Getting the, er, scoop on bowel movements is an all-too-common subject among dog owners. “What should I do if my dog has diarrhea?” is also one of the most frequently asked questions in veterinary medicine, says Dr. David MacDonald, DVM, CVA, CVSMT, with Doylestown Veterinary Hospital.
“I can certainly understand there’s a need to let people know what to do,” he says.
Getting a clear idea of what is happening during that first frantic call – and the events leading up to the queasy canine – is the key.
“You can’t just assume it’s the same situation with every dog, and you can’t just treat every animal who has diarrhea the same way,” Dr. MacDonald says.
After all, there are a slew of reasons that dogs suffer from diarrhea, from eating something that disagrees with their stomachs to dietary changes that are throwing bodily functions out of whack.
“There could also be reasons for diarrhea that are part of a bigger, infectious disease process,” Dr. MacDonald says. “So, the best thing for us, as vets, is to talk to people and find out, ‘What’s happening? When did it start?’”
For the majority of patients, Dr. MacDonald says, a phone call (and some suggested home remedies) may be all that’s required.
For others, some additional digging may be in order.
What Should I Do If My Dog Has Diarrhea?
In the past, veterinarians would often prescribe medication first and foremost to eliminate diarrhea and provide relief. But times and understanding have changed, and more conservative approaches are taken today.
“In fact, antibiotics are probably not so good to use all the time,” Dr. MacDonald says.
Bowel functions reflect microbial processes happening in the gut. When functioning normally, food is consumed, broken down by the body, digested, and assimilated. However, when an imbalance is present, the result can be stools that are soft, loose, or watery – and generally unhealthy.
“Something is throwing a wrench into things, and we need to find ways to help,” Dr. MacDonald says. “But when we treat with medication, sometimes it makes that gut status worse if we’re not careful.”
Day 1 – Make Dietary Changes
Dr. MacDonald says a phenomenal first step when treating diarrhea in dogs is to approach things from a dietary perspective.
“The best starting point is to use a food that’s going to be easiest for the body to digest and then let things settle down,” he says.
A bland diet that is both nutritional and easy to digest is the goal for our dogs.
“It makes the whole job easier.”
Boiled chicken is the standard, Dr. MacDonald says, though it can be substituted with boiled hamburger or turkey if a dog is sensitive to chicken.
“You just need a basic meat protein that the body can make use of,” he says. “It should be boiled, not fried, without any seasoning or anything too rich for the body. Just simple, cooked meat.”
Meat can be combined with rice. If not agreeable to a dog, barley could work as a stand-in. Incorporating a good source of fiber – like pumpkin or sweet potatoes – is almost always valuable regardless of HOW your dog got diarrhea, Dr. MacDonald says.
Volume is also important. Small portions are the idea, allowing dogs to ease back into their normal meal routines a little bit at a time.
“It’s the same as if, say, you hurt your leg,” Dr. MacDonald explains. “You don’t go out for a 10-mile walk the next day. You may walk around the corner. And the next day, you do a little bit more. Small portions that are easy to digest allow your dog’s body to get nourishment and feel better. And it’s easy to do in a way that doesn’t aggravate the diarrhea.”
Certain herbal supplements with medicinal properties – like Slippery Elm Bark and Marshmallow Root – have also been shown to help eliminate bowel irregularities, Dr. MacDonald says. Blending these with a dog’s bland, high-fiber diet can help to slow the diarrhea process down.
“It allows the body to start to recalibrate and get things back on track again,” he says, adding that pet owners should always talk to a
When to Make an Appointment
According to Dr. MacDonald, if diarrhea in a dog persists for more than a couple of days, or is not improving with a bland diet, additional investigation may be required. Fecal samples may be taken to rule out parasites.
“I feel better having them come in for an appointment,” he says. “Maybe there is a problem. Maybe they ate something that is causing a blockage. Maybe they contracted an illness from another dog. Or maybe we need to look for another source.”
Occasionally, no medical concerns are present, but relief is still needed. In situations like these, probiotics are frequently prescribed to help counteract any imbalance in the microbiome, a healthy population of bacteria that aids in various bodily functions – including digestion.
“The living bacteria in a probiotic can help improve digestive functions,” Dr. MacDonald says. “I like to use them when we can to give the gut and digestive process more natural support. It simply expedites a dog’s recovery from this kind of setback.”
When it comes to diarrhea, however, one thing is clear: each animal has to be considered on an individual basis.
“Even though we see half a dozen cases of diarrhea every day, each one is unique as far as how we help the dog,” Dr. MacDonald says. “I don’t always assume they’re going to improve the same way or on the same timeline, but we have to make sure each animal gets the care that they need.”
