She Seems Fine, But...
Your dog but woke you up at 5am needing to go outside now. Or maybe she had a diarrhea accident in the house, which is not a normal occurrence (not housetraining, no concurrent illness). What should you do?
If your dog is active, alert, and has a good appetite, it may just be a temporary issue that can be helped by "resting the gut" and offering a bland diet at home.
Words of Caution
As always, a call to check in with your vet is your best bet. Diarrhea may be a sign of serious problems such as
pancreatitis,
HGE, or
poisonings. Diarrhea may make some conditions, such as
diabetes, rapidly worse.
If your dog is a puppy or a senior, has any other health issues, or bloody diarrhea is noted (any age or condition), please skip home care options and call your veterinarian immediately. It is important to note that if the diarrhea persists for more than two days, however fine your dog seems, it is important to seek veterinary care to avoid dehydration and other health issues.
For dogs who are otherwise feeling fine, alert, and have a normal appetite, here are some tips for diarrhea home care.
These tips are for diarrhea only, no signs of vomiting.
Rest The Gut
It is encouraging to see your dog want to eat, but that great appetite may make diarrhea worse or last longer. It is important to "rest the gut" which means water only for 12 - 24 hours. Clear fluids such as low sodium broth or electrolyte water are OK. (No colorants or artificial sweeteners, especially
xylitol.)
Beware. This period of fasting may mean that your dog gets even more determined and "creative" when trying to raid the garbage can or the litter box.
Bland Diet
A bland diet is a temporary diet that is gentle to the intestinal tract and helps firm up the stools.
Popular foods safe to feed include:
- Boiled chicken
- Cooked low-fat hamburger
- Cooked white rice
- Cooked pasta
- Yogurt - plain or vanilla
Small, frequent meals are best. Start with approximately 1/4 volume of what would normally be fed. Space out meals every 3 - 4 hours, for 4 total meals. If diarrhea is noted during this schedule, wait longer for the next feeding.
Over-The-Counter Diarrhea Aids
Human medications are not FDA-approved for use in animals, and are considered "off label" usage. Many common medications for humans, such as Pepto-Bismol® and Kaopectate®, contain subsalicylate, which is related to
aspirin. Aspirin is not recommended in these cases of diarrhea in dogs and especially
not recommended for cats.
Other medications, such as loperamide (Imodium), are used for canine diarrhea (not FDA-approved, off-label usage). While safe for many dogs, caution is advised for animals who are elderly or debilitated, taking certain medications, and some Collie and Collie-crosses may be sensitive to this drug1. Please talk to your veterinarian about using this medication for your pet.
When It Is Time To Visit The Vet
If resting the gut and feeding a bland diet for 24-48 hours have not helped with the diarrhea or new signs have developed, such as listlessness, loss of appetite, painful abdomen, or any other signs that are not normal behavior for your dog, it is time for a veterinary examination.
Food Changes
Changing your dog's food should be done gradually, mixing in small amounts of the new food in with the current food over a period of several days. A quick food change, or a change to a food your dog does not tolerate well, may lead to diarrhea.
Transitioning from a bland diet the regular diet should also be done gradually, over 3 - 6 meals to ensure that the stools remain solid.
Please note: This article has been provided for informational purposes only. If your pet is showing any signs of illness, please consult a veterinarian as quickly as possible.