Most people aren’t aware of it but diarrhea is almost as common in dogs as it is in humans. Although
dogs generally have stronger stomach acids that allow them a greater degree of protection against
parasites and bacteria, they are not immune to them entirely. The good news is that most cases of
canine diarrhea will clear up on their own even without medication or treatment, although persistent
or long lasting episodes of diarrhea should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. You
should also take your pet in for treatment if vomiting occurs, or if there is blood in the stool.
Just like with any form of illness, prevention is a far better option than finding a cure. Keep
in mind that diarrhea is often a symptom of an underlying medical condition as opposed to being
a disease itself. In addition, diarrhea may be characterized by occasional loose stools or frequent
watery feces.
One of the most common reasons for canine diarrhea is an irritation in the intestines. This can
itself be caused by a number of factors, ranging from unfamiliar food to eating "human" food. In
both cases, diarrhea can be avoided simply by preventing contact with the offending foods.
If you do plan to make changes in your dog’s diet for whatever reasons, it may be a good idea to
implement the changes over a span of several days as opposed to doing it all overnight. You should
allow your dog to adjust slowly to the new diet in order to prevent any adverse effects in your
pet. For starters, you can try mixing in ¼ of the new food with ¾ of your dog’s regular food. You
could then gradually increase the ratio of new food to “old” food if your dog takes well to the
new diet. Making dietary changes in this manner will reduce the risk of intestinal upset and thereby
reduce the chances of your pet experiencing diarrhea.
While feeding your dog table scraps may not necessarily be a bad thing in itself, you do have to
make sure not to give certain foods that may be too rich for canines’ digestive systems. Fatty foods
are particularly risky factors for canine diarrhea, and they may cause a number of other health
issues as well. They may put your dog at risk for pancreatitis for instance, which can lead to a
host of chronic digestive issues.
Most dogs love meat of course, although you should be aware that commercial dog food is processed
to a much greater degree than food for humans is. Food that is intended for human consumption may
simply be too rich for your dog’s sensitive system, and should probably be avoided in order to prevent
canine diarrhea.
If you have to give your food to your dog, it is also best to stick to beef or pork, as the bones
from chicken or turkey can puncture your dog’s stomach and intestinal lining, resulting in a number
of health problems that can be significantly more serious than diarrhea.