No matter how careful you are with your dog's health, at some stage they are going to suffer from diarrhea. It's often impossible to know the exact reason for loose stools, especially if it's a one off episode. As such, you may need to use your own observations to gauge the seriousness of the situation. When trying to help your dog recover from diarrhea, it's usually recommended that they undergo a period of fasting after which time you can gradually reintroduce food.


Possible causes of diarrhea

Dogs can suffer from loose stools for all sorts of reasons. Mild cases of diarrhea can be triggered by stress or anxiety, eating something they shouldn't or by changing their regular diet. Some medications such as antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can also produce a bout of diarrhea. More serious cases can be caused by parasites and worms which may result in either mild or severe diarrhea.

When to feed

Puppies and dogs suffering from diarrhea can dehydrate very quickly, even more so if it's accompanied by vomiting. If your dog is evacuating his bowels frequently, producing foul smelling, watery, or mucous filled diarrhea you should take him to the vet right away. Likewise if there are any signs of blood or their feces appear jet black there is a cause for immediate concern. In cases like this, ensure he's drinking plenty of fresh water and seek medical help from your vet as soon as possible.

If your dog has loose stools but otherwise seems fairly happy without displaying any obvious signs of discomfort such as lethargy, groaning, whimpering or a distended belly, try withholding his food for between twelve to twenty four hours. This can help clear out any toxins or bad bacteria that may have found their way into his gut. Dogs can go for some time without food but always make sure they have access to plenty of fresh water. In the case of puppies, don't fast them any longer than six to twelve hours.

Suitable food

After a period of fasting you can start introducing small quantities of easily digestible, bland food for them to try. Plain, boiled brown or white rice is a good start which can be made a little more tasty by mixing it with some lean chicken breast. Many dogs like the taste of pumpkin and this is another good choice for dogs with diarrhea. You should boil and mash it or use the ready prepared canned variety. Plain cottage cheese is easy to digest as is natural probiotic yogurt which can help to restore a healthy level of good bacteria in their gut.

Keep feeding them the same bland diet for a few days, gradually re-introducing their usual food as the diarrhea becomes less frequent. If their diarrhea continues for any length of time after you’ve begun feeding them and especially if their health appears to deteriorate in any way, have him checked out by your vet. You’ll need to provide a stool sample which the vet can analyze to try and discover the reason for their diarrhea and provide the appropriate medication.

Most cases of mild diarrhea shouldn't have any major affect on your dog's overall health. And as long as he is eating the food you give him and drinking plenty, the problem of loose stools should be resolved after a short period of fasting followed by a gradual introduction of bland, easy to digest food.