What can you give a dog for diarrhea and upset stomach?

It can be very concerning when your dog has diarrhea and we know how desperate you can be to find a quick cure. That's why our New Ulm vets are sharing the most commons causes of dog diarrhea and how you can help stop it.

Diarrhea in Dogs

A lot of dogs come to our New Ulm veterinary office with diarrhea and many pups are experiencing it for various reasons.

Mild diarrhea cases are extremely common and can develop due to mild intestinal distress such as eating an item that doesn't agree with their body ( ex. table scraps) or you have recently switched your pup to a new dog food. 

However, there is also a handful of other possible causes for your dog's diarrhea that can be more serious.

What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?

Below we have listed some of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs:

• Eating garbage or spoiled food
• Stress or anxiety
• Change in diet or treats
• Ingestion of foreign objects such as toys, bones, and fabric
• Ingesting toxins or poisons
• Medications such as antibiotics
• Parasites - roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia
• Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper, or coronavirus
• Bacterial infections - such as salmonella
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis
• Colitis
• Liver or kidney disease
• Intestinal cancer

But how do you know if you should be bringing your dog to the vet for diarrhea?

When To Visit Your Vet

If your dog has just had one episode of diarrhea and is otherwise behaving normally, it's usually not a cause for concern. Keep an eye on your canine companion's bowel movements and see if things clear up. If your dog has more than 2 episodes then there might be a problem, so it's a good idea to call your vet if your pup has two or more bouts of diarrhea.

If your pooch is straining to pass a stool but is only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy. This is a very serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention, call your vet or go to the nearest emergency animal hospital for treatment. 

Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short time period can be a sign of a very serious health issue, especially if your furry friend is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your pup is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea or chronic diarrhea.

If your dog is showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea they should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms contact your vet immediately to book an appointment:

• Weakness
• Blood in stool
• Vomiting
• Unusual drooling
• Lack of Appetite
• Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)

If your canine companion is displaying any symptoms that are concerning you, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet's symptoms require an examination.

How to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

Never give your dog human medications without consulting your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter medications that work well for people can be toxic to dogs.

If your dog has had one or two runny or soft stools, you might want to give your dog some time to recover by simply fasting for 12 - 24 hours.

A bland diet for a day or two can also help your pooch's issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) could also help your pup's tummy feel better. Once your dog is feeling better gradually reintroduce their regular food.

Other things that might help soothe your dog's upset tummy include natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg with no oil added, specially formulated dog foods and medications prescribed by your vet.

When it comes to your best buddy's health it is always best to err on the side of caution. By taking your pooch in for an examination you give your vet the opportunity to determine the underlying cause of your pup's diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.

If your dog is suffering from diarrhea contact our vets in New Ulm to schedule an appointment.

If you have a dog, you will likely have to deal with diarrhea at one time or another. And in some unfortunate cases, it may be a regular situation.

What is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the term used when your dog passes non-formed loose or watery stool more often and in larger amounts than they would normally defecate. It is a common condition that is a sign or symptom of other diseases or issues rather than a disease itself.

It can be the result of a minor condition, such as a dietary indiscretion, that only requires simple treatment for its resolution, or it can be the result of a serious illness, such as cancer, that requires more involved treatments.

Diarrhea is one of the most common problems that bring dogs into the vet. Even a mild case can become serious if not treated early enough.

Dogs can become dehydrated and develop electrolyte imbalances. Therefore knowing why your dog may have diarrhea and the possible cause helps you know when it is critical to seek medical care versus treating your dog at home.

If you've got a multi-dog home and aren't sure which of your dogs is having diarrhea — try this colorful trick to ensure you're treating the right pup. 

How to Know When You Can Treat Diarrhea at Home

1. Your dog is acting normally
   • normal energy
   • normal appetite
2. No vomiting
3. Your dog is up–to–date on their vaccines (such as vaccines for parvovirus or distemper virus)
4. Your dog is a young adult (not very young or old)
5. There are no pre-existing health issues such as Addison’s disease, kidney failure, cancer, etc.

How to Know When Diarrhea is a Medical Emergency

1. You suspect your dog has ingested a toxin or poison
2. You suspect your dog has ingested a foreign body, such as a toy or clothes
3. Your dog is low energy and may seem weak
4. Loss of appetite
5. Vomiting (typically more than once or any time water and/or food is consumed). Always contact a veterinarian if any blood is noted, even if they vomit only once.
6. Frequent bouts of diarrhea repeated over a couple-hour window of time
7. The diarrhea has lasted more than 24 to 36 hours despite home remedies
8. There is a lot of blood (red) in the poop – small spots of blood are not necessarily an emergency
9. The stool is black and /or tarry
10. Your dog is continually straining to poop and not much is coming out
11. Your dog’s gums are pale, bluish, whitish, or gray in color
12. Your dog’s stomach is painful and bloated (rapid panting, groaning, or avoids being touched)
13. Your dog is passing worms in their stool or you see worms in their vomit

When in doubt, call your veterinarian or an emergency hospital for advice.

Questions? To chat with a veterinarian about your dog's diarrhea, Click here

How to Treat Your Dog's Diarrhea at Home

There are times when your dog may be off, and you can manage their diarrhea without a trip to the veterinarian.

If you have determined that it will likely be ok to try and “ride out” your dog’s diarrhea for 24 to 36 hours, then here are some options to help.

Rest

Just like with us, rest is important. Give your dog a quiet and comfortable place for them to recover. It is likely best to be a place close to a door to go outside, and that has an easy-to-clean floor for those unfortunate poop accidents.

Fasting

Ideally, fast your dog for 12 hours to allow their gastrointestinal tract to rest and recover. This means NO treats, regular meals, snacks – food of any kind.

Hydration

It is critical that you maintain your dog’s hydration. During this period of time, you can give your dog rice water. The benefit of rice water over plain water is that it may help improve digestion, help alleviate gas and bloating, provide some beneficial minerals, and the carbohydrates provide some energy.

You want to use good quality white rice (not minute rice). Brown rice is not recommended since it has too much fiber.

How to make rice water

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of White Rice
• 4 cups of Water

Instructions:

Boil 1 cup of white rice in 4 cups of water for 10 to 30 minutes (maybe longer) until the water turns a creamy white color. Remove the liquid and allow it to cool. Save the cooked rice for later use. Once cooled, give it to your dog as often as they will consume it.

Discontinue if your dog starts vomiting and contact your veterinarian. For those dogs not interested, you can add a couple of teaspoons of low sodium chicken broth powder or dog-safe bone broth (be sure it does not contain any onions or garlic).

Alternatives to rice water

If you find that rice water isn’t your dog’s thing, you can try clear, unflavored Pedialyte. Personally, I think the stuff tastes terrible and would prefer the rice water! I do not recommend Gatorade because it is high in sugar, and that can cause further intestinal inflammation. There are electrolyte solutions made specifically for pets, as well.

After Fasting

Once you are past the first 12 hours of fasting, you can begin offering your dog small amounts of a bland, low-fat, and easily digestible diet.

Bland Diet Options

1. Plain, boiled, boneless, skinless chicken and rice (the leftover from the rice water).

2. Chicken or turkey baby food (be sure it does not contain onions or garlic – the links we provided are pet safe baby food choices)

Serving Size Example:

3. There are prescription veterinary diets that work well as bland diet alternatives if cooking isn’t your thing! It is always helpful to regularly keep a couple of cans or packets at home. Royal Canin Digestive Low Fat, Hills I/D, Purina EN, or others.

Note: If your pet recovers and you have leftover dry GI food, you can keep it fresh by putting it in a Ziploc® bag and placing it in the freezer for emergency use.

The Under the Weather bland diet does not require a veterinary prescription, so you can buy some ahead of time and keep it just in case. They have many flavors, so be sure to pick the one that matches the protein your dog is currently on, i.e., chicken.

Under the Weather Bland Dog Food Diet

For sensitive stomachs. All Natural, 100% human-grade meat (rice & chicken).

How Long to Keep Your Dog on a Bland Diet

Generally, you will keep your dog on a bland diet for one or two weeks. During that time, continue feeding small amounts every 3 to 4 hours. If the diarrhea goes away, then over another one to two weeks, you will slowly transition them back to their regular dog food diet. Do not give treats or any other food than their regular dog food. Once they have been transitioned fully back to their regular dog food for a couple of weeks, then you can begin slowly offering extras such as their treats.

If you switch back to your dog's regular food too quickly, and don't leave enough time for healing and reduction of inflammation, you could end up right back where you started.

Other Things That Can Help With Diarrhea

In addition to rest, fasting, and a bland diet, there are some other things you may find helpful in dealing with diarrhea issues at home.

Probiotics

Probiotics may be helpful when dealing with diarrhea. Since the digestive tract makes up about 60 to 80% of your pet’s immune system, keeping it healthy is important. Probiotics help support a healthy immune system by keeping the intestinal bacteria in good balance and aiding in digestion. You can try regular, unflavored, probiotic-rich yogurt (you want as low a sugar content as possible), or you can pick up a probiotic like Purina’s FortiFlora, Nutramax’s Proviable (tablet or paste), VetriScience Fast Balance GI Paste, VetriScience Vetri Probiotic BD, or Iams’ Prostora Max.

FortiFlora Nutritional Supplement for Dogs

Proviable Health Supplement for Dogs & Cats

VetriScience Fast Balance Gi Paste – Fast Acting Gastrointestinal Support for Cats & Dogs

Vetri Probiotic BD, Bowel Defense & GI Support Supplement for Dogs

Fiber

Fiber, such as pumpkin, has been found to help with some cases of diarrhea. It acts as a prebiotic because it stimulates the growth of beneficial bacteria by lowering the pH and providing the nutrients they need. Additionally, it helps inhibit the harmful bacteria in the intestines. Always be sure that your dog has access to plenty of fresh water when giving them fiber supplements. In the case of stress-induced diarrhea, starting a fiber supplement a few days prior to the stressful event can help prevent the diarrhea from starting.

Psyllium fiber can be purchased over the counter as whole husks, in products like unsweetened, unflavored Metamucil, or this dog-formulated fiber brand Serving: 1 teaspoon for smaller dogs and up to 3 teaspoons for larger dogs, once to twice daily mixed into food. You can also grind the psyllium fiber finer if you want to.

NOTE: Do not use any of the flavored varieties of Metamucil, especially those with chocolate. Additionally, read the labels to be sure they do not contain xylitol – it is very toxic to pets.

Promote Healing

Rebound Recuperation Formula for dogs can also be very beneficial. While it isn’t a treatment for diarrhea, it acts as a support for recovery. It helps promote hydration, which is important when dogs have diarrhea. It contains prebiotics and antioxidants, which are essential in helping to support the immune system for recovery. It also helps stimulate them to eat and drink.

Consider blood protein supplements. Supplements that use blood proteins that are rich in immunoglobulins may help reduce inflammation, promote healing, and provide other benefits for dogs. The WINPRO line of supplements (Immunity, Mobility, Allergy, Focus, Training) has been met with very positive feedback from dog owners. In our own experience, our dogs loved the taste of their supplements. You only give your dog one or two (depending on their weight) each day, so a bag of 60 will last you 1–2 months. You should not give your dog more than the recommended amount.

Questions? To chat with a veterinarian about your dog's diarrhea, Click here

Over-the-Counter Medications and Why They Are Best to Avoid

You may be wondering why I have not mentioned over-the-counter (OTC) human medications, such as Kaopectate®, Pepto Bismol®, or Imodium®, for your pet. The reason being, depending on the cause of the diarrhea, these medications can do more harm than good. They should only be given if recommended by your dog’s veterinarian and only at the dose they advise.

These medications can be toxic to your dog, especially if dosed incorrectly. Pepto Bismol’s and Kaopectate’s active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate. This ingredient is a derivative of salicylic acid or aspirin. If your dog gets the wrong dose, toxicity can result.

If your dog has intestinal bleeding that you are unaware of, bloody vomit and diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weakness may result. These medications may also affect platelet function, which can affect blood clotting times. When blood does not clot, bleeding continues, which can lead to other issues. If given with any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Rimadyl®, DeramaxxTM, etc., there is an increased risk of intestinal ulcers or perforation. It can cause your dog’s stool to look blackish.

Blackish stool in dogs is referred to as melena (digested blood in stool) which can indicate serious medical conditions. This can make diagnosing certain medical issues difficult and possibly add the need for more costly tests. Lastly, the tablet form of the anti-inflammatory will appear radio-opaque (white) on x-rays. This may appear as a metallic foreign body and result in unnecessary surgery or other treatments.

Note if you have a cat: If you have been advised by your veterinarian to give either Pepto Bismol or Kaopectate to your dog and you have a cat, do not let your cat consume these medications. They will cause salicylate toxicity. This can result in anemia, ulcers, and liver failure, regardless of the dose.

Why You Should Use Extreme Caution With Imodium®

Imodium (which goes by the generic name Loperamide) is a synthetic opioid. All opioids are known to cause constipation. They work by slowing down gut motility which allows for more fluid and salts to be drawn back into the body system.

Imodium, when administered at safe levels, is not helpful for pain and, therefore, will not relieve any abdominal discomfort your dog may have. While, in some cases, Imodium may help, there are others where it can cause potentially serious side effects. Some of these side effects include constipation, sedation, bloating, and even pancreatitis.

You should never give Imodium to your dog if:

1. Your dog is a herding breed (Sheltie, Australian Shepherd, Collie, etc.). Many herding breed dogs carry a mutant form of the ABCB1 -1 Δ gene that significantly limits their ability to break down certain drugs.
2. If your pet has ingested a toxin or has an infection. The diarrhea is a way for their body to flush itself out and remove toxins and infections.
3. If your pet has any medical conditions that can make them more susceptible to the negative side effects of the drug. Some health conditions are:
   • Liver disease
   • Kidney disease
   • Hypothyroidism
   • Addison’s disease
4. If your pet is vomiting, has abdominal pain (groaning, rapid panting, avoiding being touched, etc.), and is weak.
5. If your pet is very young or old.

What If Home Treatment Doesn't Work?

When in doubt, when concerned, or when the diarrhea extends beyond a day or two, despite your best at-home efforts, your best bet is to have your pet — and their poo — evaluated by your veterinarian. No amount of internet searching and no number of trial and error home remedy attempts can compete with the comprehensive history taking, thorough physical examination, diagnostic testing, and the ability to prescribe safe and effective medications or supplements that only your veterinarian can offer.

Dehydration is a Big Concern

Diarrhea causes dehydration because your dog is losing more fluids than they can take in. This lack of fluid balance prevents their bodies from functioning properly.

Diarrhea Can Cause Nutrient Deficiency

The small intestine is where dogs absorb most of their nutrients from what they ingest. Therefore, when the cause of diarrhea relates to the small intestines, your dog is missing out on a lot of the nutrients they would normally gain from their food. In addition to diarrhea, issues of the small intestines usually cause vomiting (increasing the risks of dehydration) and weight loss (because of the lack of nutrients).

Questions? To chat with a veterinarian about your dog's diarrhea, Click here

Why Dogs Get Diarrhea

There can be many causes of diarrhea in dogs. Typically, dogs will vomit or have diarrhea due to:

• Eating something toxic (grapes, chocolate, human medications, etc.) or a foreign object (part of a dog toy, piece of a stick, underwear, and socks are common culprits)
• Too many table scraps or fatty foods like grease, bacon, etc. can also upset your dog's stomach
• Food allergy
• Rapid food change (switching between types or brands of food too quickly)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Intestinal parasites
• Intestinal cancer
• Metabolic disease: kidney disease, pancreatitis, thyroid disease, and others
• Viral or bacterial conditions, like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE)
• Reaction to medications

When fecal matter moves through the intestines faster than normal, and there is decreased absorption of water, nutrients, and electrolytes, the result is diarrhea. It is a symptom of diseases or other issues like toxins, foreign body ingestion, etc., that affect the small intestines, large intestines, or other organs outside the gastrointestinal tract.

Be Prepared to Answer Your Veterinarian's Questions

Being able to answer your vet's questions about your pet’s diet, environment, habits, behavior and knowing the details about your dog’s diarrhea will aid in narrowing the list of possible causes.

By narrowing the list of possible causes, this also helps determine if and what specific tests are needed or if you will be able to treat the issue with some medications at home.

There are different characteristics for when diseases cause small intestinal diarrhea versus large intestinal diarrheas, and the diagnosis and treatment for both are generally different. Here are some details to pay attention to when you suspect your dog has diarrhea.

Characteristics of Small Intestinal Diarrhea:

• Large amounts of stool
• Mild increase in frequency (3 to 5 bowel movements per day)
• No straining or difficulty pooping
• Often accompanied by vomiting
• Pets often lose weight
• Excess gas may be noted
• Prominent gut sounds may be heard
• If blood is present, it is digested, and the stool will look black or tarry

Small intestinal diarrhea can be caused by any of the following:

• Canine parvovirus
• Canine coronavirus
• Canine distemper
• Salmonella
• Clostridia
• Campylobacter
• Intestinal parasites
• Giardia
• Foreign bodies such as sticks, bones, etc. that get stuck in the intestines
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Dietary indiscretion
• Sudden changes in diet
• Food allergies
• Toxins
• Intestinal tumors

Characteristics of Large Intestinal Diarrhea:

• Small amounts of stool
• Increased frequency of pooping – greater than 5 times per day
• Straining is noted
• If blood is present, it is bright red
• Stool may contain mucus
• Normally vomiting is absent
• Pets normally do not lose weight

Large Intestinal diarrhea can be caused by the following:

• Stress
• Whipworms
• Polyps
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Cancer
• Colonic ulcers

As mentioned, there are organs outside the intestinal tract that can potentially cause diarrhea. Diseases that affect the kidneys, liver, and pancreas can all cause diarrhea.

What Your Veterinarian Is Likely to Do

• History: Like any good investigation, a thorough questioning is crucial to the process of determining the cause of your pet’s problems. It’s true for your dog’s diarrhea. It’s true for ANY problems your pet might be having. Typical historical questions your vet may ask when your pet is presented with diarrhea might include:a) How long has the diarrhea been going on?b) What does the stool look like — what color is it, is there any blood, etc.? (Here’s where it’s really nice if you’ve brought a fresh sample of it – about 2 tablespoons, or at least a clear picture of it — I know, we’ve got the best job, don’t we!) c) Is your pet on any medications or supplements?d) What is your pet’s regular diet? This includes their dog food, treats (including human table food), and any other supplements. Take a photo of the bag and ingredient list if you can. e) Has your dog recently gotten into the trash or compost? f) Has your dog been around multiple other pets — including in your own home — and are those pets similarly affected?The list truly goes on and on and gets refined and adapted depending on your answers. History taking is truly an art… and a very important one at that!
• Physical Examination: Along with the history, the importance of a thorough physical examination truly cannot be understated. Your vet will evaluate and pick up on important things during the course of their physical examination. These include whether or not your pet’s abdomen is painful or if there is abnormal fluid present within their abdomen. Whether or not there is a mass or foreign body within your pet’s rectum or elsewhere within your pet’s digestive tract or other body systems. They can evaluate your pet’s anal sacs to determine if they are infected (yes, something that simple can cause bad diarrhea). They’ll be able to evaluate if your pet is dehydrated or hypovolemic (low blood volume). There really is a wealth of important information that your vet will obtain from their physical examination of your dog.
• Diagnostic Testing: Depending on what your vet is finding during the course of the history taking (this is why knowing the above characteristics about small intestinal diarrhea versus large is beneficial) and physical examination, they may well be recommending certain diagnostic tests to help “rule in” or “rule out” potential underlying causes.

  Often times the first “go-to” test for investigating diarrhea in dogs is a fecal float and smear — a test that looks primarily for intestinal parasites and abnormal intestinal bacteria. There are also quick “bench side” tests to look for specific infectious organisms like Giardia and canine parvovirus. Similarly, your vet might recommend blood testing to evaluate for the presence of diarrhea-causing conditions such as pancreatitis, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or others. Radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound, or other diagnostic imaging may also be necessary. There are also times when endoscopy to visualize the tissue is essential. This involves sliding a flexible tube with a light and camera into the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. In some cases, biopsies of the tissue are taken during this procedure.

  Lastly, surgery may be needed to take thicker biopsy samples from several different parts of the intestines to make a finalized diagnosis. Which tests your vet will recommend will be based on their initial impression or diagnosis for each of the potential underlying causes of your dog’s diarrhea.
• Treatments: Some pets and some conditions require little to no treatment beyond a “bland diet” and “passage of time” to resolve the diarrhea. However, many cases and most that go on for greater than 24–48 hours need some treatment. What’s best, what’s safe, and what’s likely to be most effective will best be determined by the results of the history, physical exam, and diagnostic testing.

  Basic treatments often include intravenous fluids, medications to help stop the diarrhea (anti-diarrheal medications meant for dogs), dewormers, medications to treat nausea, and possibly pain medications. There are also times basic treatments involve dietary changes. When the causes of diarrhea are more involved (food issues, disease, or cancer), more involved and specialized medications and treatments will be required. There are times, a referral to a specialist may be recommended.

It is important to regularly (several times per week) monitor your dog’s bathroom habits – even if they are shy about it! This helps you know what is normal and abnormal for them. It will alert you to problems sooner – which may avoid a vet visit. These key pieces of information – change in pooping habits, changes in poop color, firmness, amount, etc. – are very valuable when providing information to your dog’s veterinarian. It may save you a lot of time and possibly eliminate a lot of extra testing.