Dog Diarrhea

Diarrhea, which constitutes any form of soft stool, is a common occurrence among our canine friends. Very often it could result from a food allergy or change in dog food, stress, a side effect of medication, or perhaps a side effect of table scraps, raiding the trash or eating something naughty out in the yard. There are various steps for treating a dog's

Instructions

Step 1:

Assess the situation. Consider what may have caused the diarrhea. For instance, is your dog on medication or did she share in your pizza?

Step 2:

Feed your dog small portions of a home cooked bland diet about 3 to 4 times a day. Low fat meats such as boiled chicken or turkey served with cooked white rice normally work best. Oatmeal or cottage cheese may be substituted for rice and 1 to 3 teaspoons of yogurt can be added to aid in digestion.

Step 3:

Feed the bland diet for a few days after the diarrhea clears up and gradually increase the amount.

Step 4:

Wean your dog back to his regular food over the course of a week by working in small amounts of his regular dog food, or if diarrhea is a fairly common occurrence, try switching to a highly digestible or sensitive stomach formula dog food.

Step 5:

Make sure your dog is getting enough water, to avoid dehydration. If she becomes dehydrated, seek veterinary attention.

Tips & Warnings

• An elevated drinking bowl is better for digestion and often encourages dogs to drink more water. Elevated bowls can be found at pet supply stores or most stores that carry pet supplies.
• o not feed your dog table scraps, bones or treats while he has diarrhea, to avoid further irritating the intestinal tract.
• If your dog has more than three or four episodes of uncontrollable diarrhea in a 24-hour period, persistent vomiting, fever, stool that is black and tarry or contains blood, is not eating, or is lethargic, seek immediate veterinary attention. There are various conditions that can cause diarrhea and require medication, such as a viral infection, intestinal parasites or colitis.
• Check with your veterinarian before administering over-the-counter treatments such as Imodium A-D, Kaopectate, or a holistic remedy.

Dog Diarrhea Provided by eHow.com

MELISSA MAROFF, eHOW PETS EXPERT

Melissa writes for various publications on a range of subjects, including her most favorite: pets. She's covered everything from animal activists to dog parks for magazines like WHERE, Valley Scene and The Pet Press and was a writer/editor for the Dallas Times Herald. A former stand-up comic; she's appeared on A&E, VH1 and Comedy Central. Melissa lives with her husband and two mixed-breed rescue dogs and is in search of a purse big enough to carry the 80 lb. one shopping with her on Rodeo Drive.

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