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Yorkie upset stomach: at-home steps and when to call the vet

Dog Health & Medicine, Dog News

A Yorkie with diarrhea, gas, or a gurgling belly usually needs time and a plain diet rather than anything from the medicine cabinet. One bout of vomiting followed by a dog who acts normal is a different situation from a dog who cannot keep water down.

The usual culprits are boring ones. A bite of something fatty or off-limits, a sudden switch in food, an intolerance, or a swallowed object that should not have been swallowed. In puppies who are not fully vaccinated, viruses such as parvo cause the same symptoms and need a vet the same day.

small dog eating a meal from a dish indoors

Resting the gut can help. Many vets suggest skipping food for 12 to 24 hours while keeping fresh water available, but that advice is for healthy adult dogs. Do not fast a puppy or a very small dog without asking your vet first, because tiny breeds lose fluids quickly.

The classic next step is a bland diet of boiled, unseasoned, skinless chicken over plain white rice. Grain-free households can use plain canned pumpkin or a mashed ripe banana instead of the rice. Feed small portions. Once the stool firms up, mix the bland food back toward normal in stages: three parts bland to one part regular, then half and half, then mostly regular.

Probiotics and prebiotics can settle gas and improve stool quality. Skip human remedies, because ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and bismuth stomach products are not safe for dogs. Call your vet if you see blood, repeated vomiting, a dog who seems dull or painful, or diarrhea that lasts past a day.

If the belly is noisy but your dog is eating, drinking, and behaving normally, that is a different question. Our guide to dog stomach gurgling explains when the sounds are harmless. The full remedy list is at iHeartDogs.

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