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Homemade Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs

 
Cristina Pascual
By Cristina Pascual, Veterinaria. Updated: January 29, 2024
Homemade Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs
Dogs

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Diarrhea in dogs is a common occurrence that will happen throughout our dog's lives. This is why it's best to get familiar to its causes and treatment. This way, you'll be able to quickly help your dog recover from an upset stomach as soon as you see them vomit.

In this AnimalWised article we're going to go through the main causes of diarrhea in dogs as well as homemade remedies for diarrhea in dogs. Keep reading to learn more!

You may also be interested in: Home Remedies for Gastritis in Dogs

Causes of diarrhea in dogs

Soft and mushy stools, that is to say, diarrhea, are a symptom and not a disease. This means that its presence is caused by a disease or disorder. The most common causes are:

  • Allergic reaction
  • Intestinal diseases
  • Internal parasites
  • Spoiled food
  • Inedible material
  • Changes in diet
  • Stress

The cause is often unknown. If your dog is vaccinated, dewormed internally and externally and is not suffering from any disease, it is very likely that it will pass within a few days. It is normal for this to happen throughout a dog's life.

If you see blood in their stool, vomiting, your dog struggling to defecate or vomit, go immediately to your veterinarian. It is indicative of a major problem and the sooner you act, the better.

If your puppy has diarrhea you must act immediately in order to prevent it from getting dehydrated and go to the vet. Puppies get weak very quickly and suffering from diarrhea for a couple of days without eating can cause serious problems.

Homemade Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs - Causes of diarrhea in dogs

What should I do if my dog has diarrhea?

If your dog has diarrhea, there are a couple of things you should do:

  • Let them fast:if you've noticed that your dog has diarrhea, the first thing you should do is remove their food for up to 12 hours. This way, their digestive system will be cleaned and emptied. It is important to always observe your dog's stools and recognise when they are looser than normal.
  • Provide them with fresh water: it is very important that your dog has access to fresh, clean water. Do not remove the water during the fasting period. Change the water and clean the bowl when you see the signs of diarrhea. When your dog has diarrhea, they lose huge amounts of water. Just like us, they must replace that lost fluid. See whether your dog drinks. If they do not drink anything during the fasting period or even suffer from excessive vomiting, go immediately to your veterinarian.
  • Provide them with a watered down isotonic drink: you can put in a bowl a type of drink such as Aquarius, diluted with a little water. Sports drinks help replace lost electrolytes. They like the taste of the orange or fruity ones the best
  • Contact your veterinarian: if your dog is experiencing other symptoms or the diarrhea continues after two days, it's best to contact your veterinarian as the diarrhea may be just one symptom of a serious health disease. Any abnormal behaviour is enough reason to contact your veterinarian. It's better to be safe.

A homemade diet

After the fasting period you should reintroduce the food gradually. Distribute the food into 3 or 4 small servings throughout the day. It is better not to force their stomach with lots of food. The soft diet is very similar to what humans use. They are easily digested foods such as:

  • Cooked white rice
  • Boiled chicken or turkey, without the skin
  • Boiled or grilled fish
  • Baked potato
  • Pumpkin

An example of a ration could be white rice with boiled chicken. You can replace the rice with cooked potato and combine it with meat or cooked pumpkin cut into pieces. You should cook without salt or spices, so that digestion is as light as possible.

Stick to the diet for 3 or 4 days or until you see improvement. If their diarrhea is prolonged or if your dog doesn't eat anything, go to your veterinarian immediately. This soft diet is a remedy for a normal intestinal problem, just like for humans. If in doubt, we recommend going to see your trusted veterinarian.

Homemade Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs - A homemade diet

Rice water

Rice water is very simple to prepare and very good for facilitating digestion. It is a natural remedy for diarrhea and rebalances the intestinal transit. You can give it to your dog after the fasting period. To prepare it, you will only need white rice and water. This rice will be used because it has a high starch content.

You need one portion of rice for every three portions of water. That means for each cup of rice you will need 3 of water. Do not add salt or any spices.

Boil the water in a saucepan. When it comes to boil, add the rice and leave it to simmer for about 20 minutes. Separate the water from the rice with a colander and then you have your rice water. Wait for it to cool slightly before feeding it to your dog. Ideally, it should be at room temperature.

Homemade Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs - Rice water

Probiotics

During gastrointestinal diseases, the intestinal flora may be damaged. Probiotics contain microorganisms which help replenish the lost flora. There are several combinations of probiotics containing different strains of various bacteria.

Consult your veterinarian about what is best for your dog. If your dog's diarrhea has gone within a couple of days and it is eating normally, it is likely that administering them is not necessary.

Homemade Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs - Probiotics

If you are still unsure, keep browsing AnimalWised to find out more about diarrhea in dogs! It is also important to check the different prohibited dog food to make sure you're not giving your dog something inappropriate that may cause vomiting or diarrhea.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Homemade Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs, we recommend you visit our Intestinal problems category.

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