Does your dog have diarrhea or flat stools? Here are 7 tips

Diarrhea and flat stools in dogs can be worrying for any owner. A healthy dog ​​has regular bowel movements (at least once a day) with firm, but not too hard stools.

If your dog is experiencing diarrhea or flat stools, this is a sign of an underlying problem. Think about:

• Food : unsuitable food, sudden change of food;
  
• Infections : viruses, bacteria, parasites;
• Medicines : side effects can cause diarrhea or flat stools;
• Stress : disrupts digestion and can cause diarrhea;
• Diseases : Diarrhea can be a symptom of a more serious illness.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take against diarrhea or flat stools in your dog. Here are 7 tips:

1. Adjust nutrition : choose easily digestible meals;
2. Fasting : Allow the digestive system to rest and recover;
3. Reduce food gradually : increase the amount of food gradually;
4. Hydration : Make sure your dog drinks enough water;
5. Avoid human foods : Avoid foods that are fatty, spicy, acidic, or high in sugar;
6. Consult a veterinarian : Consult your veterinarian if symptoms persist or worsen;
7. Probiotics : Probiotics Forte from Dogsuppy helps reduce diarrhea and flat stools.

Keep reading, because we also have bonus tips at the end of the article!

When does your dog have diarrhea?

Diarrhea is stool that is too loose, contains too much water or no longer has the usual shape. It can also be green, yellow or bloody. Diarrhea can be short-lived (acute diarrhea) or last longer (chronic diarrhea).

Causes of diarrhea in dogs

Diarrhea in dogs is common. It has various causes, from something harmless to a serious illness.

• Food : Your dog may develop diarrhea if he has eaten something bad, such as spoiled food, table scraps, or poisonous plants. A sudden change in food can also cause diarrhea.
• Infections : Infections, such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites, can also cause diarrhea. The most common viral infections that cause diarrhea in dogs are parvovirus, coronavirus and rotavirus. Bacterial infections that cause diarrhea include salmonella and campylobacter. Parasites that cause diarrhea include worms and giardia.
• Medicines : Some medicines have diarrhea as a side effect.
• Stress : Stress can also cause diarrhea. This happens, for example, after your dog has gone to a new place, met another dog or experiences an event that causes him stress.
• Diseases : In rare cases, diarrhea is a symptom of a more serious illness, such as an autoimmune disease, liver disease, or kidney disease.

When does your dog have flat stools?

A flat stool is a stool that is hard and compact. It can also be dry and crumbly. Flat stools are a sign of constipation, a condition in which the stool is too hard and dry to move properly through the intestines.

Causes of flat stools in dogs

Flat stools have various causes, but they are usually harmless.

• Fiber deficiency : Fiber helps keep stools soft and smooth. If your dog does not consume enough fiber, the stool will become hard and compact.
• Too little fluid : fluid helps keep the stool soft. If your dog does not consume enough fluid, his stool may become hard and compact.
• Too little exercise : exercise helps the intestines move. If there is insufficient exercise, the stool becomes harder.
• Medications : Some medications have constipation as a side effect.

10 tips against diarrhea or flat stools

Now that you understand more about the causes, it is easier to find appropriate solutions. Let's look at 10 tips against diarrhea or flat stools in your dog.

1. Adjust nutrition

Your dog's diet is one of the most important factors affecting his digestion. If your dog suffers from diarrhea or flat stools, it is important to check whether his diet is suitable.

Your dog's diet should contain all the nutrients he needs to stay healthy.

Preferably avoid:

• Food with many unnecessary additives, such as flavorings, colorings or preservatives;
• Food with a lot of fat or too much protein;
• Food that is spoiled, poisonous or difficult to digest.

Instead, choose:

• Easily digestible options such as rice and lean meat;
• Food specially developed for dogs with digestive problems.

If you want to introduce your dog to a new food, do it gradually. Start with a small amount of the new food and increase the amount over a period of 7-10 days. This allows the digestive system to get used to the new food.

2. Fasting

Fasting gives the digestive system a chance to rest and recover. This helps to relieve diarrhea or flat stools. If your dog is experiencing diarrhea or flat stools, you can give him a short fast of 12 to 24 hours. During this period you do not give your dog any food.

Fasting helps to achieve the following things:

• It reduces the amount of work the digestive system has to do . This gives the system a chance to recover from an infection or irritation.
• It helps to thicken the stool . This helps to reduce diarrhea.
• It helps to hydrate the body . This is important because (persistent) diarrhea leads to dehydration. Because the body is hydrated, less fluid is lost.

If your dog suffers from dehydration, it is important to give him some water. This keeps the body hydrated and prevents serious dehydration.

3. Bring back food gradually

After the fasting period, it is important to slowly introduce food back into your dog's diet. This helps to relieve the digestive system and reduce the chance of diarrhea or flat stools.

Start with small, easily digestible meals. Feed your dog a small meal of easily digestible food, such as rice, chicken, or cooked vegetables, twice a day. If your dog tolerates a meal well, you can increase the amount of food the next day.

Watch your dog's reaction . If your dog develops diarrhea or flat stools, fast again for a few days. Then start again with small, easily digestible meals.

4. Hydration

Hydration is important for all dogs, but it is even more important for dogs that suffer from diarrhea or flat stools. If your dog has diarrhea more often, he will become dehydrated because a lot of fluid is lost through the feces.

You can notice your dog's dehydration by:

• Dry mouth;
• Dry, sticky mucous membranes;
• Decreased urine production;
• Decreased body temperature;
• Weakness;
• Weakness;
• Dizziness;
• Rapid breathing.

If you think your dog is dehydrated, it is important to get him to drink as soon as possible. Give it small amounts of water so as not to overload it. Is your dog severely dehydrated and showing no improvement? Then it is necessary to take him to the vet . The vet can give your dog an IV to hydrate him.

Tip: if your dog suffers from diarrhea, you can add some broth to the water. The broth helps to replenish the electrolytes lost due to diarrhea.

5. Avoid human food

Human food can be harmful to dogs, especially during recovery from digestive problems. Some foods disrupt digestion, worsen diarrhea or flat stools, or even cause poisoning.

These foods cause problems in dogs:

• Fatty foods : Fatty foods can worsen diarrhea or flat stools.
• Spicy foods : Spicy foods can upset a dog's digestion.
• Acidic foods : Acidic foods can irritate dogs' stomachs.
• Sugary foods : Sugary foods can lead to obesity and plaque.

These human foods are harmful to dogs:

• Chocolate : Chocolate contains theobromine, a substance that is toxic to dogs.
• Ripe grapes and raisins : Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.
• Unpeeled onions and garlic : Onions and garlic can damage dogs' red blood cells.
• Avocado : Avocado contains persin, a substance that disrupts the digestion of dogs.
• Coffee and tea: Coffee and tea contain caffeine, a substance that is toxic to dogs.
• Alcohol : Alcohol is toxic to dogs.

6. Consult a veterinarian

If you notice that symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to visit the vet. The vet can help you determine and treat the cause of the digestive problems.

When should you go to the vet?

• In case of diarrhea that lasts longer than 24 hours;
• In case of vomiting that lasts longer than 24 hours;
• In case of bloody or mucous stools;
• Fever: If your dog's body temperature rises above 39 degrees Celsius, it is a sign of an infection or other underlying condition.

7. Probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria that improve intestinal health. They help restore healthy intestinal flora and reduce digestive problems, such as diarrhea and flat stools.

This is how probiotics help with diarrhea or flat stools:

• They help restore intestinal flora. Healthy intestinal flora is important for good digestion. Probiotics help to stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the intestine and inhibit the growth of bad bacteria.
• They help with the absorption of nutrients. Probiotics help nutrients to be better absorbed by the intestinal wall. This can help prevent or relieve diarrhea, as diarrhea is often caused by a nutrient deficiency.
• They help strengthen the immune system. The immune system plays a role in fighting infections. Probiotics help to strengthen the immune system, making the dog more resistant to infections that can cause diarrhea.
• They aid in the absorption of water . Probiotics help water to be better absorbed by the intestinal wall. This can help prevent or relieve flat stools, as constipation is often caused by a lack of water in the stool.

Bonus tips against diarrhea or flat stools

Here are some more bonus tips you can try to prevent or relieve diarrhea or flat stools in your dog.

Provide a quiet environment

Stress affects digestion, which can cause diarrhea or flat stools. A quiet environment contributes to the recovery of digestion. Make sure that you do not leave your dog alone if he is not feeling well. Also try not to pet or cuddle your dog too much if he doesn't ask for it.

What can you do to create a calm environment?

• Make sure your dog has a quiet place to sleep and rest. This could be a crate, a basket or another place where your dog feels safe.
• Avoid noise and crowds. If your dog is suffering from stress, reducing loud noises and fuss can help.
• Give your dog plenty of rest. Rest is important for the recovery of the body.

Exercise

Exercise is important for all dogs, but especially for dogs with digestive problems. Because exercise stimulates the intestines, digestion improves.

Exercise helps with digestive problems in the following ways:

• It stimulates intestinal peristalsis : intestinal peristalsis is the movement of the intestines, which helps to move food through the intestines. Exercise improves this movement, allowing food to be transported through the intestines more quickly.

• It improves circulation : good circulation is important for digestion. Exercise improves blood circulation, which improves the transport of nutrients and oxygen to the intestines.

• It reduces stress : stress has a negative impact on digestion. Exercise helps to reduce stress, which improves digestion.

Keep observing

If your dog suffers from diarrhea or flat stools, it is important to keep a close eye on him. Please note the following points:

• The stool : what does the stool look like? Is it thin, watery, or hard and dry? Is there blood or mucus in the stool?

• Appetite : does your dog still eat normally?

• The behavior : is your dog still cheerful and active?

Probiotics Forte from Dogsuppy

Dogsuppy Probiotics Forte is effective in preventing and relieving various digestive problems, including diarrhea and flat stools. It is a safe and natural product for dogs that has no side effects.

It contains a unique combination of 3 different strains of probiotics, all of which play an important role in intestinal health. It also contains prebiotics, which stimulate the growth of probiotics. Would you like to try it for your four-legged friend? Then take advantage of our 60-day satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like it, you get your money back.