As much as animal owners love their precious dogs, one of the most common problems that they need to deal with is unpleasant diarrhea. This type of gastrointestinal ailment is not only messy and smelly, but it can also cause panic and fear among dog owners. It can lead to more severe symptoms like dehydration.
Because of this, most owners tend to call their veterinarians to seek treatments for dog diarrhea. But what causes this simple yet troublesome situation that always bothers dogs and their loving parents? Here are some of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs.
Dietary Changes
Unlike humans who can change what they eat all the time, dogs cannot adjust to new types of food in an instant. It would generally take a few days before their digestive system accepts the new kind of food offered to them.
For example, the dog that only ate kibble all his life then suddenly gobbled a can of dog food will react to the sudden changes in his diet. He will end up having an upset stomach characterized by frequent and watery stools.
Because of this reason, vets suggest that dog owners should introduce new food items gradually until they get used to it to avoid dog diarrhea.
Poor Diet Habits
Another common cause of diarrhea in dogs is their poor eating habits. Most of these furry pets will eat whatever they see, including dirty garbage and stool. They also eat spoiled food items that they managed to dig out from the trash. All these can cause gas problems, upset stomachs, and dog diarrhea.
Pet owners may also be another reason why their beloved animals suffer from dog diarrhea. They tend to spoil their dogs by giving them their leftovers with high sodium and sugar content. It could affect the sensitive digestive system of their pets.
Bacterial Infection
Meanwhile, dog diarrhea can also stem from consuming raw or improperly cooked meat infested with bacteria. The meals using meat exposed to elements or decaying vegetables may also cause this type of disease. These food items can bring dangerous bacteria like salmonella, campylobacter, streptococcus, and E. coli.
When these entered the dog’s body, they will suffer from bacterial infection. Dogs who have it experience vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. In these cases, a trip to the veterinarian is a must.
Viral Diseases
Some dogs, especially young puppies, are susceptible to many fatal diseases like Parvovirus, coronavirus, distemper, and other rotaviruses that can trigger unpleasant diarrhea. All these diseases are highly infectious. Exposure to other mammals suffering from these can increase the risks for dogs to get the same ailments.
Once these diseases entered the dog’s body, he will show several signs of getting the virus. The symptoms include lack of appetite, vomiting, as well as diarrhea. Fortunately, pet owners can prevent these diseases through regular vaccination.
Side Effects of Medication
If the dog needs to take any medication, he may also be at risk of having dog diarrhea. Some types of medicines that can cause stomach upset include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories meds (NSAIDs) like Meloxicam and Metacam used for pain relief. Once symptoms of diarrhea immediately appeared, dog owners may talk to their veterinarian to ask for alternative treatments to avoid unwanted side effects.
These are just a few of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs. It would help the pet owners and the veterinarian to know the right cure for the dog if they can recognize which of these are causing the disease in their precious pooch.
Most of the time, dog diarrhea will go away on its own after three to four days. But unusual symptoms like the presence of blood or mucus in the stool, loss of appetite, fever, and sudden weight loss could mean something serious. It will need immediate medical treatment to save the life of the beloved pet.
