Consistency, judicious feeding schedules, and some home remedies may be just what the doctor ordered.

“Traveler’s diarrhea.” I don’t know about you, but my GI tract is just the opposite. My intestinal tract crawls to a halt while on vacation, only resuming normal function upon my return home. So why is it that every cat and dog breaks with diarrhea the moment they cross your threshold?

Pets like routines. Even though a cat or dog may seem content to lounge on your bedding rather than theirs, they may be internalizing their anxiety. This pent up angst can manifest itself as a decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or like me, constipation. What can you do to keep that freshly bathed pooch from soiling itself right before it trots out the door? How can you prevent those unpleasant calls from clients who just got their pet home and are now experiencing tummy turmoil? Consistency, judicious feeding schedules, and some home remedies may be just what the doctor ordered.

Consistency
If the pet is going to be staying through mealtime, be sure the owner brings the pet’s own food and treats. Some pet parents may balk when asked to supply their own repast. They may mistakenly believe that you only want to use their food as a way of decreasing your cost of doing business. Explain that your goal is to minimize the number of potentially stressful changes their non-human family member will be experiencing when away. If they decline, record the decision in their file. Excellent record keeping may be time consuming, but knowing what choices were made and by whom can reduce potential future hassles.

Which food to offer your clients’ pets is a matter of personal preference. Providing a premium quality food demonstrates that your entire operation is first class. These first class rations are more likely to pique a pet’s appetite. Stocking a select variety of canned and dry diets is preferable to watching a pet refuse to eat, and then lose weight and condition. How do you know if a pet is losing weight? Weigh it upon admission and then every other day minimally.

It is recommended that the core diet is one for “sensitive stomachs.” Such a formulation is less likely to precipitate GI upset. At my veterinary hospital, we also stock our larder with a selection of all-meat commercial baby food. When a cat or dog resists our best cajoling, the addition of a spoonful of baby food to their meal is often all that is needed.

Feeding Schedules
Some pets are highly regimented. Their owners have very deliberate ideas regarding when to feed, play, eliminate, and nap. Rather than surreptitiously doing it “your way,” explain that you will most assuredly adhere to their practices while informing them of the additional fees for this service. Then be sure you truly do it their way. Deviation from their norm can find you visiting your on-call veterinarian for those dreaded tummy troubles.

At every consultation, I ask about the frequency of feeding. Though a pet can survive on once daily rations, twice daily is usually optimal. Remember when you starved yourself all day before that last holiday meal? How did you feel after the meal? Uncomfortably bloated? If you are anything like me, you are ready for dessert about an hour later. Our pets can feel the same way. It is not the number of meals that results in the spreading waistline; it is the number of calories. We feel more satiated if our blood sugar stays constant, hence twice daily meals. If a pet is not used to this routine, you may need to modify your practices.

Special care must be afforded cats. Dogs can go several days without eating and usually not suffer ill consequences. Cats have a very unique metabolism. If a cat goes off feed, sometimes in as short as 48 hours, its body will attempt to find an alternate form of energy: its fat. This fat will be deposited into its liver and not uncommonly lead to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver syndrome). One of the first signs you can see is a yellowing of the whites of the eyes, the skin on the inside of the ears, and gums. This is an extremely dangerous situation. If a feline boarder just doesn’t seem “right,” a trip to your on-call veterinarian is appropriate.

Home Remedies
Not every tummy upset necessitates a trip to the veterinarian. If a pet’s attitude and appetite are good, there is no blood in their vomitous or diarrhea, and their weight is staying constant, some simple home remedies may suffice. Offering water to a pet immediately after it vomits invites problems. They are already nauseous, and the additional fluid in their stomachs will often exacerbate the situation. It is advised to stop all food and water for at least a half hour after vomiting. If the vomiting subsides, at the end of thirty minutes, offer a small amount of water. Give the pet several minutes and observe the response. If all is well, give more water, then feed lightly later in the day. You may let the pet fast for up to eight hours.

Bland diets work well for a pet plagued with vomiting or diarrhea. A bland diet for a dog can consist of equal amounts of cottage cheese mixed with boiled white rice, boiled ground meat (pour off the fat) mixed with boiled rice, or instant mashed potatoes (reconstitute with water only). All-meat baby food is generally well accepted by cats. Combining a large dollop of the probiotic yogurts can also help to settle an irritated GI tract. I would not recommend administering over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications without the direction of a veterinarian. Though a dose of that little pink liquid anti-diarrheal formula may seem innocuous, it can be deadly for cats because of an aspirin-like component.

One final tip: strongly recommend that owners do not give food or water to their pets for at least a half hour after returning home. Pet parents are often too happy to have their furry friends back and frequently feel a bit guilty that they left them. Over indulging with treats, food, or water often ensues, resulting in tummy troubles and a concerned call to you. With a little planning, the homecoming will be uneventful and all parties will look forward to seeing you again.

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