“My 9 year old Welsh Springer Spaniel mix, Max, didn't have much of an appetite and would frequently vomit. He would often rush out to eat grass and then vomit afterwards. I was worried because he was thin and seemed so uncomfortable. It was like he had acid reflux. I followed the Ask Ariel program and changed his diet while using supplements such as Gastro ULC and Power Probiotic. l really wasn't expecting much because I had made prior changes before and those hadn’t worked. Within just a few days, Max improved. He no longer was interested in eating grass and his vomiting stopped. Max is now at a healthy weight and it is so nice to see him so happy to eat his meals." Karen, Orange County California
Veterinary-Approved Supplements for Acid Stomach and Acid Reflux in Dogs and Cats
It is quite common for cats and dogs to eat grass. Eating grass in and of itself is not a sign of anything as many pets like the taste and enjoy a little vegetation. Both healthy pets and sick pets will eat grass. It is the behaviors that accompany the grass eating (symptoms of acid stomach) that can be a sign of an acid stomach and digestive problems.
1) Is your pet "drawn" to the grass, showing signs of needing to get to the grass such as whining or pulling toward it?
2) Does your pet vomit hairballs or bile afterwards? Is your pet vomiting frequently?
3) Is your pet eating large amounts of grass?
Some grazing on grass is natural but when pets are specifically looking for it as if they really need it, this can be a sign of acid stomach (acid reflux in dogs) or poor digestion. Many times pets reach for the grass as a way to make themselves vomit too. If you notice your pet is eating a lot of grass, then it's important to watch for other signs of digestive discomfort. If you notice your pet is having rumbling noises after eating, loose stool, gas, vomiting, bad breath or other signs of digestive discomfort, it is important to bring this to the attention of your veterinarian. Getting basic laboratory tests (e.g. blood panel and urine analysis) will provide valuable information, as acid stomach can be a symptom of a more serious health condition such as kidney or liver disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Since your pet cannot tell you specifically that their tummy is burning, here are some symptoms of acid reflux to watch for:
- Lack of appetite especially in the morning
- Vomiting bile or small amounts of food
- Eating grass
- Regurgitation noises
- Hunching over or evidence of mild discomfort while swallowing or after eating
- Licking or smacking of the lips
