How to Stop Dog Diarrhea? – Dogs are a lovely species and can teach you life lessons in loyalty. But, unfortunately, just like us humans, a dog can also suffer from a condition of diarrhea.
Mild or severe diarrhea can sap a dog’s strength and prevent them from being the fun, friendly companions they usually are. To treat your dog and help it recover from this condition, it is important to understand some of the common causes of diarrhea.
Mild bouts of diarrhea can occur during a dog’s lifetime owing to many reasons. The most common cause is your pet might have eaten something that does not agree with them. This could be anything from scraps from your dinner table to a new flavor or brand of dog food.
If you own a dog that you love, you will have to deal with stinky brown puddles of dog poop. A one-time instance of diarrhea is normal and nothing to be concerned about; diarrhea can sometimes be something more serious and require the immediate attention of your vet.
How to Stop Dog Diarrhea? – Digestive System of Dogs
Dogs are similar to people. They, too, have personalities, are capable of love and loyalty, and enjoy companionship. However, there are certain aspects of your dog’s gut health that are very different from that of human beings.
There is a great difference between how dogs and people digest food. The human jaw shape and salivary enzymes are such that they are meant to break down morsels of food in the mouth. Dogs, on the other hand, have mouths and jaws made for tearing and crushing food. Their salivary enzymes are meant to kill bacteria.
The food consumed by your dog travels rapidly down the esophagus and enters the stomach in chunks. This is where most of the digestion takes place. Your dog’s stomach acids are three times stronger than that of humans.
Normally the time taken for food to travel through the small and large intestines is roughly 10 hours and should result in a firm, well-formed stool at the end.
Common Causes of Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a common condition in dogs, but it can be caused by several different factors. Some of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs are as follows:
- Consuming spoilt food
- Medications such as antibiotics
- Stress or anxiety
- Intestinal cancer
- Colitis
- Pancreatitis
- Change in diet
- Ingesting toxins or poison
- Ingestion of foreign objects like toys. fabric etc
- Viral infections
- Liver or kidney disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Parasites
- Bacterial infections, including salmonella
When to Contact Your Vet?
A single instance of diarrhea while the dog is otherwise acting normal is no reason for concern.
Try tracking your dog’s bowel movements and check if he or she recovers on their own. More than two episodes are a sheer cause of concern as they could indicate a much more serious health problem. This is when you need to contact the vet.
If you find your dog straining to pass a stool and only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, this could indicate painful blockage because of ingesting a foreign object such as a toy.
This is an emergency and needs veterinary attention immediately. You must contact your vet immediately or head to the nearest emergency animal hospital.
Recurring Bouts of Diarrhea
This could be an indication of a much more serious health issue, especially if your dog is very old or very young. You should also be concerned if your dog has a compromised immune system.
Some infections such as parvovirus are serious, contagious, and can even be life-threatening. If your dog is having repeated episodes of diarrhea, contact your vet immediately.
Symptoms that indicate a serious condition
- Lack of appetite
- Blood in stools
- Signs of dehydration
- Unusual drooling
- Weakness
- Vomiting
Best Ways to Stop Diarrhea in Dogs
One of the first rules when it comes to treating diarrhea in dogs is that you never give your dog medication formulated for people without consulting your vet. This is because several human medications are toxic to dogs and can cause severe health complications.
If your dog has had runny or soft stools, you can give your dog some time to recover just by fasting for 12 to 24 hours. A bland diet for 24 to 48 hours may simply be the solution to your problem.
Plain-cooked rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin can help in making your puppy’s tummy better. Once your dog tends to feel better, you can gradually give them their regular food.
Other foods that may help in soothing your dog’s upset tummy are natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg without oil, specially formulated dog foods, and some medications that have been prescribed by the vet. Chronic diarrhea is a serious health issue and requires immediate medical attention.
Basic Indicators of Dog’s Health
The consistency of your dog’s stools can say a lot about your dog’s health. Therefore, it is very important that you take note of the color, consistency, and any other symptoms that you could describe to the vet.
In most cases, diarrhea will naturally resolve after a few days of home treatment. However, if it continues for a long period, it could indicate a much more serious problem.
- Experts say that ideally, your dog’s poop should be chocolate brown, shaped like logs, and should be easy to scoop.
- Always remember that it should not be in large-volume, watery consistency, and signs of mucus or blood streaks are not normal.
Ways to Decipher Your Dog’s Health
Here are some of the common abnormalities related to your dog’s stools that can act as indicators of your dear pet’s health.
Frequency
Small amounts, straining, and passing stools several times in an hour can be a sign of inflammation of the large bowel.
Large volume with the passing of stools three or four times may suggest a small bowel disorder.
Odd Shaped or Coloured Solid Objects
Several small white rice-like shapes may indicate a tapeworm infestation. In addition, things such as grass, wood, string, etc., can be an indication that your pooch has consumed something that it has not been able to digest.
Even though it may seem disgusting, it is very important that you carefully examine your dog’s stools if he or she has diarrhea.
This will help you give your vet as many details as possible. Based on the information that you give, your vet will be able to tell whether or not you need to schedule an examination. If the condition is not serious, it can be treated by home remedies.
Common Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
Diarrhea is not always a serious issue in the case of dogs. Sometimes they can simply be resolved by practicing simple home remedies and ingredients from your kitchen.
Fasting
Fasting for 12 to 24 hours and providing water alone in small quantities can clear the reason for the stomach upset and also allow the gastrointestinal tract to settle.
However, before you decide on a fast, make sure your dog is capable of enduring it. Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so ensure that you give your dog an adequate amount of water.
Kitchen Cures for Dog Diarrhea
You don’t need to go far away to search for home remedies. Basic everyday ingredients will help you out solve diarrhea in dogs.
Rice Water
Boil high quality in plenty of water, remove the grains and offer your dog creamy white water.
Plain White Rice
Even plain boiled rice can be fed to your dog. However, it contains less fiber which in turn restricts bowel movement.
Pumpkin
Oddly enough, a pumpkin can be effective in the case of both diarrheas as well as constipation.
Plain Yogurt
For dogs that are not lactose intolerant plain yogurt with active cultures can help.
Probiotics
Probiotic foods contain bacteria and other microorganisms. These are assumed to make their way into the gut, where they inhibit the bacteria that cause diarrhea and aid the body’s defenses.
Boiled Potatoes Without Skin
White potatoes are digestible starches. However, it is not advisable to serve raw potatoes to your dog.
Egg Without Oil or Chicken Without Skin
This is a rich source of protein ideal for your dog.
Cottage Cheese
This is again another rich source of protein and helps with diarrhea, especially in cases of lactose intolerance.
Herbs
Herbs such as fennel have gut soothing properties.
Specially Formulated Dog Foods
There are specially manufactured sensitive stomach dog foods, and these can soothe stomach problems. It would be best to get such foods from your vet itself.
Why is a Regular Vet Visit Recommended?
Despite the home remedies available, regular vet visits are still recommended. Some dogs are more prone to digestive disorders than others. You have to be aware of what is out of the ordinary on an individual basis.
- Physical symptoms such as lethargy, fever, vomiting, dry, tacky, pale gums, or weakness.
- Diarrhea does not stop despite home remedies.
- Dehydration.
- Prolonged diarrhea (this is based on what is normal for your dog).
- Use of medication (a dog on antibiotics, for example).
- Existing conditions such as advanced age, diabetes, cancer, or any other medical issue.
- When things don’t seem right: Only you know the subtle signs that something is wrong. Rely on your instincts, and if you feel you require your vet’s advice, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone.
Even though an upset stomach may seem like a small issue, prolonged diarrhea can physically drain your dog and lead to serious medical conditions.
So, when you first notice signs that something is wrong, attend to your dog immediately. If basic kitchen remedies that have always been effective fail to work, consult an expert and get your furry friend treated.
