What to Feed Your Dog to Ease an Upset Stomach, According to Science

We’ve all been there—the dog gets into God-knows-what, and the next thing you know, you’re finding unpleasant surprises on the floor, and your poor pooch is moping around with its tail down.

This exact scenario just happened to Romeo the other day. He has an extremely sensitive stomach, but like most helplessly naughty dogs, he tends to sneak crumbs or foods off the ground that upset his fragile digestive system.

The poor guy couldn’t hold himself overnight, and I woke up to a mixture of vomit, diarrhea, and Romeo’s ashamed little face and rumbling tummy.  

Luckily, I had one of his tried and tested solutions on-hand: canned pumpkin.

Why Does Canned Pumpkin Help Dogs with an Upset Stomach?

Canned pumpkin is a great, natural solution that you can conveniently store in your pantry. I usually always keep a can or two in case of an emergency!

Pumpkin is highly rich in soluble fiber, absorbing excess water to help your dog’s stool become more solid. The fiber also rebalances the pH of your dog’s intestines and is a natural prebiotic that promotes healthy bacteria.  According to a veterinarian, “It has a low glycemic index, so it slowly absorbs, which helps with upset stomach and digestion.”

Canned pumpkin also assists with other indigestion issues like constipation, contains digestive enzymes to settle your dog’s upset stomach, and provides a variety of gut-friendly, beneficial vitamins and nutrients.

KEY VITAMINS: A, C, E, Potassium, and Iron

How Much Canned Pumpkin Do I Feed My Dog?

Romeo is a miniature goldendoodle weighing around 22 pounds, and I give him 1 tablespoon 2-3 times a day. You can increase up to 4 tablespoons for a large dog or decrease to ½ a tablespoon for a toy dog or puppy.

Be sure to use plain canned pumpkin, which is affordable and accessible at any grocery store. Avoid anything with sugar—you don’t want to be feeding your dog pumpkin pie filling or be prepared for disaster round two.

When Will My Dog Get Better?

For most mild stomach aches, you should notice an improvement within 1-2 days. Romeo always seems to feel better, and his digestive troubles ease up within a few days. Make sure to try to pinpoint the cause of your dog’s upset stomach to avoid repeats!

When to See a Vet

This is only a recommended holistic solution for a mild upset stomach. If your dog is experiencing more severe symptoms such as bleeding, excessive vomiting, or if their condition doesn’t improve within 2 days, please consult your vet! They can perform further tests, run diagnostics if necessary, or prescribe some take-home medication to soothe the lining of your dog’s stomach.

What to do with Leftover Canned Pumpkin?

You will rarely go through an entire can, so I often find myself with leftover pumpkin. You can whip up a healthy dog treat (recipe coming soon!) or treat yourself to a human indulgence such as pumpkin muffins or a pumpkin latte.

Reminder, this is only Romeo’s tip, and while it works most of the time, please always consult your vet for additional information!

For now, Romeo’s feeling better and back to his adventures and begging for treats, but I need to restock on my canned pumpkin for when there’s a next time for this little rascal.