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Key takeaways
Dietary changes and nutritional supplements are common treatments for mild cases of dog diarrhea, with suggestions including a bland diet and specialized dog foods.
Immediate veterinary care is crucial for dogs with chronic diarrhea, bloody stools, or additional concerning symptoms like vomiting and lethargy to prevent serious complications.
Probiotics and other supplements can help maintain digestive health and hydration in dogs suffering from diarrhea, but human medications should be avoided.
A veterinarian should evaluate dogs with diarrhea lasting more than 24 to 48 hours, those with blood in their stool, exhibiting additional symptoms like vomiting, or with weakened immune systems to determine the appropriate treatment.
Not only are dogs man’s best friends, but our fur babies also become honorary family members. We would do anything for them, but sometimes it’s hard to know what’s wrong when they’re feeling down.
Since our dogs can’t communicate when they have loose stool or bouts of diarrhea, how do we know if it’s something we should be concerned about? We went to the veterinarian medical experts to find out.
Why does my dog have diarrhea?
Just like with humans, there are numerous causes of diarrhea in dogs. Some of them include:
- Intestinal parasites, including roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and Giardia
- Dietary indiscretion where a dog gets an upset stomach from spoiled food or garbage
- Stress or a big life change
- Diet change or a switch in their normal dog food
- Food intolerance or food allergies
- A side effect of a viral infection or bacterial infection including salmonella, Parvovirus, Distemper, Canine enteric coronavirus
- A medication that irritates the gastrointestinal system
- An underlying health condition includes inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease, or colitis.
How serious is diarrhea in dogs?
“The seriousness of diarrhea in dogs can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the symptoms,” said Alex Schechter, a DVM who works at the animal hospital Burrwood Veterinary in Michigan. He continued. “In most cases, diarrhea is a temporary issue that resolves on its own or with basic home care. However, there are certain signs that indicate diarrhea may be more than just a fleeting problem and could be a cause for concern.”
Dr. Schechter explained that diarrhea could be a sign of a more serious health issue if your dog has the following symptoms:
- Chronic diarrhea or diarrhea persisting for more than one or two days
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Lethargy or weakness
- A loss of appetite
- Rapid weight loss
What can I give my dog for diarrhea?
If your dog isn’t showing any of the concerning symptoms above, there are a few at-home remedies that may help your pup feel better in more mild cases of diarrhea and improve your dog’s stool.
Try a bland diet
“Your veterinarian may suggest changing the diet to bland, easily-digested food, like boiled chicken and rice,” said Dr. Schechter
The bland diet will not be your dog’s new long-term diet, but rather what they’ll eat on the day they’re experiencing diarrhea and until they have normal bowel movements. While these foods will help with some cases of diarrhea, they may also help instances of constipation.
Bland foods that most dogs can safely eat include cooked lean meats, white fish, white rice, pasta, potato, and oatmeal. Start out with small amounts to see how your dog tolerates them before giving them larger amounts. Also, be sure you don’t add any spices to these foods, as they can further upset your dog’s stomach.
Switch to a specialty dog food
“Specialty veterinary diets, such as Royal Canin Gastrointestinal, are the best option to help ensure your dog is getting a completely balanced, nutrient-packed food whilst they recover from diarrhea,” said Dr. Corinne Wigfall, the veterinary spokesperson for online dog training resource SpiritDog Training.
Since these dog foods are specially designed, they are high in energy, so your dog won’t have to eat as much while their gastrointestinal tract recovers. Dr. Wigfall added, “It is highly palatable, meaning your dog should find it extra tasty, which is great if they have been suffering from reduced appetite.“
Add nutritional supplements to their diet
There are a few supplements that may help keep your dog’s stomach happy.
One option is probiotics. Just like probiotics can help balance the human gut, it can also help your dog’s digestive tract.
“Products containing Kaolin help ‘bind’ up diarrhea to restore a normal stool consistency,” suggested Dr. Wigfall. She also recommends trying out oral electrolytes because they can help keep your dog hydrated, as many dogs lose too much fluid when dealing with diarrhea and become dehydrated.
When giving your dog over-the-counter medications or supplements, ensure that they are not human medications, as these will not be properly formulated for your canine and could cause further issues.
When to visit your veterinarian
It’s always better to be safe than sorry in regard to your dog’s health. While sometimes dog diarrhea may be nothing to worry about, Dr. Schechter explained four scenarios where your dog will need veterinary attention sooner rather than later.
- Diarrhea lasting for more than 24 to 48 hours. Prolonged diarrhea can cause dehydration and other more serious problems.
- Presence of blood in the stool. It’s always helpful to look at the color of your dog’s poop. Dark, bloody, and tarry stools require immediate attention from your veterinarian as they could indicate a serious underlying condition.
- Vomiting and other symptoms. If your dog isn’t just experiencing diarrhea but also symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite, this can also be a sign there is something more serious going on.
- Dogs with weakened immune systems. Puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with chronic health conditions are more likely to have serious complications as a result of diarrhea. You’ll also want them examined by a vet to make sure it’s nothing more serious.
In these cases, your dog’s veterinary care will most likely include a physical exam, fecal testing, blood work and possibly take x-rays to look for foreign objects. Treatment will vary depending on the cause of diarrhea in your dog. In the case of worms, your dog will be prescribed a dewormer to take care of the issue. Fluids can also be given to restore hydration. With medical attention, your perfect pup will hopefully feel better soon.