If your dog suddenly starts showing signs of diarrhea, a special bland diet dog food can ease his condition. The most common reason of diarrhea is a sudden change in his diet, such as feeding him table scraps. By giving him food from your table, you are only teaching him to refuse to eat his regular dog food and to beg for people food.
Common Cause of Canine Diarrhea
Even if your dog regularly receives table scraps, caution must be used to ensure that the types of human foods are not too rich for the dog's digestive system. Foods with high fat content especially can cause diarrhea and vomiting, and can also cause a form of inflammation in the pancreas that can turn into serious digestive problems.
Dog food is made of highly processed meat and is very different from the meat we eat. If you feed your dog too much meat it can be hard for him to digest, and can lead to diarrhea.
Treating a Dog's Upset Stomach
Diarrhea caused by sudden food variations can be treated at home, as long as your dog's behavior appears normal (if your dog is lethargic, he may be dehydrated and you should take him to see your vet immediately).
Stop feeding your dog for a day so his digestive system will have time to settle down. After 24 hours, small amounts of a bland diet, such as white rice and chicken, can be fed to him. A mild meal for your dog would be:
- 1/3 of boiled boneless, skinless chicken (no fat in the water)
- 2/3 of white rice
- 1 tablespoon of cottage cheese in the mix
- 1 small baked potato
You should take your dog to your veterinarian if his condition is not improving and if he's showing any of the following symptoms:
- Refusing to eat or drink water
- Acting very sick
- Lethargic
- Shows signs of bloating or abdominal pain
- Fever (Rectal temperatures above 103.5 degrees F)
- Dehydration (If your dogs' gums feel dry or tacky, he may be dehydrated)
- Persistent vomiting
- Passing large amounts of blood in his stool
Once your dogs' diarrhea is alleviated, you can gradually start the dog back on his normal diet dog food, but in smaller quantities than usual. It's better to give him small amounts of food at a time and see if his condition dissipates. Discard previous opened or used dog food and start with a fresh bag or can.