The many and varied causes of diarrhea
Dogs develop diarrhea for many different reasons. Abnormal stools can occur any time the movement of water or nutrients across the lining of the intestines is altered or disrupted. For example, when your canine companion eats something that’s not part of his or her normal diet, the normal bacteria present in the intestines may be changed, which can lead to acute diarrhea.
Diarrhea can also signal health problems such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), parvovirus infection and liver disease. In these cases, inflammation and/or damage to the intestinal lining are the mechanisms behind the diarrhea.
Here are some of the most common scenarios in which diarrhea would be anticipated:
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Dog vomiting and diarrhea – should I worry?
The risk of diarrhea and vomiting together is that your dog is at greater risk of dehydration. If your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea repeatedly, its probably time to see a vet. Usually, vomiting for longer than 12 hours and diarrhea for longer than 24 hours requires veterinary care.
If your dog is lethargic and lacking in energy or cannot stand or walk, you should get to a vet as soon as possible.
Can I give my dog Pepto Bismol for diarrhea?
Its always best not to use human medication on animals. While Pepto Bismol may provide some relief for your dogs mild diarrhea in particular cases, getting the correct dose is tricky without the advice of a vet. It’s much better to let your vet prescribe a medication that has been specifically formulated for animals.
My dog has diarrhea but is acting fine?
If your dog has diarrhea but is acting fine and isnt displaying any other symptoms, the issue is contained in the GI. This means its more than likely that your dog ate something that isnt agreeing with them or has a parasite infection.
Switch to a bland diet, ensure your pup has access to plenty of fresh water, and sit tight. If the situation doesnt resolve in a day or so, it might be worth getting to a vet to prevent dehydration and ensure that the problem isnt worsening.
If your dog has bloody diarrhea but is acting normal, its advisable to seek treatment urgently. Just because your dog seems fine doesnt mean that something serious isnt going on internally. Where bloody diarrhea is concerned, its always better to err on the side of caution.
Can peanut butter cause diarrhea in dogs?
Peanut butter is very high in fat, so if your dog consumes too much peanut butter, it can cause diarrhea. How much peanut butter is too much? That depends on your dog, but a good rule of thumb is that no more than half a tablespoon for a small-to-medium-sized dog or a tablespoon for large breeds.
Ensure that the peanut butter you give your dog is unsweetened and unsalted, which is better for dogs. Ensure that your peanut butter doesnt contain xylitol (a natural sweetener), highly toxic to dogs.
Is rice water good for dog diarrhea?
Rice water is a common and effective home remedy for diarrhea in dogs. In addition to rehydrating your pup, it also has a binding effect that leads to thicker, firmer poops.
How to make rice water to treat dog diarrhea? Easy! Boil one cup of plain, white rice in three cups of water for around 20 minutes. Drain the cloudy water from the rice and allow it to cool to room temperature before giving it to your dog. You can make extra and store it in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
What is the most common cause of diarrhea in dogs?
The most common causes of diarrhea in dogs are:
What is the best dog food for diarrhea?
If your dog has diarrhea, the best food to feed is a plain diet of boiled rice or potatoes and lean protein like skinless chicken, boiled eggs, or white fish. Pumpkin can also be very good if it is 100% pure pumpkin without added spices.
How fast does pumpkin work for diarrhea?
Many cases of diarrhea may see improvement within 1-3 days with pumpkin added to the diet or another bland food. If improvement is not seen, this should prompt a visit to the vet.
My dog hasnt pooped in 24 hours after diarrhea. How long after diarrhea will my dog poop again?
Stay calm. Its pretty common for your dog not to poop for a day or so after having diarrhea. A runny tummy can clean out your dogs intestines, and it may take a day or two for normal stool to build up and pass through.
This is also partly due to medication that may be used to treat diarrhea which slows the gut down to give it a break, and partially because a bland diet will naturally move slower through the gut.
Normal pooping should resume in two or three days. If your pet is eating and not going to the toilet after this time, give your vet a call.
My dog has orange diarrhea. What does that mean?
As much as you would really rather not, paying attention to the color of your dog’s poop can give you clues as to what’s going on internally. Ideally, your dog’s poop should be chocolate brown.
Common poop colors and what they mean:
What Poop Says About Your Dog’s Health
The consistency and color of diarrhea reveal a lot about the cause of the problem and what is happening in your dog. Take very careful note of the color, consistency, and anything else that might help when you describe the symptoms to a vet. In many cases, diarrhea will resolve after a few days of home treatment, but it’s a good idea to give your vet a call if it continues for a long period or has any one of several signs that may point to a serious problem.
This infographic from Purina gives you an idea of a “perfect dog poop,” which is chocolate brown, shaped like logs, compact, and easy to scoop. Experts say it should feel like cookie dough or Play-Doh when pressed. Large volumes, pudding-like or watery consistency, or signs of mucus (looks like jelly), or blood streaks, are not normal.
Take Note of the Color of the Poop
Color can also indicate a lot about what is going on inside your dog’s gut. Chocolate brown is normal, while colors like orange, green, or gray may signify issues with such organs as liver, gall bladder, or pancreas. Black tarry stool is very serious, and may point to internal bleeding. If you see this, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Purina has also provided a handy reference—a color wheel of dog poop.
Color, shape, and consistency will all help you and your vet figure out what is wrong when your dog gets diarrhea. These factors will help your vet determine where the problem is originating along the dog’s digestive tract.
Other Ways to Decipher Dog Poop
Following are some common abnormalities, in addition to color, and what each might be telling you about why your dog has the runs:
- Small amounts with straining, several times in an hour, which some people call “the squirts,” can be a sign of inflammation of the large bowel.
- Three or four times, with large volume, suggest small bowel disorder.
As disgusting as it may seem, it’s important that you examine your dog’s poop carefully if she has diarrhea so you can give your vet as many details as possible. Armed with this knowledge, the vet will be able to tell you whether to schedule and exam or whether you can treat it at home.
A great many cases are mild and, with your vet’s advice, maybe treated without a trip to the office. They may respond to a regimen of very basic treatments, including:
Over-the-Counter Dog Diarrhea Treatments
These over-the-counter dog diarrhea treatments are good to have on hand, and can be ordered online for quick delivery for those occasional bouts of loose stools or diarrhea that every dog can experience.
Fasting
Withholding food for 12 to 24 hours, and providing water in small amounts frequently, can clear the cause of the upset and allow the gastrointestinal tract to settle. It’s usually the first line of attack for diarrhea. Before you decide on a fast, be sure that your dog is healthy enough to endure it. Puppies, and elderly dogs, for example, need nutrients. Also, a fast may not be appropriate for small dogs who do not have the physical reserves of their larger cousins.
Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so make sure to give your dog access to water at all times. You may also offer unflavored Pedialyte to help maintain electrolyte balance under a vet’s advice.
Kitchen Cures for Dog Diarrhea
After a fast, simple foods are usually introduced slowly. Many dog owners start with foods that act as binders, which can help normalize stool consistency. Some tried-and-true methods include:
Methods that work for one dog may not help another, so you might need to do a little experimentation to find the right formula. It might also be helpful to write down what works and what doesn’t so you’ll know what to do the next time you find yourself mopping up a mess.
Once you find a recovery diet that agree with your dog, and doesn’t cause a relapse, you can slowly increase the portions over a period of days, and then start to add small quantities of your dog’s regular food, until things are back to normal.
My dog had diarrhea THIS Fixed it FAST!
Diarrhea is a very common problem in dogs and usually manifests as loose or liquid feces. The diarrhea can be acute or chronic with acute diarrhea being more common in puppies and young dogs although it can affect dogs of any age. Acute diarrhea starts suddenly and tends to last anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks. It is important to understand that diarrhea is a symptom, not a disease in itself and is a normal response to the imbalance of the absorptive, secretory and motility actions of the gastrointestinal tract.