Foods to Help Prevent Puppy Diarhea

Diarrhea in puppies can pose a serious health risk if left untreated because it can quickly lead to dehydration and malnutrition. The key to eliminating this risk to your puppy's health is to prevent diarrhea before it starts. Several foods can help prevent puppy diarrhea and help keep puppies' digestive systems functioning properly. Many of the foods can be used as an additive.

  1. Cottage Cheese

    • Adding a small amount of cottage cheese to your puppy's food can help to prevent puppy diarrhea by helping to balance the flora in your puppy's intestines. Just one or two tsp. can help maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which helps to improve digestion and reduce the risk of both diarrhea and constipation.

    Yoghurt

    • Plain, unflavored yogurt that contains live acidophilus cultures that help keep healthy flora in the intestines and assist with digestion. Unbalanced intestinal flora inhibits digestion. In puppies, the most common side effect of this is diarrhea. Adding one to two tsp. of plain yogurt to your puppy's food daily will help to keep beneficial bacteria and promote healthy digestion.

    Pumpkin

    • Pumpkin is one of the best foods to help prevent puppy diarrhea because it is high in soluble fiber, which helps to reduce liquid in the digestive tract. Soluble fiber is an important additive, and is not sufficient in many commercial pet foods. When you buy pumpkin, use the pure, unsweetened variety. Mix one or two tsp. with the puppy food a few times a week. Do not overfeed pumpkin to your puppy, though, because an excessive amount can contribute to the diarrhea.

    Grains

    • Grains such as oatmeal, brown rice and bran help reduce liquid in the digestive tract. When adding these ingredients, use only pure sources. Do not use instant-flavored oatmeal or white rice.

    Dry Kibble

    • Feeding your puppy a high-quality dry kibble can help to prevent diarrhea by limiting water in the digestive tract. Canned puppy food has an extremely high water content that contributes to loose stools and diarrhea. As soon as your puppy's teeth have emerged, begin feeding the dog a dry or semi-moist kibble made from high-quality ingredients that are easily digestible.