Every pet parent knows that accidents happen! And there are times when you might find yourself worried about your dog — like when he’s indulged in a bit too much of his supplement, food, treats or other tasty morsel. Here’s what to do if your dog eats too much,
Your Dog Ate Too Much...What Now?
If you’ve caught your dog red-handed, with his muzzle in the cookie jar so to speak, take a deep breath, because this is actually the best case scenario. If you know exactly when your dog helped himself to extra treats or a bunch of food, you can take immediate action. Plus, you’ll know exactly what it is that your dog has consumed.
If you’ve come home to an empty food bag or treat jar, you’ll want to act quickly, since you don’t know how long your dog has been sitting with a full belly. But, don’t panic! In most cases, as long as your dog has consumed food or treats that are safe for pets to eat, he’ll be perfectly fine — albeit quite full!
Here’s what you should do if your dog overeats some of his normal food or treats:
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Keep a close eye on your dog: Monitor your pup for signs that he’s uncomfortable or otherwise in distress.
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Check the ingredients: Make sure that the food or treats your dog has gorged himself on contain ingredients that are safe for him to consume.
- Contact your Vet: If anything seems amiss, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Vet for help. You can give the office a call with questions, or if your dog is obviously uncomfortable, bring your pup into an emergency clinic.
When To Worry About Your Dog’s Overindulgence
Of course, there are some warning signs to watch out for and instances that are cause for concern if your dog has eaten too much. Here’s what you should keep in mind to help you determine whether a little rest and relaxation is enough to help your dog recover, or if you need to seek medical attention, asap.
If Your Dog Has Consumed Toxic Ingredients
If you’re worried that your dog has consumed some ingredients that aren’t safe for Fido, get on the phone with your Vet asap. Maybe your pup busted into a bag of grapes and ate them all, or perhaps he ate a bag of candy that’s made with artificial sweeteners but you should always get professional help if your dog has consumed something toxic, especially in a large quantity.
If Your Dog Has Consumed Objects That Can Cause Obstruction
Did your dog get himself into the garbage bin? Make sure all packaging and pieces that were present in your trash bag are accounted for. Pups love anything that smells like food or once held food in it and can’t always distinguish for themselves what’s edible and what’s not.
Because of this, your dog might consume something he shouldn’t that could get lodged in his throat, stuck in his gut or cause an obstruction in his bowels. If you suspect Fido has eating an object that’s not digestible, make sure you bring him into the Vet asap.
If Your Pet Is Showing Signs Of Dog Bloat Dog Boat
While most dogs can handle an extra meal, or three, some experience a complication known as dog bloat. If your dog’s situation escalates and you recognize the signs and symptoms of dog bloat, it’s important to take action fast, since it can be quite harmful to your pet.
What is Dog Bloat?
Bloat occurs when your pup’s gut expands rapidly to account for a large volume of food that’s been consumed in a short period of time. The amount of food necessary to trigger dog bloat varies greatly, since all dogs have different tolerances and their stomach size spans a wide range.
Bloat is dangerous because it can cause your dog’s stomach to twist or flip, which can be fatal for pets. It’s always a serious situation that requires a trip to the Vet, so watch out for these symptoms if you’re worried your dog might have developed bloat from overeating.
What Are Symptoms Of Dog Bloat?
Many pets show obvious signs of distress if they’re experiencing dog bloat. Your pup will be visibly large and bloated, with a distended stomach that’s firm to the touch. Here are some other signs that your dog has bloat:
- Uncontrolled vomit: If your pup is vomiting non stop, several times, especially in a row, take note. This is one symptom of bloat.
- Restlessness: If your dog is pacing and just can’t seem to get comfortable, he’s likely uncomfortable...and this is another symptom of dog bloat.
- Panting and excessive drooling: If your dog is drooling all over the place and doesn’t normally have so much saliva, it could be a sign that he has bloat.
These aren’t all the symptoms that can signal concern for your dog, but they are some of the most common. As always, it’s best to err on the side of caution and discuss any potential health issues with your Vet as soon as possible!
How To Help Your Pet Recover From Overeating
Once you know your dog is safe and doesn’t have a serious health issue, you can consider how best to help him with his very full stomach! Of course, every dog is unique and will react to overeating in his own way, ut here’s what will work for most pets:
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Take plenty of potty breaks: You know your pup just consumed a whole lot of food, treats or other morsels...and what goes in, must come out! Your pup will likely need to ‘use the restroom’ more often than the norm in the time shortly after he’s overindulged. Be sure you’re taking frequent potty breaks to help your pet work through the extra food!
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Reduce tomorrow’s food: WHile you shouldn’t by any means skip the next couple of meals, it might be a good idea to reduce your dog’s portion a bit!
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Feed a bland diet: If your dog’s stomach is extra sensitive, you might also want to feed a bland diet for a few days to help his gut normalize again. Something like cooked white rice with chicken breast is a good option, and is generally thought to be a neutral meal that won’t add to the agitation that’s already going on!
- Add a probiotic to your dog’s diet: You can further support Fido by adding healthy bacteria to his diet with a probiotic supplement. It will help him have healthy digestion moving forward, but can also help ease gut discomfort from mild bloating, gas and more.
PetHonesty Products That Can Help When Your Dog Eats Too Much
Worried about your dog after he’s eaten too much? Help sooth his sore tummy and help him get back to normal after the fact with probiotic support from Digestive Probiotics Chews. They’re packed with billions of healthy bacteria that help with uncomfortable digestive upset like mild bloating, gas, and irregular bowel movements. Probiotics also help with healthy digestive function, so your pup can work through all that extra food and get back to feeling his best, asap!
Sources: https://rehome.adoptapet.com/answers/dog-rehoming/what-happens-when-a-dog-eats-too-much
https://wagwalking.com/symptom/why-is-my-dog-overeating
https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/food-bloat-in-dogs
