Heres What I Do When My Dog Has Diarrhea

by Lee Dobbins

The digestive system of the dog is an efficient system, and dog diarrhea is fairly uncommon. But I’ve found that when my dog has diarrhea it is usually due to something very specific, if I think about it. Diarrhea in dogs is most often caused by things like:

Dietary disruption - Suddenly switching your dog from their regular food to a new food can cause diarrhea. A dogs digestive system gets used to a particular diet and as such changing them over to a new food should be done gradually and over a period of time. The best way to avoid your dog getting diarrhea is to introduce the new food slowly by mixing some of the new food with their old food. Over a period of days mix more of the new and less of the old so eventually all they are getting is the new food. This is particularly important if you are attempting to switch a puppy from one food to another as they have very delicate digestive systems.

Worms - Dogs, especially puppies, are susceptible to diarrhea caused by worms. Frothy diarrhea often indicates the presence of worms. Take your dog to the vet immediately for treatment.

Stress- Stress and mental upset a long trip or change in daily routine could cause dog diarrhea

Sickness - Sometimes your dog might just have a virus. Dogs don’t get sick as often as people do, but take him to the vet to be sure he isn’t sick if you think it might be the problem. You don’t want to ignore a serious illness.

Expired food - eating unfit meat can give a dog diarrhea just like it can give people diarrhea. When feeding your dog, please be as selective as when you feed your own family.

Here are some things you can do to help when your dog has diarrhea:

A little castor oil may help if your dog’s diarrhea was caused by eating spoiled food. If you need a stronger remedy, you may have to switch to feeding him plain rice.

Another remedy is milk stiffened with arrowroot flour.

Don’t be in a big rush to return your dog back to his normal diet. Keep feeding him rice and milk for several days to give his digestive system a chance to recuperate.

Try slowly getting your dog back to his normal food. Mix boiled hamburg or white fish with rice and milk and gradually add in his regular food. Cut back on the regular food if the diarrhea re-appears.

When my dog has diarrhea my first concern is for her health so I always call the Vet right away and you should too. You might have to drag your dog in there for an exam but its better to be safe than sorry. Your vet will only be able to recommend a course of action and give out of the medications after she has seen your dog.

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