As a pet parent, you might be wondering, “What can I give my dog for diarrhea?” We’re here to help!
With their boundless energy, mischievous antics, and cheeky personalities, dogs are like little balls of sunshine that brighten up our lives.
But let’s face it, as much as we love them, dealing with their occasional bouts of diarrhea can be a pain. Whether it’s from a diet change, a stomach bug, or something more serious, watching your furry friend run around in circles, whining and barking with discomfort can be extremely distressing.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about treating your pet’s digestive distress, from identifying the symptoms to home remedies and over-the-counter medications. So, let’s put on our serious pet parent hats and dive into the world of doggy diarrhea remedies!
Types of Dog Diarrhea
While it’s normal to pass two to three stools a day, if your dog’s stools are watery or contain mucus, it could be an indication of diarrhea.
Here are different types of diarrhea to help you better understand what’s going on with your dog.
Acute Diarrhea
One of the most common types of diarrhea in canines is acute diarrhea. It usually occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period. This diarrhea is typically caused by viral or bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion, or stressful situations such as boarding, traveling, or moving to a new home.
In some cases, however, no cause can be found for your pet’s sudden bout of loose stools, and it is resolved on its own.
Large Bowel Diarrhea
As the name implies, large bowel diarrhea is a type of diarrhea that affects the large intestine. It’s characterized by frequent, small bowel movements and often accompanied by mucus or blood in the stool.
The cause may be dietary indiscretion or sensitivity to certain foods, intestinal parasites, a bacterial infection that infects the digestive tract directly or spreads throughout the body due to a compromised immune system, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer, histiocytic ulcerative colitis (HUC), or clostridial infections.
Small Bowel Diarrhea
Small bowel diarrhea is common in puppies and older dogs. It’s usually caused by an irritation in the lining of the small intestine, such as a gastrointestinal infection, food intolerance, or parasites.
This type of diarrhea comes on suddenly, and you may see blood in your dog’s stool. Your pup may also show symptoms of dehydration if he loses too much fluid from this type of diarrhea.
Maldigestive/Malabsorptive Diarrhea
Maldigestive/malabsorptive diarrhea occurs when the dog’s digestive system is unable to properly digest or absorb nutrients from its food. In this case, the dog may be consuming large amounts of food but still losing weight.
Common symptoms of this diarrhea include:
- Weight loss
- Flatulence
- Abdominal distension and tenderness
- Foul smelling stool
- Undigested fat in stools
While this type of diarrhea affects any canine breed, it is most commonly seen in German Shepherds, Collie breeds, and English Setters.
Chronic Diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea is a persistent problem that can be caused by many things, including:
- Parasitic infections such as giardiasis or whipworms
- Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper or coronavirus
- Irritable bowel syndrome
If your dog has chronic diarrhea, it’s important to rule out any medical conditions that may cause this symptom. This includes exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, cancer, or dysbiosis. Since these issues can be life-threatening and can exacerbate the symptoms of diarrhea, they should be treated as soon as possible.
Home Remedies to Treat Your Dog’s Diarrhea
When you’re wondering “what can I give my dog for diarrhea?” it’s good to have several options. Once you’ve determined that your dog’s diarrhea isn’t caused by a serious medical condition, you can take steps to treat it. Depending on the cause of diarrhea and its severity, here are some home remedies you can try:
Fasting
If your dog has diarrhea, it’s best to withhold food for 12 to 24 hours to give its digestive system a chance to rest and recover. Make sure your dog has access to clean drinking water during this time.
Bland Food
After the fasting period, gradually introduce a bland diet that’s high in fiber. This can help to provide your dog with the nutrients they need while also being easy on its digestive system.
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found naturally in the gut that help digest food and promote healthy digestion. They also help keep bad bacteria at bay, helping prevent further infections and ailments.
There are many different types of probiotics supplements available on the market today, but make sure it includes Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium species. You can feed them plain yogurt with live cultures.
Alternative Food for a Dog with Diarrhea
In addition to home remedies, one of the best things you can do is feed your dog a bland diet. This will help to soothe his upset stomach and get his system back on track. Some good options include:
Lean Proteins
Lean proteins provide the nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy without irritating its digestive system. Good sources of lean protein include dried whitefish, boiled chicken breast, and cooked turkey.
Bone Broth
Bone broth provides essential minerals and electrolytes that are often depleted by diarrhea. Since bone broth is made from bones simmered in water, it’s very easy on the stomach and can be fed as soon as your dog starts having symptoms of diarrhea.
You can also add some salt or seasonings if you want more flavor, but don’t add anything else, like spices or herbs, because they may irritate the stomach even more.
White Rice
Packed with nutrients and complex carbohydrates, White rice can be a miracle food that can firm up a loose stool while helping your furry friend feel full while he recovers from his illness.
Canned pumpkin
Pumpkin contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals that can ease the symptoms of tummy troubles. It also offers relief for constipation and makes your dog feel full, so he won’t be as tempted to snack. It also tastes good — in fact, try topping cooked pumpkin with a little bit of plain yogurt or cottage cheese to make it more appealing.
Over-the-Counter Medications for Dog Diarrhea
If your dog’s diarrhea is severe or persistent, or if they show other symptoms such as vomiting or lethargy, it’s important to seek veterinary advice. Your vet may prescribe the following medications to treat dog diarrhea:
Antibiotics
If your dog’s diarrhea is caused by an infection like salmonella, campylobacter, E. coli, and giardia, your veterinarian may prescribe an oral or injectable antibiotic. These medications can help treat the infection and prevent it from spreading to other areas of your dog’s body.
The length of treatment varies based on how severe the infection is, but it’s usually recommended to give it two times a day for five to seven days.
Anti-diarrheal Drugs
If your dog’s diarrhea is caused by food poisoning or another non-infectious cause, anti-diarrheal medications may help manage the symptoms. Some common OTC anti-diarrheal medications for dogs include loperamide (Imodium) and bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol).
These medicines slow down the movement of food through your dog’s digestive tract to reduce the severity of diarrhea while easing symptoms, including stomach cramps and bloating.
Dewormers
If your dog is passing loose stool and you’ve noticed that its stools contain small black or white worms, your veterinarian may prescribe a dewormer to help get rid of the infestation and speed up recovery time.
Your dog should also have blood tests done as a follow-up to ensure that all of the worms have been killed since many types develop resistance over time and will not be killed by the dewormer alone.
Tips to Prevent Diarrhea in Dogs
Now that you’ve gone through the different causes of diarrhea in dogs and how to treat it, let’s take a look at some tips that can help you prevent your dog from becoming sick in the first place.
- Dogs can have sensitive stomachs, so it’s important to monitor what they eat. Stick to high-quality, easily digestible dog food with a balanced nutritional profile, and avoid giving them table scraps.
- Don’t let your dog eat bones or rawhide chews – these can cause digestive blockages and internal bleeding.
- Make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times, and consider adding an electrolyte solution to their water bowl during hot weather or after vigorous exercise.
- Make sure to regularly clean their living space, including their bedding, toys, food, and water bowls. Wash your hands before and after handling your furry friend or their waste.
- Dogs thrive on routine, so sudden changes to their diet or environment can throw off their digestive system. If you need to switch your dog to a new food or move to a new home, try to do so gradually to give their system time to adjust.
- If you notice a change in your dog’s poop from its normal color, this could be an indication of an underlying health problem. If it’s orange or yellow, it indicates a liver or biliary issue while red shows bleeding somewhere in the intestinal tract. If you spot white, rice-like particles in your dog’s poop, this could be a sign of worms or other parasites.
- Take your dog to the vet for vaccinations and regular check-ups, as they can help prevent these viruses and other illnesses.
Brief Summary What Can I Give My Dog for Diarrhea
The answer to the big question, “What can I give my dog for diarrhea?” is to find out what’s causing it, then treat that.
While diarrhea can be worrisome for any pet owner, taking swift and proper action can help alleviate your dog’s discomfort and prevent further complications.
Remember that your dog’s digestive system is sensitive and delicate — so don’t try to force food into them when they are feeling under the weather!