How to Relieve Digestive Problems in Dogs (+ Giveaway!) #sponsored

Rocco and I are both happiest when tummy troubles are kept at bay

This post is sponsored by Purina. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Naturals, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.

There's nothing worse than tummy troubles in dogs... except, perhaps, tummy troubles in long-haired dogs. 

It's no fun cleaning up that kind of mess. So it makes both Rocco and me very happy when all his parts are working correctly!

When digestive issues become a problem

Seriously though, gastrointestinal (GI) disease is one of the most common reasons dogs are brought to their veterinarian. Gastrointestinal disorders generally affect the dog digestive system and impair a dog's ability to digest and absorb nutrients. So unsavory conditions can happen like diarrhea and excess gas. And while most can be cleared up fairly easily, it's important to visit your vet if conditions persist or worsen.

Read on to learn about the common causes of GI upset, when to visit your vet and about a new natural therapeutic diet to help meet the needs of pets who suffer from these issues. 

We also have a couple of nifty infographics for you; I know you won't want to miss the one about poop. AND, don't miss our special giveaway for your dogs or cats with tummy troubles. Read on!

But first...

Common causes of gastrointestinal upset

GI issues can be caused by a wide range of factors, including: 

• An abrupt change in diet
• Trauma
• Indiscretionary eating (Rocco's favorite)
• Toxins
• Allergies
• Foreign objects
• Parasites
• Medications
• Infectious agents

Sounds like a list of issues that could affect most any dog at some time or other. 

When to visit the vet

Some digestive issues may resolve themselves once your dog's digestive system gets a chance to rest. But more serious issues can result in weight loss or dehydration. So it's important to see your vet if you notice:

• Loss of appetite
• Excess gas
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Take a look at the surprising number of dogs who experience GI issues:

Poop, there it is!

What can you tell from your dog's poop? Plenty!

Read on!

Do you have a dog or cat who is suffering from GI issues? Check out our Q-A from Purina about new Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Naturals, a natural therapeutic diet to help meet the needs of pets who suffer from these issues.

Since many gastrointestinal disorders can irritate the stomach and intestine, a diet that's easily digested can help ensure your dog gets the nutrient balance necessary to support recovery.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Naturals Q&A

Q: How does EN Naturals work? (In other words, why is it good for tummy troubles?)

EN Naturals formulas are easy to digest to help ensure that dogs and cats with gastrointestinal problems get the nutrients they need to support recovery from GI issues. EN Naturals diets are approved for both growth of puppies and kittens and long term maintenance of adult dogs and cats. The length of time on the diet will vary with the individual need and the condition.  For example, if a dog gets into the trash can or a cat is transitioned too quickly to a new diet, they may have a temporary problem and the EN Naturals diet can be fed for a short time.  Other pets, however, may have chronic GI conditions or “sensitive stomachs” and will benefit from long term/maintenance feeding of EN Naturals.

Q: Typically, how long do people need to feed the diet before symptoms improve (assume run-of-the-mill problems, nothing serious)? 

The length of time needed will depend on the severity of the condition and the individual animal, so it’s not possible to give a specific time.  EN should typically be fed for at least a week or until stools are normal or a minimum of two days.   

Q: Would your team also recommend using your probiotics in these cases, in conjunction with the EN (if the dog isn’t already getting daily probiotic supplements)? 

Absolutely!  Because EN and FortiFlora are complementary, using them together is the best approach.  Fortiflora helps to restore microbial balance in the gastrointestinal tract, while EN Naturals provides easy to digest nourishment to support recovery. 

Some of the benefits of EN Naturals include:

• Natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals
• Formulated without wheat and corn
• Formulated without added artificial colors
• Highly digestible
• Low in fiber to help support digestion
• Complete and balanced formula for puppies and adult dogs 

For more information about Pro Plan Veterinary diets and new EN Naturals:

Website: www.proplanveterinarydiets.com    

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PurinaVeterinaryExchange

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PurinaVet

Win EN Gastroenteric Naturals for your dog or cat!

Enter via the giveaway widget below for a chance to win a coupon for a free bag of Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric NaturalsTM With Added Vitamins and Minerals Canine and Feline Formulas (up to a $60 value!) NOTE: coupon needs to be redeemed at a vet clinic. 

Good luck!

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