Diarrhea can happen all of a sudden in dogs. This is even more so for puppies because they have very sensitive stomachs. The good news is, most diarrhea in dogs will ease itself just like a false alarm. However, if your dog has frequent bouts of diarrhea, then you need to be on alert for underlying health problems that need more attention.
This article will go over what you need to know when your dog has diarrhea and give some tips on how to treat it at home.
How long does dog diarrhea last?
Diarrhea in dogs can occur suddenly and last as long as a day or two up to a few weeks or months. Diarrhea that lasts longer can be an indication that your dog has an underlying health issue.
What are the common causes of diarrhea in dogs?
Diarrhea is an obvious symptom that’s telling you something is wrong with your dog.
There are a handful of causes of diarrhea in dogs, ranging from simply changing of diet to serious health problems.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of some of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs:
- Eating garbage or spoiled food
- Sudden change in diet or treats
- Ingestion of foreign objects such as toys, bones, and fabric
- Ingesting toxins or poisons (e.g. Prescription medications for people, or human food like chocolate, avocado, grapes, raisins, etc.)
- Parasites (more common in puppies): roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia
- Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper, or coronavirus
- Bacterial infections – such as salmonella
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Pancreatitis, colitis, liver or kidney disease
- Intestinal cancer
- Stress or anxiety
If you are a new owner, it can be a bit overwhelming to identify the real cause yourself.
It’s certainly a no-brainer to take your dog to the vet for the best advice, especially if you have pet insurance to cover up to 80% of the unexpected visit.
But there are signs you can look for to understand whether an immediate visit to the vet is needed or if there’s a chance that diarrhea will go away with some easy home treatment. Let’s learn more.
How to tell if you can treat your dog’s diarrhea at home?
It’s not uncommon for a dog’s diarrhea to ease on its own without treatment or medication. If your pooch has just had one or two episodes of diarrhea, chances are he will get well soon within days.
However, as the owner, you should keep an on on any unusual behavior (e.g. eating or sleeping habits) in your dog in case any further action is needed. If your dog falls into any of the criteria below, you should not be worrying too much:
- Behaving normally without any significant drop in energy level or appetite
- Up–to–date on their vaccines (such as vaccines for parvovirus or distemper virus)
- Do not have any pre-existing health issues such as Addison’s disease, kidney failure, cancer, etc.
Keep reading if you want to see our list of easy home remedies for dogs with diarrhea.
Signs that show your dog need to be sent to the vet
If your dog is experiencing some other symptoms (as listed below) or diarrhea has lasted more than 48 hours, then you should bring him/her to the vet or contact an emergency animal hospital immediately. Signs to look out for:
- There are two or more bouts of diarrhea within a few hours
- Your pooch is straining to pass a stool but is only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea (They could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy or a stone. This is a very serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.)
- Rapid panting, groaning, or avoids being touched (your dog’s stomach is painful and bloated)
- There is blood in the stool
- Your dog has vomited or showing unusual drooling
- Your dog is a senior (over 12-year-old), a young puppy (below 1-year-old), or has a vulnerable immune system
- There are signs of dehydration (sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)
(Source: AmericanVetOnline.com)
Bottom line: Use your common sense. If your best friend is displaying any symptoms that are concerning you, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet’s symptoms require an examination.
Methods dog owners use ease to a dog’s diarrhea
Chances are not every diarrhea warrants a trip to the vet. If you have determined your dog will likely be fine, or if you have seen some improvement within the first 24 to 36 hours, then here are some options suggested by dog owners that work.
Fasting
First thing first, you can control the intake.
Withholding food for 12 to 24 hours, and providing water in small amounts frequently, can clear the cause of the upset and allow the gastrointestinal tract to settle.
Also, a fast may not be appropriate for small dogs or dogs with health conditions. If that’s the case you will need to be very careful or just skip the fasting.
Hydration
Just like in humans, diarrhea can lead to dehydration in dogs, so make sure to give your pooch access to clean water at all times.
If your dog is not drinking water, you can consider giving your dog rice water.
The benefit of rice water is proven to help improve digestion and help alleviate gas, and it contains carbohydrates that provide some energy in case your dog is undergoing a fast.
You may also offer unflavored Pedialyte to help maintain electrolyte balance under a vet’s advice.
7 Simple kitchen food that has proven to ease diarrhea in dogs
- Rice water: Boil 1 cup of white rice in 4 cups of water for 20 to 30 minutes in a cooking pot until the water turns white and creamy, stirring occasionally. Drain the rice water and allow it to cool before giving it to your dog.
- Plain white rice: Used the drained cooked rice once cooled. Give it to your dog in small portions.
- Rice with boiled chicken (no seasonings, boneless and skinless)
- Boiled pumpkin or a pet-specific canned pumpkin for dogs
- Plain yogurt
- Cottage cheese
- Boiled peeled potatoes
Simple instructions:
You may want to start feeding your dog with only one to two kinds of the food above, for the first 2-3 days.
Then you may slowly mix it with some of his normal food. And eventually, you can switch back to his normal food if diarrhea starts to ease out.
Other options
- Probiotics help support a healthy immune system by keeping the intestinal bacteria in good balance and aiding in digestion. You can try regular, unflavored, probiotic-rich yogurt (as low sugar preferred). Commercial probiotic options include, Purina’s FortiFlora, Nutramax’s Proviable (tablet or paste), VetriScience Fast Balance GI Paste, VetriScience Vetri Probiotic BD, or Iams’ Prostora Max.
- Specially-formulated dog foods: Some manufacturers offer sensitive stomach dog foods that can soothe stomach problems. Examples include Purina Pro Plan Specialized Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
Methods that work for one dog may not help another, so you might need to do a little experimentation to find the right formula.
Further Questions
Are German Shepherds more prone to having diarrhea?
German Shepherds are one the top breeds that is prone to food allergies. The top allergens include, chicken, dairy, wheat, beef, eggs, and soy. And GSD puppies also have very sensitive stomachs. And you know they love to swallow any objects that they can find. These all make GSD have diarrhea more often than other dogs.
Can I give Immodium to my dog?
Imodium is a synthetic opioid that is known to cause constipation. They work by slowing down gut motility which allows for more fluid and salts to be drawn back into the body system. It is not helpful for pain and, therefore, will not relieve any abdominal discomfort your dog may have. There are others where it can cause potentially serious side effects if misused.
(Source: PreventiveVet)
How serious is diarrhea in dogs?
If your dog has severe bloody diarrhea or is showing obvious signs of illness such as weakness, unusual drooling, vomiting, loss of appetite, or dehydration, the cause may be more serious than you can think of and immediate medical attention should be sought after.
In fact, diarrhea is one of the first signs seen in parvovirus, a viral infection that can cause life-threatening illnesses in susceptible dogs.
More on German Shepherd Allergies
- Most Common German Shepherd Allergies: What You Need to Know
- How to Help Your German Shepherd With Allergies?
- Ear Allergy in German Shepherds: Everything You Need to Know
- Chicken Allergy in German Shepherds: Everything You Need to Know
- German Shepherd Skin Allergies: Best Tips for Relief
- How to Stop Itching in German Shepherds? Effective Remedies Owners Use
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