Normal dog poop should be formed and easily scooped or picked up. Diarrhea, on the other hand, is not well-formed, has excess liquid, and is not easily picked up without it smearing. It is messy, stinky, and an indication of an illness in your dog so what can you give your dog to help it?
Most home remedies and human medications are not safe for dogs, so it's important that you know what you can, and cannot, give your dog to help firm up its stool. Your veterinarian will only recommend and prescribe treatments that they know to be safe for a dog but you may need something before you can get your dog in to see the vet. Thankfully, you have some options.
If your dog had diarrhea once or twice and is acting normal otherwise, you may want to try an at-home treatment before bringing your dog in to see the vet. If your dog is lethargic, not eating, vomiting, or showing other symptoms in addition to diarrhea though, it should see the vet. Some safe at-home treatment options for diarrhea in dogs are as follows.
There are several medications that you can purchase over the counter that are usually safe to give to dogs, but it is still recommended that you ask your veterinarian before administering it to your specific dog. Some of these are branded and marketed specifically for dogs while others are the same things you would purchase for yourself from a human pharmacy.
A bland diet that is easily digestible such as white rice and plain steamed chicken is often recommended temporarily for dogs with diarrhea. However, it is not a balanced diet and should not be used for more than a few days without guidance from your veterinarian.
It is also important to ensure dogs with diarrhea remain well-hydrated so they should be offered water frequently. Some diluted low-sodium chicken broth can also help to keep them hydrated if they are not interested in drinking water.
Plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix, can help add extra fiber to bulk stool up. This may be recommended in cases of chronically soft stool once other illnesses have been ruled out. It is not recommended for dogs that have sudden diarrhea, especially if they have not been evaluated by a veterinarian yet.
Bacterial and yeast-based probiotics can be very helpful in dogs with diarrhea. These products help reestablish good gut bacteria. Their effects are magnified when taken with prebiotics that act as fertilizer for the good bacteria to grow in the gut. Some probiotic and prebiotic products like Pro-Pectalin® and Proviable KP® also contain kaolin and pectin to soothe inflammation in the GI tract that causes diarrhea.
If your dog needs to see a veterinarian to have its diarrhea treated, prescription medications and special foods may be recommended. Depending on the underlying cause of the diarrhea, other medications and treatments may also be necessary.
Also known as prescription foods, therapeutic diets are only available with a prescription from your veterinarian. These foods are specifically designed to aid in the treatment or management of various diseases. A therapeutic diet may be recommended for a dog with diarrhea, especially if it is a chronic condition.
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