Diarrhea is a common problem seen in veterinary clinics. In fact, it is one of the most common reasons people take their dog to the vet. Show
Diarrhea is the act of having abnormally loose or liquid stools. This can also be associated with an increased frequency of bowel movements. Some dogs will have a large amount of liquid or abnormally loose stools once and others will have semi-formed stools frequently with straining. Diarrhea results from excessive water content in the feces and it is an important sign of intestinal disease in dogs. Diarrhea can be a symptom of many different conditions. It can be caused a number of problems including: It can affect your dog by causing extreme fluid loss, which leads to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, and/or acid-base imbalances. Specific treatments of diarrhea are dependent on the cause. Here is the general approach to dealing with a dog with acute diarrhea: If your dog has diarrhea and vomiting (gastroenteritis), we recommend that you see your veterinarian – don’t attempt home care. – Administer only prescribed medications by your veterinarian. – Stop feeding your dog for the first 12 to 24 hours. – If there is no vomiting, provide plenty of fresh clean water or oral rehydrating solutions to help prevent dehydration. – Temporarily change the diet to something bland. Bland diets can be made at home or prescription type diets can be obtained from your veterinarian. A bland digestible diet such as: Hill’s prescription diet i/d, Iams Recovery Diet, Provision EN or Waltham Low Fat is usually recommended. You can make a homemade diet of boiled rice or potatoes (as the carbohydrate source) and lean hamburger, skinless chicken or low-fat cottage cheese (as the protein source). Feed small amounts at a time. Don’t over feed as it may induce vomiting. Feed a meatball size portion and if there is no vomiting for a full hour, offer a small amount more. Give small amounts frequently – every 3 to 4 hours for the first day. You can gradually increase the amount and decrease the frequency as your dog tolerates. – Feed a bland diet for 2 days. – Then gradually return to regular dog food over the next day or two. At first, mix in a little of your dog’s food into the bland diet. Feed that for one meal. Then feed a 50/50 mix for one meal. Then feed ¾ dog food and ¼ bland diet for a meal. Then feed your dog’s regular food. – Leash-walk your pet to allow observation of bowel movements while watching for normal urinations and any vomiting that may occur otherwise without you knowing. – Observe your dog’s general activity and appetite. Watch closely for the presence of blood in the stool, worsening of signs or the onset of vomiting. – Have your pet examined by your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns. – Some veterinarians recommend Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate (for dogs only!) ® The active ingredients are generally subsalicylate and Bismuth. Two tablespoons of Pepto-Bismol contain almost as much salicylate as one aspirin tablet (which is toxic to cats). Do NOT give cats Pepto-bismol or Kaopectate! The subsalicylate, an aspirin-like compound, can decrease diarrhea caused by intestinal infections. The bismuth agent is a chalk-like compound designed to coat the lining of the stomach and intestines. This helps some pets with diarrhea. The typical dose administered to dogs amounts to approximately two teaspoons (10 ml total) per 10 pounds per day, ideally split between two to four doses. This be found at most pharmacies and does not require a prescription. It is often used for one to two days. DO NOT USE IN CATS. – Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. Please do not administer to cats without first consulting with a veterinarian to avoid toxicity. – This is important! If the diarrhea continues at any time or the onset of other symptoms are noted, call your veterinarian promptly. If your pet is not eating, starts vomiting, acts lethargic, has continued diarrhea or any other physical abnormalities mentioned above, it is important to see your veterinarian. Your pet needs the professional care your veterinarian can provide. If your pet is having the clinical signs mentioned above, expect your veterinarian to perform some diagnostic tests and make treatment recommendations. Recommendations will be dependent upon the severity and nature of the clinical signs. If the diarrhea continues after your pet eats or if your pet acts lethargic, doesn’t want to eat and/or starts vomiting, then medical attention is warranted. Please see your veterinarian! For more details about diarrhea, go to Acute Diarrhea in Dogs, and Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs (duration longer than 1 or 2 weeks)”. Related topics – go to Vomiting in Dogs, Vomiting and Diarrhea in Dogs and Dehydration in Dogs. Disclaimer: Advice given in the Home Care series of articles is not meant to replace veterinary care. When your pet has a problem, it is always best to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. But in some cases, it is not always possible to seek veterinary care. You could be traveling, it could be after hours and there are no 24-hour clinics near you, or maybe you simply can’t afford it. Whatever the reason, when your pet has a problem, you need answers. Most vets will not give you any information over the phone – they will tell you to bring your pet in for an office visit. So, when these difficult situations arise, many pet owners don’t know what to do – and they end up doing the wrong thing because they don’t have sound veterinary advice. When your pet has a problem and you can’t see your vet, the information in this series of articles can help guide you so that you will not inadvertently cause harm to your pet. However, this information is not a replacement for veterinary care. Your dog is a walking garbage disposal! He’s designed to eat some pretty gross things … but every once in a while, the digestive system meets something it can’t handle. Most of the time, diarrhea passes fairly quickly … but sometimes it can be difficult to treat or can be a sign that something serious might be going on. So if you’ve found yourself cleaning up your rugs, this quick guide will help you stop dog diarrhea fast … and tell you when it’s time to see the vet. What Causes Dog Diarrhea?The majority of cases of acute diarrhea are caused by dietary indiscretion, bacteria, viruses and parasites. Here are the most common causes of dog diarrhea:
How Serious Is Diarrhea In Dogs?Most cases of dog diarrhea are self-limiting and will resolve on their own in a day or two. Many dogs with diarrhea act and feel fine so there’s no need to worry in most cases. Stopping diarrhea is usually as simple as fasting your dog and returning to a bland diet. But if the bout of diarrhea lasts for more than a couple of days, the most common risk is dehydration. If your dog doesn’t drink enough fluids to replace what her body loses through watery stools or vomiting, she will become dehydrated. To test if your dog is dehydrated, pinch the skin at the back of her neck then let go. It should bounce right back again. If the pinch of skin takes a second or more to return to normal, your dog might be dehydrated. Dehydration can be hard on your dog’s heart and kidneys, especially if there’s loss of appetite, so it’s a good idea to check with your holistic vet if your dog fails the pinch test. Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea?Your dog’s poop can teach you a lot about what’s going on inside her. Here are the common colors of diarrhea and what they can mean: Yellow StoolThe most common causes of yellow diarrhea are:
Green StoolThe most common causes of green diarrhea are:
Blue StoolTreat blue diarrhea as an emergency. It could mean your dog has eaten rat poison (which is usually blue) or a toy. Save the stool in a baggie … then take the baggie and your dog to the vet. Black StoolBlack or very dark brown stools often mean there’s old blood in the stool. Common causes of black stools include:
Grey StoolThe most common causes of grey, greasy stools are:
Bloody StoolA small streak of red is often seen with diarrhea. If blood is consistently in the stools, you might want to check with your vet … but if your dog is bright, active and acting normal, it’s probably not a cause for concern. Causes of bloody diarrhea include:
What If There’s Mucus In The Poop?Mucus can be a normal part of your dog’s stools. Mucus coats the digestive tract and allows waste to slip through the digestive tract more easily. But if there’s sudden mucus with diarrhea or there are excessive amounts, it could be caused by:
Overall, if your dog is acting normally, mucus and diarrhea aren’t typically a cause for concern. But if your dog isn’t looking like himself, it’s best to make an appointment with your holistic vet. If your dog is otherwise feeling fine, it’s safe to manage most cases of dog diarrhea with home remedies. Next, let’s look at what to do if your dog has diarrhea. Home Remedies For Diarrhea In DogsDog diarrhea treatment is often quite simple. Some cases of diarrhea may be more stubborn to manage, but understanding the causes of diarrhea is key to knowing how to stop dog diarrhea. Here are the simple steps you can take … Fast Your DogIf your dog develops sudden diarrhea, stop feeding him for 12 to 24 hours. This may seem cruel, but it’s an important step. Young puppies should not be fasted … it’s always important to see your vet if your puppy develops diarrhea. Once the diarrhea has stopped or slowed, you can offer small sips of water. If you see signs of improvement after 6 hours of water only, you can give your dog some broth. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that can be used to naturally prevent and treat a wide range of health problems, including diarrhea. Probiotics provide your dog with valuable postbiotics like butyrate and lactic acid. These help regulate the immune system that lives in your dog’s gut. They help reduce inflammation, one of the core causes of diarrhea. The best probiotics for dogs with diarrhea are:
Make sure your dog’s probiotics contain at least two of these strains. S boulardii and B subtilis should be at least 1 billion CFU (colony forming units). L acidophilus and Bifidobacterium probiotics should be at least 30 billion CFU. DNM RECOMMENDED: For occasional, acute cases of diarrhea we recommend a veterinary-formulated, high CFU probiotic. Buy Bifido For Fido here >> For more chronic diarrhea, we recommend a probiotic with anti-inflammatory herbs and proteins: Buy Gut Guard here >> Start your dog on probiotics as soon as you see symptoms and continue the probiotics for several weeks after symptoms resolve. They can also be given long-term to help prevent future episodes of dog diarrhea. Diarrhea Soup RecipeTransitioning back to a regular diet is an important part of dog diarrhea treatment at home. Once the diarrhea has resolved, introduce food slowly to help prevent further tummy upset. You may have heard that white rice and boiled chicken help with sensitive stomachs … but soup or broth is a gentler way to smooth your dog’s transition back to his regular diet. You can purchase soup or bone broth at your natural supermarket, but make sure it’s low in sodium and has limited ingredients (with no onion). Here is a simple recipe you can make at home:
Give your dog small portions of the soup … a few teaspoons for very small dogs, and ½ to one cup for larger dogs. Wait 4 to 6 hours and watch for diarrhea or vomiting before offering more. Don’t feed the soup if there’s still diarrhea present … wait until the diarrhea resolves. Don’t worry, adult dogs can easily go days without eating, as long as they can keep water down. More Home Remedies For DiarrheaThere are many safe and effective herbs you can give your dog to speed up the healing. Diarrhea is usually the result of an inflamed and irritated intestinal lining. These herbs and foods can help solve the cause of both acute and long-standing dog diarrhea. Slippery ElmSlippery elm is a gentle herb that soothes the mucous membranes. It’s safe and effective … and gentle on your dog’s sore digestive tract. Give slippery elm with food. Give ¼ tsp powder for every 10 lbs body weight. L-GlutamineL-Glutamine is an amino acid that heals intestinal cells. You can give it alone or with other supplements. Give 500mg per 25 lbs of body weight daily. Marshmallow RootThis is another useful herb for soothing the gastrointestinal tract and decreasing inflammation. Give 1/2 to 1.5 ml per 20 pounds body weight, twice daily. Bonus Recipe: Slippery Elm Healing MixtureCombine equal parts of:
Small dogs … 1 tsp twice daily Medium dogs … 2 tsp twice daily Large dogs … 3 tsp twice daily When Should I Be Concerned About My Dog’s Diarrhea?If your dog is healthy and has a strong immune system, the diarrhea should resolve in 2 or 3 days. If your dog still has diarrhea and seems sick … work with your holistic vet to find out how to treat dog diarrhea. Your vet may want to:
Luckily, most cases of diarrhea are self-limiting. With this simple dog diarrhea home remedy, you’ll be able to help your dog get back to normal quickly. References
Herstad HK et al. Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis–a controlled clinical trial. Blaabjerg S et al. Probiotics for the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea in Outpatients—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Small Anim Pract. 2010 Jan;51(1):34-8. Paap PM et al. Administration of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (Calsporin®) may improve feces consistency in dogs with chronic diarrhea. Antibiotics (Basel). 2017 Dec;6(4): 21. B Mounika et al. Effect of probiotic formulation containing Bacillus spp. on diarrhoea in dogs. The Pharma Journal 2019; 8(6): 81-85 |