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Summary: If you're wondering what to do about diarrhoea in dogs, in this blog you'll find 5 remedies to try and help your dog with diarrhoea...

 

No one likes having diarrhoea - regardless if you're human or a dog! The discomfort, the pain, and the constant need to use the bathroom can be horrible. So, imagine how hard and awful it must be for your pup when they're suffering from an upset tummy, too!

Unfortunately for our fluffy friends, they can't tell us when something is wrong, so we need to make sure that we know how to help them through these tough times.

First things first: what has caused the upset tummy? Stress, diet change, an allergy, dietary indiscretion, or eating something they shouldn't could all be the root of your dog’s diarrhoea. But, sometimes a runny stool could be an indicator for a larger, more sinister health problem: chronic disease, intestinal parasites, or a viral/bacterial illness.

Having a poorly pup is never nice as a doggy parent, especially when you're having to clean up the mess they're leaving behind with every bathroom break! It is extremely important for you to know when to seek veterinary assistance or when you need a few simple tricks from the comfort of your own home.

When To See The Vet

Our furry friends can't talk, so it's down to us to know when something is wrong and try to work out the cause of the problem so it doesn't happen again.

Although the odd bout of loose stool is incredibly normal for both humans and dogs, and nothing to concern yourself with, knowing the signs and indicators of something more serious is imperative as a pet parent, like the following:

• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness
• Dehydration
• Black or bloody stools
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain - this may be shown through groaning, crying or excessive panting when being touched or defecating.
• Bloating & discomfort
• Any of the above lasting longer than 48 hours

See your vet as soon as possible if your pup is showing signs of any of the above along with diarrhoea, or if the diarrhoea bowel movement lasts more than 48 hours. 

On the other hand, if your pup isn't showing any of these signs but is still experiencing loose stools, take a look at the following home remedies to help dogs with diarrhoea and may aid their discomfort...

Diarrhoea In Dogs Treatment

Fasting

When your pup is struggling with their stomach, the best thing you can do for them is to reduce the amount of food they're consuming.

Sometimes, when the issue is small, the best thing for you to do is to give their gastrointestinal tract some time to heal and rest. How do you do this? Well, our advice is to avoid any food for 12 - 24 hours to allow your pup's system to flush through any issues that are causing the problem.

While your pup is in this fasting stage, you need to make sure that they stay hydrated. Having water available for them throughout the day will be perfect, but keep an eye on them - don't let them drink too much at once as this can induce vomiting and may even cause more loose stools.

A Simple Diet

Once the fasting 12 - 24 hours are over, it is time for you to introduce food back into your dog's body. If they're still struggling and suffering from diarrhoea, keep them off food for another 12 hours and re-introduce food when the loose stools have stopped.

As the cause of your dog’s upset stomach could be due to something they have eaten - or even an allergy they have developed from their normal food, you will need to make sure that they are re-introduced to food with a very simple diet. Slowly get them to eat small portions of plain, boiled white meat - like chicken, finely shredded over plain, boiled white rice.

But we can't forget those puppies with grain intolerances or on a grain-free diet! For grain-sensitive pups, why not try mashed banana? Every few hours, get your four-legged friend to eat 2 spoon-fulls of mashed banana and gradually increase the amount as the day goes on.

After the 24 hours period of bland food is over, introduce their normal food slowly, starting with 75% plain and 25% of their normal food. Continue this for a day or two, then mix 50/50 and reduce every day until your pup is back to their normal, healthy self.

If your dog is a picky eater, sticking to a bland diet might be challenging. But, consider this the perfect opportunity to train your dog to not be so picky. That way, even when they’re cured, they'll be trained not to beg while you're having your own meal.

Try A Probiotic

Just like us humans, when our pups suffer from diarrhoea, the healthy bacteria in their tummies are expelled along with the bad bacteria, so it is important to regain these as soon as possible.

How? A high-quality, dog-specific probiotic is the best option.

Probiotics can be great for topping the good bacteria in their gut up after a bout of diarrhoea has expelled their stock. Healthy digestion will result in strengthened immunity and a livelier, happier pooch!

Alternatively, if you're dealing with doggy diarrhoea right now try plain, live yogurt - this should do the trick on your dog’s stool.

Add a spoonful or two into your pup's simple dinners (while they're in the 50/50 stage of food reintroduction) and mix. The natural and healthy bacteria from the yogurt will help your dog’s stomach health. 

Dog diarrhoea also causes dehydration. So when your pet can't keep water down, try making him sip small doses of unflavoured Dioralyte. This helps replenish fluids and electrolytes.

PetLab Co. Fun Fact: Aside from aiding digestion, did you know that probiotics also support the immune system, reduce stress, and prevent anxiety? Turns out there are lots of benefits to incorporating dog-specific probiotics in your dog’s diet.

Incorporate Natural Foods

The best thing for when your pup has a funny tummy is to provide them with foods that will not cause any more bother. Pumpkin puree, chia seeds, and plantains are all great sources for healing and supporting stomach problems. Pumpkin, in particular, is full of fibre which can help keep your pup's stools solid and healthy.

Chia seeds are also a great source of fibre, along with having the ability to absorb excess water, whereas plantain can provide important antimicrobial properties, which are extremely beneficial to support your pup's overall health once the problem has paced.

Of course, we recommend that you consult with your vet before you make large changes to your dog's diet. .. You don't want to do something to cause more stomach problems.

Look To Supplements

It is always a good idea to try and get ahead of health problems, regardless of whether your dog has ever had previous difficulties - knowing that you're supporting them in the best way is important as a puppy parent.

Why not give your pup an extra boost via a dog-specific multivitamin to help support their overall health?

Prevention Should Be First and Foremost

While it is important to learn about dog diarrhoea home remedies, preventing canine diarrhoea is just as important. With that said, there are certain foods you ought to be mindful of. Avoid feeding your dog any of these foods:

Dairy

Dogs can actually tolerate dairy, however, unlike humans, they aren't able to break down the lactose just as well. So ease up on the milk and ice cream. Small portions of cottage cheese and plain yogurt are ok because they cultivate good gut bacteria that aid in digestion.

Raw or uncleaned meat

Most vets agree that you shouldn't feed your dog raw meat because they contain harmful bacteria, such as E. coli, salmonella, or listeria. If you want your pet to eat meat, make sure to cook the portions first before feeding. Don’t overcomplicate things; Consider simple recipes like boiled chicken. Alternatively, a lot of dog food options offer a meat quality, along with other healthy ingredients and vegetables that are completely safe for dogs.

Rotten food

Just because some dogs have an affinity for garbage food, doesn't mean that their stomachs can handle rotten leftovers. If your dog is constantly breaking into the garbage, they are left susceptible to a disease vets refer to as “garbage gut.” This disease shouldn’t be taken lightly as it can lead to many complications down the road. 

These are the top three types of food to avoid giving to your dog. Aside from being more mindful of what they eat, you should also pay attention to their bowel movements. Check your dog's faeces regularly to discern any digestive problems early. After all, you wouldn't want acute diarrhoea to develop into chronic diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea In Dogs

A bout of doggy diarrhoea is never nice, whether it lasts a few days or longer (leading to something more serious), it isn’t fun for you and it definitely isn’t fun for your furry pal either. As long as you’re aware of what you need to look out for and when to seek out further medical advice, you can support your pup in the correct way, helping them to make a full recovery and say goodbye to those wet stools and uncomfortable bellies.

Sources

Teresa Manucy, DVM. “Probiotics for Dogs: Do They Work?” PetMD, PetMD, 3 Nov. 2020, https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/probiotics-dogs-what-you-need-know