What To Do If Your Dog Has Diarrhea

No matter how closely we keep an eye on our pups, they seem to always find a way to put things in their mouth! Most of the time, it’s not a big deal, but occasionally, ingesting things that they shouldn’t be eating can lead to a variety of health problems, including diarrhea. 

Canine diarrhea can vary in frequency, duration, and intensity, and although it’s not a topic most people like to discuss, it is important to know how to manage it if it does occur. Below are some of the main causes of diarrhea in dogs: 

• Eating too much 
• Eating spoiled food or other garbage
• A drastic change in diet
• Allergies or food intolerance
• Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, or something else
• Poisonous plants
• Swallowing a toy or other foreign object
• Bacterial infection
• Illness
• Stress

A dog’s stool can reveal a lot about their health. If your dog’s stool has unusual consistency or shape to it, consider bringing them in to see the vet. Many vets offer a fecal test to see if there are any infections that are affecting your pup. Some home remedies you can try if your dog has diarrhea are:

• Fast your dog for 12-24 hours and provide water in small amounts frequently. 
• Offer your dog yogurt which has beneficial bacteria that can help with the digestive system.
• Give your dog plain foods such as white rice or boiled potatoes. Plain canned pumpkin can also help with digestion!

If your dog is clearly in distress and is showing other physical symptoms such as lethargy, fever, vomiting, or anything else, take your dog to the vet ASAP. Your vet will be able to check and see if there are any other underlying health problems that need to be addressed. 

We’ll Take Care of Your Pet at North Shore Animal Hospital

We’ve been serving Bayside, Flushing, Whitestone, and the greater Queens, New York area for over 75 years. With many years of experience under our collective belt, you can rest assured that your beloved companion is in compassionate, capable hands. At North Shore Animal Hospital, we know your pets are treasured members of your family and we strive to nurture their health, happiness, and well-being through advanced medicine and gentle handling.