and other digestive aids keeping an eye on its temperature, and even given some over-the-counter medication. You’ll need to keep an eye on it for progress or signs of deterioration.
If your Frenchie becomes lethargic, lays around, or doesn’t act like itself, ensure you take him to a vet without hesitation.
You’ll also need to watch your dog while on the bland diet to ensure it doesn’t have any more vomiting episodes and its stools are more solid.
More dog nutrition tips from our article My Frenchie Has Bad Gas (How Can It Be Stopped)
FAQs
What can I give my Frenchie for diarrhea?
If your Frenchie has diarrhea, the best food to give it is a bland diet. Bone broth and plain canned pumpkins are particularly effective for diarrhea. Giving probiotics will also be helpful.
What does parvo poop look like?
Parvo poop, which results from a dog being infected by parvovirus, is liquid diarrhea with a brown color when it starts. However, as it progresses, the color changes to red. It may also be bloody.
Why does my Frenchie have diarrhea?
Your Frenchie may be having intestinal worms such as giardia, tapeworm, or roundworms which can cause diarrhea. An inappropriate diet containing too much fiber can also be a cause.
Is colitis common in French Bulldogs?
Yes, Colitis, a severe form of inflammatory bowel disease, is common in French Bulldogs. It’s caused by invasion of the intestinal lining by an aggressive kind of E. Coli bacteria.
What is IBD in French Bulldogs?
It’s an immune system disorder in Frenchie. The intestinal lining becomes overrun with immune system cells, lymphocytes, and plasmacytes, thickening it and impairing its ability to absorb nutrients properly.
Final Thoughts
There are various reasons why your dog may be having a stomach upset. While some are severe and may need medical attention, others are minor, and you can treat them quickly at home.
If your dog has exceptionally severe symptoms or the symptoms last beyond 24 hours, it may be an indication of a more serious health condition. As such, it’s essential to have it examined by a vet for proper diagnosis.
Well, that’s all you need to know about stomach upset in Frenchies. The next time you see your furry pal in distress, you’ll know how to help.
Cheers!