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Dog Diarrhea Remedy: Quick Home Solutions for Your Pet's Digestive Issues
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When a dog has diarrhea, it passes unformed or loose stools that may come with or without vomiting. Diarrhea in dogs is not a disease itself but a clinical sign of an underlying disease.
Most of the time, stress or a diet change is causing your pet’s digestive issues, or they have eaten garbage or spoiled food recently. Other causes include bacterial, viral infections, parasitic infection, stress pancreatitis (inflamed pancreas), inflammatory bowel disease, food allergies, or organ dysfunction.
Diarrhea becomes a health issue when it causes dehydration and weight loss. If left untreated it can cause a stinky mess and be tiring to handle … or worse, it could lead to death. So, what’s the best dog diarrhea remedy for a dog owner and when should you contact your vet?
Table of Content
Understanding Dog Diarrhea What causes diarrhea in dogs? When to be concerned: Signs of serious illness Hydration: Why it’s important Simple Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea Fasting to rest the digestive system Bland diet: Boiled chicken and rice Probiotics for gut balance Hydration solutions and electrolytes Dietary Adjustments to Prevent Future Episodes Slowly introducing new foods Avoiding common food triggers Adding fiber to their diet Preventative Measures and Good Habits Routine parasite prevention Proper food storage and hygiene Regular vet checkups Frequently Asked Questions How long should I try home remedies before seeing a vet? Can I give my dog over-the-counter medications for diarrhea? What can I do if my dog refuses to eat the bland diet? Conclusion Products Featured In This Blog
Understanding Dog Diarrhea
A healthy dog takes fewer than 10 hours to digest its food and pass solid normal dog's poop. However, many things can upset your dog's digestive system and lead to changed stool consistency such as constipation or diarrhea. These include the dog's diet, age, and an off-balance gut environment.
The cause of dog diarrhea could be anything from stress to dietary changes, but addressing it early with the right dog diarrhea remedy can prevent complications.
What causes diarrhea in dogs?
Diarrhea in dogs occurs for many reasons, including the following:
Dietary changes: Switching your dog's food can upset its stomach causing diarrhea. A study from 2023 found that sudden changes can mess with how the body works, and boost compounds (like histamine and spermine) that can cause digestive tract discomfort.
Food intolerance or allergy: Dogs might not handle proteins, grains, or additives well in their food. You might notice chronic diarrhea and bloating.
Infections: Bacterial infections, viral infections or parasitic infections caused by pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella,or Giardiacan disrupt the balance of gut bacteria causing digestive upset. For infections, a proper dog diarrhea remedy may include probiotics or prescribed medication from your vet.
In case of infections, a proper dog diarrhea remedy may include probiotics or prescribed medication from your vet.
Stress: Dogs are very sensitive to changes in their environment and stress from a new home which can trigger digestive issues. Knowing about stress-induced diarrhea and using the right dog diarrhea remedy can help ease your pet’s discomfort.
When to be concerned: Signs of serious illness
As a dog owner, you should be concerned with the cause of your dog's diarrhea and seek veterinary attention when you start noticing the following symptoms in your pet:
Dark stools
Bloody diarrhea
Diarrhea continues
Lethargy
Vomiting
Weight loss
Dehydration
A good dog diarrhea remedy can work for mild symptoms, but severe or persistent signs need immediate veterinary attention.
Hydration: Why it’s important
Diarrhea in dogs causes them to lose excess fluids and electrolytes like sodium, chloride through the digestive system. This fluid and electrolyte loss can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, reduced urination, sunken eyes and dry gums. In early dehydration, signs are minimal, so monitor if fluid loss from diarrhea is greater than what the dog drinks.Diarrhea in dogs causes them to lose excess fluids and electrolytes like sodium, chloride through the digestive system. This fluid and electrolyte loss can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous. Signs of dehydration include lethargy, reduced urination, sunken eyes and dry gums. In early dehydration, signs are minimal, so monitor if fluid loss from diarrhea is greater than what the dog drinks.v
Simple Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
What dog diarrhea remedies can you, the dog owner, give to treat your dog's diarrhea? We have shared a few you can try below.
Fasting to rest the digestive system
Traditionally, a short fasting period was said to help your dog’s gastrointestinal tract recover. The trick was to withhold dog's regular food for 12 to 24 hours as this slows down muscle contractions in the stomach.
However, new research shows gut cells need food to heal. So fasting might help for a short time. It's better to give your dog small frequent meals of bland food. The only time you might consider a short fast is if your dog can't keep food down because of throwing up. But even then, you should do this if your vet approves it.
Bland diet: Boiled chicken and rice
As a home treatment, we suggest adding a bland diet giving small frequent meals to soothe an upset stomach. You can use chicken and rice for 2-3 days, but if you need to continue longer, dogs require a more complete diet that is bland and easy to digest.
Here’s how you can prepare a bland diet:
Cook white long grain rice it’s soft and measure 2 or 3 parts of rice
Boil your boneless, skinless chicken breast properly till it’s tender.
Mix the cooked rice and chicken properly
Feed your dog in small portions frequently, according to their size.
Probiotics for gut balance
Probiotics are live bacteria that help in restoring the natural healthy gut balance. Aside from causing better gut health, probiotics also help to reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance and lower the risk of some diseases. Several well-studied strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteriaare safe and beneficial for gut health.
Some dog-safe probiotics include kefir with live cultures, plain yogurt with no artificial sweeteners, and vegetables. Your vet can help suggest the right amount for your pet.
Hydration solutions and electrolytes
Keeping your pet well hydrated during bouts of diarrhea is important, especially electrolyte solutions. For mild cases of dog diarrhea, a vet may recommend 50% Pedialyte diluted with 50% water. Water and wet food can also help with rehydration.
Dietary Adjustments to Prevent Future Episodes
Here are a few dietary adjustments to help prevent future bouts of diarrhea:
Slowly introducing new foods
Introducing new foods slowly is the key to preventing digestive upset in dogs. This way, their tummies can adjust slowly and reduce the risk of diarrhea and discomfort.
Avoiding common food triggers
A sudden increase in some foods, like high-fat or high-fiber foods, can trigger diarrhea in dogs. Avoiding those triggers will help maintain digestive stability and overall gut health for your fur baby.
Adding fiber to their diet
Adding moderate amounts of fiber to a dog’s diet will promote healthy digestion and firm stools. This supports a balanced digestive system and reduces loose stool.
Preventative Measures and Good Habits
Setting preventative habits for your dog, like regular checkups and proper food handling is key to maintaining their digestive health and avoiding tummy troubles. Some preventative measures include the following:
Routine parasite prevention
Regular deworming and parasite checks are important. Inflammatory bowel disease parasites can cause diarrhea and other health issues. Be consistent with these checks and your dog’s digestive system will be healthy.
Proper food storage and hygiene
Store dog food properly and practice good hygiene to prevent contamination from either dog poop or anything else. This will protect your fur baby from bacteria that can cause digestive issues including diarrhea.
Regular vet checkups
Routine vet visits are important, especially for dogs with recurring diarrhea. A vet can catch issues, stop diarrhea early, and keep your dog healthy. Routine checkups and a good dog diarrhea remedy plan can prevent future digestive issues in your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I try home remedies before seeing a vet?
If your dog’s diarrhea doesn’t clear up within 24-48 hours of using dog diarrhea remedies at home, or if severe or concerning signs appear, you should take them to the vet right away. Severe or persistent symptoms need professional help. Do not give human medications under any circumstances.
Can I give my dog over-the-counter medications for diarrhea?
Some OTC meds are safe for dogs but only under a vet's guidance. Some are harmful so always seek veterinary advice before giving any meds.
What can I do if my dog refuses to eat the bland diet?
If your dog won’t eat bland food, try warming it up, adding a little plain broth, or offering alternative bland options like plain boiled turkey, cooked white rice, or mashed sweet potato.
Conclusion
Hydration, a bland diet, and probiotics can help with mild dog diarrhea but do monitor your dog carefully. As an extra, CBD oil may also help manage diarrhea in dogs. If symptoms last more than 24-48 hours, get worse, or other symptoms like vomiting or blood in their stool appear, seek veterinary attention. Early intervention with the right dog diarrhea remedy means your dog's health will be much better and they'll recover faster without complications.
Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench
With nearly two decades of experience, Cambridge veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Dench is dedicated to enhancing animal health through holistic practices. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, she focuses on preventive care over traditional methods, particularly for long-term wellness solutions in pets suffering from anxiety and chronic conditions. As Chief Scientific Advisor at Paw Origins, she champions holistic strategies and education to revolutionize pet care practices.
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It's crucial to acknowledge that, like humans, some dogs may require a longer period to fully benefit from natural supplements like CBD oil. Patience is key, and during this time, it's also important to continue reinforcing good behavior.
When CBD helps to bring your dog to a more tranquil state, it's an opportune moment to introduce new habits and work on phasing out any undesirable behaviors. Remember, while CBD can support your dog's well-being, it is not a substitute for consistent training and conditioning.
Keep an eye out for signs of improvement; sometimes, they may not be immediately obvious. Documenting your dog's journey with videos and photos can help you recognize progress that you might otherwise overlook.
Furthermore, improvements might be taking place internally, such as enhanced immune function or reduced inflammation, which aren't always visible. The absence of health issues can often be a silent testament to the efficacy of the supplement, reflecting your dog's overall health and vitality. So, while some benefits of CBD are seen, others are felt—a healthy dog is a happy dog, inside and out.
Will these products make my pet 'high'?
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The lack of quality sleep can affect their health and anxiety in many ways.
CBD can make older pooches act ‘puppy-like’ and nervous young pups feel calm. The ingredients that makeup hemp contribute to a balanced mood, resulting in a sense of relaxation for your pet.
