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Home pharmacy for dogs and cats: what to keep at home when their stomach is upset

Stomach and gut problems are one of the most common reasons for vet visits in both dogs and cats. Most acute stomach upsets are mild, though, and pass within a few days when the gut is given rest and the right support. That's when it makes a big difference if you already have what you need at home.

However, dogs and cats are not the same when it comes to stomach problems. A cat, for example, must not go without food for long, and many products intended for dogs are not suitable for cats. In this guide, we’ve put together what to keep in your dog’s and cat’s home pharmacy for stomach problems, how to use the products, and which symptoms are a sign that home care is no longer enough.

What should be in your pet's home pharmacy?

A good home pharmacy for stomach issues is built on six parts: probiotics, first aid for diarrhoea, easily digestible food, fibre, long-term support and basic equipment. If you have a cat, it's also a good idea to keep something for hairballs at home.

1. Probiotics are the foundation of your home pharmacy

The gut flora is easily upset by a change of food, stress, travel or a course of antibiotics. In cats, stress is a particularly common trigger, for example when moving house, when a new family member arrives or during a stay at a cattery. Lactic acid bacteria help restore the balance of the gut flora and can be used preventively, during a stomach upset and afterwards.

PetGuide probiotic supplement (dogs and cats) is a powder with Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL, an EFSA-approved strain for balancing the gut flora in dogs and cats. The powder is mixed into food.
Canius Plus (dogs) is one of the best-selling stomach supplements at VetaPet and a popular choice for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Purina Pro Plan FortiFlora comes in separate sachets for dogs and cats. The powder is sprinkled over food and most animals like the taste. If you want to try it first, there's a sample sachet for dogs.

You'll find all options under probiotics for dogs and probiotics for cats.

2. First aid for acute diarrhoea

Once diarrhoea has started, you need a fast-acting product that firms up the stool, restores the electrolyte balance and supports the gut flora. These three are the safest choices for your home pharmacy in case of acute diarrhoea:

Dia-Tab (dogs and cats): Dia-Tab chewable tablets are tasty tablets for short-term support during acute diarrhoea in dogs. They quickly improve stool consistency and restore the electrolyte balance. The tablets are given for 2–3 days until the diarrhoea has passed. For cats and small dogs, Dia-Tab paste is easy to give straight from the syringe.
Enteromicro Complex (dogs and cats): Enteromicro Complex tablets contain microencapsulated lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus faecium) along with plenty of prebiotics and fibre. Dosing is simple: one tablet per 10 kg of body weight once a day. For cats, Enteromicro Complex paste is the most convenient.
AIKA Kaopekt Forte (dogs and cats): Kaopekt Forte paste is a complementary feed that supports normal gut function when the stool is loose. It's also available as an oral solution.

Tip: Dia-Tab and Enteromicro Complex are a popular combination. Dia-Tab firms up the stool quickly, and Enteromicro Complex restores the gut flora during and after the diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea makes the body lose a lot of fluid and salts. Aptus Nutrisal (dogs and cats) is an electrolyte solution that is mixed with water and supports fluid balance. You'll find more options among all digestive supplements.

3. Easily digestible food for recovery

After diarrhoea, the gut needs light, easily digestible food. Boiled chicken (with rice for dogs) is a classic solution, but it isn't nutritionally complete in the long run. A ready-made gastrointestinal food is a safer choice. Choose a small pack or a sample pack for your home pharmacy.

For dogs:

Specific CIW Digestive Support sample pack is a wet food with added electrolytes to restore balance during diarrhoea and vomiting.
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat can 200 g is an easily digestible wet food in a handy size.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastrointestinal 400 g is an easily digestible dry food in a small pack.

For cats:

Specific FIW Digestive Support sample pack is a wet food that's easy to keep in the cupboard for the next stomach upset.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diets Gastrointestinal dry food is highly digestible and has increased levels of sodium and potassium.

You'll find more options under stomach & gut food for dogs and stomach & gut food for cats.

It's a good idea to consult your vet before using a veterinary diet, especially if the stomach problems keep coming back.

4. Fibre for loose stools and constipation

Fibre is a versatile aid: it binds excess fluid and firms up loose stools, but it also relieves constipation. Constipation is more common in cats than in dogs, especially in older cats and cats that drink little.

AIKA Fiberon Forte (dogs) is a high-fibre supplement that supports normal gut function and the emptying of the anal glands.
AIKA Psyllium (dogs and cats) is a soluble fibre that regulates bowel function.

5. For cats: help with hairballs

When a cat grooms itself, it swallows hair that either passes through the gut or is brought up as a hairball. An occasional hairball is normal, but repeated vomiting puts a strain on the stomach. Problems are most common in long-haired and older cats and during shedding in spring and autumn.

It's a good idea to keep cat malt at home to help swallowed hair pass through the gut: Trixie Cat Malt 100 g is a tasty paste with malt extract, oils and fats that stops hair from clumping together in the stomach and gut.

Regular brushing reduces the amount of hair your cat swallows. If your cat keeps trying to bring up a hairball without success, or stops eating, it may be an intestinal blockage – contact a vet.

6. Long-term support for a sensitive stomach

If your pet often has stomach problems, you can add a product for daily use to your home pharmacy. These three suit both dogs and cats:

AIKA Inupekt Forte is one of VetaPet's most popular stomach supplements. The Finnish tablets contain prebiotic inulin, beta-glucan and pectin, which firms up the stool. They can be used continuously or as a 3–4 week course. Save with the double pack.
Alvar Pet Digestion+ is a powder with postbiotics and XOS prebiotics that balance digestion and gut-based immunity. Suitable for pets with a sensitive stomach and a tendency towards diarrhoea, constipation, heartburn or gas.
Nutrolin Gut & Flora combines omega-3 fatty acids that calm inflammation in the gut with probiotics that balance the gut flora.

7. Don't forget the important, basic equipment

Thermometer (normal body temperature for dogs and cats is about 38–39 °C)
Dosing syringe for liquids and pastes
Disposable gloves and absorbent pads
Poop bags, extra cat litter and a small container for stool samples
Phone numbers for your vet and the nearest emergency animal hospital

Dog or cat with an upset stomach – what to do at home

Mild, acute diarrhoea is treated at home by letting the gut rest, making sure your pet gets enough fluids and giving products that support the gut. Here's how:

Assess your pet's general condition. If your pet is alert, drinking and eating, it's usually safe to start home care. Check the temperature with a thermometer.
Make sure your pet drinks. Diarrhoea makes the body lose fluid and salts. Always have fresh water available. Cats can be encouraged to drink with a water fountain or a little extra water in their wet food. An electrolyte solution such as Aptus Nutrisal supports fluid balance.
Let the gut rest – but don't let your cat fast. Give small portions of easily digestible food several times a day. A healthy adult dog can have a short break from food, but puppies, small breeds and sick dogs should not fast. Cats should not fast at all: just one day without food can lead to fatty liver disease.
Start with a diarrhoea paste or probiotics. Give the product according to the dosing instructions on the pack, based on your pet's weight.
Return to normal food gradually. Once the stool has normalised, mix the usual food into the gastrointestinal food over 3–5 days. Continue with probiotics for another week.
Keep an eye on progress. If the diarrhoea doesn't improve within 1–2 days, or your pet gets worse, contact a vet. Act sooner if your cat isn't eating.

Read more in our article on diarrhoea in dogs.

With our guide to the colour and consistency of dog poop and the article on the litter box as a health indicator, you'll learn to read your pet's stool.