Our dogs are not only our pets. They are our friend and lifelong companion. They provide security to our homes, and joy to our family. That is why it is of utmost importance that we keep them happy and healthy at all times.
Part of this is having a keen eye and a sound judgment when there are noticeable changes in their appearance or behavior. It is because dogs cannot easily communicate in sophisticated ways other than barking, whimpering, or wagging their tails.
In other words, they are incapable of verbal expressions and cannot always talk to us how they feel. As dog owners, it’s part of our responsibility to analyze and evaluate whether our canine friends are healthy or not.
So let’s say you wake in the morning, and you see your dog unhappily looking at you from one corner of the room. The next thing you notice is that you are looking down, if not stepping on a running mess of dog poo. Relax! It is a part of a dog owner’s life. Your doggy has diarrhea.
According to studies, dog diarrhea is one of the most common canine health problems. The list of symptoms includes vomiting, parasitic worms, fleas, dermatitis, and ear infections.
This article will focus mainly on dog diarrhea. What it is, how it is acquired, and what guidelines and tips you can follow in case it happens to your dog.
Table of Contents
What Is Dog Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is the passage of loose stools and is a common canine affliction. It can vary in intensity, frequency, or duration from dog to dog. Most of the time, diarrhea in dogs is a result of stressful circumstances or dietary indiscretions.
Sometimes. It may not be self-limiting in numerous cases. It is important to note that diarrhea in itself is not a disease, but a presenting symptom of an underlying gastrointestinal condition. Although it is relatively common, it can sometimes be a sign of something more serious. It may sometimes require close attention.
How to Identify Dog Diarrhea?
The primary sign of dog diarrhea is the presence of loose, often watery stool. Other symptoms that your dog has diarrhea may include blood or mucus in the poop, changes in mood, straining to defecate, fever, fatigue, or weakness.
Average dog poop is long shaped, can be solid but not hard. It usually appears chocolate brown and is moist enough when squished to the touch.
What Causes Dog Diarrhea?
Several reasons can develop loose stools. However, in most cases it can happen because of any of these factors:
- Stress or changes in routine
- Overeating
- Medications
- Eating non-food items
- Underlying conditions like colitis, cancer, or liver and kidney disease
- Illness caused by parasites or Worms
- A sudden change in diet
- Food allergies
The color and consistency your dog’s diarrhea tell a lot about the problem. If you are sure that your dog has diarrhea, it is essential to do a careful analysis before cleaning up the poop.
The observations you gather may prove to be beneficial and may require for a proper diagnosis.
Useful Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
In cases when diarrhea is mild or does not necessitate a trip to the doctor’s office, there are a couple of home remedies that may work.
1. Fasts
Sometimes, merely withholding food for at least 12 hours may allow the dog’s gastrointestinal tract to get back to its normal shape. You can do it by clearing the cause of the upset.
But before you do so, make sure that your dog is strong enough to endure the absence of food. Besides, it is essential to ensure that your dog has continuous access to clean drinking water.
Remember that one major complication of diarrhea is dehydration. You may also try offering electrolyte replacement fluids like Pedialyte if tolerated.
2. Cures From the Kitchen
After a fast, introduce the food gradually. The little quantity of food helps normalize the stool consistency. It may include rice water, yogurt, canned pumpkin, boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, herbs, protein sources like eggs or chicken, and some specially formulated dog food.
When Should Diarrhea Be a Cause of Alarm?
Methods that can work for one dog may not work for another. If your dog’s diarrhea persists for more than two days and you also notice other signs and symptoms, it may be a sign of a more severe condition. So taking your dog to the veterinarian may be the next best option. Below are some signs that may suggest a more severe case of diarrhea.
- Diarrhea which continues despite administering home remedies.
- Dehydration
- Physical severe symptoms such as vomiting, dry, tacky or pale gums, lethargy, fever or overall weakness
- Presence of other pre-existing condition such as old age, Cushing’s, cancer, or diabetes
- When you know and feel that things are just not right, call or schedule a trip to the vet.
How to Prevent Dog Diarrhea?
There are some cases when diarrhea is merely unavoidable. However, there are some tips and guidelines we can follow to lessen its likelihood of happening.
- By minimizing stress causing factors in the environment.
- Regularly exercising your dog and providing a healthy, balanced diet.
- Avoiding feeding your dog with food scraps. Also, making sure to keep spoiled food as well as garbage out of your dog’s reach.
- Doing up-to-date vaccinations.
- Making sure your dog is free of parasites.
- Making sure your dog doesn’t drink out of puddles and not eating any plant material or feces.
Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
Always avoid giving or feeding your dogs grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and all food containing xylitol, which is an artificial sweetener.
These foods can all be potentially harmful and should be kept out of reach and never fed to your dog.
Conclusion
It is hard to prevent diarrhea completely. It’s likely that your dog will have it at some point in its life. Knowing what to do when it happens is vital for a speedy recovery.
Ensuring your dog is healthy by providing them with good, wholesome food, and having enough knowledge about the condition and tricks to manage them can help your dog be up and about in no time.
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