Diet for Dogs With Ulcers

An ulcer is an open sore or lesion of skin or of mucous membrane inside a body. When people speak of ulcers, they generally refer to gastric or peptic ulcers, which are in the digestive tract. These are caused by effects of pepsin and gastric acid, two chemicals produced by the body to aid in digestion of food. Ulcers in dogs are similar in form to those found in humans. They are fairly common and easily treated through medication or changes in diet.

Food

To help your dog recover from an ulcer, begin by changing her feeding schedule. Smaller meals given frequently throughout the day help prevent stretching of the stomach lining, a situation that aggravates the condition. Switch your dog from dry food to wet food, or moisten dry food with water prior to feeding. Otherwise, the kibble will expand inside the dog's stomach. Choose a mild, easily digestible formula, such as lamb and rice or food that has been created for either puppies or seniors. These foods tend to break down easier, resulting in the lower overall production of stomach acids. As a treat, offer your dog a piece of toast with honey rather than hard biscuits. Honey has natural antibacterial properties that can help the ulcers heal and combat inflammation due to invasive bacteria.

Additions

There are a few extras you can give your dog to alleviate the symptoms of gastric or peptic ulcers. Slices of carrots contain vitamin A, which can encourage the growth and development of new mucous membrane tissues. Additionally, licorice root has been used for years to treat ulcers. The ingestion of licorice can help to soothe stomach irritations by promoting the generation of a protective coating along the digestive tract. The standard dose for dogs is between 100 and 300mg, depending on the dog's size. If your pup seems reluctant to try the carrots or licorice, mix 2 tsp. aloe vera juice into her water dish instead. Odds are good that she won't notice the change in flavor, and the aloe can help to prevent nausea while helping the ulcers heal.

Avoid

While your dog recovers from stomach ulcers, do not feed him bones or other treats with sharp or hard edges because they may aggravate the condition. Do not feed her leftovers or table scraps; people regularly over-season food, which can cause excessive inflammation of the stomach linings. Change the dog's water regularly to reduce the odds of a bacterial infection in the digestive tract, and keep the dog away from unnecessarily stressful situations.