How to recognize that a dog has a stomach ache: symptoms that people often overlook

Health should always come first, and that includes pets. Every dog owner undoubtedly gets nervous when their partner starts behaving unusually. However, some health problems can be difficult to identify and one example is abdominal pain. How can you tell if your pet is not feeling well?

About a year ago, I noticed behavioral changes in my dog, Bren, such as insecurity, lethargy and more intense panting. Until then, he was always full of energy, joy was in his eyes and he didn’t miss a single opportunity to mischief. I didn’t hesitate to take him to the vet’s office. The verdict was clear: abdominal pain caused by stomach problems. After this episode I started to monitor his behaviour closely and found out various information about the symptoms of various diseases or other health problems.

The reason could be reflux

In the case of my four-legged friend, it turned out to be an upset stomach. I was relieved, because a common diagnosis, according to experts, is gastric reflux. Although it is not a life-threatening disease, it can cause your dog unpleasant problems. This is because food from the stomach or duodenum returns to the oesophagus, leading to a failure of the lower oesophageal sphincter. If left untreated or neglected, this condition could lead to ulcer formation and in the long run increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

If your dog suffers from reflux, you need to set the right diet and feeding frequency in consultation with your vet. Smaller but more frequent portions can ease the burden on the stomach.

Would you be able to detect that your dog has a stomach ache due to stomach problems? Probably not, but some of the signs might point you in that direction. Common symptoms include vomiting, frequent paw licking, scratching, excessive salivation, also lethargy and irritability. At the same time, there’s a lack of appetite and difficulty swallowing. This could be due to reflux, which can manifest as heartburn, or other digestive problems such as food allergies. If the dog shows several of these symptoms, it is important to see a vet immediately.

How do I try to read my dog’s signals

As a pessimist, my mind is constantly filled with black thoughts of what all could happen to my dog or what diseases could affect him. I would hate to miss something, so I try to read his body signals. Does he want to go for a walk? Okay, maybe he’s tired. Doesn’t want to eat? He’s not interested in playing? Maybe he’s not in the mood. But if more unusual changes are added, I’m sharpening my sixth sense. In the past, I might have overlooked or not given them a second thought, but now I prefer to pay attention, even if I may be shying away unnecessarily. Of course, it is necessary to maintain a healthy balance and not to fall into hysteria. Excessive concern for your health can have a negative effect on your psyche.

I start worrying whenever there are signs of it regularly and for a long time. At such times I make notes, either in my head or on paper, about the changes I observe in him. I then consider a visit to the vet. However, I have always found the best solution to be to follow my own intuition.