As long as they aren’t prescribed by your vet, avoid giving over-the-counter remedies for your dog’s diarrhea. These can often be harmful, with antibiotics particularly being dangerous as they kill off beneficial bacteria in their digestive tract and could potentially make symptoms worse.
Home remedies you can try to help your dog recover from diarrhea include hydration, fasting and offering bland foods.
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Bland Diet
A bland diet composed of easily digestible foods may provide a simple remedy for mild cases of diarrhea. Such diets typically consist of simple carbs like rice and single protein sources like chicken, beef or turkey (boiled) as well as hamburger (if all fat has been removed before consumption).
Try feeding your pup white rice instead of brown to reduce stomach upset and choose lean cuts of meat for best results. Some experts also advise adding some boiled, peeled pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling!) into their diet as this provides essential soluble fiber and potassium, helping soothe their upset tummies.
Be mindful that switching to a bland diet won’t provide long-term relief; your pup could become deficient in important vitamins and minerals. If their diarrhea becomes severe, seek professional assistance immediately as this could indicate blockages or pancreatitis requiring treatment from veterinarians.
Chicken
If your dog has diarrhea, they may not be eating well or their stomach may be upset. Boiling chicken and rice is often advised as a remedy to calm an upset tummy.
However, many pet parents do not realize that feeding their dog boiled chicken and rice is not the optimal way to feed an individual with diarrhea; this combination lacks 17 essential vitamins and nutrients as well as providing any fatty sources.
Do not feed your dog anything with spices or marinades; use long-grain white rice without skin and fat removed as their protein source and add an unflavored Pedialyte drop or two as needed to balance electrolytes. If diarrhea still persists, consult a veterinarian who can determine whether its causes lie with illness or an allergy; in such instances specialized food for these patients could help ease symptoms.
Rice
Rice is a highly digestible starch that can quickly absorb any excess liquid in your pup’s digestive system, making it especially helpful during times of diarrhea. Plus, its firming properties help promote regular bowel movements.
White rice such as jasmine or basmati are generally easier to digest than its brown counterpart, while you could also supplement with high-potency acidophilus cultures available from veterinarians or health stores to promote the return of healthy gut flora and speed recovery.
First, switch their diet from 75 percent rice and 25 percent regular food to 50-50 for two days; on day three switch back. Continue this procedure until their poop returns to its normal, formed consistency. If this fails, consult with your vet about using an antidiarrheal medication like Loperamide that slows bowel movement rate.
Water
Dogs are walking garbage disposals and sometimes their digestive systems cannot digest what they ingest. Diarrhea is their way of communicating that something is amiss; therefore it should be taken seriously and addressed immediately.
Dogs suffering from diarrhea require a bland diet composed of boiled white rice, cottage cheese, plain yogurt or pumpkin puree. Drinking plenty of water helps flush out toxins while preventing dehydration.
If your dog experiences diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours, you should visit a veterinarian immediately. Some causes for their illness could include serious infections or kidney disease; additionally, over-the-counter remedies like Kaopectate or Pepto Bismol may be toxic if given in large amounts or at inappropriate times; it’s wiser to consult your veterinarian first before administering these types of drugs to your pup.
