Puppies are adorable creatures that bring joy to many people’s lives. However, when they get diarrhea, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to figure out what to feed a puppy with diarrhea and how to prevent it in the future. In this article, we will discuss what you should be feeding your puppy if he or she has diarrhea and some tips on how not to let your pup suffer from an upset stomach again!
Know the cause of diarrhea in puppies
Contrary to what many people believe, diarrhea is not just caused by a change in diet. There are actually several factors that can lead to an upset stomach for your pup and you’ll need to be aware of them if one day your little guy or gal has diarrhea.
Some common causes include:
- eating something he or she shouldn’t have (foreign objects)
- stress due to being left alone too often, at the vet or during thunderstorms
- consuming food with high levels of fat content (too much bacon!)
- drinking contaminated water from puddles on the street while playing outside
Watch for dehydration and loss of appetite
Dehydration and loss of appetite are signs that the diarrhea may be more severe and should not go untreated. Dehydration is a common cause of death for young puppies as they have a very small reserve of water in their bodies.
Do you know what to feed puppy with diarrhea?
If your pup has diarrhea, it’s important to provide him or her with liquids and food that won’t aggravate the stomach any further. Do NOT give them cooked chicken bones which are brittle enough to break into sharp pieces when chewed by dogs!
Raw meaty bones like beef knucklebones can help clean teeth while providing hairball relief too so consider using these instead if there’s nothing else available at home or on-hand from friends or family members. Feeding soft foods such as boiled potatoes or cooked rice can be helpful too.
Puppies often get diarrhea if they are not given enough water or the food is inappropriate for them at that age – a good rule of thumb is to feed what you would eat!
Make sure your puppy is getting enough fluids
Getting enough fluids is the key to preventing a bout of diarrhea – so make sure your puppy is drinking enough water.
Some puppies might be more likely to get diarrhea when their food or water intake changes significantly, and this can also occur if they have been on medication such as antibiotics for any length of time. It’s usually best not to feed them anything other than boiled chicken breast which will provide the protein they need without upsetting their stomach
In some cases it may help if you start with ground beef instead of fresh meat in order to give their system a chance to adjust before adding raw meats too quickly into the mix. Fresh foods are typically what most dogs crave (and need) but cooked rice can be a great alternative if nothing else is available at home!
Feeding a bland diet to soothe stomach upset
A bland diet helps your dog to regain control of their stomach when they have diarrhea. The best foods to offer are boiled chicken breast with rice and a little bit of canned pumpkin as it will help bind the food together so that your dog has fewer accidents and less intestinal discomfort.
Treat any underlying illness that may be causing the diarrhea
If your dog has diarrhea because of some other reason, such as a tummy bug or parasite infestation, then it is important to treat this while they are undergoing treatment for diarrhea.
Some underlying conditions of diarrhea in dogs include:
- Parasites
- Roundworms (Toxocara) and Hookworms (Ancylostoma caninum). These are very common and usually passed to the dog when they eat poop.
- Intestinal Worms or Nematodes such as Whipworm, Trichuris vulpis; Tapeworm, Dipylidium caninum; and Tissue Flukes, Dicrocoelium dendriticum.
- Pancreatitis is a problem with a pet’s pancreas that causes diarrhea along with other symptoms like vomiting and fever. Stress or trauma can lead to this condition too in some cases.
- Gastritis is inflammation of your puppy’s stomach lining so it will create more
Avoid feeding table scraps
Feeding your dog table scraps can actually make it worse, as the scraps added to their food will often make them bloated and uncomfortable. Keep your dog away from raw vegetables or fruits until they have recovered completely.
Avoid giving seeds, chocolate, dairy products (like milk), caffeinated drinks like coffee or tea, alcoholic beverages such as wine or beer, spicy foods like curry dishes – all of which can cause diarrhea in a young dog that is eating solid food for the first time. You should be on the lookout for any other symptoms that could indicate an underlying problem with your pup’s digestive system including weight loss even if he has been eating more than usual.
The Dos Of Puppy Feeding
It’s important to give your puppy the right food from the start. The wrong diet can cause all sorts of problems, including diarrhea. So, what should you do to make sure your pup stays healthy?
Here are some dos for feeding your puppy:
1. Do choose a high-quality puppy food. Not all puppy foods are created equal. Some contain fillers and other ingredients that can trigger diarrhea. To be safe, opt for a food that is specifically designed for puppies and made with high-quality ingredients.
2. Do introduce new foods slowly. If you’re changing your puppy’s food or introducing new foods, do so slowly to give their digestive system time to adjust. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food in with their old food, gradually increasing the amount of new food over a period of a week or so.
3. Do feed small meals often. It’s better to feed your puppy several small meals throughout the day rather than one or two large ones. This will help prevent indigestion and keep their energy levels up.
4. Do pay attention to your puppy’s stools. Normal, healthy stools should be firm and well-formed. If you notice any changes in your puppy’s stool (e.g., it becomes loose or watery), make sure to contact your veterinarian right away.
The Don’ts Of Puppy Feeding
Puppies are prone to diarrhea for a number of reasons. If you’re not careful, it can quickly turn into a serious health problem. To keep your pup safe, avoid these feeding mistakes:
1. Don’t overfeed your puppy. Puppies have small stomachs and can’t eat as much as adult dogs. Overfeeding can lead to indigestion and diarrhea.
2. Don’t change your puppy’s food too often. If you do need to switch foods, do it slowly over the course of a week or so. Sudden changes in diet can cause stomach upset and diarrhea.
3. Don’t feed your puppy table scraps or other people’s food. Human food is often too rich or fatty for a puppy’s stomach and can cause diarrhea.
4. Don’t feed your puppy raw meat or bones. Raw meat and bones can contain harmful bacteria that can make your pup sick. They can also splinter and cause choking or other digestive problems.
5. Don’t let your puppy eat grass. Puppies sometimes eat grass to soothe an upset stomach, but it can actually make diarrhea worse. If your pup is eating grass excessively, talk to your vet to rule out any medical problems.
Do Provide Plenty Of Fresh Water in the Puppy
Puppies need plenty of fresh, clean water at all times. A good rule of thumb is to provide 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. So, a 10-pound puppy would need approximately 10 ounces of water per day.
It’s important to note that puppies are more susceptible to dehydration than adult dogs, so it’s crucial to make sure they always have access to fresh water. Signs of dehydration in puppies include lethargy, dry mouth, and sunken eyes. If you notice any of these signs, give your puppy small amounts of water every few minutes until they are no longer thirsty.
Then, take them to the vet as soon as possible. Dehydration can be dangerous, so it’s always best to err on the side of caution. By providing your puppy with plenty of fresh water, you can help them stay healthy and hydrated.
