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Pay attention to the color of the rear deck Color can also indicate a lot about what is happening inside the dog's gut. Chocolate brown is normal, while colors such as orange, green or gray can mean problems with organs such as the liver, gall bladder or pancreas. Black tarry stools are very serious and may indicate internal bleeding. If you see this, contact your vet as soon as possible. Purina has also provided a practical reference – a color wheel with dog poo. Color, shape, and consistency will help you and your vet figure out what's wrong when your dog has diarrhea. These factors will help your vet determine where the problem is occurring along your dog's digestive tract.

 

Other Ways to Interpret Dog Poop The following are some common abnormalities, in addition to color, and what each can tell you about why your dog is passing: Frequency: Small amounts of strain, several times an hour, which some call "The splashes", can be a sign of inflammation in the large intestine. Three or four times, with large volume, indicates small bowel disorder.

 

Oddly shaped or colored solid objects can tell you what your dog has walked into. Several small white rice-like shapes, for example, could mean a tapeworm infestation.

Grass, wood or string can tell you that your dog has eaten something it could not digest. 

Armed with this knowledge, the vet will be able to tell you whether to schedule and examine or whether you can treat it at home.

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Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea Very many cases are mild and, with your vet's advice, may be treated without a trip to the office. They may respond to a regimen of very basic treatments, including:

 

Dog's Diarrhea Treatments

 

These over-the-counter dog diarrhea treatments are great to have on hand and can be ordered online for fast delivery for those occasional bouts of loose stools or diarrhea that every dog can experience.

Fasting: Withholding food for 12 to 24 hours, and giving small amounts of water frequently, can remove the cause of the upset and allow the gastrointestinal tract to settle. It is usually the first line of attack for diarrhea. Before deciding on a fast, make sure your dog is healthy enough to endure it.

 

Puppies and older dogs need nutrients, for example. A fast may also not be appropriate for small dogs who do not have the physical reserves of their larger cousins.

 

Diarrhea can lead to dehydration, so be sure to give your dog access to water at all times. You can also offerRoyal Canine Recovery, Trikem Working Dog Rehydrateto maintain electrolyte balance under a veterinarian's advice.

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After a fast, simple foods are usually introduced slowly. Many dog owners start with foods that act as binders, which can help normalize the consistency of the stool.

 

Some proven methods include:

 

-Rice water:Boil high-quality rice in plenty of water, remove the grains and offer the dog the creamy white soup that remains. A splash of broth or some baby food will make it more palatable.

-Plain white rice

-Pumpkin(100% grocery store pumpkin puree, pet-safe pumpkin powder, or a pet-specific canned pumpkin for dogs) has the odd distinction of being effective against both diarrhea and constipation. If you buy canned pumpkin at a grocery store, be sure to read the label to make sure it's 100% pumpkin and not "pumpkin pie filling" which includes sugar and other ingredients besides pumpkin.

-Plain yogurtwith active cultures can help dogs that tolerate milk and milk products.

-Probioticsto promote live bacteria that aid digestion (these are also found in yogurt)

-Boiled potatoes without skin

-cottage cheese

- Common protein sources such as eggs (prepared without butter or oil) or chicken (without skin)

-Herbs, like fennel, may have gut-relieving properties

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Specially formulated dog food:

 

Some manufacturers offer dog food with sensitive stomachs that can relieve stomach problems. You may need to get some of these from your vet. We sell"Royal Canine Gastrointestinal Diet"and"Hill's I/D"for dogs and cats.

 

Over-the-counter medications for humans can also be effective for canine diarrhea, such as"Save"or"Resorb", but should be given with caution and you should always consult your vet before using them. Methods that work for one dog may not help another, so you may need to experiment a bit to find the right formula. It can also be helpful to write down what works and what doesn't so you know what to do the next time you find yourself cleaning up a mess. Once you find a recovery diet that agrees with your dog and doesn't cause a relapse, you can slowly increase the portions over a period of days, then start adding small amounts of your dog's regular food until things are back to normal.

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When dog diarrhea means a trip to the vet?

 

The right time to contact a vet depends very much on what is normal for your dog. Unfortunately, some dogs are more prone to digestive disorders than others, so you need to be very aware of things that are out of the ordinary on an individual basis.

 

However, there are criteria that may suggest that you should at least consult with your veterinarian:

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1. Other physical symptoms, such as lethargy, fever, vomiting, dry, sticky or pale gums, or weakness;

2. Diarrhea that does not stop despite home remedies that worked in the past;

3. Dehydration;

4. Long duration (Some say a few days, others give more time. It all depends on what is normal for your dog.);

5. Use of medication (for example, a dog on antibiotics);

6. Pre-existing conditions, such as old age, diabetes, Cushing's, cancer or other medical problems, and when things just don't seem right.

 

You know your dog, and only you know the subtle signs that something is wrong. Respect your instincts and if you think you need veterinary guidance, pick up the phone.

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