Diarrhea in dogs: causes and treatment
Diarrhea is a fairly common digestive problem in our furry friends. In most cases, it goes away after a few hours of fasting and a few days of a bland diet. However, in some cases, diarrhea may be a symptom of a more serious disorder. Below we explain the possible causes of diarrhea in dogs and the steps we should follow to treat it.
What are the symptoms of canine diarrhea?
The passing of soft and foul-smelling stools that we know as diarrhea is a very frequent gastrointestinal disorder in dogs. Depending on the origin of the problem, the clinical signs of canine diarrhea will be more or less severe and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy and loss of appetite. When the origin of the diarrhea is in the large intestine, it is usually milder and shorter. On the other hand, when the focus of the problem is in the small intestine, the animal tends to show more acute symptoms for a longer period of time, such as loss of appetite and weight loss.
Possible causes of diarrhea in dogs
Are you wondering what causes canine diarrhea? Discover in the following list the possible causes of diarrhea in dogs:
- Sudden changes in the regular diet.
- Ingestion of spoiled food or foods forbidden for dogs.
- Food allergies and intolerances.
- Ingestion of foreign objects, chemicals, or toxic plants.
- Presence of internal parasites.
- Gastrointestinal infections such as gastroenteritis.
- Viral or bacterial diseases.
- Kidney or liver diseases.
- Anxiety or stress problems.
- Presence of internal tumors.
How to treat diarrhea in dogs?
Now that you know what causes diarrhea in dogs, it is important to learn how to act when your pet suffers from this disorder. If your loyal companion has diarrhea, we recommend that you follow these guidelines:
- Fasting period. If your dog has diarrhea, the first thing you should do is remove its food to initiate a fasting period of between 12 and 24 hours. This way, its digestive system will rest and be able to cleanse itself.
- Water consumption. Diarrhea causes great water loss in animals that suffer from it. Therefore, during this disorder, you must ensure that your dog always has fresh and clean water to replenish all the lost liquid. If during fasting your pet does not drink anything, take it to the vet as soon as possible.
- Homemade bland diet. Once the fasting period is over, it’s time to reintroduce food gradually, divided into 3 or 4 small daily doses. The bland diet for dogs is very similar to the food humans eat in these cases: boiled rice or potatoes and boiled chicken or turkey, without salt or spices. Continue this diet for a couple of days until you see improvement.
If after several days of a bland diet your furry companion still has diarrhea, shows vomiting, or passes blood in the stool, you must go to the vet immediately. Persistent diarrhea in dogs is usually a symptom of a more serious disorder.
In addition to knowing the causes of diarrhea in dogs, taking care of your pet’s diet is a fundamental routine to prevent gastrointestinal disorders. That’s why it is important that your best friend’s daily diet meets all the necessary requirements to promote digestive health: natural and easily absorbed ingredients, dietary fibers, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.
