What should I do if my dog ​​has diarrhea?

Diarrhea is a very common occurrence in dogs and can be caused by many different factors. The overall treatment of course differs depending on whether the diarrhea is the result of a medical problem or an occasional intolerance, but there are some basic steps you should follow in any case.

The important thing is not to panic and take all the necessary measures for the health of your beloved friend.

• Abstinence from food and water

The main and first thing to do is to take the water and food bowl from your dog. Whatever the cause of the diarrhea, fasting for 24 hours is necessary to calm his gastrointestinal system.

It's good to give him water every few hours, so he doesn't get dehydrated, but don't let him drink too much and suddenly. A little water in a small bowl is a good practice.

• Contact the vet

If the diarrhea does not go away despite fasting and/or if the dog has other worrying signs, such as lethargy or fever, you should contact the vet immediately. It is possible that the animal will have to be put on serum to avoid dehydration.

What should I give my dog ​​with diarrhea?

First of all, you should not arbitrarily give any medicine, unless your vet has recommended it. In most cases, the diarrhea will go away on its own after a few hours.

After the 24-hour fast, if your pooch is starting to come to his senses, he'll probably be hungry. At this stage it is good to give him something light and easy to digest, such as rice, boiled potato or some boiled chicken without spices.

How will my dog ​​stop having diarrhea?

In many dogs, the gastrointestinal system is quite sensitive, so diarrhea is a common occurrence. To deal with this, you can do the following:

• Get regular checkups at the vet to rule out any health problem that leads to chronic diarrhea. Blood tests and ultrasound every 6 months/1 year are necessary at all ages.

• Every three months you should give your dog an internal deworming pill that removes from the intestine the parasites that are largely responsible for frequent diarrhea.

• Dietary supplements with probiotics help the good functioning of the intestine to improve the flora of the dog's gastrointestinal system.

• Depending on the results of the tests, the vet may recommend some clinical food that will help the health and protection of the dog's stomach and intestines.

• If your dog often has diarrhea after a walk, then it is possible that he is voraciously eating everything he finds on the road (dirt, olives, pine cones and even pebbles!) In this case, a comfortable muzzle will reduce the problem and it will also protect the dog from the risk of eating folas.