If you're a new dog owner, there are few more frightening or frustrating things than when your dog has diarrhea. There are times when diarrhea is nothing to be concerned about, and there are times when it's more serious.
However, if you're checking out this blog post, it likely means that your dog's diarrhea isn't occasional and is becoming a regular thing. If that's the situation you're in, you've come to the right place. We'll look at why diarrhea happens and how to stop diarrhea in your dog. We'll also explore a few home remedies and look at when it's time to go to the vet. Let's get started!
What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?
- How to Stop Diarrhea in Dogs
- When to Call the Vet About My Dog's Diarrhea
- Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?
Diarrhea in dogs in and of itself usually isn't concerning. If you think about it, you don't go rushing off to the doctor every time you have a bout of the squirts. Your dog is the same way in that diarrhea happens from time to time and isn't cause for concern. Here are some of the possible reasons your dog has diarrhea.
- Getting into the garbage can and eating rotten food
- A side effect of medications or antibiotics
- Stress and anxiety can lead to indigestion and diarrhea
- An excess of treats or human food
- Changes in their diet, or dog food that's too rich in certain nutrients
- Bacterial infections or parasites
- Serious medical conditions such as pancreatitis, colon cancer, liver or kidney diseases, or a bowel condition
- Eating poisons or toxins such as rat poisoning or insecticides
- Pesticides and fertilizer
- Viral infections, including parvo and distemper
- Giardia from drinking stagnant and dirty water
- Drinking saltwater at the beach
- Salmonella, whipworms, hookworms, or roundworms
- Getting too excited or elated
As you can see, there are tons of reasons why your dog might have diarrhea. Some of them are severe medical conditions, while others result from indigestion or getting overly excited. While it feels good to take some comfort in the fact that most of the reasons for diarrhea are minor and will pass on their own, it's also frightening to think that some of the reasons are life-threatening.
How to Stop Diarrhea in Dogs
Regardless of why your dog has diarrhea, you want it to end. Diarrhea is especially inconvenient during the puppy stage or if your dog hasn't been potty trained yet. Cleaning up solid chunks of poop in the house is one thing, but a mess of diarrhea is another ballgame.
First and foremost, you should never give your dog human medications that work for you when you have an upset stomach. Dogs have a unique digestive system, and certain things that are fine for us are toxic to them. The last thing you want to do is make the problem worse by thinking Pepto Bismol or another human medication will help the situation.
If you're determined to go for a quick fix, you can contact your vet and explain to them what's going on. They will have medication on hand that you can pick up for your pup, but you would do well to try a few home remedies first.
Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
If you notice one or two bouts of consecutive diarrhea, you should first adjust your pup's diet. Start by skipping a meal and fasting for 12 to 24 hours. If your dog has an upset stomach, especially if they're a puppy, they likely won't know that eating food is what's causing it. They'll continue to devour their meals like there's no tomorrow, not knowing they're only making things worse.
Dinner Variations
However, you don't want to starve your dog, so never skip more than two meals.When you restart their dinners, rather than serving them traditional dog food, their first couple of meals should consist of plain chicken and white rice. You can also opt for plain oatmeal, which happens to be a favorite of most dogs. Your pup will also benefit from plain pumpkin if you have it on hand.
Pedialyte
The lone exception to human medications you can give your dog is Pedialyte. Plain, unflavored Pedialyte is a great way to keep your dog hydrated if they're struggling with diarrhea. Simply mix a little bit of it into their drinking water, and they'll lap it up without even knowing. Here are a few other home remedies for how to stop diarrhea in your dog.
- Rice water
- Plain Yogurt
- Simple and plain probiotics
- Skinless, boiled, or baked potatoes
- Cottage cheese
- Dog foods specifically for dogs with indigestion
When to Call the Vet About My Dog's Diarrhea
Nine times out of ten, your dog's diarrhea will go away on its own or with a bit of help from the above home remedies. However, as we discussed earlier, there are a few instances when your dog might be suffering from a severe condition. You must know when this is happening and when you should take your puppy to the vet.
Lack of Appetite
Don't be alarmed if your dog doesn't want to eat immediately after they've had diarrhea. However, if they reject your offerings of rice and chicken after 12 to 24 hours, something bigger is happening.
Blood With the Diarrhea
As with humans, blood in the stool is never a good thing. It could indicate that your dog has cancer or another serious condition.
Abnormal Behavior
When diarrhea is accompanied by lethargy, abnormal drooling, excess vomiting, or weakness outside of the norm, you should take your dog to the vet.
Prolonged Diarrhea
If diarrhea simply doesn't go away, even if your dog seems otherwise fine, you should still take them to the vet to see what's going on.
Ultimately, the final decision of when to go to the vet versus giving diarrhea time to pass on its own is up to you. You know your dog better than anyone, which means that you'll likely be able to tell if something's bothering them aside from diarrhea. While you don't want to become that person who rushes off to the vet anytime your dog sneezes, you also don't want to be negligent and fail to give your dog the help they need.
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