Doggy Got A Tummy Ache? 4 Steps To Take If Your Dog Has Diarrhea

If your dog has diarrhea, you'll need to do a bit of detective work to determine what caused the bout of loose stools. In most cases, canine diarrhea occurs when your dog overindulges in garbage or table scraps. If your dog has been hitting up the garbage cans for an after-dinner treat, here are some steps you can take to settle their digestive tract and get the diarrhea under control.

Give Their Tummy a Break

If your dog's overindulgences have caused diarrhea, you'll need to give their tummy a break for the day. Diarrhea can cause a painful inflammation inside the gut and intestinal tract. Withholding food for the day will give their body a break so that it can heal properly. Once you resume feedings, begin with small amounts at a time. This will give your dog's tummy a chance to get used to food again.

Increase their Water Consumption

Diarrhea can cause severe dehydration, especially if it's a severe case. If your dog has diarrhea, be sure to keep plenty of fresh water in front of them. If your dog doesn't seem to want to drink, use a syringe to squirt water into its mouth throughout the day. You can also try providing your dog with a bowl of ice. Your dog might be willing to lick the ice, which will keep it hydrated.

Try Some Medication

If you can't seem to get the diarrhea under control, try giving your dog a dose of anti-diarrheal medication, such as Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate. The same ingredients that relieve diarrhea for you will provide the same relief for your dog. Talk to your vet about the proper dosage for your dog. If you have a hard time getting your dog to take the medication, use a medicine syringe. You can squeeze the medication directly into your dog's mouth, a little at a time.

See the Vet

If you've tried everything listed above, and your dog is still suffering from diarrhea, it might be time to get to the veterinarian. Uncontrolled diarrhea could be a sign of a more serious health issue. If your pet develops any of the following signs, you should get to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

  • Black, foul smelling stool
  • Stool that contains red blood
  • Pain during bowel movements
  • Lethargy

If your dog has diarrhea, it probably ate something that didn't agree with it. Use the suggestions provided above to get the problem under control. Be sure to see the vet or emergency vet clinic if the problem persists. 


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