Diarrhoea in dogs

Diarrhoea is relatively common in dogs. Mild diarrhoea often goes away by itself. However, if the diarrhoea lasts longer than a day, you should take your dog to a vet.

Causes of diarrhoea in dogs

Diarrhoea is not an illness, but a symptom that can have a variety of different causes. Relatively often, diarrhoea is caused by the dog eating something it does not tolerate. Dead animals, faeces, rotten food and vomit can very quickly lead to diarrhoea. Diarrhoea can also be triggered by bacteria, viruses and parasites such as giardia and worms.

There are other possible causes of diarrhoea:

Food portions are too big
Food has been switched too quickly
Food is too cold
Food intolerances
Consumption of food that is not suitable for dogs

Finally, diarrhoea in dogs can also be caused by stress. Situations causing stress for a dog should, however, be considered very individually. Stress factors for the dog can be changes in the household, a new situation when being taken for a walk, or a car ride.

How does diarrhoea manifest itself in dogs?

The faeces of dogs are usually well formed. However, if there are problems in the gastrointestinal tract, these become apparent through a change in faeces. They can be paste-like, in extreme cases even fluid and may contain mucus or blood. Usually defecation is then more frequent and is often combined with side effects such as vomiting, abdominal pain and loss of appetite.

Do I have to go to the vet?

In most cases, diarrhoea will disappear by itself within two days. Experienced dog owners know their dogs and will be able to judge quite well whether it is the “normal” diarrhoea that afflicts almost every dog from time to time and is nothing to worry about, or whether there is more to it. If a puppy still has diarrhoea after 24 hours, you should always take it to the vet. The same applies if there is blood in its faeces, if the dog also vomits frequently, has a fever of over 40 degrees, appears apathetic or is very agitated. If, on the other hand, the dog is in a relatively normal state of health and is just somewhat listless, then you can wait and observe the situation. In most cases it is helpful if the dog is not given any food for a period of 24 to 48 hours in order to allow its intestines to recover. It is, however, important that the dog is provided with sufficient small amounts of liquid.

What should I feed my dog when it has diarrhoea?

Once the diarrhoea has disappeared, it is advisable to give your pet special light food such as animonda INTEGRA PROTECT Intestinal. This should be served in small portions.

The special dietary food INTEGRA PROTECT Intestinal was developed especially for dogs with acute diarrhoea. This provides highly digestible animal proteins and easy-to-digest rice (as a source of carbohydrates). To avoid burdening the stomach, INTEGRA PROTECT Intestinal contains very little fat. The loss of electrolytes as a result of diarrhoea is compensated for with increased amounts of sodium and potassium.

Well prepared for the vet
If your dog's general condition is poor, do not hesitate any longer to visit the vet. The same applies in the case of chronic diarrhoea. It is advisable to prepare yourself for the following questions:

– When did the diarrhoea start?
– How often does the dog defecate?

– What does the diarrhoea look like?
– Does the dog often have diarrhoea?

– What do you give the dog to eat and have you changed its food?
– Have there been any unusual incidents recently?

– Have any other dogs become ill that could be contagious?

Vets are always grateful for this type of information. Depending on the severity of the diarrhoea, a faecal analysis and/or blood test can be carried out to allow a diagnosis and to initiate appropriate treatment.