Puppies and Diarrhea

What’s the relation between Puppies and Diarrhea? Raising a puppy is not an easy thing. You just brought home a cute new puppy, and now you are worried. Why? Because there are so many things for them to keep on track, like, their vaccination schedule, hygiene, and health likewise. 

Puppies often undergo some unpleasant conditions like diarrhea. Even a healthy puppy will probably experience diarrhea every once in a while. This is because they are so small, having poorly developed immune systems. Diarrhea can be caused by various conditions and can badly affect your puppy. Although it can be treated at home, in severe cases, you need to get some veterinary help.

 Probably you want to know the reasons behind your puppy’s diarrhea and how you can treat them? Well, here we will guide you completely regarding puppies and diarrhea. So, let’s dive in. 

What are the Causes of Puppies’ Diarrhea? 

Dog diarrhea is a common illness- affecting them regardless of their age. Puppies under five months old and unvaccinated ones are at higher risk of diarrhea. Most probably, if you know the reasons behind your puppy’s loose stools, it will help you to see the vet on time. 

Some of the reasons for puppies’ diarrhea include:

• Stress
• Bacterial and viral infections
• Changes in diet
• Parasites
• Intake of toxic materials
• Allergies

Let’s take a look at some of them in detail:

Stress

If your puppy has been separated from its family, it might be possible he’s feeling some level of stress. Stress can cause diarrhea in puppies just like it does in humans. Shifting to a new environment can be stressful for your puppy. Meeting new pets in the house, new foods, vet visits, unexpected sounds might disturb him. 

You can help him deal with stress by doing simple things like giving him enough affection. Regular feeding, exercise, and playing with him can be helpful in this regard. Puppy diarrhea related to stress generally resolves quickly on its own. But it’s better to avoid any stressful situation for him as much as possible. 

Infections

Various infections are the common reason behind your puppy’s diarrhea. Puppies often get them by consuming rotten food or poop of infected animals. These infections can result in severe diarrhea, destroying their organs in a few days. 

Some of the common symptoms in puppies because of these infections include:

• Vomiting
• Severe diarrhea and dehydration
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Abdominal Pain

It’s better to see a vet immediately if you observe such symptoms because they can be dangerous for them. Besides, these infections can be prevented if you properly schedule their vaccinations. 

Changes in Diet

When it comes to sudden changes in diet, most puppies do not respond well. They have sensitive stomachs and find difficulty with particular kinds of foods. Few of them suffer from food allergies that result in diarrhea. Because of the variety of food available, there will surely be the right food for your puppy.

Diarrhea can also develop in puppies because of their overeating. So, always pay attention to the food quantity you are serving them. Besides, they can take anything inside the ground that seems interesting to them. This can be harmful sometimes as some materials can cause blockage in their intestines.

Parasites

Well, puppies are favorites of worms. Some of them were transferred through poop in puppies. While others, like roundworms, pass through the placenta from mother to puppy. Puppies having parasites suffer from bloody diarrhea. In addition, they seem thin and dull. Various parasites like roundworms and hookworms lead to puppies’ diarrhea and need veterinary attention. 

Treatment of Puppies Diarrhea:

Maybe you are wondering how you can treat your puppy’s diarrhea. So it’s pretty good to get a vet check first; however, milder symptoms of diarrhea can be treated at home. Particularly, home treatment is suitable if your puppy has had diarrhea for the last three days and still acts well. 

Here are some tips regarding treating diarrhea of your puppy at home:

• Try your best to provide water to your puppy as he can easily get dehydrated in such a situation. Watery diarrhea releases plenty of fluids and electrolytes from his body, so it’s necessary to provide them in sufficient amounts. If your puppy is resistant to drinking water, offering ice cubes to lick is a good choice. 
• Try feeding him a small proportion of broth every hour. It will be effective in providing the necessary rest to his digestive system. However, it’s better to consult a vet before fasting your puppy. 
• Moreover, a bland diet is a good choice for your puppy’s tummy. For instance, you can feed him plain cooked white rice or soft macaroni cooked in chicken broth without salt. For enhancing flavor, you can add plain yogurt as well. There are beneficial bacteria in yogurt that will balance the adverse effects of diarrhea in puppies. 

Prevention of Puppies Diarrhea:

Prevention is better than cure.

Though curious puppies’ diarrhea is common, it can be prevented. Let’s see how. 

• Gradual Diet Changes:

As puppies are sensitive to diet changes, they gradually switch toward a new diet to avoid digestive problems. You can get help from a vet regarding the transition schedule that best fits your puppy’s health requirements. 

• Vaccinations:

Proper vaccinations of puppies and regular vet checkups can reduce the chance of viral diarrhea in them. Vaccination against parvovirus disease is an effective way of its prevention as it is considered a fatal disease. 

• Maintain Their Environment:

Puppies are quite sensitive to their surroundings; you must ensure that it’s stress-free. Besides, it should be clean if your puppy lives in a shelter with other pets. Make sure to pick up puppies’ poop regularly as they can reinfect themselves by eating it. Be cautious during walks to avoid any plant consumption because feces in plants might cause diarrhea. 

Final Thoughts:

Diarrhea is common in puppies because their body systems are poorly developed. Besides, they are curious and want to know their surroundings through their mouths. Sudden dietary changes and stress can upset their tummy as well. 

Keeping an eye on what they are consuming and regular vaccinations help in preventing diarrhea. Analyzing diarrhea’s color and its consistency can be helpful while describing symptoms to a vet. Knowing whether diarrhea is an emergency or not can be possible by contacting a veterinarian. Raising puppies is not always fun and exciting, especially when keeping them safe and healthy.