What to feed a dog with diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is something every dog owner dreads. It's smelly, messy and leaves your dog feeling miserable. Cleaning up after a diarrhoea explosion takes time, and it's easy to see why pet owners start frantically searching online for a quick fix. 

One of the first treatment options you will usually find is about changing your dog's food. Food is one of the tools used by the veterinary professionals in the treatment of diarrhoea and it can be very effective.  Whilst some causes of diarrhoea will need vet care to treat, most pet owners will at least try a day or so of home treatment before calling their clinic for an appointment. 

What is diarrhoea is dogs? 

Diarrhoea is the name given to the passage of stools that are loose in formation or watery in consistency. Diarrhoea in dogs can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term), and the causes differ depending on if the diarrhoea is acute or chronic in nature. 

What causes diarrhoea in dogs? 

There are many, many causes of diarrhoea. The list below are some of the most frequent causes:

• Dietary indiscretion - Dogs superpowers include finding food they shouldn't eat! For example rooting around in the bins for food waste, or scoffing leftover food scraps on a walk.
• Stress
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) - This is triggered by eating foods high in fat
• Diet changes - Switching brands of your dog's normal kibble can be enough to set off a bout of diarrhoea.
• Parasites such as worms
• Infections- bacterial and viral
• Food allergies - read more about food allergies in dogs
• Obstructions (e.g. foreign bodies) 

From the list, it's clear that some causes are easy to identify, and if so, trialling a diet change is not an unreasonable option, especially if your dog is otherwise well in themselves. 

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What to feed a dog with diarrhoea 

There are a few options you could consider feeding your dog if they have a short bout of diarrhoea. Food can be considered a form of medicine, and a diet change can allow the gastrointestinal tract to function but also recover. 

1. Bland foods 

Bland foods can help a dog with diarrhoea, as they are low in fat and fibre. This combination makes it much easier for your dog to absorb the nutrients they need when the gastrointestinal system is irritated or inflamed.   

A simple mix of a single carbohydrate and a single protein source is recommended. Avoid seasonings, toppings or mixing with dog food. This is to avoid further irritation to your dog's digestive system. 

For the carbohydrate, think boiled white rice, pasta or small amounts of boiled plain potato. Good options for protein sources include plain boiled chicken, turkey or fish. Remove any skin or fat before feeding. 

Feed small portions frequently, so as not to overload the digestive tract with a large meal. If you are unsure as to portion size, phone the vet for advice. 

It's important to note that feeding a bland diet of carbohydrate and protein, whilst effective, is not nutritionally balanced. Bland diets should not be fed for prolonged durations of time. If your dog's diarrhoea has not resolved within three days of diet, or returns after stopping the bland meals, you need to contact your vet. 

2. Probiotics 

Diarrhoea can be caused by ‘dysbiosis’. Dysbiosis is an imbalance of the gut bacterial make up, leading to diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Probiotics contain specific types of live bacteria, known as the ‘good’ bacteria. These bacteria are essential for the gastrointestinal system to digest food. By feeding your dog a probiotic for a few days it can reset your dog's digestive tract and allow for healthier stool formations. Discover 8 signs your dog could benefit from probiotics. 

3. Anti-diarrhoeal supplements 

Most probiotic supplements will contain a natural anti-diarrhoeal such as Kaolin. These substances act like a sponge to the extra water in the digestive tract, firming up the consistency of the stool. It takes a few days to fully take effect, but supplements with kaolin can be very effective in treating canine diarrhoea. 

4. Prescription diets 

If your dog is prone to the odd bout of diarrhoea, for example they have an ongoing medical issue such as inflammatory bowel disease or pancreatitis, your vet may recommend buying a prescription diet to have on hand for these events. 

Prescription diets contain lots of beneficial elements to help speed up your dog's recovery. They are nutritionally balanced so offer a more long term solution compared to feeding home cooked preparations. 

The prescription diets will have added omega oils (to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation), low fat levels, extra electrolytes and fibre. These all help to restore the natural balance in the intestinal tract. You would expect to see an improvement on the prescription diets within one to two days. 

5. Water

Whilst you might be tempted to reduce water intake in the face of diarrhoea, this should be avoided. Your dog needs access to fresh clean water day and night to avoid dehydration, a common consequence of prolonged or severe diarrhoea episodes. Clean the water bowl daily to avoid re-infection risks.

6. Withhold treats 

It might feel a little mean, especially when your dog is feeling sorry for themselves but treats are often high in fat and sugars. Even a single treat can be enough to increase inflammation in the intestinal system and prolong your dog's recovery. Save the treats until your dog is completley well and back to eating their normal diet.  

When to seek vet care 

Knowing when a case of diarrhoea may need some extra help from your vet is important. Whilst most simple cases of diarrhoea self resolve in one to three days, more serious causes of diarrhoea will not go away without medical help. 

Book a vet appointment if you notice any of the following signs: 

• Blood in the diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite
• Mucus or slimy appearance to the diarrhoea
• Vomiting and diarrhoea lasting more than 24 hours
• Straining to pass diarrhoea
• Bloated appearance to the belly
• Behavioural changes, such as vocalisation, hiding or snapping

These are all signs of something a little more serious. Examples of more serious causes of diarrhoea in dogs include pancreatitis, bacterial infections and foreign body ingestions. These conditions will need veterinary care to treat.

Summary 

There are a few options when choosing what to feed a dog with diarrhoea. Simple cases of mild diarrhoea will respond within one to two days of dietary changes or supplements, and your dog should make a full recovery. 

There may be the occasional gastrointestinal upset at points during your dog's life, which is why knowing what works to settle their diarrhoea quickly can be helpful in stopping the progression of the diarrhoea. 

Some cases of diarrhoea are related to more concerning medical issues such as infections or obstructions, and these need vet care to treat. If your dog's diarrhoea is not resolving or improving within two days of starting dietary changes, a vet appointment is the next step to take.