When Your Furry Friend Has the Runs: A Guide to Feeding a Dog with Diarrhea

Diarrhea in dogs can be a messy and worrisome experience for both you and your furry friend. While it’s often a temporary issue that resolves on its own, knowing how to manage it effectively can make a big difference in your dog’s comfort and recovery. This guide will delve into the best food choices for a dog with diarrhea offering insights into why pumpkin and turkey reign supreme in this situation.

Understanding the Difference Between Loose Stools and Diarrhea

Before diving into the specifics of feeding a dog with diarrhea, let’s clarify the difference between loose stools and full-blown diarrhea. Loose stools are generally shapeless, mushy, or watery, but they occur less frequently than three times per day. On the other hand, diarrhea is characterized by watery stools that happen three or more times a day. If your dog’s loose stools persist for more than three days on a bland diet, a trip to the vet is recommended.

Recognizing When Diarrhea Requires a Vet Visit

While dietary changes can usually be used to treat diarrhea at home, there are some circumstances that call for immediate veterinary care. Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if your dog also displays any of the following symptoms in addition to diarrhea:

• Vomiting
• Bloody or coffee-ground-like diarrhea
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Rough or dull coat
• Extreme weakness or fatigue
• Signs of dehydration (dry or pale gums, skin that doesn’t snap back into place)
• Signs of abdominal pain (groaning, bloating, not wanting to be touched, rapid panting, spending excessive time in the “prayer position”)

Additionally, if your dog is older or a puppy, has not received all of its vaccinations, may have consumed something poisonous, is taking a new medication, or already has a medical condition, get them checked out by a veterinarian.

The First Response: Fasting for a Restful Gut

When your dog starts experiencing diarrhea, the first step is to withhold all food, treats, bones, and other edibles (except water) for 12-24 hours This allows their digestive system to rest and clear out any irritants. However, ensure your dog has access to plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration

The Winning Duo: Pumpkin and Turkey for Digestive Relief

Once your dog’s digestive system has had a chance to rest, it’s time to introduce a bland diet. The champion in this arena is a 50/50 mixture of 100% pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) and boiled fat-free turkey. This combination is gentle on the digestive tract and easier to process than large meals.

Ideally, your dog’s diarrhea should go away after a day or two on this bland diet, allowing you to gradually return to feeding them regular food. But it’s imperative to see a veterinarian if the diarrhea doesn’t go away after 48 hours or if additional symptoms arise.

Why Pumpkin Outshines Rice for Diarrhea

For years, veterinarians recommended rice and hamburger or chicken for dogs with diarrhea. Nonetheless, because of its remarkable fiber content, pumpkin is superior to rice, according to recent research. Let’s examine the various forms of fiber and the reasons pumpkin wins this fight with the digestive system.

The Fiber Powerhouse: Pumpkin vs. Rice

A single cup of 100% pure canned pumpkin boasts a whopping 7 grams of soluble fiber, while cooked white rice contains a meager 1.2 grams per cup. Soluble fiber plays a crucial role in slowing down GI transit times and coating and soothing irritated bowels, making pumpkin the clear choice for diarrhea management.

Moreover, dogs that have diarrhea are more likely to become dehydrated because they are losing vital electrolytes like potassium. With an astounding 505 mg of potassium per cup, pumpkin offers a substantial benefit over rice in this context.

Finally, grains like rice aren’t species-appropriate for carnivores like dogs and cats. Furthermore, white rice frequently passes through dogs’ stools undigested and may contain alarming amounts of arsenic.

The Role of Fat: Why Turkey Takes the Lead Over Beef

While you might have ground beef readily available, beef is significantly higher in fat, which can worsen an upset stomach. Ground turkey, being the leanest meat option, emerges as the optimal choice for your dog’s bland diet. Boiling the turkey ensures the removal of all fat and avoids the harmful advanced glycation end products that can form when meat is cooked at high temperatures.

Alternatives for Dietary Restrictions or Preferences

If your dog has an allergy to turkey, dislikes pumpkin, or faces other challenges with the 50/50 pumpkin and turkey diet, there are alternatives available. You can substitute the pumpkin with skinless mashed yams, sweet potatoes, or white potatoes. Similarly, cooked codfish, fat-free pork, or chicken breast can replace the turkey.

Transitioning Back to Regular Food: A Gradual Approach

Assuming the bland diet resolves your dog’s diarrhea within 48 hours, it’s time for a gradual transition back to their regular diet. Start by adding small amounts of their normal food to each bland meal for a couple of days until they’re fully back on their regular diet.

Remember, a bland diet is not nutritionally complete and isn’t suitable for long-term use. If your dog’s diarrhea doesn’t resolve within 48 hours (or sooner if other symptoms appear), a vet visit is essential to determine and address the underlying cause.

Promoting Digestive Harmony: Preventing Diarrhea

While most dogs experience diarrhea occasionally, there are steps you can take to reduce its frequency or likelihood. These include:

• Avoiding spicy foods and table scraps
• Preventing your pet from ingesting rocks, sticks, or cooked bones
• Ensuring adequate exercise and maintaining a healthy weight
• Regularly checking your pet’s stool for parasites
• Providing a well-balanced diet

We Feed Raw offers a nutritionally complete and balanced raw food diet that can help your dog maintain firm stools. You can also consider adding canned pumpkin or a fermented superfood topper like Gussy’s Gut to promote optimal digestive health.

If your dog isn’t already on We Feed Raw, take the quiz now to explore the cost of switching to this species-appropriate, highly nutritious food.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What should I feed my dog if it has diarrhea?

While the traditional bland diet of boiled hamburger and rice was once recommended, recent studies indicate that a 50/50 mix of pure canned pumpkin and boiled turkey is the superior choice. The pumpkin’s high soluble fiber content and electrolyte richness soothe the digestive tract and restore hydration, while the turkey provides lean, easily digestible protein.

Can I give my dog pumpkin to help with diarrhea?

Absolutely! Pumpkin is one of the best foods you can offer a dog with diarrhea. Its high soluble fiber content slows down gut transit times and soothes irritated bowels, while its impressive potassium levels combat dehydration. Remember to use only 100% pure canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices.

How does a diet of pumpkin and turkey help dogs with diarrhea?

The 50/50 combination of pumpkin and turkey creates a gentle, high-fiber diet that’s far easier on a dog’s digestive system than other foods. The pumpkin slows down transit times and soothes the gut, while the turkey offers easily digestible protein. This combination can effectively resolve diarrhea without straining your dog’s system.

Is pumpkin a good alternative to the traditional rice-based bland diet for treating dog diarrhea?

Yes, pumpkin is an excellent alternative to rice for treating dog diarrhea, and it’s actually more beneficial due to its high fiber content. With 7 grams of soluble fiber per cup compared to the 1.2 grams in cooked white rice, pumpkin slows down GI transit times and soothes irritated bowels. Additionally, its high potassium content is crucial in preventing dehydration in dogs with diarrhea.

What should I do if my dog’s condition does not improve after feeding them pumpkin and turkey?

If your dog’s diarrhea persists after three days on a pumpkin and turkey diet, or if they develop additional symptoms like vomiting, fever, or appetite loss, contact your vet immediately. Diarrhea can indicate underlying health issues, and prolonged diarrhea can lead to dangerous dehydration.

Are there other options for dogs with food intolerances or preferences?

Yes, if your dog dislikes pumpkin or is allergic to turkey, you can replace the pumpkin with mashed yams, sweet potatoes, or white potatoes. Similarly, cooked codfish, fat-free pork, or chicken breast can replace the turkey. The key is to maintain a 50/50 mix of fibrous, watery vegetables and lean, easy-to-digest proteins.

How can I transition my dog back to their regular diet after their diarrhea clears up?

Once your dog’s diarrhea has resolved, gradually transition them back to their regular diet by slowly adding more of it back in over a couple of days. The bland diet of pumpkin and turkey isn’t nutritionally complete for long-term use, so it should be progressively replaced with the dog’s balanced regular food.

How can I prevent my dog from getting diarrhea again?

There are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of your dog getting diarrhea again. This includes not giving your dog spicy food or table scraps; ensuring your dog doesn’t eat rocks, sticks, or cooked bones; providing consistent exercise and maintaining a healthy weight; having routine checks for parasites; and feeding a well-balanced diet.

Is it true that pumpkin has more benefits for dogs with diarrhea than rice?

Yes, pumpkin is a better source of fiber for dogs with diarrhea than rice. With 7 grams of soluble fiber per