German Shepherd with Diarrhea: A Feeding Guide

Most episodes of diarrhea in German Shepherds are mild and short-lived. Yet, it can be heart-broken to see your pet suffering. Many pet food companies have developed dog foods to aid with dog digestive problems.

Fasting your dog for 12-24 hours can help with diarrhea. Only start feeding easily digestible foods like rice or pumpkin puree afterward. Consult with a vet to find the best food that meets your dog’s specific needs if needed.

In this article, we will look at the best dog foods for German Shepherds suffering from diarrhea. Read on to find out which one suits your dog best.

What causes German Shepherds to have diarrhea? 

German Shepherds can get diarrhea from many sources. 

They can get diarrhea from bacterial infections such as Salmonella or E. Coli. These are usually contracted from contaminated foods and feces. 

German Shepherds are curious eaters. They may get into the garbage, spoiled food, or toxic substances. These all can cause your GSD to have diarrhea. 

GSDs can also get viruses from other dogs and sometimes humans. These are usually short-lived illnesses. 

Stress and parasites can be a source of diarrhea, as well. 

However, most German Shepherds who have frequent diarrhea suffer from food sensitivities. German Shepherds often cannot maintain a balance of good gut bacteria. They may suffer from a condition called Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). EPI is when a dog does not make enough enzymes to properly digest certain foods. 

To learn more about how to feed German Shepherds with EPI, watch this video:

How to treat diarrhea in German Shepherds at home? 

If your German Shepherd is suffering from diarrhea, you can make him more comfortable at home. Most cases of diarrhea are mild and will clear up in a day or two.

According to Horst Hegewald-Kawich, author of The German Shepherd Dog, “For short bouts of diarrhea that are not accompanied by blood or fever, have your pet fast for a day.”

You can take away your dog’s food for 12- 24 hours and provide your dog with water to help him get over his illness. If your dog isn’t drinking water, you can also offer him unflavored Pedialyte to keep him hydrated. 

When your dog is ready to eat again, you can start by introducing kitchen food to your dog. These foods are pretty gentle on German Shepherd’s stomachs. They will help solidify your dog’s feces.

• Plain white rice
• pumpkin puree
• boiled potatoes
• cottage cheese  

As your dog produces more solid bowel movements, you can start reintroducing his dog food. 

What are the best dog foods to prevent diarrhea in German Shepherds? 

If your dog has diarrhea every once in a while, it is completely normal. Yet, if your German Shepherd has diarrhea several times a month, he may have sensitivities to his current dog food. 

You can have your dog tested at the vet to see what foods he cannot tolerate. Then, you may need to switch dog foods.

There are many different types of dog foods you can try to help prevent your dog from having diarrhea. Each is formulated to treat the different causes of your dog’s diarrhea.

Limited Ingredient Dog Food 

Limited ingredient dog foods have a short list of ingredients. This helps you better manage your German Shepherd’s sensitivities.

You can read the ingredients to find out if there is something your dog may not tolerate well.

Limited-ingredient diets are great for avoiding the typical triggers for diarrhea. 

These dog foods still provide balanced nutrition. 

Check out: Canidae PURE Limited Ingredient Premium Adult Dry Dog Food, Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe

Hypoallergenic Dog Food 

Hypoallergenic dog foods are best for GSDs who have known allergies to food ingredients. Actual food allergies are rare in dogs. 

Most people confuse sensitivities with allergies. Sensitivities are the inability of your dog’s body to break down certain foods. This is usually because of an enzyme deficiency. 

Allergies are an intense immune response to an ingredient. Your dog’s immune system goes out of control attacking the allergen. Allergies cause diarrhea, but they are often coupled with other symptoms. These can include intense itching and respiratory symptoms.

Hypoallergenic dog food manufacturers take animal protein and split them at the atomic level. This makes it easier for your dog’s body to process.

The allergen is so small your dog’s immune system doesn’t recognize it, so your dog digests it normally. 

This dog food is best for a dog who has a known allergen causing his diarrhea.

Check out:

Hill’s Science Diet Adult Dog Dry Perfect Digestion Chicken, Brown Rice, & Whole Oats Recipe

Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Sensitive Stomach Dog Food With Probiotics for Dogs

Prescription Dog Food 

Your vet may prescribe your German Shepherd dog food specifically for diarrhea. These dog foods target the exact cause of stomach irritation. These diets are tested by nutritionists and veterinarians to specifically treat certain conditions.  

These dog foods are only available through a prescription from your vet. These dog foods are for German Shepherds with known medical conditions causing their diarrhea, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

One of the most popular choices you can find on Amazon is:

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food, Veterinary Diet

Probiotic Dog Food and Supplements

Probiotics are important for German Shepherds who suffer from diarrhea. GSDs need to re-establish healthy bacteria in their digestive tracts, especially after a bout of loose stools. 

Purina FortiFlora Probiotics for Dogs is one of the most commonly used products in this category.

You can add these supplements to your dog’s food for five days following an episode of diarrhea. This should help your dog build up the healthy bacteria he needs to create solid stools.

You can also buy dog food with probiotics in the formula. Purina Pro Plan is a good option for promoting digestive health. This brand incorporates probiotics in the formula, helping to balance gut flora on a regular basis. 

This dog food is good for German Shepherds who have loose stools and occasional diarrhea.

Homemade recipes 

There are several foods you can serve your dog at home when he suffers from diarrhea. Immediately after an episode, you can give him chicken and rice, which is easy to digest. Watch this video for some ideas:

For the long term, you can create your own dog’s meal plan using a raw food diet or feeding your dog cooked foods from home. This way, you can control what ingredients your dog ingests.

If you choose to feed your dog homemade meals, make sure to research carefully. Your dog needs a complete balance of nutrients to be healthy. 

Does wet dog food make diarrhea in German Shepherds worse? 

Wet dog food doesn’t cause diarrhea. But, German Shepherds have a difficult time switching dog foods. The change in diet may upset his tummy for a few days. This should clear up once your dog gets used to the new diet. 

Wet dog foods are high in protein and water, which is good for a German Shepherd. Your dog needs to stay hydrated if he often has diarrhea.

However, wet dog foods can also cause tooth decay. Lower-quality wet foods may contain preservatives that upset your dog’s stomach. So, be sure to read the list of ingredients. 

How do I choose the best dog food for my German Shepherd?

German Shepherds have sensitive stomachs. They are both prone to stomach upsets and picky eating, so finding the right food is essential to making sure your dog is healthy. 

Consider your dog’s age 

German Shepherds have varying needs based on their ages, sizes, and level of activity. Puppies need more nutrient-rich foods, more often to aid their quick growth. 

Very active German Shepherds need more calories because they are constantly burning them.

Older dogs need smaller portions, fewer calories, and reduced protein.

As your dog changes and grows, it is important to select dog foods that cater to its needs. 

Take a look at the ingredients 

The most common ingredients German Shepherds are sensitive to are beef, lamb, dairy, wheat, chicken, and soy. However, dogs can be sensitive to any ingredients in dog food, including preservatives.

If your German Shepherd has a sensitivity to a certain ingredient, you should make sure to avoid it. 

The smaller the ingredient list on a label, the better. Lower-quality dog foods add many fillers and preservatives to their formulas. 

Determine your price range 

Dog food is expensive, especially for a large dog like the German Shepherd. You may be looking at the price of these specialty dog foods and wondering how you can afford them.

Although many of the higher-quality dog foods are expensive, they are worth it in the long run. 

Quality dog food prevents stomach and other health issues. You will have fewer diarrhea messes to clean up and fewer vet bills. So, the cost will balance out. Cheaper dog foods are often packed with filler and low-quality ingredients that irritate your dog’s stomach.

How do I clean up my dog’s soft stool? 

Once you discover your dog’s accident, you know you need to clean it up fast to prevent odors, germs, and staining. 

Cleaning up soft stool on hard surfaces

When you clean up your German Shepherd’s diarrhea, you will need to put on gloves. This prevents you from contracting bacteria from the feces. 

If the stool is on a hard surface, you can grab a paper towel and wipe it up before it dries. Then, place the soiled towels into a disposable bag. 

If you have hardwood or vinyl, grab a disinfectant safe for those surfaces. Then, spray the area and wipe it again with a fresh paper towel or washcloth.

Finally, use a pet odor neutralizer such as this one here to remove the scent from the floor.

Removing diarrhea stains from carpet 

If the soft stool is on the carpet, you will want to grab your gloves. Pick up as much of the feces as possible with a paper towel. Then, use a butter knife, dustpan, or scraper to free the particles from the carpet fibers.

Use a damp cloth or a water bottle to rinse the carpet area until there is no longer any visible stool. Then, apply a carpet safe cleaner, such as the one below:

If you don’t have special cleaners to get rid of stains, you can use bicarbonate soda and white vinegar. Mix equal parts of the ingredients. 

Be cautious, they produce a chemical reaction that spews everywhere. Then, apply the paste to the carpet and rinse with water.  

When do I need to see a vet about my dog’s diarrhea? 

According to PetMD, “If you have tried a bland diet for 48 hours and the diarrhea is persistent, it’s time to go to the vet.” 

If your GSD is also experiencing the following symptoms, you should seek a vet immediately:

extreme lethargy 

• excessive drooling 
• seizures
• pale or tacky gums
• fever
• vomiting
• blood in stool

Also, if your dog refuses to drink for more than 24 hours, he needs to go to the vet to check for dehydration. 

Conclusion 

All in all, there are many great dog food choices for German Shepherds with diarrhea. When considering how to feed a dog with diarrhea, consider how frequently your dog has diarrhea, any special conditions or sensitivities, and your dog’s unique characteristics. With these considerations, you will choose the best dog food for your German Shepherd who has diarrhea.