Dog Digestive Problems: Natural Remedies That Work

We’ve all been there—your dog has diarrhea at 2 AM, or they’ve thrown up their breakfast, and you’re wondering: Is this serious? Can I help them at home?

This guide covers the most common digestive problems in dogs, when you can treat at home, when to see a vet, and which natural remedies actually help.

Is It Serious? A Quick Assessment

Before anything else, check these warning signs:

Go to the Vet Immediately If:

• Blood in vomit or stool (red or dark/tarry)
• Your dog ate something toxic or a foreign object
• Vomiting or diarrhea with lethargy, weakness
• Bloated or distended abdomen
• Signs of pain (panting, hunched posture, whining)
• Symptoms lasting more than 24-48 hours
• Puppy under 6 months with vomiting/diarrhea
• Senior dog with new symptoms
• Your dog can’t keep water down

Usually Safe to Treat at Home:

• Single episode of vomiting (no blood)
• Mild diarrhea in an otherwise healthy adult dog
• Your dog is still active and alert
• They’re still drinking water
• You know the cause (ate something they shouldn’t have)

Common Digestive Problems & What Helps

1. Acute Diarrhea (Sudden Onset)

What’s happening: The gut is trying to flush something out quickly.

Common causes:

• Dietary indiscretion (garbage, new food, too many treats)
• Stress (boarding, travel, new pet)
• Mild viral or bacterial infection
• Food intolerance

Natural approach:

Step 1: Rest the gut (12-24 hours)

• Withhold food for 12-24 hours (water is fine)
• This gives the digestive tract time to reset

Step 2: Bland diet

• Boiled chicken + white rice (75% rice, 25% chicken)
• Small, frequent meals for 2-3 days
• Gradually reintroduce normal food

Step 3: Soothing herbs

• Slippery Elm - Coats and soothes irritated intestines
• Marshmallow Root - Similar soothing effect
• Ginger - Calms stomach, reduces nausea

2. Chronic Diarrhea (Ongoing)

What’s happening: Something is chronically irritating the gut.

Common causes:

• Food sensitivities
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Parasites
• Pancreatic insufficiency
• Bacterial overgrowth

Important: Chronic diarrhea needs veterinary diagnosis. Get testing done first.

Natural support (alongside vet care):

• Slippery Elm for gut soothing
• Probiotics for gut flora balance
• Licorice root for inflammation
• Digestive enzymes if needed

3. Vomiting

What’s happening: The stomach is rejecting its contents.

Types of vomiting:

Type	Looks Like	Usually Means
Undigested food	Food looks the same as when eaten	Ate too fast, or something blocking food from moving down
Yellow bile	Foamy yellow liquid	Empty stomach too long
White foam	Frothy white	Stomach acid, often stress-related
Partially digested	Chunky, smells sour	Food sat in stomach awhile

Natural approach:

For occasional vomiting:

• Withhold food 6-12 hours
• Offer ice cubes instead of water bowl (prevents gulping)
• Slippery Elm to coat the stomach
• Ginger for nausea (small amounts)

For bilious (yellow) vomiting:

• Usually happens when stomach is empty too long
• Feed a small snack before bed
• Add a mid-day meal if needed

4. Gas and Bloating

What’s happening: Excessive gas production or trapping.

Common causes:

• Eating too fast
• Diet changes
• Hard-to-digest foods
• Bacterial imbalance

Warning: Severe, sudden bloating with a distended abdomen is a medical emergency (bloat/GDV). Seek immediate vet care.

For normal gassiness:

• Slow-feeder bowls
• Digestive enzymes with meals
• Fennel or ginger for gas relief
• Probiotics for gut balance

5. Loss of Appetite

What’s happening: Your dog isn’t interested in food.

Common causes:

• Underlying illness
• Nausea
• Stress or anxiety
• Dental pain
• Too many treats/table scraps

When to worry: Loss of appetite for more than 24-48 hours, especially with other symptoms.

Natural support:

• Warming food slightly releases aromas
• Try different proteins
• Ginger or peppermint for nausea
• Check for dental issues
• Rule out stress factors

The Best Natural Remedies for Dog Digestive Issues

1. Slippery Elm - The #1 Digestive Herb

Slippery Elm is the go-to herb for ANY digestive upset. It creates a protective, soothing coating over the digestive tract.

Why it works:

• Coats irritated tissue
• Reduces inflammation
• Absorbs toxins
• Slows diarrhea naturally

How to use:

• Powder: Mix 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs body weight with a little water to make a slurry
• Tincture: Follow product dosing
• Give 30 minutes before meals

Best for: Diarrhea, vomiting, IBD, any GI inflammation

2. Licorice Root - The Gut Healer

Licorice contains compounds similar to cortisone (anti-inflammatory) without the side effects.

Why it works:

• Reduces inflammation
• Protects gut lining
• Supports adrenal function
• Speeds healing

How to use:

• Tincture form is easiest
• Give with food
• Not for long-term use (2-4 weeks max, then take a break)

Best for: Gastritis, ulcers, inflammatory conditions

3. Ginger - The Nausea Stopper

Ginger is nature’s nausea remedy. It works for dogs just like it does for humans.

Why it works:

• Calms stomach contractions
• Reduces nausea
• Promotes motility
• Anti-inflammatory

How to use:

• Fresh ginger: 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs, grated into food
• Dried ginger: 1/8 tsp per 10 lbs
• Or use products containing ginger

Best for: Nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, gas

4. Probiotics - Gut Flora Balance

A healthy gut needs healthy bacteria. Probiotics restore balance after illness, antibiotics, or stress.

Why they work:

• Crowd out bad bacteria
• Support immune function
• Help digest food
• Reduce inflammation

Best for: After antibiotics, chronic digestive issues, immune support

5. Digestive Enzymes

If your dog isn’t breaking down food properly, enzymes can help.

Signs enzymes might help:

• Undigested food in stool
• Excessive gas
• Eating poop (sometimes indicates enzyme deficiency)
• Large, pale, greasy stools

Best for: Pancreatic insufficiency, senior dogs, poor nutrient absorption

Recommended Digestive Products

Quick guide - which product for which problem?

• Slippery Elm → Any digestive upset, diarrhea, vomiting, IBD (the #1 go-to)
• Diarrhea Relief → Acute or chronic diarrhea that needs fast action
• Licorice Extract → Gastritis, ulcers, inflammatory gut conditions
• Digestive Relief → Chronic digestive issues, IBD support

The Gut First Aid Kit

Every dog owner should have these on hand:

Essential:

1. Slippery Elm (liquid or powder)
2. Canned pumpkin (100% pure, not pie filling)
3. Plain white rice
4. Plain boiled chicken

Nice to have: 5. Ginger (fresh or powdered) 6. Diarrhea Relief formula 7. Probiotics

Supporting Long-Term Gut Health

For dogs with chronic digestive issues:

Diet Matters Most

Feed:

• High-quality protein sources
• Easily digestible foods
• Consistent diet (don’t switch foods often)
• Appropriate fiber levels

Avoid:

• Highly processed foods
• Foods with lots of additives
• Table scraps
• Too many treats (even healthy ones)

Consider Food Sensitivities

Common culprits:

• Chicken (yes, really—it’s in everything)
• Beef
• Wheat/grains
• Dairy
• Eggs

An elimination diet can help identify triggers.

Stress Affects the Gut

The gut-brain connection is real. Anxious dogs often have digestive issues.

Signs of stress-related gut problems:

• Diarrhea when anxious or after stressful events
• Appetite changes with stress
• Nervous stomach before car rides, vet visits

Help stress-related gut issues:

• Address the underlying anxiety
• Calming herbs may help digestion too
• Maintain routines
• Provide a calm eating environment

When Home Care Isn’t Enough

See your vet if:

• Symptoms don’t improve in 24-48 hours
• Your dog becomes lethargic or weak
• You see blood
• Vomiting/diarrhea is severe or constant
• Your dog can’t keep water down
• You’re worried (trust your instincts!)

Diagnostic tests your vet may recommend:

• Fecal exam (parasites)
• Blood work
• X-rays (if obstruction suspected)
• Ultrasound
• Food allergy testing

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I give my dog Pepto-Bismol?

It’s sometimes used, but many vets now recommend against it. It contains aspirin-like compounds and can mask serious problems. Natural alternatives like Slippery Elm are safer.

How long should I fast my dog?

Adults: 12-24 hours is generally safe Puppies: No more than 6-8 hours (they need more frequent nutrition) Seniors or diabetics: Consult your vet before fasting

Is pumpkin really that helpful?

Yes! Pure pumpkin (not pie filling) is high in fiber and helps both diarrhea AND constipation by normalizing stool. Give 1-4 tablespoons based on dog size.

My dog’s stomach makes loud noises. Is that bad?

Occasional gurgling is normal. Excessive, loud, or constant sounds with other symptoms may indicate a problem.

Should I give probiotics during diarrhea?

Yes! They help restore gut balance. Give a pet-specific probiotic—human products may not have the right strains.

Conclusion

Most digestive upsets in dogs are minor and respond well to simple home care: fasting, bland diet, and soothing herbs like Slippery Elm.

The key is knowing when to treat at home and when to seek veterinary care. When in doubt, call your vet—it’s always better to be safe.

Keep Slippery Elm on hand, know how to make a bland diet, and your dog will bounce back from most tummy troubles quickly.

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What helps your dog’s digestive issues? Share your tips in the comments!