One of the main reasons why canines have been so successful as a species is their ability to digest just about anything. As omnivores dogs can eat a wide variety of foods. Not only that, but a dog will eat things that most other species give a wide berth.

It is therefore not surprising that dogs suffer the occasional bout of diarrhea. In fact, the amazing thing is that they don’t get it more often.

Dog diarrhea can have any number of causes including an upset intestinal tract, worms or parasites, anxiety, or more serious diseases. It may also just be an upset tummy, but you can never be sure, so it is best to speak to your vet.

Most of the time it will be something minor and a simple medication will clear it up. Or you could use a natural remedy that is known to work.

Here are a few home remedies that work. These are effective for mild diarrhea, quite obviously, chronic and disease related diarrhea needs to be treated by a vet.

Homeopathic Remedies

There are quite a few homeopathic medicines for treating dog diarrhea, including arsenicum album and aloe. The right medicine to use will depend on the dog’s symptoms, such as the consistency of the stool.

Herbal Treatments

Bayberry is an infective remedy for clearing up bacterial infections, while catnip is good for reducing flatulence. L-Glutamine and Slippery Elm both help to reduce inflammation of the intestinal walls.

Fiber Rich Foods

Fiber is very important for your dog’s intestinal health, and has a number of benefits including softening the stool and removing toxins, which are a common cause of diarrhea, from the system.

In the wild, dogs get most of their fiber from grasses, but feeding foods like brown rice or pasta, pumpkin and oatmeal on a regular basis is an effective way to ensure a healthy digestive system.

Probiotic SupplementsProbiotic foods contain live bacteria cultures, so you are actually introducing bacteria to the body. The difference is that these are “good” bacteria that restore balance to the system.

A common source is probiotic yoghurt, but there are a number of probiotic powders made specifically for dogs. These are usually tasteless and can be mixed in with your dog’s food.

Bland Food

When treating a dog that has diarrhea you need to strike a balance between keeping the dog nourished and hydrated, and not causing further irritation to the digestive system.

On day one, ensure that the dog gets plenty of water, but withhold all food. Then from the second day start with a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice. Keep this up until the dog’s condition returns to normal. During this time ensure that your dog takes in lots of water as dehydration is a serious risk in cases of diarrhea.

As advised earlier, you should always consult a vet first if your dog has diarrhea. However, once the vet has ruled out anything serious, the methods above are often just as effective as medication.

Click here to learn more about dog diarrhea, dog care, dog health and other interesting dog info at dogsanddogtraining.com

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