Dealing With Dog Diarrhea

Dog diarrhea can be an unpleasant and mess experience for pet owners. When it strikes, it can seem like a difficult problem to solve. While discomfort is unavoidable for your pup, there are some steps that you can take to alleviate the problem and get your pup back to their normal healthy self.

Understand the Cause

The important first step to take when dealing with your pup’s diarrhea is to understand what is causing the issue. It can be a symptom of a variety of different illnesses and diseases, so try to narrow down the cause before seeking any form of medication or treatment. Diarrhea in dogs can be caused by food or environmental factors. Many pet parents find that their pup’s diet is often the culprit; a food unpleasant to their stomach will result in an inflammatory response, resulting in several episodes of diarrhea. Similarly, the environment can affect your puppy’s belly. If they’re exposed to bacteria, or they’ve been swimming in polluted water, they can get a stomach bug that will trigger the symptom.

Change Your Pooch’s Diet

In the event your pup’s diet is the cause of the diarrhea, changing their diet is a must. Start with a diet that is easily digestible for your pup, like boiled chicken and rice. Avoid foods with too many fillers, corn and wheat, as this can also clash with their stomachs. If your pup is a senior, consider buying a specialized diet made for their age. Puppies will require puppy-specific nutrition, and adult pups may need a diet that is focused on their activity level.

Treat with Natural Remedies

Often, switching your pup’s diet and giving them a bit of rest is all that’s needed for them to recover from diarrheic episodes. However, there are a few natural remedies that can be used to help your pup along. If your pup isn’t drinking or is dehydrated, try adding a bit of unsweetened electrolyte drinks or Pedialyte to their water bowl. Adding natural yoghurt to their diet can also help them with digestion. If the problem is severe, consider coconut oil and boiled pumpkin to aid digestion.

When to See a Vet

If your pup continues to show signs of diarrhea, or if the problem persists, it’s time to speak to your vet. Your vet will need to inspect your pup to confirm that the problem isn’t due to a more serious underlying cause. The vet may also recommend medications, supplements and dietary changes to help make your pup better.

Dealing with a pup’s diarrhea can be a difficult experience. Nonetheless, it’s important to remember that there are plenty of steps to take to help your pup get back on their paws. Identifying the source of the problem is the most important step, and then you can begin to implement diet changes and natural remedies to help them get better.