Can You Use Essential Oils For Your Dogs Upset Stomach?

Many essential oils can help with a dog’s upset stomach. Some of the best to choose from include cardamom and spearmint. These oils will help with digestion and reduce nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea caused by an upset stomach.

Ensuring optimal health for your dog should always be a top priority. This includes a well-balanced diet, routine check-ups at the vet, and providing an environment free from allergens. Despite all the measures you take, your dog may still end up with some digestion issues.

Although dogs have very strong stomachs, when they get an upset stomach, everyone in the house knows it…or should I say “smells it.” One of the best natural ways to help relieve your dog’s upset stomach is to use essential oils.

…but which essential oils are the best? And how should you use them? This article will cover all the details you need to know when using essential oils to calm your dog’s upset tummy.

Essential Oils To Help a Dog’s Upset Stomach

Essential oils are often looked to as a natural way of improving one’s health. Individuals use essential oils in their cooking, orally, topically, and through diffusing.

This has been a growing area for health promotion not only in humans but in pets. Many oils work both individually and when combined with others for desired health benefits.

It is crucial to note that not all essential oils are safe for your dog. As you would with anything new you are introducing your dog to, always consult your veterinarian for advice and guidance.

Avoid These Essential Oils

Some essential oils to steer clear from for your dog’s safety include cinnamon, tea tree, ylang-ylang, pine, wintergreen, pennyroyal, and citrus.

These are to be avoided through direct contact and through diffusing as your dog can still be exposed.

These oils are toxic to dogs and can cause severe reactions. If your dog is in a situation where they have been exposed to these toxins, contact your vet or the pet poison control line immediately. Timing is crucial when addressing any kind of poisoning in your pet.

Beneficial Essential Oils

Some oils that are safe and can aid your dog in improving health include frankincense, cedarwood, lemongrass, lavender, ginger, roman chamomile, and marjoram. Many of these oils can help with anxiety and keeping your dog in good overall health.

Some can aid in digestion and removing toxins from your dog’s body. Choosing essential oils is not as simple as going to the store and grabbing a bottle. Essential oils can differ from one brand to another.

This includes the process of creating the oil, how pure the oil is, and if it needs to be diluted with a base. Always ensure that your oils are organic and created by a trusted brand before purchasing.

Which Oils Help With an Upset Stomach?

Cardamom and spearmint are oils that can aid in nausea and vomiting from an upset stomach. These oils can be used individually, but some brands have created combination oils such as DigestZen that directly target digestion disparities.

These are considered natural solutions but should still be cleared by your veterinarian before being given to your dog.

Essential oils in dogs are applied in different ways. Some may be applied through rubbing directly onto their paws or in the mouth. Others may be consumed orally or in a capsule with food.

Using Essential Oils As Treatment For Upset Stomach

When speaking with your veterinarian for treatment with essential oils, be sure you have determined the combination of oils you want to use, which brands you’re looking at, and how much you’re planning on giving your dog. Discuss how often this treatment will need to be given and for what duration.

If your vet determines that essential oils should not be used on your dog, they may provide prescription medication.

They may also recommend a change in their diet, probiotics, and increasing their daily fiber intake.

Working with your veterinarian is key to getting to the root of what’s causing the upset stomach so you can directly address the issue and prevent discomfort for your pup.

Dog Digestion – It’s More Complicated Than You Think

Now that you know which essential oils to use to help with your dog’s upset stomach, let’s talk about how dogs digest food and what might cause the upset stomach.

Although essential oils can help ease the pain and discomfort from an upset stomach, the best thing you can do for your dog is to prevent upset stomachs in the future.

Digestion Health

Dogs digest food through a system of organs the same way a human does. A well-balanced diet that contains fiber and proper nutrients is vital for ensuring your dog’s body will remain strong. This ensures that the digestive system is functioning properly.

Probiotics and fiber can be added to your dog’s diet through chewable tablets. These keep your dog’s digestion healthy and help aid in preventing issues that can arise.

Probiotics help the good bacteria in your dog’s stomach promote digestion and immune system health. Fiber aids in promoting healthy, solid stools.

Diarrhea can be an issue for some dogs, and it may be due to a lack of fiber in their diet. Like humans, dogs process their food to absorb the nutrients and energy from it while eliminating any remaining excess.

When a dog is suffering from diarrhea, their body eliminates the food before the nutrients can be fully absorbed. A combination of essential oils and fiber can help dogs who suffer from diarrhea.

Signs Your Dog Has an Upset Stomach

Your dog may experience an upset stomach from time to time. The two most common signs your dog may have an upset stomach are vomiting or diarrhea. This is the stomach’s way of removing the ailment from the body that is making your dog ill.

You may find your dog is lethargic and not taking part in their normal activities. They may spend more time wanting to lay and cuddle as opposed to playing or walking.

Grass eating is another sign that your dog is trying to soothe their upset stomach. This is common in most animals.

Another sign of an upset stomach is bloating of the stomach. You may find your dog passing gas more when their tummy is upset.

Causes of Upset Stomach

Your dog may experience an upset stomach from overeating or eating too quickly. If your dog is a quick eater, a slow eating bowl may help.

An abrupt change in food can also trigger an upset stomach. Changing your dog’s diet should be a process of mixing the old food with the new food. You want to gradually increase the amount of new food with each serving. This is to ensure their body can adjust and allows you to spot a potential allergen caused by the new food.

Another cause may be from getting into an allergen in the environment. Dogs are curious creatures and can get into products or foods that are not meant for their body. This can be in the form of cleaning products, food left out, pot-pourri, medication in reach, or common household goods that are left in your dog’s reach.

Is it a Good Idea to Use Essential Oils For an Upset Stomach?

Yes, using essential oils can help ease your dog’s upset tummy. However, it’s best to combine essential oil treatment with a healthy diet full of fiber. For dogs who are “speed eaters,” you may also want to consider a slow feed bowl.

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