Have you been in a situation where you have had your friends over for a party and your dog was all over them begging for food, looking like you have never ever fed it in their life? And you have specifically instructed everyone that they have tummy issues if they eat something that they should not?
But then again there is always someone that falls for the big sad puppy eyes and gives them human food. And now you are stuck with cleaning a runny stool all over your home.
In this article, we will discuss what you can give to your dog that only has diarrhea and is otherwise healthy and happy. If you feel that your dog is not well, that it has refused food on multiple occasions, and is showing more than only diarrhea, then you should definitely contact or visit the vet.
What is the first thing you can do?
Obviously, you tell off whoever fed the dog! But, for your dog, the first thing you can and should do is try to withhold any type of food for the next 12 to 24 hours. I know that it may seem cruel but don’t worry, your dog is not going to die, even though it may seem like that! Have in mind that you should not withhold water, so make sure that your pooch always has access to a freshly filled bowl.
It is never a mistake to give your vet a quick call and consult with them if you are unsure and you can always discuss with them what type of food you can give or should you give any supplementation.
Are probiotics recommended?
Yes, probiotics can be considered beneficial when your dog has a runny stool. They are what vets like to call “good gut bacteria” that help your dog in digesting food. In cases when your dog has diarrhea, the natural balance of the gastrointestinal flora is disrupted, which means that helping it restore it with the use of probiotics is always recommended.
However, you should be aware of the type of probiotics you are going to be using. Not all probiotics products are the same, which is why you need to consult your vet. Some of them may have a specific bacteria, which may not be beneficial to your dog and could potentially cause even bigger issues.
We don’t have to emphasize that if this does not work, you will need to visit the vet for further consultation and check-up.
Homemade recipes for your dog with diarrhea
After the fasting period, it is always smart to start your dog on a bland diet. This means that you should consider cooking for them, something that is simple and something that is not fat. The feeding recommendation is that you start off with small amounts but multiple times per day and then you gradually increase the amount.
Two recipes that you could cook for your dog are:
Boiled Chicken and Rice:
- Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- White rice
- Water
Instructions:
Boil the chicken in water until it’s fully cooked and tender. Remove any excess fat and avoid using seasonings or spices. Cook the white rice separately according to package instructions. Mix the cooked chicken and rice together in a 1:2 ratio (one part chicken to two parts rice). You can adjust the ratio depending on your dog’s preference and tolerance. Allow the mixture to cool before serving small, frequent meals to your dog.
Pumpkin and Cottage Cheese Mix:
- Ingredients:
- Canned pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
- Low-fat cottage cheese
Instructions:
Mix equal parts of canned pumpkin and low-fat cottage cheese. Feed small amounts of this mixture to your dog throughout the day. Pumpkin can help regulate bowel movements, and cottage cheese is easy to digest and can provide some essential nutrients.
