What should I do if my dog keeps having diarrhea repeatedly

The lively and lovely appearance of dogs always brings endless joy to our lives. They are like the little suns in our homes, illuminating our every day with their enthusiasm and vitality. However, when a dog keeps having diarrhea repeatedly, this joy is overshadowed. Watching the dog listless and with a poor appetite, the owner's heart is filled with worry and anxiety. Every time the owner cleans up the dog's excrement and sees the dog's weak appearance, it makes the owner extremely distressed. So, what exactly should we do when a dog keeps having diarrhea repeatedly?

There are various reasons for a dog's repeated diarrhea, and accurately finding the root cause is the key to solving the problem. Problems in diet come first. Suddenly changing the dog food may make the dog's stomach and intestines unable to adapt to the new food formula, thus causing diarrhea. Dog foods of different brands and flavors have differences in their nutritional components and raw materials, and the dog's digestive system needs time to adapt to these changes. For example, suddenly changing from a dog food with a lower protein content to a high-protein dog food, the dog's stomach and intestines may have diarrhea because they cannot digest the excessive protein in a timely manner. In addition, overfeeding or underfeeding can also burden the dog's stomach and intestines. Some owners, out of pity for their dogs, always overfeed, resulting in indigestion in the dog's stomach and intestines. The food cannot be digested and absorbed normally, which in turn causes diarrhea. When underfed, the dog is in a state of hunger for a long time, and the disordered peristalsis of the stomach and intestines may also lead to diarrhea. Moreover, giving the dog unsuitable food, such as foods toxic to dogs like chocolate, onions, grapes, or leftover human food, the seasonings, salt and other components in these foods may irritate the dog's stomach and intestines, causing diarrhea.

Disease factors are also common reasons for a dog's repeated diarrhea. Gastroenteritis is relatively common in dogs. Bacterial or viral infections, or irregular diets, etc. may all trigger gastroenteritis. For a dog with gastroenteritis, the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines is damaged, and the digestive function declines, so it will have diarrhea frequently. The feces may be accompanied by mucus and blood streaks, and the dog may also have symptoms such as vomiting and fever. Parasitic infections cannot be ignored either. Parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, and coccidia parasitize in the dog's intestines. They not only rob the dog of nutrients but also damage the intestinal mucosa, affecting the normal function of the intestines and causing the dog to have diarrhea repeatedly. Infectious diseases such as parvovirus and coronavirus are a serious threat to the dog's health. These viruses will attack the dog's digestive system, causing severe diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, they may even endanger the dog's life.

The dog's living environment and its own immunity are also closely related to diarrhea. If the dog's living environment is humid, cold, or has poor hygiene conditions, bacteria and viruses are likely to multiply, and the dog is more likely to be infected, leading to gastrointestinal problems. When the dog's own immunity is low, whether facing changes in diet or the invasion of external pathogens, it lacks sufficient resistance, and diarrhea is more likely to occur.

When finding that a dog has diarrhea repeatedly, the first thing the owner should do is to closely observe the dog's symptoms. Pay attention to the frequency of the dog's diarrhea, the shape, color, and smell of the feces, and whether there are other symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and listlessness. This information is crucial for judging the cause of the dog's diarrhea. If the dog only has diarrhea occasionally, the feces are slightly soft in shape, and there are no other abnormal symptoms, it may just be a mild gastrointestinal discomfort. You can first try to adjust the diet, reduce the feeding amount, and give the dog some easily digestible food, such as millet porridge, boiled chicken breast, etc., and observe whether the dog's condition improves. However, if the dog has diarrhea frequently, the feces are watery, and even have mucus, blood streaks, or are accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting, fever, and listlessness, then the dog needs to be taken to a veterinarian in a timely manner. The veterinarian will accurately determine the cause of the dog's diarrhea through detailed inquiries, physical examinations, fecal examinations, blood examinations, etc., and then give a targeted treatment plan.

During the treatment period, the owner should take good care of the dog. According to the veterinarian's instructions, give the dog medicine on time. If the dog is dehydrated due to diarrhea, it may need to be infused with fluids to replenish water and electrolytes. The owner should patiently accompany the dog and soothe its emotions. At the same time, adjust the dog's diet. Choose easily digestible, low-fat, and high-protein foods, and follow the principle of feeding small meals frequently to reduce the burden on the dog's stomach and intestines. For example, you can soak the dog food in warm water and then feed it to the dog, or give the dog some prescription food specifically designed for gastrointestinal discomfort. Also, ensure that the dog has enough water to prevent dehydration.

To prevent the dog from having diarrhea repeatedly, daily maintenance work is crucial. In terms of diet, choose reliable-quality dog food suitable for the dog's age and breed, and avoid frequent changes of dog food. If a change is needed, adopt a gradual approach, gradually increasing the proportion of the new dog food to give the dog's stomach and intestines an adaptation process. Reasonably control the feeding amount and scientifically formulate a feeding plan according to the dog's weight, age, and activity level. Do not give the dog human food, especially those foods harmful to dogs. Regularly deworm the dog both internally and externally to prevent parasitic infections. Keep the dog's living environment clean and hygienic. Regularly clean the dog's kennel, change the cushion, disinfect the toys, and create a clean and comfortable living space for the dog. At the same time, let the dog exercise appropriately to enhance its physical fitness and improve its immunity.

A dog's repeated diarrhea is a test of the owner's patience and love. Every careful care and every effort to find a solution for the dog is filled with our deep love for the dog. Through our careful observation, scientific care, and active prevention, we will definitely be able to help the dog get rid of the trouble of diarrhea and let it regain its former liveliness and health. Watching the dog run and play around us full of vitality again is our greatest happiness. Let us safeguard the dog's health with love and accompany it through every happy moment.