If you’re wondering “What home remedy can I give my dog for diarrhea?” your pet is probably having some noticeable tummy troubles. You’re also probably wondering how it’s possible for so much liquid to come out of your furry friend – and hoping that it doesn’t come out on the sofa!
While you should almost always rush to the vet in such cases, there are a number of ways that you can try to treat their diarrhea, if a vet consultation has to be postponed. Today, we’re talking about home remedies for doggy diarrhea.
Understanding Dog Diarrhea
Dog diarrhea is a common problem. Most of the time, it’s nothing too serious, but it’s still important to know what can cause diarrhea in dogs.
Common Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs
Dietary changes or food intolerance
If you eat a lot of salad and healthy food and suddenly start to eat a diet that is full of fat and grease, your stomach will get upset. This can also happen with dogs when their diets are changed. A sudden change in diet can result in dog diarrhea.
In addition, food intolerances (also known as adverse food reactions or AFRs) can also cause diarrhea. They can also cause itching and vomiting. Food intolerances happen when a type of food is particularly hard on your dog’s stomach – your dog’s stomach is intolerant to it and can’t digest it properly.
Infections and parasites
Parasites and infections are another common cause of unpleasantly loose bowel movements in dogs. Parasites like giardia, hookworms, roundworms, and ringworms, as well as different types of viral and bacterial infections, can cause digestive system irritation, leading to diarrhea.
Stress or anxiety
A common stress symptom in humans, stress-related diarrhea isn’t unheard of in dogs, either. According to Dr. Julie Buzby, the digestive and nervous systems have a close relationship, thus, when the nervous system is affected by stress, the digestive system can be, too.
Medications and toxins
Certain medications list diarrhea as a side effect. When this happens, it’s nothing to be alarmed about, as it is expected and normal.
However, if your dog has eaten something toxic, they can also develop diarrhea. In this case, it’s best to get veterinary help.
When to Be Concerned About Diarrhea
While it’s true that in most cases diarrhea isn’t caused by anything serious, there are the occasional instances in which it is the symptom of a larger problem. When you notice any of these issues (in combination with diarrhea!), it’s necessary to book an appointment with your local veterinarian.
Signs of dehydration
Dehydration can be a big indicator that your dog’s diarrhea is more than just stomach upset. Dehydration can be easily caused by profuse, persistent diarrhea, since stool of this kind is made largely of water and mucus from within the body.
Signs of dehydration in dogs include:
Reduced energy levels
Lack of appetite
Panting
Dry nose
Sticky, dry gums
Thick saliva
Presence of blood in stool
Bloody diarrhea is a serious matter. Regardless of why there is blood in your pup’s stool, they need to be seen by a professional. Bloody diarrhea can indicate internal bleeding, bowel perforation, or a host of other irritations and conditions that require veterinary care.
Diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours
Acute diarrhea should come and go – usually within 24 hours. If your dog’s loose stool doesn’t clear up within this time or seems to get worse at any point, they will need to go see a veterinarian.
First Steps to Take When Your Dog Has Diarrhea
Dog diarrhea treatment can be administered at home, so long as the problem isn’t caused by a disease or internal injury and doesn’t meet any of the warning criteria listed above.
Withholding Food Temporarily
Although no dog enjoys the process, fasting is a good way to help clear up their diarrhea. Withhold all food for 12-24 hours in order to give their stomach time to settle. By allowing the stomach and digestive systems to rest, you’re allowing it to reset and clear itself of any irritants that are causing or adding to the diarrhea.
Think of it like the stomach taking a time out.
Providing Fresh Water
Whether your dog is fasting or not, they should always have access to fresh water. While your dog has diarrhea, drinking is paramount. Without replacing the fluids that they are losing through bowel movements, your dog will quickly get dehydrated.
Best Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
There are a number of natural remedies for diarrhea that you can try when nursing your ailing pup at home.
Bland Diet (Boiled Chicken and Rice)
Similar to the human BRAT (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) diet, the bland diet is a tummy-friendly diet that works well for dogs who have diarrhea. It consists of chicken and rice, and is free of oil, fat, grease, and any kind of severe flavors. The purpose is to provide the body with the protein and fiber necessary for firm stool without further irritating the digestive system.
Pumpkin for Digestive Support
Pumpkins contain soluble and insoluble fiber, both of which are great for helping stool return to a normal texture. It also aids in soaking up excess water within the digestive tract. When using this remedy, be sure to provide only 100% pumpkin and avoid canned pumpkin pie filling.
Plain Yogurt or Probiotics
When the system is overrun with bacteria, plain yogurt comes to the rescue. Many types of yogurt contain probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that are necessary for gut health, in dogs and humans alike.
Slippery Elm Bark
Slippery elm soothes the digestive system. It serves as a demulcent, meaning that it creates a protective film on the thin mucous membranes within the system. This helps to prevent them from shedding via bouts of diarrhea.
Bone Broth for Hydration and Gut Healing
In addition to water, bone broth is an excellent way for your dog to stay hydrated during their stint of diarrhea. Bone broth tastes great and hydrates the body. In many cases, chicken bone broth is also thought to have a “chicken soup” effect, providing comfort and reducing inflammation.
Oatmeal for Mild Digestive Relief
Oatmeal is another food that you can add to your dog’s bland diet. Plain, whole oats that have been cooked are full of fiber.
Ginger or Chamomile Tea
Ginger is a great way to calm an upset digestive system. Due to this calming effect, it can be beneficial to offer it to your dog with diarrhea. Chamomile can be used, too.
Ginger root and ginger sodas shouldn’t be offered to your pet. Instead, buy ginger-based tea and consider sweetening it with a touch of honey to entice your pet to drink it.
What to Avoid When Treating Dog Diarrhea at Home
Human Medication
You may have heard stories of dog owners giving their pets OTC human medications when they’re sick. People often offer acetaminophen (Tylenol) and diphenhydramine (Gravol), but it's not recommended to offer any medications unless directed by a veterinarian. In fact, if you’re Googling “how to stop dog diarrhea,” OTC human medication should never be on your list of options.
Not only can human medications be toxic to pets, but giving doses at home without vet guidance leaves room for dosing errors – specifically, giving the animal too much. Yikes! No one wants to do that.
Foods That Can Trigger or Worsen Diarrhea
Avoid giving your pet any foods that could worsen the already existing diarrhea. Don’t offer table scraps and avoid anything that is greasy, deep-fried, sugary, spicy or otherwise contains a lot of fat. Dairy should also be avoided, and so should anything that contains artificial sweeteners such as sucralose.
When to Contact a Veterinarian
Signs That Require Immediate Medical Attention
Even though most cases of dog diarrhea come and go without issue, there is always the potential that a veterinarian appointment may be necessary. If your dog has blood in their diarrhea, is dehydrated or lethargic, is vomiting, or collapsing, they should be seen by a professional as soon as possible. If you have no idea what caused diarrhea, it’s also better to consult a veterinarian just in case.
Tests and Treatments a Vet May Recommend
Once at the clinic, a veterinarian will likely want to conduct a number of simple tests. They will start with a fecal test, which is when a sample of feces is thoroughly examined for parasites, bacteria, and blood. Then, they will run a blood panel and, if your dog is dehydrated, start an IV line for fluids.
The veterinarian may recommend a range of treatments from fluid therapy and medications to a change of diet and anti-stress measures.
Preventing Future Digestive Issues
Introduce New Foods Gradually
Sudden changes in diet can cause profuse diarrhea. If you feed your dog one brand of food and suddenly switch to a new brand, they could end up with diarrhea, as their digestive system tries to adjust to the new food.
When introducing a new food, do it gradually. Start by mixing a small amount of new food with a larger amount of old food and do this for a few days. Then, slowly reduce the amount of old food and increase the amount of new food offered as time goes on. Do this until your dog has completely switched foods.
Maintain a Healthy, Balanced Diet
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is the easiest way to ensure that your dog avoids future digestive issues. Their diet should be dog-appropriate, made up of dry, protein-based food. Wet food and treats can be supplemented, but should never be part of the everyday diet.
Your dog’s specific diet will depend on their size, breed, and veterinary recommendations. Food allergies should also be taken into consideration.
Keeping Your Dog Hydrated
Hydration goes a long way to having a happy, healthy digestive system. Without water, the system can’t function properly and can result in unpleasant problems – such as diarrhea. Make sure your dog always has access to a clean source of water and that the water is swapped out regularly.
In addition to changing their water, be diligent with cleaning their water bowls.
Conclusion
Diarrhea isn’t an uncommon problem for dogs, but it is unpleasant for both dog and owner.
If your dog is dealing with diarrhea, watch for symptoms like blood and vomiting, and monitor your dog for signs of dehydration. Don’t hesitate to take them to the veterinarian if their diarrhea becomes concerning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What stops diarrhea fast naturally?
Soothing herbal teas like ginger and chamomile, bland diets, and plenty of water and rest can help quickly.
What to feed a dog with diarrhea?
A dog with diarrhea should eat a bland, relatively unexciting diet consisting of chicken and rice with no sauce, condiments, or fat. They can also eat plain oatmeal.
Should I change my dog's food after an episode of diarrhea?
No. If your dog has a single episode of diarrhea (or even a few episodes), it’s likely not necessary to change the brand of food you feed them but you should consult a vet for additional guidance.
What do I do if my dog has diarrhea but is acting fine?
If your dog has diarrhea but otherwise seems fine, monitor them for worsening or new symptoms and do your best to treat them with safe home remedies.
