Our dogs are our babies, so when they're sick or hurting it can be as unpleasant for us as it is for them. Dogs are good at hiding their pain, but as owners we can tell when something isn't quite right.  If you have a dog that is part of the family, you’ll probably go above and beyond to keep him as healthy as possible for as long as possible. If your dog starts showing signs of acid reflux or has been recently diagnosed with the condition, here are some tips on managing it. 

Little and Often

Acid reflux can be more common in lazy dogs, such as small lap dogs who sleep more often than energetic dogs. Lazier dogs tend to graze on dog food and sometimes forget to eat entirely. This leads to a buildup of acid in the stomach because there’s no bulk digested to avoid it. If your dog suffers from acid reflux, you may want to start feeding your dog more often throughout the day. That doesn’t necessarily mean increasing the amount your dog eats but feeding smaller quantities in larger doses.

Change in Diet

If you’re feeding your dog a wet diet, it could be contributing to the acid build up. Dogs that are on a dry diet do much better with acid reflux as long as they eat a decent amount throughout the day. You may hear that dogs should avoid a diet that includes grains, but this is often the opposite for dogs suffering with acid reflux. You can find some great dog foods at Time For Paws. You should also monitor how much your dog is drinking at one time. Dogs with acid reflux should only drink small amounts at once.

Slippery Elm Bark

The problem with acid reflux is that the acid that escapes the stomach will travel through the esophagus and potentially damage it the more your dog is sick. It’s likely your dog is vomiting up the protective mucus that coats the stomach and esophagus. Offering slippery elm bark to your dog in a gel form could replace the mucus your dog naturally creates, thus protecting him from long-term damage. It’s also a great way to stop your dog from panicking when symptoms start to appear. Many dogs will search for grass to make themselves sick but eating the gel instead could work wonders.

Over the Counter

Some over the counter medications that humans would use for acid reflux or heartburn can also be given to dogs. These medicines, like Gaviscon or Pepcid, can be given in their lowest dosages. However, you should never medicate a dog without the proper advice from a vet. A vet can also examine your dog, including x-raying the chest, to distinguish whether any long-term damage has been done and where the route of the acid reflux may stem from. If your dog persistently suffers from acid reflux, your vet will be able to prescribe medications that settle it.