Diarrhea in Dogs – Causes, Treatment and Prevention

Diarrhea in dogs is a common canine affliction. Diarrhea varies in intensity, duration, and frequency from dog to dog. Here is all you need to know about diarrhea in dogs, including causes, treatment, and prevention. 

Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea is not only caused often because dogs put anything in their mouth, but it can also be caused due to varied serious causes. Below mentioned are some of the common causes of diarrhea in dogs.

• Dietary indiscretion
• Allergies
• Food intolerance
• Change in diet
• Poisonous plants or substances
• Parasites
• Infection with common viruses
• Bacterial infection
• Antibiotics or any other medication
• Illnesses
• Swallowing any indigestible thing
• Emotional upset or stress

Home Remedies for Acute Diarrhea

If your dog is healthy and young and has mild diarrhea with no other specific symptoms, then below mentioned are some of the home remedies that you can use to treat diarrhea in dogs. 

• In order to avoid dehydration, make sure that your dog gets plenty of clean water. You need to make sure that your dog drinks sufficient water.
• Give a small meal to your dog containing white-meat chicken with no bones and white rice. You can also add pumpkin or sweet potato instead of chicken. Give this diet to your dog until the consistency of their stools returns to normal. If your dog is allergic to chicken, then replace it with a hypoallergenic option of protein.
• If diarrhea in your dog continues for more than 24 hours, then you should consult a vet immediately. 

Home Remedies for Diarrhea with Vomiting

If with diarrhea, your dog has also vomited once or twice the use below mentioned remedies for treatment. 

• Do not give any food for the next 8-12 hours.
• In order to avoid dehydration, give small amounts of water to your dog frequently. 
• If your dog has not vomited for 8-12 hours, then give him or her a small amount of meal, including white rice and white meat chicken with no bones. 
• After giving the meal wait for two hours, if your dog does not vomit during this period, then give another small meal.
• Continue giving this bland diet for 1-3 days. 

When to Call a Veterinarian

Below mentioned are some of the cases when you should call the veterinarian for help.

• Your dog is either too young or too old.
• Your dog has any preexisting health condition. 
• If your dog’s diarrhea is very watery and frequent
• Diarrhea is tarry and dark.
• Diarrhea contains blood.

You should also call a veterinarian if-

• Your dog is vomiting continuously.
• Dog in pain and depressed.
• Your dog is lethargic.

Tips for Preventing Diarrhea in Dogs

• Do not change the diet of your dog suddenly. Dietary indiscretion is one of the common causes of diarrhea. 
• Do not give toy bones to your dog.
• Do not feed table scraps to your dog.
• Don’t allow your dog with objects that could be swallowed.
• Always keep the dog up-to-day with vaccinations and deworming. 

Final Thoughts 

Contact your vet as soon as possible when you see your dog suffering from diarrhea. Ask dog’s health related questions to your vet to prevent potential infections. Additionally make notes of the history of the dog’s infection for future references.

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