At your recent barbecue, you requested that everyone refrain from giving food to your dog. However, now your dog needs to go outside more frequently. During the last trip, you noticed several puddles of diarrhea in the backyard. Despite this, your dog appears to be acting normally and is even asking for food.
What should you do next? Should you continue feeding your dog as usual or withhold food for a period?
Is It Safe To Feed Dogs With Diarrhea?
It may seem counterintuitive, but for most healthy adult dogs, the most effective way to help their digestive system recover is to withhold food for 24 hours.
For very young puppies (under three months), senior dogs, and those with other known health issues, it's essential to consult your veterinarian before initiating a fast. Depending on the situation, a vet may recommend a shorter fasting period, such as 12 hours, or they might not advise fasting. When in doubt, always seek professional advice first.
Fasting helps clear the system, giving it a brief rest, similar to rebooting a computer.
Always make sure that your dog has access to plenty of fresh water. At the same time, you should remove the food bowl, avoid giving treats, and never withhold water.
Is A Bland Diet Effective For Dogs With Diarrhea?
Yes, a bland diet can be beneficial after a fasting period, provided your dog hasn't had further episodes of diarrhea and shows no other symptoms. If your dog appears ill, is vomiting, or has diarrhea, contact your veterinarian. This is crucial to avoid further upsetting their system.
The fasting and bland diet approach is most suitable for dogs that eat something that upsets their stomach rather than those with chronic conditions.
If your dog seems fine and has no ongoing health issues or chronic diarrhea, you can start by offering a small amount of a bland diet. Bland foods are easy to digest and less likely to cause further issues. Giving small amounts more frequently is also easier for the body to handle.
An appropriate bland diet for most dogs includes boiled chicken or hamburgers with rice, which provides protein and carbohydrates. Boiling helps remove excess fat, making the meal low-fat and easy to digest.
Start with a small amount—sometimes a tablespoon or two—to see if your dog can eat and keep the food down. Small meals every two to three hours rather than one large meal are better, even if your dog seems hungry.
Most veterinarians recommend a bland diet for three to five days after a mild diarrhea episode if your dog appears otherwise healthy. Any dog that remains sick or continues to vomit requires additional care beyond the bland diet.
Diet Options For Dogs With Mild Or Acute Diarrhea
In most cases, vets consider mild diarrhea, soft or loose stool lasting fewer than three days, with the dog remaining active and eating and drinking normally, and no other symptoms present.
It becomes more concerning if your dog appears unwell. Signs to watch for include increased sleeping, poor appetite, lethargy, vomiting, or blood or mucus in the diarrhea.
Acute diarrhea starts suddenly. For instance, your dog may seem fine during their evening walk, but by the following day, you find diarrhea on the floor. Acute diarrhea can range from mild to severe, depending on the presence of additional symptoms.
Start with a 24-hour fast for mild diarrhea, but ensure your dog has plenty of water. If the diarrhea begins shortly after eating, withhold food (including treats) for the next 24 hours.
When reintroducing food, use either a prescription bland diet from your veterinarian or a home-prepared one. This diet should consist of a 1:1 ratio of boiled meat to rice (e.g., 1 cup cooked chicken and 1 cup rice) using the leanest meat possible, such as boiled chicken or hamburger.
Start by feeding two tablespoons of the mixture per 10 pounds of body weight, offering small meals every two to three hours on the first day. It's better to provide too little food than too much.
Over the next three days, gradually increase the portion size while decreasing the meal frequency. Between days 3 and 5, start mixing in some of your dog's regular food. By day 7, most dogs should be back to their regular diet and feeling fine.
If your dog experiences more diarrhea or vomiting or shows signs of illness at any point, contact your vet. After the initial fasting period, your pet's condition should steadily improve, and any setbacks warrant veterinary attention.
Best Diet For Dogs With Chronic Diarrhea
If your dog is experiencing chronic diarrhea with ongoing episodes, there is likely an underlying medical condition. Identifying, diagnosing, and treating this health issue is crucial before determining the appropriate diet, which will likely be part of the overall treatment plan.
Prescription diets may be more suitable for dogs with long-term diarrhea or conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. These diets are formulated to address long-term gastrointestinal issues and provide complete nutrition.
While a bland diet can be beneficial in the short term, it lacks the essential nutrients needed for long-term health. While using a bland diet for a few days or a week is generally safe, prolonged use can be harmful. This is where prescription diets come into play.
