Every dog owner experiences doggy diarrhoea at least once during their dog’s life. Spoiler alert: it’s gross. Just like when you are feeling ill and experience stomach issues, your dog will likely feel pretty miserable if and when they experience diarrhoea. It will make a mess of your house, too - we told you it was gross - but more importantly, diarrhoea is a reaction inside your dog or puppy’s body. Usually, this reaction is a result of something gone wrong in their stomach. It isn’t always serious, but it is important to monitor your dog’s bowel movements to make sure they are maintaining good health!
Here are some reasons your dog might have diarrhoea - and when to be worried about it.
They Ate Something That Doesn’t Agree with Them
Just like stomach issues in humans, if your dog’s poop is watery and uncontrollable, it usually means they have eaten something their body wants to get rid of fast. Dogs are omnivores; they require both meat and plant nutrients to maintain optimum health, although the meat side of things is more crucial. If you regularly feed your dog a certified dog food that he or she loves, then the diarrhoea is likely a reaction to something else.
All dogs sneak or steal food if it is left right under their nose. It is in their nature. While you can train your dog to only eat when you give them the go-ahead, if they are left alone with food on the floor or at a low height, the chances are they’ll try it - even if it’s not exactly dog friendly. If your dog has diarrhoea, try to remember if they have eaten anything unusual in the last 24 hours. If they have snuck some treats off the kitchen counter, that’s probably the source. Monitor them for a day or two and things should return to normal.
They Have Eaten Something Poisonous to Dogs
If your dog has eaten any of the following and is having diarrhoea, or any other worrying symptoms such as shaking, vomiting, excessive panting or an inability or unwillingness to move, immediately take them to the vet.
- Cocoa/chocolate
- Avocado
- Xylitol, a sweetener commonly found in some peanut butters and other products
- Cooked bones
- Grapes or raisins
- Onions and garlic
These are all highly dangerous to dogs and should be kept safely away from them at all times.
They Have A Stomach Infection
This is relatively uncommon, but if your dog has persistent diarrhoea which doesn’t go away after a few days, take them to the vet. They could have an underlying condition such as a stomach infection, an allergy, IBS or a stomach virus.
Preventing Diarrhoea
In order to prevent dog diarrhoea, ensure you keep all human food safely away on high shelves or in heavy cupboards. Similarly, get a kitchen bin with a weighted lid to stop your dog going through the trash. Keep your dog well exercised so they are not frustrated and likely to dig through your food from boredom. Feed them a regular, routine diet which keeps their bowel movements regular.
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