This is a difficult topic for any dog owner to face, but for some of us it’s a problem we have to address. There are many reasons why your dog may have digestive issues, but learning what your specific issue is and addressing it will help you treat your dog correctly and get his or her digestive tract in order.
Some digestive issues can be life-threatening, and others may not be too serious.
Signs of problems with the digestive system include excessive drooling, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or regurgitation, loss of appetite, bleeding, abdominal pain and bloating, straining to pass stool, shock, and dehydration.
Vomiting & Diarrhea are some of the most common digestive problems with dogs as they can tend to be ‘garbage guzzlers’ and although not always literally they will eat a wide range of unsolicited food and snacks if given the opportunity.
What do I do if my dog has vomiting and diarrhea?
If it is just vomiting you can fast your dog for 12 to 24 hours, from food only not water. Then gradually give them small bland meals to reintroduce them to solid food. If vomiting occurs immediately after eating, it’s regurgitation meaning most likely they ate too quickly and have not chewed the food properly.This also can happen if they drink too much all at once.If vomiting occurs a couple of hours after eating and continues, something is more sinister.
For diarrhea, keep feeding them as normal but remove any difficult to digest foods from their diet for a few days until the symptoms subside. It's important to keep your dog hydrated if they have diarrhea, keep a look out for parasites, mucus or blood. If you happen to spot any, pay a visit to the vet straight away.
If this is a recurring problem, take a look at the food you are giving them on a regular basis. Natural, organic foods are best where possible along with healthy dog treats which should also be made from natural ingredients. 
When should I take my dog to the vet for diarrhea and vomiting?
If home treatment doesn’t work within a couple of days or your dog has any of the symptoms listed below then you should consult your vet for further examination.
- Change in frequency of urination.
- Change in thirst.
- Blood in vomit or stool.
- Unusual or severe lethargy.
- Diarrhea.
- Collapse.
- Pale or white gums.
- Loss of appetite (this is usually a big indicator that something is wrong)
The next most common digestive problem in dogs is constipation, this can be caused by lack of exercise, poor diet, not enough fibre in their diet or in the worst case blockages from eating foreign objects such as garbage, bones, gravel, sticks and more.
If you have a dog with some strange snacking habits you can try giving them our deer antler dog treats as a healthier alternative to the extra curricular diet.
How do you know if your dog is constipated?
If your dog is constipated you will probably see them trying to pass stool unsuccessfully several times and you may see them circling around or dragging their bum along the ground.
If they are able to pass stool it may be hard and dry like small pebbles. You can try increasing their water intake as an initial remedy.
Other ways to treat constipation in dogs include:
Feeding them some canned pumpkin, increasing their exercise levels, increasing hydration, switching to canned dog food instead of dry dog food or taking them to the vet for a laxative or enema.