Stool quality can be used as an accurate barometer of digestive health in dogs; so if it appears runny and malodorous, taking corrective actions may be necessary.
Start with simple bland proteins such as boiled chicken and white rice. A dash of dietary fiber may be added for additional bulk while also helping absorb any extra water that accumulates.
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Pumpkin
Pumpkin (pumpkin puree) is an effective natural stool firmer for dogs. Packed full of dietary fiber, adding pumpkin puree to their diet can help ease diarrhea as well as loosen stool in cases of constipation.
Pumpkin’s soluble fiber absorbs water to help solidify runny stools caused by diarrhea. Furthermore, its same soluble fiber can ease constipation symptoms by breaking up stool build-up.
Plain canned pumpkin is easily found at supermarkets and safe for most dogs. Add one tablespoon to their food daily to help ease digestive issues; just be sure that plenty of fresh water is provided when increasing fiber in their diet. Furthermore, if any other symptoms such as vomiting, dehydration or lethargy arise please visit a veterinarian who can assess and prescribe medication as necessary.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese can be an excellent source of calcium, protein and even probiotics for dogs as long as they’re not lactose intolerant, helping provide extra calcium, protein and probiotics – and may help with digestive health and bowel irregularity issues. However, if your pup already eats balanced kibble or canned food diet it would be wise to forgoing extra supplements, as they could disrupt mineral balance ratios that affect kidney stones formation.
Be sure to purchase low-fat cottage cheese that is unsalted and not too salty. As with all foods, always introduce new ones slowly in small amounts so as to gauge how your pup responds. Also avoid feeding for more than 24 hours as this may worsen stomach ache or lead to diarrhea in your pet. For pets experiencing severe stomach upset it’s wise to consult a veterinarian who can conduct tests and create an appropriate treatment plan for him/her.
Rice
If your dog has diarrhoea, they often require food that will be gentle on its digestive system. Rice is one of the best choices available as it is bland and easily digested – add it as part of their regular meal or pair it with plain protein sources for a semi-balanced diet.
Rice belongs to the category of foods known as grains (also referred to as cereals). Other members include bulgar wheat, oatmeal/oatmeal, barley, corn millet and quinoa.
Years of collecting and analyzing dog poop have taught me that soft stool in your pup is almost always due to dietary problems. Be it something they shouldn’t have eaten or medication side effects causing issues with their digestive tract, making changes may help. Otherwise a trip to the veterinarian might be in order, however with these tips your pup should be back to their regular self within several days!
Bland Food
A bland diet can help soothe your pup’s upset tummy easily and quickly. There are various dry kibble and canned options that contain easily digestible carbohydrates, proteins and fiber-rich add-ons for added support.
If you opt for canned food, select one with low sodium content to prevent water retention in the stool and select brands which also offer digestive supplements as additional support during recovery.
An effective basic bland diet includes boiled chicken breast without skin and white rice, both easily digestible foods. Scrambled eggs (check with your veterinarian first if there are any egg allergies), ground turkey meat/meatballs/ground turkey (beware any allergy risks!), turkey meat or ground turkey and white fish provide low fat protein options as well. Once your dog’s poop returns to its usual consistency, slowly transition back onto their regular food over a week by replacing 25% of their bland diet with normal food gradually increasing each day until all their bland food has been replaced.
