Is my anxiety making my dog sick??

[Kalee Thompson]

I've noticed that occasionally my dog Bella gets a stomach ache. It started around the age of about two. She drools a lot and gets restless, and I can hear her stomach gurgling. To make herself feel better she goes outside and eats grass, vomits, and then she's usually fine after that. When it first started, I limited her diet to dog food only because at the time I would occasionally give her a bit of peanut butter or a piece of boiled chicken or something like that, and then I reintroduced dog biscuits after a month to see if it was either of those things but it wasn't. It happens irregularly and usually around times when I have a big test or a super busy week. So my question is, is she so in tune with me that she is picking up on my anxiety and is it making her sick?? And if so, I can certainly try to control my stress levels but are there any homeopathic remedies that might help her? 

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

We have had dogs that do that. We just watch to make sure it's not prolonged.   Maybe they ate something outside.  If she drools a lot for no apparent reason when they she usually doesn't I would check with a vet.  I definitely don't want to scare you because it could be a lot of things. We had a boxer that had bouts of drooling.  For awhile we never knew why there were spots on the floor because we didn't see her do that.  She later got a twisted intestine.  In retrospect I realize she had had bouts of drooling for a year.  It probably is just normal dog thing.  Some eat foreign stuff and grass more than others but seeking advice can arm you with information and peace of mind.

[Kalee Thompson]

I thought at first she might be getting into something or eating something from outside but the only time she ingests anything outside is when she's drooling and acting uncomfortable. I thought it was probable that she was finding food that my grandparents drop on the floor but that turned out to be a bust too. I was feeding her Iams so I thought maybe that she has a sensitive stomach so I switched her food to wellness brand grain free and it still happens. My grandma was actually the one to suggest that my anxiety is stressing her out and I guess I was wondering if anyone else has had the same problem. We're due check up and shots soon so I'll ask my vet what he thinks too. 

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

I have seen anxiety affect a dogs behavior. i.e. The owner is afraid of the large dog coming at them and the dog picks up on it. I don't think it is you. Some dogs do that. We have had dogs that eat grass. Something didn't agree with them and they are taking care of it. If often, a problem or excessive I would definitely explore possibilities. Like people, some dogs are more sensitive. My sister-in-laws dog has

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

How often does this happen?

[Kalee Thompson]

Not often. It happens about month to a month and a half.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Some of what you are describing are symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. The drooling is a sign of nausea, and the loud stomach noises (called borborygmus) can also be symptoms of an issue with the GI lining. You might try giving her a Pepcid or Zantac before each meal. How are her stools? 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I was going to suggest the Pepcid or Zantac too...it works wonders for Murph.   I would probably at least call the Vet first to verify the dosage and that the Vet is okay with this. I worry that these symptoms could be indicative of something that should be checked.   Murph gets 10 Mg first thing in the morning of Pepcid, but then the Vet doesn't want him to have a second dose later in the day unless he is still showing symptoms of nausea.  Guinness only gets 5mg.

[Kalee Thompson]

Her stools are completely normal all the time. No diarrhoea, no tarry black. I definitely considered GI issues and have given her Zantac before and it didn't help. Zofran (ondansetron) seems to be the most helpful but I can't get that without a prescription. But I would think if it was caused by her food that it would happen regularly. She doesn't eat the grass until after her symptoms start and once vomits, her symptoms generally resolve. I've checked what she's thrown up and it's only ever been clear, foamy fluid and grass. Its a pretty strange situation.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't think it's her food either. But it rarely is, despite what most people think. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I would be very reluctant to see this as a reason before taking her to a vet and looking for a medical diagnosis. I do not say that this could not be a reason but personally I would want to rule out other medical possibilities first.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My first suggestion is to cut out the grass for two weeks. No eating grass. Sounds like you cut everything else out but grass.  Start there.

My dog does the vicious grass cycle too.  It takes a few days for things to settle down all the way around. The gas, the vomit, then gas again, then back outside to eat more grass. Greens can be very gassy. Think cows  and all the reasons for their excessive methane pollution. 

After that, then  would check into the drama of all the rest.

My cats will also do this and it drives me crazy.  They eat expensive food, have a little cat grass, then throw up, then eat, Bulimia  :)   I stopped growing grass for my cats but will occasionally give them clover

[Kalee Thompson]

She only eats the grass after her symptoms start. I assume it's to make herself vomit and after she does, her symptoms usually resolve.