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. Show
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. Give ProbioticsProbiotics 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. For more chronic diarrhea, a probiotic with anti-inflammatory herbs and proteins will help repair your dog’s gut damage. 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 START MAKING YOUR OWN DOG FOOD TODAY Get instant access to easy-to-make and affordable recipes. Plus get new recipes delivered right to your inbox. Start Now Dana Scott Dana Scott is the founder of Dogs Naturally Magazine. She's a sought-after speaker and loves to help dog owners give their dog a healthier, more natural life. Dana also breeds Labrador Retrievers under the Fallriver prefix and has been a raw feeding, natural rearing breeder since the 90's. Dana works tirelessly to educate pet owners so they can be the driving force to change veterinary medicine for dogs and make their world a safer place. Visit Dana's Labradors at Fallriver Labs What home remedy can I give my dog for diarrhea?Some tried-and-true methods include: Rice water: Boil high-quality rice in a lot of water, remove the grains, and offer the dog the creamy white soup that's left. A splash of broth or a bit baby food will make it more palatable. Plain white rice.
Is there anything safe to give a dog for diarrhea?Imodium (loperamide) is another over-the-counter medication dogs can take, which also helps resolve diarrhea.
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