Holidays and intestinal disorders in dogs

We look forward to each holiday period with enthusiasm. Whether you're hyper-active on vacation or more of a royal gland, whether you're at the sea or more of the mountains, whether you're an international adventurer or rather a fan of all-inclusive clubs, we all have one thing in common: vacations are often synonymous with small digestive disorders. We change scenery, rhythm, we taste new things and we overindulge, we have less privacy than at home…. all this influences our digestion and our intestines which can quickly be in “disorder”. Unsurprisingly, our dogs can be prone to the same digestive issues during the holidays. There are a few things to look out for to be sure your dog is healthy.

It is often said that our pets only lack speech. My dog ​​doesn't speak but when it's time for the bowl or when she's about to do something stupid, I can tell you that I understand her very well. It is when they are sick that they clearly fail to speak. It is never easy to know if your animal is in good shape or not and if he is in pain. You have to be a keen observer to detect a problem. Looking at his poop is often very revealing. It is a very good indicator of the state of health of his dog. Unusual colored droppings, liquid, repeated stools or on the contrary an absence of stools are clues that should trigger alerts for you.

The dog is an animal that loves its habits. On vacation, I really advise you to try to keep some of his familiar cues: meal times, pee break times, morning cuddles... These changes in habits can indeed affect his stress. and cause some intestinal disorders. Vomiting, diarrhea and constipation in your dog should alert you. 

When you're sick, you don't rush to the doctor at the first sign of illness. You wait a day or two to see how things develop, adjusting your routine a little: you stay warm, go to bed earlier, eat some soup, take a few doses of paracetamol… hoping it will pass. As for dogs, I strongly advise against self-medicating them. They don't tolerate our medications, especially our dosages. If in doubt, contact your veterinarian, who will determine, based on the symptoms, whether to wait a while and see how things progress or if you need to come in quickly. Going to the vet is often expensive… Your vacation plans can quickly change: goodbye to nice restaurants, goodbye to the sarong and flip-flop budget, goodbye to outings and activities… But not for everyone. Yes, there are some clever people out there! To be sure they can always cover their pets' healthcare expenses, some have opted for pet insurance. Don't know what that is? Have you never dared to take the plunge? Agria offers insurance tailored to your dog's breed and your budget. Agria Bespoke, for example, allows you to select your own insurance criteria to customize your coverage to your pet's needs and adjust the price to your budget. Find out more on their website.

Vacation time is often a time of relaxation and freedom. We taste the specialties of the area, we overindulge and we eat at slightly off hours. Watch out for your dog! Keep a close eye on what he eats and how much to avoid gastric problems or worse, an emergency appointment with the veterinarian. Some foods are dangerous and even very dangerous for him. Let's take stock through several holiday experiences. 

Bénédicte had organized a barbecue with her bungalow neighbors. The atmosphere was very friendly. Everyone had brought something to eat. Lucky, her beagle , gave each guest his best puppy-dog eyes all evening, hoping for a little piece of this or that. He ended up stealing a packet of raw sausages left in a bag by a guest who hadn't considered that their dog might be a little thief… Lucky wasn't satisfied with that; he also lapped up the cocktail glasses left on the edge of the terrace. As a result, he was sick for a few days. Bénédicte had to take him to a vet near the campsite for a stomach pumping and a few days of observation. She was very worried about her dog, who ultimately recovered well and, despite everything, remains a very greedy little dog.

Lucie, too, had to take her dog to the vet while on vacation. Last summer, they went to the seaside with their family. Everything was fine, but on returning from the beach, Bitsi began to have diarrhoea. By dint of playing in the waves, he had ingested too much salt water, which made him sick. My dog, good foodie that she is, eats everything and anything on the beach: seaweed, mussels, live and dead crabs, leftover sandwiches, apples... I can't take my eyes off her because she could quickly surrender sick. Once in the mountains, she had eaten too much snow… In the evening by the fireside, I heard her stomach make funny noises… The poor thing was sick all night. I put her on the diet for a day and a half and everything was back to normal. 

Laure's dog also fell ill during their vacation. She went on vacation in the Jura with her dog. It's a great dog-friendly destination with plenty of waterfalls to discover. His dog, a water fan, took full advantage of it until he fell ill. It was already cool during the All Saints holidays and he simply caught cold for another swim. Result: diarrhea and vomiting. Poor Loulou…

While these symptoms are often mild and disappear after several days, they should still be closely monitored. If in doubt, always consult your veterinarian. To ensure your vacation with your dog remains unforgettable, keep a close eye on your furry friend, especially if they have a big appetite. They will quickly be tempted to nibble on anything lying around: a piece of sandwich infested with ants, eggshells, leftover spoiled yogurt, a piece of apple full of sand… Also, be wary of toxic foods such as potatoes (don't share your fries with your dog!), chocolate, or grapes (be careful on walks in the vineyards ).