When your dog passes non-formed, loose or watery stools in large amounts and more often than usual, it is a clear sign of diarrhea. In some cases, diarrhea could also be a sign of other underlying diseases as well, but in most cases, it’s just the condition itself. Diarrhea might vary from dog to dog in causes, frequency, and duration.
What Causes Diarrhea In Dogs?
Most people with dogs have the temptation to feed their dog what they eat. This is precisely why dogs and other pets have their own designated The digestive tract of dogs and cats might be more complex compared to that of humans. There are things dogs should not eat, even if they look yummy. Feeding your dog with treats that are high in salt and sugar can lead to diarrhea by simple osmosis—pulling water into the gastrointestinal tract as it is digested. If you are going to feed your pet “human food,” stick with safe fruits and vegetables such as carrots, green beans, or apples (without seeds). Normally, most human foods are high in salt and sugar, and your dog’s digestive system doesn’t have the facilities to break them down.
Other causes of diarrhea in dogs include,
There are many things that can cause disturbance and disruption in a dog’s digestive system. Eating grass is not one of these problems. Eating grass doesn’t have any effect on your dog. However, keep your pet away from pesticide-treated or chemical-treated grass, and never let them eat mowed grass clippings.
- When your dog eats from the garbage or eats spoiled food, this is referred to as dietary indiscretion.It’s not advisable for both pets and humans to eat spoiled food or food from the garbage. Eating too much food can also disrupt your dog’s system.
- Change in diet: You should be consistent with your dog’s diet. Your dog’s digestive system won’t be able to adapt to the changes that easily. Feeding your dog human food means you have already gone out of your dog’s diet. This is specifically why many dog-food manufacturers recommend that you go slow when you switch from one brand of food to another.
- Food intolerance
- Allergies
- These parasites will cause illness in pups and adults.
Roundworms
Hookworms
Whipworms
Coccidial
Giardia
- Poisonous substances or plants
- Swallowing an indigestible foreign body, like a toy or socks
- Infections with common viruses such as:
Parvovirus
Distemper
Coronavirus
- Bacterial infections, such as salmonella,
- Kidney and liver disease, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer are all examples of illnesses.
- Human antibiotics and other medications: Human antibiotics are different than animal antibiotics. They may contain xylitol, which can be harmful to your dog. Check the ingredients and if Xylitol is present, then under no circumstances give this to your dog.
- Stress or emotional upset
Symptoms Of Diarrhea In Dogs
There are signs that might indicate that diarrhea might be coming to your dog. Sometimes we can’t prevent diarrhea from happening in our dogs, but one way to keep your dog’s digestive tract in tact is food consistency. Avoiding spoiled and unprescribed food, and drinking a lot of water can also help. Here are some symptoms you should look out for:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Blood in the stool
- Mucus in the stool
When Is Dog Diarrhea An Emergency?
When the colour of your dog’s stool changes from perhaps brown or chocolate brown, you should be worried. Colour can indicate a lot about what is going on in your dog’s digestive tract and what your dog has been eating. You know there is an issue when your dog’s stool isn’t as it used to be. Various colours of stool may indicate a disease.
If you notice white spots that look like rice grains, then your dog might have been infected with the tapeworm parasite.
When the poop is green, it means excessive grass has been consumed or the gall bladder has an issue.
An orange or yellow stool could indicate a billiary or liver issue.
If you see red streaks on the poop, you should consult your veterinary doctor and check your dog’s anus for cuts.
Grey and grease-looking poop may be a pancreas or biliary issue.
How To Treat Diarrhea In Dogs
- Retaining your dog’s treat for up to 12 to 24 hours and providing water in small amounts frequently can alleviate the cause.
Kitchen products like:
- Rice water
- Plain white rice
- Pumpkin (100% pumpkin puree from the grocery store, pumpkin powder, or a pet-specific canned pumpkin for dogs)
- Plain yogurt
- Probiotics to promote live bacteria that aid digestion (these are also found in yogurt)
- Boiled potatoes
- Cottage cheese
- Herbs, such as fennel, may have gut-soothing properties
- Specially-formulated dog foods
- Lean protein
- Canned pumpkin
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