What food can I give my dog to stop diarrhea?

Dogs are the most loyal companions in our lives, and their health concerns every owner. When dogs are tortured by diarrhea, they become weak and powerless. We see it with our eyes and feel pain in our hearts. We are eager to find a way to help dogs stop diarrhea. And the right food plays a key role in the recovery process of dog diarrhea. ​

The causes of dog diarrhea are complicated. Dietary factors are the first to bear the brunt. Dogs have always been greedy. If they accidentally eat spoiled food, or the owner suddenly changes the dog food, their stomachs are difficult to adapt, and diarrhea follows. For example, if the trash can at home is not properly covered, the dog rummages and eats spoiled leftovers, or the owner directly changes to a new brand of dog food for the dog to try something new, it may cause gastrointestinal disorders and diarrhea symptoms. ​

Intestinal parasite infection is also a common cause. Ascaris, tapeworms, coccidia, etc. parasitize in the dog's intestines. They wantonly destroy the intestinal mucosa, causing intestinal digestion and absorption disorders, which in turn cause diarrhea. Puppies are "susceptible" to intestinal parasites because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. For example, when a dog plays on the grass outdoors, it accidentally eats soil contaminated by parasite eggs, which is very likely to be infected with parasites and have diarrhea. ​

Viral or bacterial infections should not be underestimated either. Viruses such as parvovirus and coronavirus, as well as bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella, can invade the dog's body with the help of contaminated food, water sources or contact routes, causing intestinal inflammation and diarrhea. In places where dogs are densely populated, such as pet stores and pet hospitals, the risk of infection is higher. ​

For dogs with diarrhea due to improper diet, it is urgent to adjust their diet structure. First, stop feeding daily dog ​​food and switch to light and easily digestible food. White rice porridge is a good choice. Rice porridge is rich in carbohydrates, which is easily digested and absorbed by dogs, and can also play a role in strengthening the spleen and stomach. When cooking rice porridge, try to cook it thinner so that the dog can eat it in small amounts and multiple times. For example, boil a handful of rice into thick rice soup and feed it to the dog several times. The amount of food each time should not be too much to avoid aggravating the gastrointestinal burden. When the dog's diarrhea is slightly relieved, a small amount of cooked shredded chicken or diced carrots can be added to the rice porridge to increase nutrition. Chicken is rich in high-quality protein and easy to digest. The vitamins and dietary fiber of carrots help intestinal peristalsis and recovery. ​

Pumpkin is also beneficial to dogs with diarrhea. The rich pectin contained in pumpkin can form a protective film in the dog's intestines, absorb bacteria and toxins, reduce intestinal inflammation, and relieve diarrhea. You can steam the pumpkin and mash it into puree and feed it to the dog. At the beginning, feed a small spoon each time to observe whether the dog has any discomfort. If there is no abnormality, gradually increase the amount of food. Pumpkin puree can be fed alone or mixed with rice porridge to enrich the taste and nutrition. ​

Yogurt is helpful for some dogs with diarrhea, but you should choose plain yogurt without xylitol. The probiotics in yogurt can regulate the balance of the dog's intestinal flora, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, and help the intestines recover. However, yogurt should not be fed too much, because it contains lactose. Some dogs may be lactose intolerant, which will aggravate diarrhea. Generally, small dogs are fed 5 to 10 ml each time, and large dogs are fed 15 to 20 ml each time, and they can be fed 1 to 2 times a day. ​

If diarrhea is caused by intestinal parasite infection, diet can be used to assist recovery while deworming treatment is being carried out. Feed dogs foods rich in vitamin A, such as animal liver. Vitamin A helps repair damaged intestinal mucosa and enhance intestinal immunity. However, animal liver should not be fed in excess, because it has high cholesterol and vitamin A content, and excessive intake may have adverse effects on the dog's health. Usually feed 1 to 2 times a week, and the amount of each feeding should be about 1% of the dog's body weight. ​

For dogs with diarrhea caused by viral or bacterial infections, while following the veterinary treatment plan and using antibiotics or antiviral drugs, they should focus on balanced nutrition and easy digestion in their diet. You can feed some cooked egg yolks, which are rich in nutrients such as protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, and are easy to digest and absorb. Feeding 1 to 2 egg yolks a day, divided into several times, can provide the dog with necessary nutritional support and help the body recover. ​

When a dog has diarrhea, adequate water intake is crucial. Diarrhea will cause the dog's body to lose water. If it is not replenished in time, it may cause dehydration and aggravate the condition. Provide clean warm water for the dog to drink at any time. If the dog is unwilling to drink water actively, you can use a syringe or a small spoon to feed water in small amounts and multiple times. In addition, you can also feed some oral rehydration salts brewed according to the instructions to replenish the electrolytes lost by the dog's body and maintain the acid-base balance in the body. ​

When feeding a dog with diarrhea, the owner needs to pay close attention to the dog's reaction. If the dog's diarrhea does not improve or even worsens after eating a certain food, or if there are abnormal symptoms such as vomiting, listlessness, and loss of appetite, you should stop feeding immediately and take the dog to the doctor. Veterinarians can accurately determine the cause of diarrhea and develop targeted treatment plans through detailed examinations such as fecal examinations and blood tests.​

Dogs are important family members in our lives. When they suffer from diarrhea, we should give them enough care and patience. Through scientific and reasonable dietary adjustments combined with necessary medical treatments, we can definitely help dogs overcome diarrhea, let them regain health, and happily accompany us again, adding joy to our lives.