Dog Diarrhea - How To Treat Diarrhea In Dogs

As a pet owner, your greatest joy is to see your dogs and cats in the pink of health at all times.  Sometimes, even when we do our best to give our pets the best nutrition and the utmost care, the unexpected can happen.  Pets are like babies that require attention 24 hours a day.  And so at times, they tend do things on their own that are detrimental to their health.  This is exactly why ailments like dog diarrhea occur.

If your dog is sick with diarrhea, the best way to address the problem is to take the dog to the vet right away.  Diarrhea may lead to the loss of fluids in the body.  And that can be a near fatal condition for your dog.  It is only right to provide your dog the right care and proper attention, especially if it is suffering.

Dog diarrhea may be mild or severe.

In severe cases, your dog may require a medical solution straight from the vet’s clinic.  However, there are acute cases of diarrhea in dogs that can be treated right at home with the use of veterinarian-prescribed medications or natural remedies.

It is quite easy to know if your dog is suffering from diarrhea.  If it move wastes from its body too many times in a day and the excretions are on the watery side, then it definitely has stomach-related problems that you want to address immediately.

Diarrhea in dogs is usually triggered by the foods that your dog eats.

This is the main reason why pet owners are discouraged from giving their dogs the foods that humans eat.  Dogs have their own nutrition guidelines that you might want to follow.  What’s good for you may not be necessarily good for your pet.

As a responsible pet owner, you should know what types of foods are needed by the particular breed of your dog according to its age and the lifestyle it leads.  It is your duty to provide your pet with all it needs to sustain life and to live healthily and happily.

Dogs have long ceased to be just pets around the house.  Over time, they have evolved to be family members, loyal companions, and even dependable helpers.  Dogs are loyal and trustworthy creatures.

Don’t let a simple ailment get the most out of your pet.

Read the many informative articles in this site to know more about this ailment, its symptoms, and how diarrhea in dogs can be treated effectively.

Next >> Dog Diarrhea Causes

How to Naturally Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

It’s important to know that diarrhea is not an illness but a symptom of any number of problems that are interrupting the function of the large intestine.It is also important to identify the cause as trying to just suppress this symptom will only bring about short lived, temporary relief which may cause long term health implications. Once identified, different causes will require different treatments.

Diarrhea can be mild and self limiting, or very debilitating and even fatal. It may or may not be accompanied by gas and abdominal discomfort. If your dog is still happy, with good energy level, and doesn’t refuse water an acute episode of diarrhea may be the body’s attempt at internal cleansing and purging. If however the diarrhea persists for more than a few days, contains blood, if there is associated vomiting, your dog is becoming increasingly lethargic, and refuses to drink, please seek the advice from your veterinarian as soon as possible. With each passing day of chronic diarrhea nutrients are lost in the stool, which lowers your dog’s general vitality. Your dog may need to go on an IV for loss of fluids immediately if this is the case.

Causes and Contributing factors to diarrhea

A dog with chronic diarrhea and gas, and accompanying skin problems may be suffering from a food allergy. Frequent offenders are preservatives (ethoxyquin, propylene glycol), artificial flavouring and coloring, dyes, salt, sugar, fungi, bacteria, germs all found in commercial dog foods (read more about What’s Really in Your Dogs Food article). Most common foods that may cause allergy include: beef, beef by-products, corn and corn oil, fish, turkey, pork, ham, cows milk (lactose intolerance), yeast, eggs, wheat or any food containing these. Please note that all commercial tinned food and biscuits, treats all contain sugar, salt, corn and wheat. Unless diet is strictly addressed, ongoing diarrhea may continue presenting.

Consider also the following contributing factors diarrhea may be due to:

• stress and anxiety
• over eating
• high fat diet
• vaccinations (due to meat extract that certain vaccines are grown in, thus long term leading to sensitivities and autoimmune disorders)
• undiagnosed IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• leaky gut syndrome (intestinal dysbiosis/ hyper permeability)
• a foreign body ingestion
• gastritis, colitis (intestinal inflammation)
• the pancreas and/or liver failing to produce enzymes properly or sufficiently
• food poisoning
• excess vitamin C
• bacteria, virus (i.e. parvovirus, distemper)
• parasites i.e. worms
• drug related complication (most drugs are residual and are never completely eliminated as in the waste from food but are stored up in the body)
• side effect of certain drugs (i.e. antibiotics)
• liver disease
• pancreatitis,
• stomach ulcer
• cancer
• could also indicate that the liver and kidneys are overwhelmed with toxins that they are unable to process which leads to purging i.e. diarrhea.

Helpful suggestions to relieve diarrhea

The most beneficial initial step is to put your dog on a liquid fast. Withhold all solid food and only allow a liquid diet consisting of juices (i.e. apple juice is very healing in diarrhea), broths, and filtered water. If you suspect your dog’s diarrhea is due to an infection, you can add colloidal silver to his drinking water. The reason for not feeding further is that a dog’s digestive system has a gastrocolic reflex. This means that the colon will empty as the stomach fills. Thus, to stop the colon from emptying and break this cycle of diarrhea, its best to stop ingesting food (or only as little as possible). In most cases, dogs instinctively will refuse food when they are unwell. By fasting, the irritated digestive system is given a chance to rest and heal.

Slippery elm is highly nutritious, very soothing and healing to irritated mucous membranes. Slippery Elm bark powder can heal and reduce the frequency of diarrhea in dogs quickly and naturally. It relieves internal inflammations, protects against infection, stimulates new cell growth, and causes swollen irritated tissue to contract-it has an affinity for the digestive tract where it acts as an astringent, therefore particularly indicated for treating diarrhea. It normalizes intestinal function, is rich in protein, trace minerals, and is easy for your dog to digest,

Directions: Combine 翹 cup slippery elm powder with 2 tablespoons acidophilus powder (good bacteria for the gut that needs to be reestablished) and 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt (source of more minerals that have been lost due to the diarrhea). Add enough water to make a runny syrup which you can feed to your dog either by spoon, syringe or dropper. Give approximately 1 tablespoon per 5kg of your dog’s body weight, every 2-3 hours in an acute situation. You can sweeten the mixture with some raw organic (unprocessed) honey for taste. In occasional diarrhea you can add the mixture with plenty of water to your dog’s daily meals. Once his bowels have returned to normal, reduce the frequency and stop

Fiber supplements such as (apple) pectin, psyllium husks can help bind and relieve diarrhea. With psyllium husks 1-2 teaspoons with very little water (or apple juice) is effective. Grated green apple (no skin) left to brown for a few minutes, (sweetened with honey if necessary) is also good at controlling diarrhea.

Chamomile tea is soothing, healing and relaxing to both the digestive and nervous system. Chamomile would particularly be indicated if your dog’s diarrhea is due to stress and anxiety, and if there is accompanying abdominal discomfort and gas. Make a strong brew using two (organic) teabags, or a teaspoon loose leaf. Pour half cup of boiling water, cover and seep for 10 minutes. Once it has cooled and is just warm, you many add a little manuka honey to sweeten and taste. You may syringe (or use dropper) and slowly give to your dog this way. Yarrow is another herb which is excellent for controlling diarrhea.

For management of chronic or recurrent diarrhea, in addition to concurrently using supportive supplements that address the cause, the following recipe may be helpful:

Gently boil together 50% white potato, 50% sweet potato, and a slice of turnip. For flavour, mix in with boiled chicken or lamb. This recipe can be given for longer periods to help ease diarrhea.

Once your dog is showing signs of recovery, reintroduce solid food gradually and in smaller amounts. The Recovery Broth for Dogs recipe would be beneficial and gently healing at this stage.

Always ensure your dog has access to sufficient water and monitor his recovery closely. In most cases, dogs recover quite well after a period of fasting and bounce back with even more vitality. If however, your dogs diarrhea continues and you are unable to identify a cause please check with your holistic veterinarian to rule out any more serious health implications.

HOW TO Treat Diarrhea in Dogs - Find A Vet

HOW TO Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

Posted by Elisa Jordan on September 1, 2010 //
1 Comments

It’s a problem no one likes to deal with, or usually even talk about for that matter. But diarrhea is a fairly common problem in dogs and at some point or another, pet parents will likely have to contend with the condition.

What exactly is diarrhea? Basically, diarrhea is loose or watery stools and they typically occur at an increased frequency or with an increased amount. Diarrhea can be classified into two general groups, acute (lasting just a few days) or chronic, where dogs experience continuing problems.

What are the Symptoms of Diarrhea in Dogs?

For the most part, if your dog is suffering from a bout of diarrhea it’s a good idea to get her to the veterinarian to find out why she’s experiencing a problem.

According to Peteducation.com, it’s important to call your veterinarian immediately if your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in the diarrhea, or black or tarry stools


• You suspect your dog may have eaten something toxic or poisonous


• Fever


• Vomiting


• Depression


• Pale or yellow gums


• Seems to be in pain


• Your dog is a puppy or has not received all her vaccinations

What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?

Any number of things can cause diarrhea, but diet is usually the most common culprit. This may include a food sensitivity, abrupt change in foods, ingesting human meals or even from eating garbage out of the trash. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on selecting the right diet for your specific dog.

Other causes can range from intestinal parasites to bacterial or viral infections, colitis, intestinal blockage to tumors and more. Vetmed.wsu.edu breaks it down by “diseases of the small intestine, large intestine or by diseases of organs other than the intestinal tract.”

While it may seem like diarrhea is diarrhea, the distinctions are important for diagnosis and treatment because the causes differ.

For instance, vetmed.wsu.edu notes that with small intestine diseases, the result is “a larger amount of stool passed with a mild increase in frequency; about 3 to 5 bowel movements per day. The pet doesn’t have to strain or have difficulty passing the stool. Animals with small intestinal disease may also vomit and lose weight. Excess gas production is sometimes seen and you may hear the rumbling of gas in the belly. If there is blood in the stool it is digested and black in color.”

Small Intestinal Diarrhea

Illnesses associated with the small intestine are associated with bacteria, such as salmonella, clostridia or campylobacter. VetMed.wsu.edu points out that these same conditions can also be found in regular stool, though.

Vet4petz.com adds the following to that list:

• Internal parasites (worms)


• Ingesting inappropriate substances (garbage eating, feeding from table, hunting and ingestion of wildlife)


• Abrupt change in diet without appropriate introductory period


• Inflammation of the small intestines from patient’s own immune system (potentially the result of dietary allergy)


• Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine


• Inflammation of the pancreas and/or lack of production of enzymes from the pancreas


• Disease of the fat absorption system (lymph system)


• Metabolic diseases (liver, kidney, or disease in another system not associated directly with the intestinal tract)


• Cancer of the intestines

A diagnosis usually begins with examining a stool sample if possible, physical examination, blood work, urinalysis and possibly X-rays.

The vet may use an endoscope to look inside the intestinal tract or to take a tissue sample if a biopsy is needed, which is “sometimes necessary in long standing cases where response to treatment is poor,” reports vet4petz.com. Note that an endoscopy requires anesthesia.

Large Intestinal Diarrhea

In contrast, with the large intestine issues, dogs will need to relieve themselves five or more times per day and may strain when passing stool. If blood is present, it is red in color.

“Potential causes are similar to that of small intestinal diarrhea,” reports Vet4petz.com. “Parasites, inappropriate digestion of food (eating unfamiliar food substances), inflammation from immune system, bacterial overgrowth, and cancer seem to be most common causes.”

Other possibilities include stress, which can result from moving, changes to the environment, anxiety and so on, or colitis, which is an inflammation of the colon.

According to MarVistaVet.com, the signs of colitis are “gooey diarrhea, featuring mucus, fresh blood or both. The stool may start normal then finish soft or may seem gooey throughout. There is often cramping, gas, and a sense of immediate urgency (the sudden need to run for a bathroom). Vomiting can be a feature of this condition though it is the characteristic diarrhea that is the hallmark.”

Many of the tests to determine whether your dog is suffering from lower intestinal diarrhea are similar to the ones for the small intestines, including a fecal exam, physical exam, X-rays and an endoscopy. An additional test in the form of a rectal exam using a gloved finger may also provide some insight regarding bowel problems, such as rectal polyps and rectal cancer.

How is Diarrhea in Dogs Treated?

Your vet will ask you a series of questions, typically related to your dog’s diet, comfort level, the environment, when it started and much she’s been going.

As unpleasant as it may be, you’ll need to keep track of how many times she’s gone potty, about how much and what it looks like to help your vet determine a cause for the watery stool.

If you happen to know the cause of the diarrhea, so much the better, but sometimes the vet has to conduct a series of tests to determine what’s going on and why.

A short bout of diarrhea is usually nothing to worry about and can sometimes be managed at home. Remove your dog’s food for about 24 hours to see if that helps. If it does, you’ll want to start slowly reintroducing bland food; Peteducation.com recommends small portions of boiled hamburger and rice. If the diarrhea goes away, slowly transition your dog back to her regular diet.

If she’s allergic or has a sensitivity to some food, a permanent change in diet is likely in order. Through testing, your veterinarian can help pinpoint which foods are causing an issue and what your dog will need to eat instead.

Although you may have to withhold food during your dog’s bout of diarrhea, don’t withhold water. Diarrhea can cause dehydration, so it’s imperative that dogs have access to fresh water.

If your dog’s diarrhea persists at all, get her to your vet right away. Because diarrhea is a symptom of something else and not a disease in and of itself, treatment depends on the underlying cause so compliance with your veterinarian’s directions is important.

“Diarrhea can have a devastating effect on the body due to its dehydrating effect, and left untreated it can lead to blood sugar depletion, circulatory collapse and death,” reports Professorshouse.com. “Although mild cases of diarrhea may resolve without intervention, diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, lethargy or any other behavioral changes should be treated as a medical emergency. Because the severity of the cause of diarrhea is not immediately present at onset, prompt medical attention must be sought to quickly diagnose and treat the underlying problem.”

As mentioned above, food issues will likely be solved with diet changes. For things like bacterial or viral infections, your vet will likely prescribe medication, de-wormers for parasites and so on. Allow your veterinarian to make any decisions regarding over-the-counter medications, as well.

For the most part, if your dog is starting to show signs of going potty more often than usual or the consistency of her feces changes, it’s just a good idea to get her to the veterinarian as a safety precaution fairly soon. The best way to treat your dog’s diarrhea is to have your veterinarian treat it for you.

Find A Vet HOW TO articles are intended for informational purposes only. You should always consult with your veterinarian about any health issues affecting your dog.

PHOTOS: MarVistaVet.com, the-happy-dog-spot.com

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Elisa Jordan

Contributor Elisa Jordan is a writer, Marilyn Monroe expert, pet welfare advocate, lit scholar, BJJ student, future cat lady–the usual.

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Using Diet to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea is part of the canine condition. Most dogs do not have what could be called a discriminating palate. Their willingness to sample almost anything that vaguely resembles food is responsible for a large proportion of acute diarrhea cases (I know there’s nothing “cute” about diarrhea; in this context “acute” means “of short duration”).

Thankfully, diarrhea that results from dietary indiscretion is relatively simple to treat. Some cases resolve on their own, but most owners are looking for ways to reduce the severity and duration of their dogs’ symptoms. Minimizing diarrhea serves everyone’s best interests. Diarrhea is a quality of life issue for both dogs and the people who have to clean up the messes they make and/or get up in the middle of the night to let them out.

Two types of dietary therapy are helpful in the treatment of diarrhea. Which is best depends on the kind of diarrhea that a dog has. When the problem lies primarily within the small intestine, dogs develop what is called small bowel diarrhea (hence the name). Dogs with small bowel diarrhea typically produce large amounts of soft stool but do so just a few times a day. When abnormalities are centered in the colon, affected dogs will usually strain to produce small amounts of watery stool frequently throughout the day. This is large bowel diarrhea.

Small bowel diarrhea responds best to a bland, low fat, easily digested diet. White rice combined with either boiled white meat chicken (no bones or skin), cottage cheese, or tofu are all easy to prepare at home, and similar commercially available, prescription diets are also available. For large bowel diarrhea, a high fiber diet has been shown to be beneficial. Ideally, both soluble fiber (the type colonic bacteria use for food) and insoluble (indigestible) fiber should be included. It appears that fiber helps decrease straining and encourages the innermost surface of the colon to heal. Foods that are high in fiber are widely available (many are advertised to help with weight maintenance).

If you are unsure of what type of diarrhea your dog has (some dogs have symptoms associated with both), one way to hedge your bets is to prepare a bland diet as is described above and then add psyllium mucilloid (a source of soluble fiber) to it. Psyllium mucilloid (e.g., unflavored Metamucil) is available over the counter and can be given to dogs at a dose of one teaspoon per five pounds body weight.

Of course, treating diarrhea at home is only appropriate when a dog is otherwise feeling fine. If any of the following apply, it is safest to first consult with your veterinarian:

• The diarrhea is profuse, frequent, and very watery.


• The diarrhea contains more than just a streak of blood or is dark and tarry.


• The pet is vomiting, lethargic, depressed, and/or in pain.


• The pet is very young, very old, or has a preexisting condition that could make it unable to handle even mild dehydration.

Dr. Jennifer Coates

Image: Thinkstock