Pet Information > Others > Pet Articles > The Dreaded Doggy Diarrhea

The Dreaded Doggy Diarrhea

29 11:58:56

The Dreaded Doggy Diarrhea






     Unfortunately, dealing with diarrhea is a problem that most dog owners face on occasion. This is a very common condition and perhaps the reason it is so prevalent is that most do owners are not aware of the many varieties and causes.

One of the most common causes of diarrhea is a change in diet. Some dogs are more sensitive to changes than others. A dog that has been conditioned by being fed a wide variety of foods, such as table scrapes, is less likely to be bothered by a change than a dog that has always eaten a particular brand of dog food. The fact is that even the change in drinking water, such as when traveling, can result in temporary diarrhea.

Puppies have especially sensitive intestinal tracts. Therefore it is essential that any changes in their diets be made very gradually. If you purchased your puppy from a breeder you probably received a sample of the dog food that he was eating while there. That is the food your puppy should begin eating when you take him home.

If you want to change to something else you should make the change gradually. Begin by mixing 3 parts of the original food to 1 part of the new. If your puppy tolerates that then after about a week you can change the mixture to about half and half. Feed that concoction for about a week. If all goes well then you can move it up to 1 part of the original food from the breeder and 3 parts new. Once again, you should feed that mixture for about a week. And finally, your puppy will totally be on the food of your choice.

Underfeeding and overfeeding can also result in diarrhea. An underfed dog will eat to the point of illness when it finally has the opportunity. This often results in diarrhea. Feeding schedules should be adjusted to meet the needs of particular dogs according to their age, etc. Most breeders and many vets recommend self-feeding, in which dry food is always available for the dog. Others suggest that the full day's food be divided into two servings; one early in the day and the other late in the day.

Excessive water consumption can also result in diarrhea. The truth is that when a dog is drinking copious amounts of water there are often underlying causes that require medical attention and a visit to the veterinarian is in order.

Spoiled food, whether it is food that was actually given to the pet or food that he found in a garbage can, etc. can often cause diarrhea. Food from garbage cans in itself may be safe but the fact is that garbage cans are likely to hold many contaminates that the dog may encounter as he digs for the food. Those culprits may lead to serious digestive problems.

Parasites, such as whip or hook worms can cause diarrhea, and there are a variety of illnesses including distemper in which diarrhea is a symptom. But in most cases, diarrhea is not a major health risk. It usually has something to do with the dog's diet and within a day or two the problems subside. If it lasts more than a day or two, or if your dog is showing other signs of distress, don't take a chance, visit your veterinarian.