Dealing with a dog with diarrhea is never fun, for them or for you. It’s messy, it’s worrying, and it leaves you wondering what you can do to help your furry friend feel better. The good news is, there are several diet-related approaches you can take to ease their discomfort and help firm things up. This guide dives into what you can safely offer your dog when they have diarrhea and what to avoid.
Understanding Why Your Dog Has Diarrhea
Before we jump into solutions, it’s helpful to understand why diarrhea happens. It’s often a sign that your dog’s digestive system is upset, and it can be triggered by a variety of factors. Common culprits include:
- Dietary Indiscretions: Eating something they shouldn’t, like spoiled food or table scraps. It is worth noting, that, although tempting, you should not give your furry friend everything you eat. If you are curious about what they can and cannot eat from your plate, you should also read about what foods are harmful to dogs.
- Sudden Food Changes: Switching dog foods abruptly can cause digestive upset.
- Food Allergies or Intolerances: Some dogs are sensitive to certain ingredients.
- Infections: Viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections can all cause diarrhea.
- Stress: Changes in routine, travel, or anxiety can sometimes trigger digestive issues.
It’s important to monitor your dog’s symptoms closely. If the diarrhea is severe, bloody, or persists for more than 24-48 hours, or is accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, vomiting, or loss of appetite, a vet visit is necessary.
The Bland Diet: A Go-To Solution for Diarrhea
The cornerstone of managing diarrhea in dogs is often the bland diet. This is a diet that is gentle on their digestive system, easy to digest, and helps to give their gut a break. The goal here is to reduce the workload on the digestive tract while providing essential nutrients. So, what exactly can you include in a bland diet?
The Key Ingredients of a Bland Diet
When considering a bland diet, it’s best to start with just one or two core ingredients. These usually include:
- Boiled Chicken: Skinless, boneless chicken breast that’s been boiled is easily digestible.
- White Rice: Plain, cooked white rice acts as a binding agent and is gentle on the stomach.
These two combined are a powerful yet straightforward aid to help combat diarrhea. You can then, gradually introduce other bland foods to see how your dog reacts.
Introducing Other Bland Food Options
If you need to keep your pet on a bland diet for more than a couple of days, it’s essential to provide a complete and balanced diet. For that, you can consider the following options:
- Plain Cooked Potatoes: Mashed or boiled potatoes, without skin or seasoning, can provide a good source of carbohydrates.
- Plain Cooked Pumpkin: Canned pumpkin (not pie filling) is a great source of fiber, which can help with both diarrhea and constipation, depending on what your dog needs.
- Low-Fat Cottage Cheese: This provides a good source of protein and is easy to digest. Make sure it’s low-fat to avoid further digestive upset.
- Plain Yogurt: Yogurt with live, active cultures can be beneficial for gut health as probiotics.
- Boiled Egg: A single boiled egg can provide necessary nutrients, but ensure it is cooked thoroughly.
How to Prepare a Bland Meal for Your Dog
Preparing a bland diet is simple. Just follow these steps:
- Boil the chicken: Use skinless, boneless chicken breast and boil it until fully cooked. Shred it into small pieces.
- Cook the rice: Boil white rice in plain water until it’s soft.
- Combine the ingredients: Mix the shredded chicken and cooked rice in a 1:2 ratio. For example, one part chicken to two parts rice.
- Serve lukewarm: Allow the mixture to cool down and serve it lukewarm.
Important note: Avoid adding any oil, butter, spices, or seasoning to your dog’s bland meal. It’s best to start small, offer small portions, and feed your dog more frequently throughout the day. This can help prevent overwhelming their system. As your dog gets better, gradually increase the portion sizes.
Foods to Avoid When Your Dog Has Diarrhea
Just as important as knowing what to feed your dog is knowing what not to feed them. When your dog has diarrhea, some foods should be avoided at all costs. This is critical to prevent further digestive upset and allow your dog’s system to recover. Here’s what you need to steer clear of:
- Fatty Foods: Avoid any high-fat foods, such as fried meats, gravy, or foods with high oil content. These can worsen the diarrhea.
- Dairy Products: While some dairy, like low-fat cottage cheese or yogurt is okay in small quantities, large amounts of milk or other dairy can upset their stomach, especially if your dog is lactose intolerant.
- Spicy Foods: Spices can irritate your dog’s digestive system, so it is advisable to avoid any seasoned foods.
- Table Scraps: Keep away any table scraps as they often contain a mix of ingredients and seasonings that can worsen digestive upset.
- Processed Foods: Foods that are highly processed, like sausage or fast food are generally not advised. You should also consider what foods are dangerous for dogs, so that you always take the best care of your pet. In this regard, be sure to check what food is dangerous for dogs for more information.
- High-Fiber Foods: Although fiber can be good for dogs, they may not always be helpful when experiencing diarrhea. For this reason, avoid fibrous foods like broccoli, cauliflower, or peas during this time.
- Rich or Heavy Treats: Avoid giving your dog any rich or heavy treats, as they can aggravate an already sensitive stomach.
- Foods Toxic to Dogs: Be mindful that certain foods are toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, and garlic. Always double-check that any foods you are feeding to your dog are safe. For more information, take a look at what foods are dogs not supposed to have.
Dr. Emily Carter, a renowned veterinarian specializing in canine nutrition, notes, “When a dog is experiencing diarrhea, it’s absolutely crucial to adhere to a bland diet. This gives the digestive system a chance to heal without being overloaded with difficult-to-digest components. Avoiding those tempting but harmful table scraps can make a world of difference in your pet’s recovery.”
Transitioning Back to a Regular Diet
Once your dog’s diarrhea has resolved, you can gradually transition them back to their regular diet over a period of a few days. Here’s how:
- Day 1-2: Mix a small amount of their regular food in with the bland diet, increasing the portion of their regular food daily.
- Day 3-4: Continue to increase the amount of regular food and gradually decrease the bland diet.
- Day 5-7: If your dog is doing well, they should be fully transitioned back to their normal diet.
Be sure to monitor their stool during the transition. If the diarrhea returns, revert to the bland diet and then restart the process more slowly.
When to Seek Veterinary Attention
While a bland diet can often resolve mild cases of diarrhea, there are times when a vet visit is essential. Be sure to consult with your veterinarian if:
- The diarrhea is bloody, black, or tarry.
- Your dog seems lethargic, weak, or dehydrated.
- Your dog is vomiting or has lost their appetite.
- The diarrhea persists for more than 24-48 hours, even with a bland diet.
- Your dog is a puppy or an older dog, as they are more susceptible to dehydration.
- You suspect that your dog has ingested something toxic.
Preventing Future Diarrhea Episodes
Once your dog is back to their usual healthy self, there are several measures you can take to help prevent future diarrhea episodes:
- Consistent Diet: Stick to a high-quality dog food. Avoid sudden food changes, and when you do switch, do so gradually over a week or more.
- Avoid Table Scraps: Resist the urge to give them food from the table.
- Limit Rich Treats: Choose healthy, dog-specific treats. Limit rich or heavily processed ones.
- Proper Sanitation: Clean up after your dog promptly to prevent them from eating anything they shouldn’t.
- Parasite Prevention: Keep up with regular parasite prevention medication as prescribed by your vet.
- Reduce Stress: Create a stable environment for your dog and minimize situations that might cause stress.
Dr. Thomas Sterling, a veterinary gastroenterologist, advises, “Prevention is always better than cure. Feeding a balanced, consistent diet, and avoiding common triggers, such as sudden food changes and scavenging, are critical to maintaining good digestive health in your dog. Always monitor your dog for unusual changes and consult your veterinarian when in doubt”.
Conclusion
Managing diarrhea in dogs often involves a combination of dietary adjustments and close observation. A bland diet of boiled chicken and rice is usually a great starting point. Avoid fatty foods, dairy, spicy items, and table scraps, and ensure you reintroduce your dog’s regular food slowly. Be mindful and always seek veterinary advice when necessary. Remember, your commitment to understanding what can dogs eat for dinner can greatly contribute to their digestive health and overall well-being. By making informed dietary choices and paying close attention to their overall health, you can keep your dog happy, comfortable, and healthy.
And, for puppy owners, it’s also good to be aware of what human food can 8 week old puppies eat as they have a more delicate system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How long should my dog stay on a bland diet?
A: Usually 2-3 days. Start transitioning back to their regular food slowly after the diarrhea resolves.
Q: Can I add bone broth to my dog’s bland diet?
A: Bone broth can be okay in small quantities, as long as it’s low in fat and sodium. Ensure that there is no garlic or onion in it.
Q: Is it okay to give my dog Pepto-Bismol for diarrhea?
A: No. Do not give your dog human medications without consulting a veterinarian. Some human medications can be toxic to dogs.
Q: My dog is having diarrhea and vomiting. What should I do?
A: Vomiting along with diarrhea may indicate a more serious condition. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
Q: Can stress cause diarrhea in dogs?
A: Yes, stress and anxiety can sometimes cause digestive upset in dogs. Try to minimize situations that might stress your dog and ensure they have a comfortable, stable environment.
Q: How much boiled chicken and rice should I give my dog?
A: Start with small portions, around 1/4 cup per 10 pounds of body weight, given 3-4 times daily. Adjust the amount based on your dog’s appetite and response.
Q: Should I withhold water from my dog when they have diarrhea?
A: Never withhold water. Dehydration can be a serious issue with diarrhea. Make sure fresh, clean water is always available.