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Diarrhea in dogs is a problem caused by various reasons. What can we do to prevent it?
Diarrhea in dogs is caused by different reasons, but there are diets that could help our dog restore to its health quickly. This condition is very common and could be a symptom of various diseases.
The diseases that present diarrhea as a symptom require different treatments. Owners often think that diarrhea is a minor problem, and usually wait for the problem to dissipate on its own. If the condition persists for more than two days you should contact your vet, who will recommend a suitable treatment.
You can control or at least minimize the problem taking some precautions with your dog’s diet.
Diarrhea in Dogs: Common Causes
The most serious stage of diarrhea is called severe or acute; and as we said before it could be caused by a number of reasons, such as:
- Food Allergies or Food Intolerances.
- Overfeeding or changes in its diet.
- Food poisoning.
- Different Diseases: Addison’s Disease, Bacterial Infections (Canine Parvovirus), Intestinal Parasites, Colitis, Kidney Diseases, etc.
- Aging.
You should not get scared if you notice that your dog has only diarrhea as a symptom, it could be due to something that the dog has eaten. In this case you can wait before calling your vet.
Bloody Diarrhea, Diarrhea with Mucus and Black Diarrhea
Some characteristics you must consider in your dog’s feces are color and consistency. Contact your vet if you notice:
- Bloody Diarrhea.
- Dark blood in the feces.
- Diarrhea with mucus.
If you see this during an episode of diarrhea you should collect a sample of your dog’s fecal material in a sterilized container and bring it to your vet.
Diarrhea in Dogs: What to Feed a Dog With Diarrhea
- When your dog has diarrhea the first thing you must do is reduce the food portions or even make it fast for 12 to 24 hours to improve your dog’s digestive system. Fasting will keep your dog’s bowels empty, this will give the digestive tract a chance to relax and will prevent any irritations.
- A light diet will keep your dog’s stomach and bowels healthy and balanced. You should avoid giving your dog red meat during the diet, instead you can feed it chicken (unless your dog is allergic to it).
- You can add white rice to the chicken; this will help normalize your dog’s stool consistency.
- Add fibers to its diet, such as whole grains and fruits, for example apples.
- In some cases, the vet can recommend food with glutamine, an amino acid that absorbs water and maintains the normal integrity of the intestinal mucosa.
- Prebiotic administration can be effective during diarrhea treatment; this will improve the digestive system and also restore the intestinal flora. Prebiotics are present in dairy products and in some supplements.
Always leave your dog a bowl with fresh and clean water. Keep in mind that diarrhea can cause dehydration, so it is necessary that your dog drinks enough water, unless there are episodes of vomiting. In this case, the dog must drink slowly to prevent retching
Diarrhea in Dogs: What Food You Must Avoid
During a diarrhea episode, you must avoid giving your dog milk and milk derivatives. Dogs are lactose intolerant, they cannot digest milk; drinking milk can lead to episodes of diarrhea.
Table scraps and other snacks are prohibited in your dog’s daily meals. You should also avoid sudden changes in its diet, unless the vet decides to modify the diet due to an allergy or certain food intolerance.
Diarrhea in Dogs: Find a Professional
If you have any doubts, you can consult the nearest professional, who will give your dog the proper care and attention, and answer all your questions
You may be interested in reading another article related to the health of our friends such as:
- Canine Parvovirus
- Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease) in Dogs
- Scabies in Dogs (Sarcoptic Mange)
- Dermatitis in Dogs
- Pyoderma In Dogs
- Dog Constipation
- Distemper in Dogs
