Being a dog parent can be difficult, especially if your friend is ill. No matter how much you’d like your dog to tell you what the issue is, it won’t happen.
In contrast to pain, which dogs are excellent at hiding from their owners, dog diarrhea’s telltale signs are simple to spot from the start.
Along with discomfort, sluggishness, and food refusal, diarrhea is one of the most prevalent issues with dogs.
While accidental diarrhea can occur for a variety of reasons, including indigestion, ingesting a foreign object, and bacterial infections, persistent episodes could indicate a serious health issue.
Recognizing the negative changes and taking immediate action to address them is a crucial component of being a health-conscious dog parent.
This article will concentrate on canine diarrhoea and the many available treatments, including both conventional and alternative approaches.
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Similar to humans, dogs can experience stomach issues such as indigestion, diarrhea, and gas. Although minor cases of stomach upset or diarrhea can be treated at home with “people” medications that are safe for dogs, severe or prolonged symptoms should always be treated by a veterinarian. Call your veterinarian if symptoms worsen or if you’ve never given your dog any of the foods or medications listed below.
Common Symptoms of Dogs with Diarrhea
Dogs with diarrhea display a variety of signs, such as loose stools, vomiting, lethargic behavior, and stomach pain. Usually, dogs with diarrhea would undergo a loss of appetite. This can, at times, lead to weight loss. Many dogs would also vomit every time they are fed.
However, your dog would exhibit a wider range of symptoms if his diarrhea was brought on by another illness. Make sure to give your dog dog antidiarrheals and contact a veterinarian right away if you notice any symptoms of illness or dehydration.
Krista Williams, DVM believes that the conservative approach for healing mild diarrhea is a better option. In this approach, you should avoid medications and allow the body to heal naturally.
You’ll need to fast your dog for 8–12 hours for this. Attempt to prevent your dog from eating anything during this time because it would cause them to either throw up or end up in doggie runs. So, complete fasting is the right way to go here.
Additionally, you must realize that when your dog has diarrhea, his body is not retaining enough water. That’s why most of it leaves with his poo. You must provide your dog with fresh drinking water now because this could cause dehydration. Make sure the water is pure and something you would enjoy drinking.
If your dog’s condition improves following a 12-hour fast, you can resume feeding him. Veterinarians typically advise giving dogs boiled white rice along with a protein source like chicken. Just make certain you debone it completely and remove the skin. Lack of fiber in the dog’s diet is the primary factor in many cases of diarrhea.
This should be a very small meal to give your dog time to adjust. Allow your dog to eat this same diet regularly every couple of hours if his stomach can handle it. When your dog’s feeding schedule returns to normal, gradually increase the size of each meal and the time between each feeding.
Antidiarrheals are used to heal diarrhea in dogs. There are numerous natural, medicinal, and therapeutic antidiarrheal options available. Dogs who have an imbalance of good and bad gut bacteria experience diarrhea. Dog antidiarrheals typically aid in restoring your dog’s gut microbiome and microbiota.
Having said that, a variety of variables affect the type of antidiarrheal medication you choose for your dog. The natural defenses of dogs against diarrhea are only aided by a number of antidiarrheals. However, many others work to combat and lessen canine diarrhea.
But which product to choose when looking for an anti-diarrhea for dogs depends on your comfort level and the advice of your veterinarian. While some anti-diarrheals use gentle, natural ingredients, others do so instead, Don’t use the latter unless your vet recommends you to.
Dogs occasionally experience really bad (and unpleasant) diarrhea. As dog owners, our first reaction in such circumstances is to administer a safe dog diarrhea medication. What medications are used to treat diarrhea in dogs will be covered in this section. We’ll also discuss any potential adverse effects and the recommended dosage for each.
But be advised that this article is not a replacement for advice from a veterinarian. The type and severity of the diarrhea, as well as your dog’s medical history, all play a significant role in determining which anti-diarrhea medications you use. Before giving your dog any prescription anti-diarrheals, always consult your veterinarian.
One of the most popular anti-diarrheal medications for dogs is Imodium. It is the brand name for the medication Loperamide, which slows food from entering the dog’s stomach. It also increases water absorption for the body. The result is a firmer stool. Additionally, slowing down the food gives the dog more time to assimilate nutrients and water.
With that said, Imodium can even be dangerous for mutts. It might sound advantageous to slow the food down in order to prevent bowel movements. However, in some types of diarrhea, having frequent bowel movements can actually be beneficial for the body. These include diarrhea from bacterial infections or toxins. The body frequently expels those toxins and bacteria through poop. Imodium may harm your dog’s health if it causes less poop to be produced.
Imodium should never be given to dogs who are expecting, nursing, or who are young or old. Additionally, you should avoid giving it to dogs who have kidney problems.
Before giving Imodium to your dog, consult with your veterinarian. Ask questions like “How much Imodium can I give my dog” during that visit. The suggested amount can vary from case to case. However, Jennifer Coates, DVM, maintains that a dosage of 0. Imodium dosage for dogs is typically 1 mg per kg of body weight.
In light of this, be sure to research the Imodium content of the medication you’re taking. Imodium liquid is milder and typically contains 1 mg per 5 mL of the liquid, whereas Imodium tablets are significantly stronger and contain about 2 mg of the drug.
Pepto-Bismol is the brand name of the medication bismuth subsalicylate. It’s a human medication used for general stomach problems like diarrhea and heartburn. Not to mention, you can also use it as a dog antidiarrheal.
However, Dr. Jerry Klein, the AKC’S Chief Veterinary Officer, says that he rarely suggests this medication for dog diarrhea. That’s because this medication might cause gastric bleeding.
He suggests Corrective Suspension, which is primarily for dogs but contains bismuth subsalicylate, as a safer alternative. If you absolutely must use Pepto-Bismol, Dr. Jerry Klein suggests 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs. Give your dog another dose in 6 to 8 hours, and if the diarrhea doesn’t improve, call your veterinarian. Ideally, you would choose a canine diarrhea drug as opposed to a human drug.
You should never use Pepto-Bismol for pregnant and nursing dogs. Also, it’s dangerous for dogs with bleeding disorders.
This is another dog antidiarrheal that vets recommend. Although it’s not approved by the FDA for pet use, it’s normal for vets to prescribe it. Pepcid-AC, or Famotidine, is actually an acid neutralizer. So, it’s great for dogs that have an acidic stomach (acid reflux).
Dr. Debra Primovic recommends about 0.25-0.5 milligram per pound of Pepcid-AC for dogs. She further recommends giving the next dose 12 to 24 hours after the initial one and continuing these doses for 3-5 days.
Avoid administering them to dogs who are pregnant or nursing, as you should with all the other anti-diarrheal medications in this article. Additionally, dogs with liver, kidney, or heart problems should not take this medication.
Bland Diet
While not the most exciting diet for your dog, veterinarians frequently suggest a bland diet as a way to reduce diarrhea and restore the dog’s digestive system to normal. This type of feeding consists of fiber-rich, low-fat food to aid in your pet’s formation of a solid stool.
Meals made with boiled meat, bone broth, cottage cheese, pumpkin puree, or white rice on top of other stomach-friendly ingredients are some of the bland-friendly ingredients. Although the taste will not be as good as their regular food, your dog will thank you for it once the frequent and troublesome urges to use the restroom subside.
FAQ
Is there an over the counter anti diarrhea medicine for dogs?
Loperamide is an antidiarrheal used to treat the symptoms of diarrhea (brand names include Imodium®, Anti-Diarrheal®, and Diamode®). Although it is readily available over the counter, you should only use it as your veterinarian advises.
What can you give a dog to stop diarrhea?
A bland diet for 24 to 48 hours could help your dog’s problem. Your dog’s stomach may feel better after eating some plain, cooked white rice mixed with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling). Once your pooch feels better, gradually reintroduce their regular food.
Can you give a dog Imodium or Pepto Bismol?
Imodium (loperamide), Pepcid (famotidine), and Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) are all generally regarded as safe for use in dogs when administered at the recommended dose and after consulting your dog’s veterinarian first.
What soothes a dog’s stomach and helps with diarrhea?
- Plain, canned pumpkin.
- Oatmeal.
- Plain, unsweetened yogurt.
- Sweet potatoes.
- Bananas.