Pet diarrhea is a fairly common occurrence in many animals. Dogs tend to have diarrhea episodes more frequently than cats do, although they are both prone to this experience at some point in their lives. Diarrhea in itself is not a disease or a medical condition, but rather a symptom of some other disturbance that is going on inside of your pet's body.
Because of the nature of various diseases and conditions, diarrhea is one of the most common symptoms that you'll see. Therefore, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly what is wrong with your pet based on the presence of diarrhea alone, and you should always look for other symptoms that are going on concurrently as well. Medicines to treat diarrhea will address the symptom, not the underlying cause of the condition, so it's crucial that you diagnose the problem and address that too.
Anti-Diarrheal Medicines
There are a number of over the counter medicines that work to combat diarrhea. These medicines are available through a veterinarian's prescription. They are oftentimes considered the most effective of all of the different diarrhea medicines that you can find. There are several different manufacturers and labels of anti-diarrheal medicines that are formulated for pets or suitable for use in pets; always check in with your vet before you give a human medicine to your dog or cat. The most common over the counter medicines for diarrhea in pets are:
- Kaopectate
- Immodium
- Pepto Bismol
Natural Treatments for Pet Diarrhea
There are a number of different natural and holistic treatments for diarrhea as well. Certain supplements are formulated specifically for cats and dogs in order to help provide solidity to their stool. In dogs, these supplements generally contain high fiber quantities, while in cats they have a mixture of fiber and other resources as well. Many people opt to try these supplements and natural cures before they switch to a chemical based medicine, as these have a lower risk of side effects and are oftentimes easier on a pet's system.
Dietary Changes
Typically, diarrhea will come about if your pet is eating food that doesn't agree with his system. This is the primary cause of diarrhea in pets and can be easily treated. You'll need to speak with your vet about potentially changing his diet in ways that will help him to better process the food. Gradually switching him over to a new type of diet and food can help dramatically to improve his overall stool quality and, because he'll be better able to process and absorb the nutrients in the new food, his health in general.
Other Considerations of Pet Diarrhea
Diarrhea leads to extreme dehydration in many animals. Always be sure
that your pet has ample water available if he has diarrhea, and monitor
him closely for other signs of dehydration. If you detect them, take
him to a veterinarian immediately. Take your pet to the veterinarian if
his diarrhea persists for more than a few days.