Dog diarrhea: Information that dog parents should know

Sudden diarrhea in dogs - a situation that all dog parents are probably familiar with. In this blog, we provide you with helpful information to help you stay calm in this situation. Find out what causes diarrhea in dogs, how you can give your four-legged friend relief and when it's time to see a vet.

Content

• When do we start talking about diarrhea in dogs?
• What to do if your dog has diarrhea?
• When to go to the vet?
• What can cause diarrhea?
• How can diarrhea in dogs be prevented?
• Conclusion

What is diarrhea in dogs?

• Contrary to what is often assumed, diarrhea is not a disease in its own right. It is a symptom that can be triggered by various causes.

A common question that concerns many dog parents is: When do we start talking about diarrhea in dogs?

Diarrhea in dogs is usually defined as mushy to watery feces with a distinctly stronger, e.g. foul, odor. However, there are different stages:

• Sausage-shaped, but blurred contours. Greasy residue remains when collected.
• Muddy heap. No recognizable sausage shape.
• Several small piles of droppings without a defined shape.
• Liquid feces that spread after excretion.

A healthy dog should have firm, well-formed feces. However, occasional loose stools can be normal, especially if your dog has eaten something unusual.

What symptoms indicate diarrhea in dogs?

It is also important to note that diarrhea is sometimes only the visible sign. It is often accompanied by other symptoms. These include:

• Abdominal pain
• Dry and pale mucous membranes in the mouth
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Listlessness to lethargy

How long does diarrhea last in dogs?

• Diarrhea in dogs can have various causes , from stomach upsets to more serious health problems.

The duration of diarrhea can therefore vary from case to case.

If the diarrhea is mild and your dog is otherwise feeling well, he may recover within a day or two. You can support him with intestinal flora tablets to support him. Regardless of this, if diarrhea persists (after two days) or is severe, you should definitely consult a veterinarian to determine the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Acute or chronic diarrhea?

A distinction is made between acute and chronic diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is when it only lasts one to two days.

• It can occur suddenly. Acute diarrhea does not always require treatment if there are no other symptoms.

In chronic diarrhea, the condition either lasts longer than one to two weeks or recurs at short intervals. If the food is predominantly undigested and your dog is losing weight, chronic diarrhea can be localized in the small intestine. Digested food, constant weight, but mucousy feces are signs that the large intestine is affected.

Measures to support your dog with diarrhea

Diarrhea can indicate various health problems. It is therefore important to monitor your dog carefully and seek veterinary help if necessary. Early action can help to prevent more serious problems.

You can take the following measures to support the ailing gastrointestinal tract. Important: These measures are no substitute for a necessary veterinary examination and treatment.

Prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics

• Most dog parents only focus on stopping the diarrhea in the first instance. Often, however, the cause is only suppressed.

It is better to bring your dog's intestinal flora back into balance. And to support the intestinal microbiome, i.e. all the microorganisms living in the intestine that are important for health and well-being. This requires a combination of pre- and probiotics for dogsalso known as synbiotics, such as the Canosept intestinal flora tabletsare helpful.

The probiotic microorganisms promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are food components that specifically nourish these beneficial bacteria in the dog.

Sufficient drinking water

The most important measure is to provide sufficient fresh drinking water. The dog's body loses a lot of fluid during diarrhea.

• To counteract dehydration, the lost fluid must be replaced urgently.

Therefore, make sure that your dog is drinking water. If this is not the case, visit the vet immediately.

Feeding and nutrition tips

Normal dog food can increase diarrhea in dogs. The nutrients it contains draw liquids into the intestines. The dog food therefore has an osmotic effect. As the intestinal barrier is disturbed during acute diarrhea, the risk of your dog developing a food allergy also increases.

For these reasons, it may make sense for your dog to fast for the first 12-48 hours. Don't worry, for dogs there is no risk in not eating for 1-2 days.

To prevent damage to the intestinal wall cells, fasting should not last longer than two days.

• This does not apply to puppies, pregnant bitches or dogs that show other symptoms in addition to diarrhea. In these cases, the vet should be consulted immediately.

Light diet

After fasting, it is advisable to feed your dog a light diet for three to seven days. In order not to overload the affected gastrointestinal tract, you should slowly increase the amount of food each day and feed several small and easily digestible meals.

We recommend the following ingredients, which you can vary in combination:

• Cooked, lean poultry meat
• Boiled potatoes
• Soft-boiled, unsweetened rice
• Oat flakes softened in water
• Soft-boiled vegetables (e.g. carrots or zucchinis)
• Grated apple
• Bananas
• Low-fat quark
• Cottage cheese

However, bland food is not a long-term solution because it does not contain all the nutrients your dog urgently needs.

Light diet recipes for your dog

Moroccan carrot soup

A well-known light diet recipe is Moro's carrot soup. In consultation with your vet, this can be a useful addition to treatment if your dog is suffering from acute diarrhea. The carrots are cooked until soft so that they bind the intestinal contents without impairing intestinal function.

You will need the following ingredients to make Moro carrot soup:

• 500 gram carrots
• 1 liter of water
• 1 pinch of salt

Wash and peel the carrots and boil them in water for at least an hour. You can add more water if necessary. After the cooking time, pour off the remaining liquid and mash the carrots. You can add a little of the drained liquid to achieve the desired consistency.

Light meal recipe

In addition to Moro's carrot soup, you can also feed your dog a light diet of rice, chicken and cottage cheese. Simply mix everything together and feed in small, easily digestible portions throughout the day.

For a 10 kg dog you will need

• 125 g soft and sliced chicken (white boneless meat)
• 300 grams of rice (rice pudding is best)
• 125 grams cottage cheese

Visit to the vet

If your dog suffers from diarrhea, you should usually visit the vet on the third day at the latest. This is because prolonged diarrhea can indicate more serious health problems, such as infections, parasite infestations or diseases that affect gastrointestinal function, as well as gastrointestinal diseases themselves.

However, if your dog is pregnant, still a puppy or has the following symptoms, you should have your dog checked on the same day:

• Blood in the stool
• Green, slimy diarrhea
• Emetic diarrhea (simultaneous diarrhea and vomiting)
• Frequent vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• High fluid loss, e.g. due to liquid feces
• Signs of dehydration
• Increased body temperature
• Dog does not eat or drink anything
• Restless or apathetic behavior

Your veterinarian can determine the exact cause of the diarrhea through a thorough examination and, if necessary, laboratory tests and recommend appropriate treatment.

Recognizing abdominal pain in dogs

Abdominal pain can be caused by various things, such as digestive problems, bloating, infections or even more serious illnesses. Here are some signs that may indicate abdominal pain in your dog:

• Vomiting and diarrhea: If your dog vomits repeatedly or suffers from diarrhea, these symptoms may indicate gastrointestinal problems or abdominal pain. You should also be aware if your dog is frequently and forcefully straining to defecate.
• Changed behavior: Sudden lethargy, withdrawal or irritability can be a sign of discomfort or pain. Another indication could be that your dog is trying to lick its belly, biting or scratching itself more often.
• Loss of appetite: A dog with abdominal pain may lose its appetite or refuse to eat. A sudden and persistent loss of appetite should be monitored closely.
• Belly sensitivity: Be careful when touching or pressing your dog's belly. If he shows pain reactions, such as wincing or growling, this could indicate abdominal pain.
• Bloated belly: A bloated belly can indicate flatulence or even intestinal obstruction, which requires immediate veterinary attention.
• Restless pacing: Sometimes dogs walk around restlessly but slowly and possibly stiffly when they have abdominal pain. They cannot lie still and try to find a position that relieves their discomfort. Dogs often adopt the prayer position or the supine position for this.

Signs of dehydration

Below you will find some signs that indicate a disturbed water balance and prolonged symptoms.

• Dry mucous membranes: The mucous membranes in your dog's mouth should normally be moist and pink. If they appear dry or pale, this could indicate dehydration and blood loss.
• Decreased skin elasticity: To check skin elasticity, you can gently lift and release the skin on the back of your dog's neck or between the shoulder blades. If the skin does not spring back to its normal position immediately, but snaps back slowly or not at all, this could indicate dehydration.
• Reduced urination: If your dog is urinating less than usual or the urine looks dark and concentrated, this may be a sign of dehydration.
• Changed behavior: Dehydration can lead to tiredness, weakness and a general feeling of malaise. Your dog may appear lethargic or less active than normal.
• Fast heartbeat and rapid breathing or panting: Dehydration can increase your dog's heartbeat and breathing rate. Notice if your dog takes shallow, rapid breaths and if his heart beats faster.
• Sunken eyes: If your dog's eyes look sunken or cloudy, this may be a sign of dehydration.

As soon as you notice one or more of these signs in your dog, it is important to see your vet immediately.

Causes of diarrhea in dogs

Diarrhea in dogs shows that the gastrointestinal flora is not in balance. There are many causes for this. Some are of a harmless nature, while others are serious health problems.

Food:
There are many ways in which food can cause diarrhea. For example, if the food is too cold or the wrong food, the gastrointestinal tract can react sensitively. Leftover food is not for dogs suitable, especially as our food is too heavily salted and seasoned. However, a sudden change in your dog's food can also lead to digestive problems. This is why your dog's diet should be kept as consistent as possible. When changing food, you can support the intestinal flora with the Canosept intestinal flora tablets to support the intestinal flora.

Spoiled food and litter:
Unfortunately, it can happen quicker than you think - zap, your dog has eaten something from the side of the path or from open garbage cans on a walk. This may be indigestible or even spoiled food, which can cause diarrhea.

Food allergies:
Dogs, like humans, can develop allergies to certain foods or ingredients in dog food. If the dog already has an allergy, eating allergenic foods can lead to diarrhea.

Parasite infections:
Internal parasites such as worms or giardia can affect your dog's gastrointestinal tract and cause diarrhea.

Deworming:
Regular fecal exams or deworming in dogs is important (Source: ESCCAP). The purpose of deworming is to kill the parasites in the intestines. With the Canosept intestinal flora tablets you can also support the intestines and intestinal flora in this situation.

Infections:
Bacterial and viral infections can affect your dog's gastrointestinal tract and cause diarrhea.

Stress and anxiety:
Dogs can be sensitive to changes in their environment or lifestyle. Stress and anxiety can lead to gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhea. With the Canosept intestinal flora tablets support the intestinal flora, especially in stressful situations such as a journey, a move or a large gathering of people.

Poisons and toxins:
Ingestion of toxic substances such as plant fertilizers, cleaning agents, paints and varnishes, etc. can cause acute diarrhea.

Medications:
Taking certain medications such as antibiotics can cause side effects such as diarrhea. Always ask your vet about the possible effects of prescribed medication.

Important: Do not simply stop taking the medication without authorization. If side effects such as diarrhea occur, contact your vet. They will discuss the next steps with you.

The use of antibiotics can affect your dog's intestinal flora. If, during antibiotic therapy intestinal flora tablets are administered during antibiotic therapy, there should be an interval of at least four hours between the first dose of antibiotics and the subsequent administration of the intestinal flora tablets.

Digestive disorders:
Certain diseases or disorders of the digestive tract, such as pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), can cause chronic diarrhea in dogs.

Preventing diarrhea in dogs

To prevent diarrhea from becoming a symptom in the first place, you can prevent certain causes.

The right diet
Your dog's diet plays a crucial role in preventing diarrhea. Be sure to choose high-quality dog food that is appropriate for your dog's needs, age and activity pattern. Reduce the amount of human food and snacks, as these can often cause stomach problems.

Frequent changes to the diet can also upset your dog's intestinal flora. However, if a change of food is unavoidable, whether due to an allergy or a change in requirements, the Canosept intestinal flora tablets help to restore the balance of the intestinal microbiome.

Parasite control
Parasites such as worms can not only cause diarrhea, but also serious health problems. Keep your dog regularly up to date with deworming and use preventative measures against ticks and fleasto prevent infections.

Regular exercise
Adequate exercise is crucial to help your dog's digestion. Provide regular walks and play sessions to keep your dog moving and his digestion going. However, rest and digestion is the order of the day after eating.

Minimize stress
Dogs can be sensitive to stress, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems. Try to minimize stressful situations and provide your dog with a safe and familiar environment.
If stressful situations such as long car journeys or moving house are imminent for your dog, you can support your dog's intestinal flora in advance. Synbiotics, such as the Canosept intestinal flora tabletsare the ideal support for this.

Visits to the vet
Regular visits to the vet are essential to monitor your dog's health. The vet can detect problems at an early stage and give you further advice on how to prevent diarrhea.

Conclusion

• As a rule, diarrhea is a mushy to watery stool with a distinctly stronger odor. The duration can vary depending on the cause.
• Pro- and prebiotics (also called synbiotics), such as the Canosept intestinal flora tabletssupport your dog with digestive disorders and promote the development of intestinal flora. 
• Sufficient fresh water is an important measure.
• Fasting followed by a light diet can help to calm your dog's gastrointestinal tract.
• If the diarrhea persists for more than two days, the vet should be consulted. Unless you are dealing with puppies, pregnant bitches or dogs with other symptoms, a visit to the vet should be made immediately.
• There are many causes of diarrhea. Some can be prevented by simple measures and diarrhea can thus be prevented. Canosept intestinal flora tablets rebalance the intestinal flora, e.g. in stressful situations or when changing food.
• Supporting and promoting a healthy intestinal flora (microbiome) not only benefits the intestines, but also the general health and well-being of your dog.

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