Dog Diarrhea And How You Can Deal With It
Dogs are the ultimate survivors, and one of the reasons behind their success is a supremely adapted digestive system. A dog can eat just about anything, including meat, vegetables and some stuff that other animals would run a mile from.
So it should hardly be a surprise that dogs sometimes get diarrhea. In fact, it's probably a bigger surprise that they don't get it more often.
There are a number of reasons why a dog may get diarrhea including, anxiety, worms, an intestinal tract disorder or a more serious illness. It could also be a simple tummy upset. The thing is, you can never know for sure, so it's always best to speak to a vet.
Most likely, it will be nothing serious and the vet will simply prescribe something to clear it up. Alternatively, you may want to consider some natural remedies that are known to be effective.
Here are a few home remedies that work. These are effective for mild diarrhea, quite obviously, chronic and disease related diarrhea needs to be treated by a vet.
Homeopathic Medicine
There are a number of homeopathic remedies specifically for treating dog diarrhea. The right remedy to use will depend on the dog’s symptoms and the consistency of the stool. Common treatments include arsenicum album and aloe.
Herbal Remedies
Bayberry is an infective remedy for clearing up bacterial infections, while catnip is good for reducing flatulence. L-Glutamine and Slippery Elm both help to reduce inflammation of the intestinal walls.
High Fiber Diet
Fiber rich foods are excellent for promoting good intestinal health. Not only do they soften the stool in the case of constipation, but they also clear toxins from the system, thus eliminating a common cause of diarrhea.
Good sources of fiber are brown rice, oatmeal, and pumpkin. Feed your dog these regularly as they are an effective preventative for all manner of bowel and intestinal ailments.
Probiotic FoodsProbiotic foods contain live bacteria cultures, so you are actually introducing bacteria to the body. The difference is that these are “good” bacteria that restore balance to the system.
A common source is probiotic yoghurt, but there are a number of probiotic powders made specifically for dogs. These are usually tasteless and can be mixed in with your dog's food.
Bland Foods
When treating a dog that has diarrhea you need to strike a balance between keeping the dog nourished and hydrated, and not causing further irritation to the digestive system.
For the first day you should withhold all food, but ensure that the dog gets plenty of water. From day two, begin to feed the dog a bland diet (boiled skinless chicken and rice is ideal). Continue with this diet until his condition returns to normal. Remember to always have fresh water available and to monitor his water intake as dogs with diarrhea are at risk of dehydration.
If you dog has diarrhea always speak to your vet first. Once the vet has ruled out anything serious the suggestions above will often be as effective as any prescribed medication.
If you want to read more about dog diarrhea, dog care, dog grooming and other helpful dog info visit www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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