gitation?

Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. If you are feeding one or two larger meals during the day, it may help to increase the frequency (if possible) to several more small meals throughout the day. This will help limit the amount he is eating at once, and may help prevent him from overloading his stomach. If he is regurgitating mostly in the mornings, it may be that he is going too long between his last dinner meal and breakfast, and feeding a small biscuit last thing before bed or first thing in the morning might help to settle his stomach some before eating a meal. If the regurgitation continues even with changing some of his eating habits, then consulting with a veterinarian and looking for any physical issues causing the regurgitation may help.

How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :

Excessive thirst could indicate an underlying issue such as kidney disease, liver disease or a cystitis. Sometimes, dogs will drink so much that they bring it right back up. It is also possible that the vomiting is not caused by the excessive thirst and is due to e.g. a gastroenteritis or infection.
Add up to half an inch of water – less for smaller dogs – to their kibble in a bowl. It will look like a “kibble cereal” (using water instead of milk). The water will cause your dog to slow down, since they will likely drink some water first and then chew the moistened food.
They`re Drinking Too Quickly

Acute regurgitation is brought on by their stomach filling up too quickly. You can prevent vomiting by using a slow water feeder bowl or placing a large, super clean stone in their existing water bowl. The stone`s presence will slow your dog`s drinking, as they will have to lap around it.

Some people suggest putting ice cubes in their water bowl, so they have to fish around them to drink the water. Or maybe they`ll even fish out the ice cubes to eat them. My favorite solution is using an anti-gulping dog water bowl. It is the safest and most consistent solution.
Your dog will regurgitate for two basic reasons. Regurgitation can be an attempt to expel a temporary obstacle or substance, including an excess of quickly consumed food, water, or grass, a foreign body that has lodged in the throat, or poison. It can also be a response to a deeper physical disorder.
Dogs can drink water excessively when they`re bored, hot, after eating salty foods or just because they`re simply dehydrated. However, there other causes that might explain why your dog is drinking so much water such as medication side-effects or possible illnesses.
Use a slow feeder bowl: Slow feeder bowls have built-in obstacles specifically designed to cause dogs to eat more slowly. Commercially made bowls are available, but you can also make your own by placing a smaller bowl upside down inside your dog`s regular dish and pouring their food around it.
Both the mental stimulation and positive health benefits of slow feeders make them a winner for all but the fussiest of eaters (But for these guys swallowing air isn`t a problem anyway). Just be sure to work with your dog to get them used to this new way of eating.
Ginger is one of the best home remedies for your dog`s vomiting and upset stomach. You can make ginger tea by boiling fresh ginger root in water, cooling it, and giving it to your dog in small amounts throughout the day.
Mild Cases of Vomiting in Dogs

Take your dog`s food away for 12–24 hours, and don`t give them any treats or table scraps. Leave water out for your dog to drink, but if they tend to “tank up,” keep the water level low to encourage them to drink small amounts frequently.

Gulpies appear to happen more frequently after food, it may be an allergy to certain foods, or feeding a `low fat` diet. It could be helpful to split the food into smaller portions and feed 2, 3 or 4 times a day. Feed the last meal later in the evening so that the dog does not have an empty stomach for too long.
Increased water intake can be a sign of many different conditions. Kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, and Cushing`s disease are the most common causes in senior dogs. Increased water consumption may also be seen with dehydration, however, this condition may be seen in dogs of all ages.
Gastric hypomotility typically occurs in older dogs, and results in vomiting undigested or partially digested food hours after eating. This cluster of diseases can be primary or secondary, meaning it is caused by a stomach issue vs something outside of the gastrointestinal tract, respectively.
Stress and anxiety: Your pet`s stomach can get upset when it is stressed out or has anxiety, causing it to have diarrhea or vomit.
Some dogs may regurgitate daily or weekly, while others may go months between episodes. If you notice the amount of regurgitation worsens this could indicate something has changed or their management plan needs to be adjusted. Some dogs may require changes in food consistency throughout their lifetime.
Do consider adding water to dry kibble. There are plenty of dogs and cats that love their dry kibble. But if your pet has begun showing less interest in the food, it may be time to add a little “gravy.” It`s real simple, too.
Keep in mind that wet dog food contains moisture. Dogs who are on a wet food diet may drink less water than dogs on just a dry food diet. Every dog owner should know how to check for dehydration. Check your dog`s gums; if they feel dry or sticky, it means your pet does not have enough water.
Why does my dog eat like he`s starving? Many conditions can trigger increased appetite in dogs. A dog may have learned the behavior because they were not properly fed or became anxious about food. Or, they may have developed a metabolic condition or infection or have parasites.
Many dogs bond hardest to whoever feeds, plays, and generally cares for them during their key socialization period, which occurs between birth and six months.
Separation anxiety is one possible clue as to why your dog wants to be hand fed, and that condition has many contributing factors. If your pup is a rescue, for instance, and certain triggers upset them, they might want to be hand fed as a form of comfort.
Making the best choice for your dog

It turns out, the jury is still out on the use of elevated feeders. While they may be helpful at preventing a mess at feeding time and may assist dogs with orthopedic disorders to eat more comfortably, there has been an association with bloat in dogs that is cause for concern.

Sucralfate (brand names: Carafate® and Sulcrate®) is often prescribed to dogs with GERD and given as a slurry (suspended in water). This allows the sucralfate to coat the esophagus, protecting its delicate lining and slowing the progression of esophageal inflammation and ulcers.
Some dogs can present with regurgitation of water in association with cricopharyngeal dysphagia. Repeated swallowing attempts, coughing, spluttering, and sneezing are all characteristic.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Q. My 20 month Cavalier doesn’t eat unless I let him eat from my finger, then he eats. Sometimes he will only eat once a day and leave his food.
ANSWER : A. It is possible that your dog is just not satisfied with his current food, or may be a picky eater. There are several things you can try to encourage your dog to eat.

The first step is to remove any additional treats or people food that may be more enticing to your dog than his own meal. If you feel you must give him some form of treat, be sure to place them directly in his food bowl and mixed with his regular diet. This allows him to get some snacks while also “forcing” him to try out his current meal to get the reward.

Enticing your dog to try his food by adding a pet-safe gravy or even a few treats of plain boiled chicken mixed in can help. Be sure to mix the foods thoroughly so he must explore his own food before getting the treat.

Some small breed dogs may also have a hard time with certain bowls and their collars. If there is a metal name tag on the collar and a metal bowl, the clinking sound can sometimes scare off dogs and make them not want to eat from their bowl. Using a bowl of a different material, or removing the collar prior to a meal may help with this issue.

Your dog may also just not be into his current food and may like another variety better. You can try a new variety by gradually switching over a period of 7-9 days, slowly adding in more new food and removing old until it is switched. This change may encourage him to try out meals again, and the slow changeover will allow his body to adjust to the new diet without digestive upset.

Q. My dog is a golden retriever breed. 1 year 5 months. He vomits his dog food out (happy dog brand). And he is having diaherra with occasional blood in
ANSWER : A. Get the GI upset under control first. Withhold food for 12-24 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a bland diet (1:1 ratio of plain boiled boneless chicken and plain white rice). Feed in small, frequent amounts waiting at least one hour between feedings. If the vomiting stops, continue feeding until the stool is normal. Transition slowly to the regular diet. If the vomiting or diarrhea don’t stop, see your veterinarian. Discuss food allergies and food elimination trials. Submit a stool sample to rule out intestinal parasites. Elevate the bowls. If he eats fast, feed small frequent meals throughout the day or buy a special bowl to slow down his eating. Follow the link for an example of a “slow feed” bowl.

http://www.pet360.com/product/61729/kong-slow-feed-dog-bowl

You can also add large stones or balls in his bowl so he has to slow down and eat around them.

Q. My 50 lb mixed breed regurgitate his food very often. Gulps water too. Feed him with slow feed bowl also. What can I do to try to stop regurgitation?
ANSWER : A. If you are feeding one or two larger meals during the day, it may help to increase the frequency (if possible) to several more small meals throughout the day. This will help limit the amount he is eating at once, and may help prevent him from overloading his stomach. If he is regurgitating mostly in the mornings, it may be that he is going too long between his last dinner meal and breakfast, and feeding a small biscuit last thing before bed or first thing in the morning might help to settle his stomach some before eating a meal. If the regurgitation continues even with changing some of his eating habits, then consulting with a veterinarian and looking for any physical issues causing the regurgitation may help.

Read Full Q/A … : enciclopedia pasarilor

Q. I want to feed a homemade meal for my dog. What are the basics I need to follow?
ANSWER : A. Feeding your pet a homemade meal can be tricky, however there are several steps to take. The first is to begin by examining the ingredients of meals similar to the one you’d like to feed them. Many commercial raw and fresh food diets will feature complete ingredient lists to give you an idea of the portions and types of foods used. Looking up recipes that others have made can also help you find what ingredients are common.

Foods require a balanced level of nutrition that is made up of proteins (your meat source and “slow” energy), carbohydrates (short-term energy and needed for brain health), and fats (for stored energy as well as flavor). Carbohydrates can be in grain form which is most common in commercial diets, or in non-grain sources such as potatoes, peas or sweet potatoes (more common now in “natural” or “holistic” diets). Proteins can come from plant sources, but are most commonly found in animals, and fats can be from many things.

When starting a homemade diet, it is always a good idea to add in an extra vitamin supplement to fill in any gaps or holes in the diet while you find the right balance for your dog. Working with your local veterinarian is also good as they can monitor your dog’s weight and overall health, and may also recommend bloodwork to check for any nutrient deficiencies.

While homemade diets are a nice alternative to commercial ones, they are not under the same standards as commercial diets. For a diet to be fed as a commercial product, it must have an AAFCO certification on it. This is usually listed as a statement on the packaging which mentions whom the food can be fed to (adults, seniors, all life stages, puppies, etc) and ensures that the food is nutritionally balanced. This means that your dog would be able to survive fully on eating only this food. While it may seem the food is balanced, it does not mean the food is healthier than others, and may still contain ingredients that dogs with sensitivities or allergies can have a reaction to.

Q. How much dry kitten food should my 16 week old kitten be eating?
ANSWER : A. It would actually be better to feed your kitten canned food, as dry food has a lot of carbohydrates. Cats are obligatory carnivores, and not carb-eaters. In order to give you an amount to feed for dry food I would need to know which food you are feeding as they are all different. I suggest you check on the cat food bag. If the bag does not give you an amount, I would not trust it to be a complete food. You should then get a food from a reputable company such as Hill’s Science diet, or similar. As for wet food feed three times daily around 2oz each time, best to feed the pate style food.

Q. My dog is randomly vomiting what appear to be undigested kibble. His pancreatitis labs are normal, what else could it be?
ANSWER : A. It may be dietary indiscretion, food sensitivity or even gluttonous (rapid) eating. Try withholding food for 12-24 hours. Allow small amounts of water or unflavored PediaLyte. Resume feeding a bland diet (1:1 ratio of plain boiled boneless chicken and plain white rice). Feed in small, frequent amounts waiting at least one hour between feedings. If the vomiting stops, transition slowly to the regular diet. If not, try feeding the regular diet in small, frequent amounts in elevated bowls. Large stones in the bowl or special bowls can be used to slow down eating if necessary. If the vomiting persists, see your veterinarian. Consider abdominal xrays and discuss food elimination trials and allergy testing with your veterinarian.

Q. My cats nose is stopped up on antibiotics. She has a loss of appetite, acting normal though. Is 3 ounces of can food enough in 24h? 9 pound cat
ANSWER : A. Cats with stopped up noses tend to eat much less, as you’ve noted, because they can’t smell their food as well. And the smell of food is pretty important to a cat’s appetite. You can start by warming up the food in a microwave – not too hot, test it yourself by putting your finger right in the center, as the temperature of microwave food can vary – as this will intensify the smell and hopefully make your cat more interested.

Saline nose drops, like those that are used on little kids, are safe to use on a cat to clean the discharge that is dried around and in the nose. There’s a brand called Little Noses that’s available in the U.S. That I like. You can put it on a q-tip and try to remove the debris. Humidifying the air with a humidifier can help as well, or you can put the cat in the bathroom and run the shower enough to generate steam. Don’t use “real” nose drops like Neo-synephrine or anything else like that – cats quickly build up resistance to them.

A 3 oz can of food is an OK amount in 24 hours, but do try the techniques above to help your cat get more interested in food. You might also try some baby food – no garlic or onions in the ingredients – as cats usually really like the taste of it.

Q. I currently feed my 2 year 31 lb Beagle 1 1/2 cups of Eukanuba a day. I was thinking of changing his food, can you recommend something?
ANSWER : A. If you are looking for a higher end food to feed your Beagle, there are many available now in commercial pet stores. Many brands such as Blue Buffalo, Nutro Natural Choice and others offer holistic foods that tend to be more meat based than carbohydrate based. Some brands such as Royal Canin also offer foods that are specific to certain breeds. This means the products tend to have more digestible ingredients in them rather than fillers. They may also avoid some allergenic ingredients such as corn, wheat and soy products which can cause digestive issues in some dogs. However, Eukanuba, Science Diet and others are a good mid-grade brand and many dogs do very well on it.

If you do decide to switch your dog’s food, it should be done so gradually to avoid digestive upset. A routine of 9 days is best for switching over. This involves 3 days of 25% new/75% old, 3 days of 50/50 and 3 days of 25%old/75% new before finally feeding only the new food. Also be advised that depending on the ingredient changes, foods that have different grains or fewer grains in them may slightly change the consistency and size of your dog’s stool.