Dog diarrhea is one of the most common health conditions pet owners experience. In most cases, the diarrhea can be traced to indiscreet eating habits – foraging through a garbage can or ingesting spoiled foods or nonfood items.  When this happens, the dog diarrhea is usually resolved in a day or two and poses no long-term problems.

However, when your canine has frequent bouts of diarrhea, a more serious condition may exist and a trip to the veterinarian is recommended, especially if the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting or there is blood in the stool.

Common causes of diarrhea in dogs

• Intestinal parasites - Parasites such as Giardia are nearly always present in the intestinal walls of puppies and dogs and generally do not cause problems in healthy dogs. However, when the parasite invades a sick, malnourished or stressed dog, they inhabit and reproduce within the intestinal lining cells and disrupt the function of the cell lining The result of Giardia can be severe diarrhea or excessive gas. 
• Antibiotics – The overuse of certain antibiotics can alter or destroy the beneficial bacteria and yeast that live in the intestinal tract. When this happens, unwanted bacteria are able to flourish and crowd out the healthy bacteria. The result is an overabundance of bad bacteria and toxins that can lead to diarrhea and other GI disorders. 
• Bacteria – Salmonella, clostridium and E.coli are bacterial strains that can alter normal intestinal flora by rapidly reproducing thus crowding out the healthy bacteria. The bacteria also produce toxins in their waste which causes watery diarrhea in dogs.
• Intestinal Worms - Roundworms can obstruct the intestine and cause cramping and loose stools.
• Indiscriminate Eating Habits – Garbage bags containing rotting and decaying food, meat and poultry bones, diapers and other organic material food is like dinner at a four star restaurant for many dogs. The bacteria and toxins that the dog ingests can cause severe diarrhea, cramping and inflammation of the intestinal tract.
• Diet - Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can upset the balance of healthy bacteria in the GI tract
• Other causes of diarrhea include food allergies, stress, enzyme deficiencies, inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal viruses. 

What you can do to help your dog with diarrhea

A 24-hour fast or liquid-only diet is your first step to helping resolve dog diarrhea.  This gives the digestive tract time to flush itself out and begin healing. During this time, encourage your dog to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Vegetable or meat broth may be introduced within a day to replace the water, sodium and potassium sometimes lost during bouts of diarrhea.

Probiotics are often recommended by veterinarians to replenish the beneficial bacteria that can get out of balance when your dog has diarrhea. Amino acids and medicinal herbs can help heal the intestinal lining which often becomes inflamed and damaged when a dog has chronic diarrhea.  

Natural Treatments for Dog Diarrhea

The holistic approach to treating dog diarrhea is to restore the GI tract so that it is functioning properly.  The following nutrients help heal the GI tract and support healthy bowel function:

• Lactobacillus sporogenes - A probiotic that has been shown to help treat diarrhea caused by bacterial overgrowth.
• L-Glutamine - An amino acid which supports the intestinal cells.
• Slippery Elm – A well-research herb that provides soothing protection for the mucus membranes of the intestinal tract.
• Saccharomyces boulardi - A beneficial yeast that helps improve intestinal functions.
• Boswellia - Helps to reduce bowel inflammation.

Natural Treatments for Cat and Dog Diarrhea:

Gastriplex

RuniPoo Relief

Complete Probiotics for Pets

Vetri-Probiotics BD

OptaGest (prebiotics and digestive enzymes)

Digestive Support

L-GlutamineVET Powder

Related Topics:
Constipation
IBD
General Digestive Disorders
Detoxification

Gastriplex provides comprehensive support to heal the gastrointestinal tract and reduce the occurences of diarrhea, vomiting, colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other disorders. It contains a safe and effective probiotic to help restore beneficial bacteria. It also contains Slippery Elm and other nutrients which provide soothing protection for the mucus membranes of the intestinal tract.

To purchase or learn about Gastriplex...

RuniPoo Relief

RuniPoo Relief helps stop diarrhea and promote healthy bowel functioning in pets. This natural remedy contains herbal and homeopathic ingredients which are carefully selected to maintain digestive balance, firm stools, and healthy bowel functioning just when your pet needs it most.

To purchase or read more about RuniPoo Relief...