By Amy Snow & Nancy Zidonis, Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Resources.

The alluring aroma of turkey roasting in the oven becomes even more powerful when it is cooling on the kitchen counter before carving. Many a wily canine has been known to seize the moment, attack the turkey, carry it off to rip, tear, and devour in the far corner of the back garden.

Wolf Ancestry

Like their wolf ancestors, our domesticated canines are designed to devour huge quantities at once. The only issue is that a roasted turkey is different than a freshly hunted rabbit. Our seemingly gentle household pets have the same digestive enzymes as a wolf and can easily manage raw meat, but cooked and processed foods often present serious difficulties.

Cooked bones are brittle. When a dog chomps on them the jagged, broken pieces can seriously injure the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Other foods, such as cheese, tend to be too rich or too sweet, as in candies and cookies. Some are too high in fiber, like raw vegetables in high quantities, and others can be down-right poisonous for dogs, such as chocolate or grapes.

Veterinary Care

If you suspect that your dog has swallowed something that will obstruct his intestine, such as part of a toy or a sharp piece of bone, please take your dog to the emergency veterinary clinic in your area. The vet is the first line of care for any emergency.

Hopefully, your dog will be safe from the perils of consuming sharp objects and overly rich foods. However, even a little treat here and there can result in a short-term tummy upset and, unfortunately, loose stools. To help your dog recover quickly from even a small indulgence, acupressure can be a helpful tool.

Acupressure & Digestion

Acupressure is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used to help with digestive issues for thousands of years. When a dog ingests something that is difficult for his system to break down into absorbable nutrients, it can disrupt the smooth flow of chi, life- promoting energy, and body fluids. In TCM, any disruption in the harmonious flow of chi and body fluids can lead to discomfort or illness. Tummy aches aren’t fun and can be painful.

Offering your dog an acupressure session will restore the natural movement of chi and body fluids and is intended to relieve his stomachache and/or resolve loose stools. Because the canine digestive tract is relatively short and the dog’s stomach is 70% of this system, the focus of this acupressure session will begin with finding and using acupressure points, also called “acupoints,” directly related to the stomach.

Acupressure Session

Work with one point at a time. To start, gently place the soft tip of your thumb on the acupoint while resting your other hand comfortably on the dog’s body and slowly count to 20 before moving to the next point. Watch for any reactions your dog may have. If he seems uncomfortable, move on to the next point and hold the point for a slow count to 20. Expected positive reactions, can include stretching, passing air, yawning, licking lips, and even falling asleep.

When you have completed the acupressure session on one side of your dog, remember to repeat the procedure of holding each acupoint lightly and count to 20 slowly on the opposite side. Be sure your dog is comfortable. If your dog indicates any discomfort, stop and offer this session another day.

Stomach 36 (St 36), Leg 3 Miles is considered the Master point for the stomach and gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is used when your dog is showing any signs of gastric indigestion such as loose stools or constipation. This acupoint can help restore the healthy functions of the stomach and the GI tract in its entirety. St 36 is located on the outside (lateral side) of the dog’s hind leg below the stifle (knee) toward the front of the leg.

Stomach 45 (St 45), Stomach Jing-Well Point is the last acupoint on the energetic flow related to the stomach. This point is known to help regulate and balance the stomach’s capacity to break-down food into bio-available nutrients and support stomach function. St 45 is found on the hind paw at the nail-bed of the outside of the third digit (to locate the third digit, count the hind dew claw as the first digit on the inside of his lower leg, even if it is not present).

Large Intestine 11, Crooked Pool is known to influence the lower bowel when the dog is experiencing either loose stools, constipation, or excessive gas, because this point functions to balance and enhance the performance of the lower bowel. It is located on the lower side of the elbow crease formed when you lift your dog’s front leg.

Conception Vessel 12, Middle Stomach Cavity is a powerful acupoint which regulates and strengthens the Stomach and Spleen. Because of this action, this point relieves digestive issues. CV 12 is located on your dog’s ventral (lower) midline halfway between the xiphoid process (the cartilage at the end of the ribs) and the umbilicus (belly button).

Now you know how to help your dog when a tummy upset occurs. You have an acupressure session right at your fingertips!

Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis are the authors of ACU-DOG: A Guide to Canine Acupressure, ACU-CAT: A Guide to Feline Acupressure, and ACU-HORSE: A Guide to Equine Acupressure. They founded Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Resources, which offers books, manuals, online training courses, DVDs, apps, meridian charts, consulting, and many more acupressure learning tools and opportunities. https://www.animalacupressure.com/