Diarrhoea is a distressing, messy problem that almost all dogs face. The course of action you take when it arises depends on the diarrhoea’s severity, other symptoms and your dog’s general health. Luckily, many diarrhoea supports are available to help your canine when the time comes. Our experts have gathered their top five picks.
You can keep this diarrhoea support on hand if your dog needs it, but ensure that it’s stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Refrigerate it after opening, and if your dog can’t consume the entire contents within three days, you can freeze it for up to 12 months.
This oral diarrhoea support works to re-hydrate dogs and cats after bouts of diarrhoea and vomiting by replenishing fluids, nutrients, simple sugars and electrolytes. Its hydrolysed isotonic formula is easy to consume, even when nauseous. It includes prebiotic fibres and functional amino acids that nurture enterocytes to support a healthy gut. There are no contraindications, so it is safe for use, even if your dog is on other medications.
This stool aid is not for puppies under eight weeks old; dogs between eight weeks and six months can use half the advised dose for their weight. You can administer this tablet whole or crushed into easily concealed pieces and sprinkled over your dog’s food.
This vitamin-rich, pectin, pumpkin and beta carotene formula helps stop diarrhoea by boosting stool’s firmness, so your pup can absorb nutrients effectively. It contains kaolin that absorbs toxins, increases faecal bulk and delays the movement of faeces through the gastrointestinal tract. It also includes the prebiotic fibre inulin, which improves healthy gut bacteria.
This supplement comes in a pack of 120 tablets, which is an excellent value for money and a sensible purchase if you have multiple dogs. Please pay attention to the daily feeding instructions, which show the number of daily pills your dog requires based on weight.
This tablet combines probiotics and prebiotics to balance your dog’s digestive system, decreasing flatulence and bolstering stool firmness. Over 200 million Enterococcus Faecium bacteria in each tablet sustain that natural population of beneficial gut bacteria. Pure prebiotics block harmful bacteria and nourish healthy ones.
This powder works well for all dogs and cats and helps wean puppies, but the amount of powder used varies according to your pet’s weight. You can add the powder to food or liquid, but for the best results, sprinkle it on all-natural yoghurt with a touch of honey to improve flavour.
A blend of three herbs soothes digestive discomfort, reduces wind, boosts appetite and firms stool. The slippery elm bark and marshmallow root contain mucilage that creates a protective barrier on the gut’s lining and aids bowel movement and stool consistency. The white polar bark eases your pet’s stomach and keeps it relaxed.
This liquid digestive support comes with a reusable syringe so you can easily measure and administer the amount directly into your puppy’s mouth or your dog’s food bowl. This formula acts within 24 hours to curb potential diarrhoea messes.
This diarrhoea treatment contains natural bentonite clay that binds waste to create firmer stool. It also has attapulgite clay, a mineral that helps regulate bowel movements and water loss. The formula includes electrolytes for rehydration and relieves and reduces pungent flatulence to make you and your dog more comfortable.
Available are medicines that curb diarrhoea, supplements that aim to prevent it, or treatments that do both. Here are some considerations that will guide you to the anti-diarrhoeal support for your dog.
A: Dietary indiscretions, infections, and environmental invasions can trigger diarrhoea in dogs, but awareness of the causes can help prevent them. Eating garbage or rotten food, known as garbage toxicosis, is a common culprit. An abrupt change in diet is another typical cause, so when introducing a new dog food, do so gradually so your dog’s stomach can adjust to the new proteins. Allergies and food intolerances, which can go undetected for a while, are underlying reasons for diarrhoea, along with bacterial infections like salmonella and viral infections like parvovirus and distemper. Parasites and accidental ingestion of toxic plants can occur if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, resulting in diarrhoeal symptoms. Severe and sometimes life-threatening illnesses like cancer and liver, kidney and inflammatory bowel disease often manifest as diarrhoea, along with other symptoms.
A: Diarrhoeal symptoms aside, if your dog is behaving normally, that’s a good sign that you can handle the problem at home. Normal behaviour means your dog is operating at its typical energy level, and its appetite has not decreased. Lack of vomit is another promising sign that the diarrhoea is manageable. If your dog is up-to-date on its vaccines, like parvovirus and distemper, you can rule out those viral infections. Young adult dogs stand the best chance of overcoming the affliction on their own, so once you’re not dealing with a puppy or elderly dog, you can continue to monitor your dog. You should not take diarrhoea lightly if your dog has pre-existing health conditions like cancer and kidney disease, but in the absence of these, you can proceed with your at-home care. It’s important to remember that contacting your veterinarian is always the safest option, especially when in doubt about your dog’s condition.