How to Treat Your Dog’s Diarrhea

When your dog gets diarrhea it can just as frustrating as if it were a small child. But with a little tender loving care from his owner, Fido will soon be back to normal.

Diarrhea in your dog is a condition when your he (or she) passes any irregular stood that is softer than normal. For example, is Fido’s stool watery? Is he straining when he struggles to defecate? Is he only passing gas? Chances are, he has acute diarrhea and can be treated at home. However, if you have a young puppy (under 7-8 weeks of age) you need to take him to the vet as puppies often die of diarrhea. But if it’s an adult dog, here are a few pointers that work in treating diarrhea….

Don’t panic—-Take a deep breath. It’s really not that bad if you catch it in the first stage. First, you need to determine how bad it is. Often owners dash off to the vet when they can treat it themselves. If your dog is not weak, appears relatively content and is still active, just withhold or tweak his normal diet until his diarrhea clears up.

If just water comes out of him, then you’ll want to withhold all food and water for 24 hours. You can also give him Pepto-Bismol or Imodium every three or four hours. (Call your vet for the correct dosage). You’ll probably need a springe when giving him liquid medicines such as Pepto-Bismol. When he starts to improve, offer Gatorade or Power Aide, as both drinks are rich in electrolytes which he loses when he’s sick.

Try to select a color that won’t scare him from drinking. If you select a flavor such as “Berry” or “Strawberry”, he may think you’re offering him blood to drink. Instead, try a clear color such as “Watermelon Ice”. And, he still may need a little coaching, as it took awhile before our dog even took a sip. Try using a baby bottle or water bottle if you can’t get him to drink from his water bowl.

Feed him a bland diet such as white rice. Although whole wheat rice is better for us humans, white rice is a better choice for dogs as it bonds together. If the diarrhea isn’t too bad, add some boiled hamburger meat or plain chicken. Cut his regular serving in half as you don’t want to give him too much food at first. Make the mixture about 2/3 rice and 1/3 boiled hamburger meat or chicken. Be sure not to add any oils or fats, keeping his food totally bland until he improves. Low fat yogurt is also another binding food that helps him heal.

Cottage cheese—-Besides rice, low fat cottage cheese also is a good bonding food treating diarrhea. You can either serve it plain or mix it with boiled hamburger meat or chicken.

When should you rush him to the vet? A few signs of chronic diarrhea include…

Lethargy—Is he sluggish, lacking strength and luster? This is a sign it’s time to go to the vet.

Bloating—If he exhibits extreme bloating and abdominal pain, he probably needs quick medical attention.

Dehydration—-How can you determine if he’s dehydrated? A good way to detect dehydration is to feel his gums. If they’re dry or tacky, there’s a good chance he’s dehydrating.

Passing water—-Is water shooting out of his rectum continually? If your dog is passing water without control, then he’s in danger and needs immediate medical attention. It’s also important to give him water so he won’t dehydrate.

Vomiting—If Fido is vomiting steadily then he needs to see the vet so fluids can be given intravenously.

Feverish—-A rectal temperature above 103.5 degrees Fahrenheit signals he’s in trouble.

Blood in stood-–If blood is coming out of his rectum, along with water, rush him to the vet immediately.

Under the care of a vet, your dog will probably receive antibiotics, as well as special bland food until the diarrhea clears up. In extreme cases, hospitalization may be required. However, in most cases, dogs struggle with only acute diarrhea and can be easily treated at home with success.