Treating a Dog's Diarrhea at Home
Tips to Help Pets Recover from Digestive Upset
Diarrhea can be very taxing on a dog's body, but knowing how to handle this common pet ailment will can lead to a quicker recovery.
Diarrhea is one of the most common ailments affecting our pets, and in addition to understanding the causes of digestive upset, knowing how to properly handle these symptoms can speed recovery while helping your pet avoid complications like dehydration.
“Many dog owners don’t realize that the diarrhea isn’t actually a disease – it’s the body’s attempt to normalize following gastric upset,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, who added, “Diarrhea itself isn’t usually the problem. When concerns arise, it’s due to the potential causes of the condition and effects of the diarrhea, which can include dehydration, pain and lethargy.”
The first step to normalizing your pet’s digestive system involves serving a bland diet that will help calm the digestive system. Serve one part boiled hamburger or skinless boiled chicken, to two parts plain white rice or cottage cheese. Serve in three small meals for three full days, and then gradually return to the dog’s normal diet over the course of three or four days. The same diet is often used in treating cases of vomiting.
Over-the-counter medications like Pepto Bismol can also help to firm up the stool, while also calming the inflammation and upset that’s present in the digestive tract during a bout of diarrhea. Contact your vet for additional information on providing your dog with Pepto Bismol, especially if the animal is already on other medications.
Providing “good bacteria” can help promote recovery, as often, the natural flora are stripped away during a bout of diarrhea. A few spoonfuls of yogurt with live, active cultures can be given with meals. And even more effective are probiotic supplements, such as Lactobacillus Sporgenes, available at most pet supply stores.
Pumpkin (pureed or canned, not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling) can also served with meals and it serves to naturally firm up the stool. A couple of spoonfuls, served once a day, not only helps with diarrhea, but it’s also beneficial for cases of constipation as well.
Dehydration is among the most common and the most serious side-effects associated with diarrhea, particularly when vomiting is also present. Inflamed intestines fail to absorb a sufficient amount of fluid from the stools, resulting in a loss of fluids. To counteract the dehydrating effects of diarrhea, provide your pet with unflavored Pedialyte, which can be added to the dog’s water bowl in a 50-50 mix. Pedialyte ice cubes can also help in the battle against dehydration, as many pets enjoy ice cubes as a treat, particularly in warm weather.
“There’s lots of measures pet owners can take at home to help treat diarrhea, but it’s also important to know when a vet visit is in order,” Dr. Levine said.
In addition to checking for generalized symptoms of illness, pet owners should also be on the lookout for signs of a more critical situation. Symptoms of a serious intestinal system emergency, like an obstruction, include blood in the stool, a distended, painful abdomen, and straining.
