How to Stop Dog Diarrhea? – Itsaboutdog

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, certain aspects of your dog’s gut health are very different from those of humans.

There is a significant 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. On the other hand, dogs 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.

Usually, the time it takes for food to travel through the small and large intestines is roughly 10 hours, which should result in a firm, well-formed stool.

Common Causes of Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a common condition in dogs, but several different factors can cause it. 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?

While the dog is otherwise acting normal, a single instance of diarrhea is no reason for concern.

Try tracking your dog’s bowel movements and check if they recover independently. More than two episodes are a 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. Contact your vet immediately or head to the nearest emergency animal hospital.

Recurring Bouts of Diarrhea

This could indicate a much more severe health issue, especially if your dog is very old or young. You should also be concerned if your dog has a compromised immune system.

Some infections, such as parvovirus, are serious, contagious, and even life-threatening. If your dog has repeated diarrhea episodes, 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 treating diarrhea in dogs is never to 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 solve your problem.

Plain-cooked rice with a bit of chicken and some canned plain pumpkin can help improve your puppy’s tummy. Once your dog feels 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.
• We peeled boiled potatoes.
• Cottage cheese.
• Egg without oil.
• Specially formulated dog foods.
• Some medications that the vet has prescribed.

Chronic diarrhea is a severe 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, you must take note of the color, consistency, and any other symptoms you could describe to the vet.

Occasionally, diarrhea will naturally resolve after a few days of home treatment. However, if it continues for an extended period, it could indicate a much more severe 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, have a watery consistency, and show signs of mucus or blood streaks, which are abnormal.

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 of straining and passing stools several times in an hour can indicate extensive bowel inflammation.

Large volume with the passing of stools three or four times may suggest a minor 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 indicate that your puppy has consumed something it has not been able to digest.

Even though it may seem disgusting, it is essential that you carefully examine your dog’s stools if they have diarrhea.

This will help you give your vet as many details as possible. Based on your information, your vet will be able to tell whether or not you need to schedule an examination. If the condition is not severe, it can be treated by home remedies.

Common Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea

Diarrhea is not always a severe issue in the case of dogs. Sometimes, they can 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, ensure your dog can endure 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. Essential everyday ingredients will help you 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 restricts bowel movement.

Pumpkin

Oddly enough, a pumpkin can be effective for both diarrheas and constipation.

Plain Yogurt

For dogs 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, inhibiting the bacteria that cause diarrhea and aiding 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 another rich protein source 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 that 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 individually.

• Physical symptoms include lethargy, fever, vomiting, dry, tacky, pale gums, and 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 of something 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 minor issue, prolonged diarrhea can physically drain your dog and lead to severe medical conditions.

So, when you first notice signs of something wrong, attend to your dog immediately. If essential kitchen remedies that have always been effective fail to work, consult an expert and get your furry friend treated.