Dog diarrhea can be a distressing time for pets and their humans. And there is an unwritten law of the Universe that dog diarrhea is going to occur on the carpet! The odds increase further when you are about to have company or have recently had the carpet cleaned. Dogs don’t like having diarrhea any more than humans do-so go easy on the poor guy. Most diarrhea and vomiting episodes are triggered by something your pet ate-such as yesterday’s trash. Cleaning aside, pet parents must not worry too much about dog diarrhea as long as it is not chronic and there is no blood in the stools. Let us take a look at some ways to prevent and cure dog diarrhea fast.
Keep him hydrated
Make plenty of fresh water available for your pet. Diarrhea and vomiting can decrease the water in the body. So, feed plenty of water in the form of chicken stew or broth. Plain water is also a great option and so is buttermilk.
Feed easy to digest foods
In most cases, dog diarrhea is accompanied by prolonged period of fasting-most dogs will refuse food completely. If your pet shows hunger cues, feed him some rice with chicken broth. Avoid brown rice which could increase the problem. Allow the diarrhea to run its course.
Hold the food
Many vets recommend holding your pet’s food for 12-24 hours. As mentioned above, your dog will probably refuse food. Not putting food in his system means you won’t have anything coming out of it either! Temporary fasting in this manner will aid recovery and help him heal. Most dogs recover from diarrhea within 24-36 hours. If symptoms persist or your pet has bloody stool or yellow mucus, get him to the vet. Collect a sample of his stool to have it analyzed. This will help your vet determine what is wrong.
Allow his tummy to settle
Once the diarrhea has subsided, offer him easy to digest foods such as rice with chicken or hamburger. Low fat yogurt and cottage cheese are also good options. Remember to wait at least for 12 hours before feeding your pet. You can grill or boil the meat before serving it with rice. In case of hamburger, drain thee excess fat before feeding.
Rehydrate
Encourage your pet to drink plenty of water. Add some chicken stock or Pedialyte to his water bowl. Pedialyte helps rehydrate your pet with minerals and is readily available in pharmacies. Check your dog’s gums to ensure he is not dehydrated. Signs of dehydration include: dry and tacky gums. If this is the case, feed him plenty of water, buttermilk or chicken stock until the gums are back to their pink color.
Replenish lost vitamins
After a bout of serious dog diarrhea, you must ensure that your dog gets plenty of vitamins and minerals. Talk to your vet about feeding a nutrition supplement. Also feed him a broth made by boiling chicken or beef bouillon in 3-4 cups of water, mixed with some baking soda and powdered garlic.
Avoid taking him out near trash, muddy areas
Dogs usually develop diarrhea when they romp about in muddy, stagnant water or eat from the garbage. You cannot always avoid this, but basic puppy training can ensure that he does not eat food from the ground. Also keep your yard protected and trash cans tightly sealed and locked. This will prevent midnight raids in your dogs.
Watch his diet
It is a myth that dogs need variety in their food like humans do. In fact; maintaining a steady diet is usually the best and most dogs are perfectly satisfied with it. Avoid feeding table scraps or human food which can be toxic to pets. Foods like cheese, milk, certain fruits and vegetables as well as chocolate are downright poisonous to your pet. Here is a list of 10 Worst Foods for Dogs.
Food allergies
Chronic diarrhea could be a sign of food allergies in your pet. Make a list of items you are feeding him. Do read product label on your pet’s food to ensure there is no allergen in it. Some breeds are allergic to poultry, fish, dairy and nuts. Talk to your vet to ensure your pet is not in that category. If he is, you need to carefully monitor his diet and avoid said allergens. If you plan to change your pet’s food, do so with the guidance of your vet. Start with very small quantity of the new food and gradually increase it until your pet is comfortable eating it.
Avoid raw eggs
Many pet parents feed raw eggs to their pets thinking that it is great for his coat. Doing so is very dangerous as it could increase risk of salmonella poisoning and dog diarrhea. So it is best to avoid raw eggs.
Avoid feeding stale food
Just because you kept the food refrigerated does not necessarily mean that it is fresh. Avoid feeding food that looks ‘off’ or does not smell right. Even if you feed canned food to your pet, make sure you transfer it to an airtight container and promptly refrigerate leftovers. Use the leftover bit within 12-24 hours to prevent diarrhea-causing bacteria from spoiling it.
Clean his water and food bowls daily
Bacteria can accumulate in your pet’s feeding and water bowls. Clean these every day and make sure there is plenty of fresh water available for him at all times.
Use essential oils for dog diarrhea
Certain essential oils are great for diffusing when your dog is suffering from diarrhea and vomiting. Here are some remedies you can use:
- 1 tbsp Almond oil
- 6-7 drops each of Ginger and Peppermint essential oils
Mix the oils and soak a cotton ball with the mixture. Place the cotton under your pet’s nose to prevent nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Diarrhea remedy for diffusion
- 2 tsp Jojoba oil
- 3 drops each Cinnamon and Peppermint oils
Mix the oils and diffuse the blend when your pet is suffering from diarrhea.
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