Ask Dr. Jenn: How can treat my dog's diarrhea at home?

I completely understand how frustrating that is. No matter how much you try to talk to him, Grandpa is going to slip Rufus a piece of gravy-soaked turkey because “back in my day, we let the dog clean our plates and he never got sick.” Fluffy knows if she sits under the kids’ table, a crescent roll will fall out of a little hand, and she is ready to clean it up. Charlie is in the backyard, but his nose still works and soon there is garbage strewn all over the yard as he cleans up the turkey grease. Even if, by some miracle, you keep Sassy away from the feast, she is so stressed by all the commotion in the house that she has explosive diarrhea in the middle of the night. 

Holiday weekends are the busiest times at emergency vet clinics. You could spend hours in the waiting room waiting for your pet to be seen for his GI upset. What can you do to help him get through the weekend until your family veterinarian is open on Monday? 

How to Prevent Diarrhea in Dogs During the Holidays 

The best way to treat holiday GI upset is to prevent it in the first place. Start giving your dog a pet-specific probiotic at least a few days before the gathering. This will set up a healthy GI tract that is more resilient to the potential attack on his system. If your dog gets stressed with a houseful of unfamiliar people, ask your vet about supplements or medication that can help keep him calm. 

I know this is a busy time, and your dog’s gut health may slip your mind. It isn’t until later that night or the next morning when Fluffy is begging to go outside every 30 minutes that you realize you never picked up that calming medication from your vet.  

Treatments and Home Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs 

The good news is that most diarrhea in dogs is self-limiting. It resolves on its own after a few days. But in the meantime, you want to help calm the GI tract down and prevent dehydration. Here are a few tips that can help you get through these challenging days: 

1. If your dog is vomiting, withhold food and water for 6-12 hours. If there is no vomiting, offer a small amount of water every hour and see if the vomiting stops. If he continues to vomit, take away the water and try again later. If he is holding down water, offer a small amount of a bland diet. If he is able to hold down food, continue to offer very small amounts of food every 1-2 hours.  

2. Feed your dog a bland diet that is easy to digest and will help calm down the GI tract. A bland diet consists of a low-fat protein and a simple carbohydrate. Low-fat protein options include baked chicken breast with the fat trimmed off, boiled hamburger (boiling the meat separates out the fat), low-fat ground turkey, scrambled eggs, or low-fat cottage cheese. Simple carbohydrates can be white rice, noodles, or white bread. Mix the protein and carbohydrate 50:50. Offer a little bit at a time – small, frequent meals are better than one or two large meals.  

3. Give a probiotic. A probiotic can help prevent diarrhea, but it is also beneficial to shorten the course of diarrhea. Often times, diarrhea in pets is caused by an imbalance of bacteria. A probiotic replaces the “good bacteria”. Many probiotic supplements also contain a prebiotic. A prebiotic helps to create a healthy environment in the gut so the good bacteria thrive. 

4. Make sure your pet stays hydrated. When a pet has diarrhea, the colon is not absorbing water which can lead to dehydration. In addition to having a bowl of water readily available, you can add water to the food. Or add a little bit of low sodium chicken broth to make the water more appealing. If the diarrhea continues for a few days, your pet can lose electrolytes. To help replace sodium and potassium, offer some unflavored Pedialyte. Most dogs won’t drink it alone, so you may need to add it to the food or dilute it in their water. 

5. After a day on a bland diet, add some fiber to the diet. Fiber will help firm up the stool and slow down digestion. Canned pumpkin is an excellent source of fiber and many dogs like the taste. Add about a teaspoon per cup of food. Alternatively, you can sprinkle Metamucil over the food. 

Can I Use Human Medicine to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs? 

What about over-the-counter medications for diarrhea in people? An internet search may tell you it is safe to give Imodium AD or Pepto Bismol. In some cases, these medications can be used, but it's best to talk to your veterinarian first. Some dogs are very sensitive to the active ingredients in anti-diarrheals and they may become even sicker. 

When Should I See a Vet for My Dog’s Diarrhea? 

If you have tried the at-home diarrhea remedies for four days or more and there is no improvement, make an appointment with your veterinarian. If your dog is vomiting and can’t hold food or water down, call either your family veterinarian or the local emergency vet. Black stool, blood clots in the diarrhea, or bright red blood are also concerning, and you should seek veterinary care. Other concerning symptoms include weakness, complete loss of appetite, or very low energy.  

I hope this information is helpful and helps you avoid an unplanned veterinary visit during your holiday festivities. Wishing all of my readers and their furry family members a happy and healthy holiday season!