How Do You Stop A Dog’s Diarrhea

Your dog is your best friend and one of the most loyal companions there is. Unfortunately, this loyalty comes with a downside: your dog may sometimes have uncontrollable diarrhea. It might even happen with no apparent cause or warning, which could be really stressful for you and your dog. There are several causes of diarrhea, some of which are easily identified and others of which are not so easily recognized. Diarrhea can be very fatal to dogs, and it can be contagious. It may also lead to other harmful health issues, so it is of the utmost importance that you treat this quickly and correctly. So, how do you stop a dog’s diarrhea, here are some ways how to stop your dog from having loose stools.

 

1. Determine the cause

While diarrhea can be caused by many things, one thing is for sure: It is not a failure of the body. The body gets rid of waste should in this manner because it intends to heal itself. The most common causes are food allergies or intolerances and infections. If your dog has diarrhea, it may also mean that she eats too fast or exercises too much, among other reasons. In any case, there are several causes of the problem and you have to identify them in order to treat your dog’s health issue correctly. You should also determine if there is blood in the dog’s stool, as this is an indication that there might be a more serious issue present.

 

2. Change the diet

Diet is a very common cause of diarrhea. An animal that eats the wrong food may suffer from various health problems and in this case, that might mean diarrhea. The food should be changed to prevent this, and the best way is to make a diet change slowly. If your dog is suffering from a digestive issue and there are no other causes found, you have to make a diet change immediately as soon as you notice that your dog has diarrhea.

3. Increase fiber in the diet

The intestinal tract of the dog requires fatty acids for proper function and this means that your dog should eat plenty of fatty foods such as foods made for dogs containing more fat than those with less fat. Food moves down the digestive system through a process called peristalsis, which is regulated by the muscles of the intestinal tract. Fiber helps to stimulate this process. Include plenty of fruits and vegetables in your dog’s food and offer it treats that are high in fiber. Lack of fiber will lead to constipation, which is another common cause of diarrhea.

 

4. Increase water intake

A dog with diarrhea often has an excessive loss of water, which can lead to dehydration, so make sure that you keep the water replenished. An easy way to do this is by drinking lots of water yourself, or even less complicated, and giving your dog a drink every time he relieves himself or even better, dropping a few drops in his bowl before you feed him. You should also slowly increase the volume of the food that you give your dog as well as the amount you put on your plate because it may take some time before diarrhea stops bothering you. The water should be changed every day in order to avoid losing too much of it.

 

5. Use the right probiotics

Probiotics serve to stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestines. These bacteria are responsible for the proper digestion of food, so adding probiotics to your dog’s diet is a great way to fight off any infection that might be causing diarrhea. Sauerkraut and yogurt are great sources of probiotics, and you should add them to your dog’s food as well. Probiotics will also help you with any irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that might be causing your dog’s problem. Make sure the probiotics are vegetarian-friendly since it will be ineffective to them if they encounter meat ingredients in the yogurt.

 

6. Feed it with dry crushed pumpkin

Pumpkin may seem like a very peculiar choice for dog food, but it has been known to help dogs with diarrhea, especially when it is mixed with a little bit of water and canned pumpkin. You can also use sweet potatoes and bananas in the same way. The digestive system of your dog will benefit greatly from this addition to its diet, as these vegetables are known to be high in fiber.

 

7. Give your dog a laxative supplement

Laxatives should never be used without consulting with a vet first and even then, they should only be used in small doses. Following these guidelines is certainly the best option, but if your dog’s diarrhea is really bothering him or her, you can simply purchase a supplement to give your dog. Laxatives supplements are made with herbal ingredients that help to regulate the intestinal tract and this means that they will increase the production of digestive enzymes and help restore balance in the intestines. Laxatives supplements may also help with constipation, so if you decide to use them, make sure that it will not cause any issues for your dog.

 

8. Adding yogurt to the diet

Yogurt is one of the best probiotics that you can give your dog, so make sure you add it to her food. Yogurt offers many health benefits and includes relief from diarrhea. Mix yogurt with your dog’s food in order to benefit from its healing properties. You should also add probiotics in order to increase the production of healthy bacteria in your dog’s intestines. This will help your dog feel better fast, and you will see an improvement in his/her bowel movements. Yogurt can also give your dog a boost of energy if he/she is feeling a bit tired or even lethargic due to diarrhea.

 

9. Use anti-diarrheal medication

Antidiarrheal medications do not help with diarrhea and they only cover the symptoms. These medications affect the heart and circulation, so they are not recommended for dogs who have any sort of heart problem. If your dog is using these meds, you should change them to ones that do not pose a risk to your dog. Anti-diarrheal medication will also create a lot of digestive upset, which is not good for healthy tissues so this is not recommended for more than one week. If you decide to use these meds, you should always check with your vet first because it is best to be on the safe side when it comes to possible side effects.

10. Take the dog to a vet

If diarrhea does not improve after one or two days, you should take your pet to a vet as soon as possible. They will perform tests and identify the disease that caused it in order to prescribe the best treatment. Make sure you are aware of any other symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, or diarrhea that may indicate a more serious medical condition. If so, do not wait but contact your vet immediately. Make sure that the vet is qualified to help dogs with diarrhea and that they have experience with this kind of condition. If your dog is showing signs of dehydration, they will give him/her a dehydration treatment.

 

How to Avoid Diarrhea in Dogs?

Diarrhea is not the easiest problem to solve, but it really can be treated! The best solution is to stop a dog from developing diarrhea in the first place. It is also important to know that when a dog develops a condition like diarrhea, there are usually no symptoms other than bad smell or sickness. You may not see any symptoms until it has already been very bad and even then, you may not know how serious it is. That’s why it’s good to test for diarrhea as early as possible before it gets too bad. Here are some ways in which you can avoid diarrhea in dogs:

 

Cleanliness

Keep your yard clean and make sure it is free of any parasites or worms that might affect your dog’s health. Make sure you also keep your dog away from any harmful plants such as poison ivy, so that he does not come into contact with it. The best way to do this is by keeping your dog on a leash as much as possible and walking it in controlled areas.

 

Give your dog enough exercise

Exercise is very important for dogs because it helps with the digestion of food, but it also gives them an opportunity to release any built-up energy. Exercise can help prevent most illnesses, including diarrhea. When you decide to take your dog for a walk, make sure that the walk is long enough that it leaves your dog with a little bit of energy. If you are taking the dog out for a run, make sure to use a leash so that he does not get away.

 

Feed the dog with a balanced diet

Dogs should be fed on a balanced diet with the right amount of fat and protein, including probiotics. The diet you choose should contain a small amount of meat, but that’s okay as long as it is in the form of organic meat or bones. It is not necessary to feed your dog a diet rich in animal protein, instead opt for a diet with high-quality carbohydrates such as grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Diarrhea is a very common condition in dogs, but it can be treated. It is important that you take good care of your dog’s health and look out for any signs of unexplained diarrhea. Make sure you get to a vet as soon as possible so that they can determine the problem and take the necessary action on it. It is also important to prevent this problem by keeping your dog clean and receiving enough exercise.