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Home Remedies For Doggie Diarrhea

By Lynnette

I used to work at a vet. While there, I learned a few "home remedies" for some common pet ailments, including diarrhea.

Home Remedies For Doggie Diarrhea

  • Instead of their usual dog food, give your pet small servings of a bland diet 4-5 times throughout the day. Choose from:

    • cooked white rice (no butter or flavorings)
    • cottage cheese (no liquid)
    • boiled chicken (no grease, no skin, no flavorings)
    • boiled turkey (no grease, no skin, no flavorings)
    • scrambled egg (no butter or oil)
    • boiled egg (no butter or oil)
    • boiled potato (no skin or flavorings)
    • baked potato (no skin or flavorings)

  • Continue to feed several small servings of this bland diet for a few days in gradually increasing amounts until a formed stool is passed. Then, start to wean your pet back to its regular food over the course of a week by gradually working in small amounts of their regular dry dog food.

  • Do not give your pet bones, snacks or table scraps, because they may irritate the intestinal tract during this time.

  • Dogs can also be given a dose of Pepto Bismol every 6 hours. (Dosage depends on your dog's weight: 1 ml per 10 lbs.) Bonus, the Pepto Bismol also works to stop vomiting.

  • Two other over-the-counter medicines can be given to dogs with diarrhea: Imodium AD (1 ml per 10 lbs. every 8 hours) and Kaopectate (Dogs: 0.05-0.1 mg/pound by mouth every 8 hours. Treatment should only be needed for 1-2 days. If diarrhea persists or worsens, contact your veterinarian..

    Vet or No Vet?
    Fortunately, episodes of doggie diarrhea have sudden onset, are easily cured, and occur infrequently. However, diarrhea becomes clinically significant after 24 hours. Therefore, if the diarrhea has lasted a few days, or your dog is weak and listless, or there are additional problems (such as vomiting or blood in the stool), then it is time to have a veterinarian examine your pet.

    While home remedies could save you a small chunk of change in a pinch, you should always consult with your veterinarian -- at least via telephone -- at the onset of any "symptoms".

    Here's another valuable tip that I wasn't aware of until I started working at the vet:
    You don't always have to lug your pet to the vet to obtain a diagnosis (and meds if there's a problem). With diarrhea, for example, you could simply take a recent sample of your pet's stool to the vet. The "fecal test" is generally VERY inexpensive ($10-$15) and works wonders for giving you peace of mind.

    About The Author:
    Lynnette is a dog lover who has worked for a veterinarian in Tennessee. She currently has two dogs: a rescued black lab/golden retriever mix (2 yrs) and an American Eskimo (14 yrs). Read more about her pets and other fun stuff at: http://thefuntimesguide.com/

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