Dogs are not very picky when it comes to food. For some, if it fits in the mouth, it's food. Acute diarrhea may be nothing more than your dog's body trying to rid itself of some form of dietary excess: last week's moldy bread or over-ripe garbage. If her condition is not accompanied by more serious symptoms such as confusion, lethargy, fever, vomiting or blood in the stool, you can safely treat diarrhea at home. If symptoms do not begin to improve after four days, contact your veterinarian.
-
Eliminate The Source
-
To stop diarrhea symptoms quickly, stop putting food in your dog. A 24-hour fast gives the gastrointestinal system a needed rest. Give plenty of water during this time and keep your dog away from table scraps, cat food and outdoor food sources like grass and birdseed.
Once your dog completes the fast, reintroduce solid food. A bland diet may smooth her transition from fasting to feasting. Use two parts cooked white rice or boiled potatoes with one part boiled, ground chicken. Skim off any fat to reduce stomach upset. Feed about half as much as her normal daily rations for the first day, dividing the portions into three or four servings. Over the next three days, begin to mix her regular food into the mixture until portions return to normal.
Watch your dog's intake of table scraps and snacks. Human junk food is just as appealing to your dog as it is to you---and just as unhealthy. Tossing a few corn chips or sharing a bowl of ice cream can disrupt your dog's digestion and cause gas, bloating and diarrhea. When your dog gives you the pleading eyes during dinner, share the carrots, not the carrot cake.
Ease The Symptoms
-
Slippery elm, available in powder or liquid, can be administered to dogs to coat and soothe the throat, stomach and intestinal tract. Pour 12 ounces boiling water over 1 tablespoon slippery elm powder. For dogs under 25 pounds, administer 1 tablespoon three to four times per day until symptoms subside. For dogs 25 to 50 pounds, use 2 to 3 tablespoons. For dogs over 50 pounds, use 4 tablespoons. This preparation can be added to food.
Diarrhea may deplete electrolyte levels and cause dehydration. There are rehydration drinks available for dogs that are similar to those used by human athletes. They contain potassium and sodium to replenish needed minerals.
Exercise
-
Sedentary dogs are more prone to a variety of health conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders. Regular, moderate exercise improves digestion and lowers stress levels, which when high are a common cause of diarrhea. Take your dog on at least one 15-minute walk per day. Do not, however, introduce a major fitness program into her schedule in the middle of her recuperation. Allow her to recover before beginning an exercise program.
-