Dog Nutrition : What Kind Of Food For Diarrhea Does Your Dog Need
Remember that dogs need different foods depending on their life stage. A puppy needs a different ratio of fat, protein, and carbs than a senior dog, for instance.
The foods above are all formulated for adults, though you can use them temporarily for a senior or puppy if your vet gives you the go-ahead.
Why Should You Give Your Dog A Low
A low residue diet is nothing but dog food with ingredients that are of high quality and easy to digest. It is one of the best choices for dogs with sensitive stomachs and digestive issues.
A low residue diet will regulate your dogs bowel movement and control excessive pooping. Plus, animal protein, nutritional values, and healthy fats are some of the essential ingredients that you need to look out for in a complete and balanced meal.
What Can I Do To Help Keep My Dog From Vomiting
In addition to finding the right food, there are a few things you can do to help keep your dog’s stomach from becoming upset.
First, avoid sudden changes in diet. If you need to switch foods, do so gradually over the course of a week or two. This will give their digestive system time to adjust.
Second, make sure they’re getting enough exercise. A dog who isn’t active is more likely to experience digestive issues.
Finally, add some probiotics to their diet. Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that help keep the gut healthy. They can be found in yogurt, fermented foods, and supplements. Adding probiotics to your dog’s diet can help reduce vomiting and diarrhea.
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Switching Dog Food For A Sensitive Pup
Its always wise to transition your dog from one dog food to another in a slow, gradual manner, but it is especially important to do so for dogs that do not digest well. Abruptly changing such a dogs food is just begging for additional problems, so make sure to take it slow.
Most veterinarians recommendstarting by giving your dog a bowl of food containing about 80% to 90% of their old food, and 10% to 20% of their new dog food. Increase the percentage of new dog food to about 30% to 40% on the next day, while reducing the quantity of the old dog food to about 60% to 70%.
Continue in this same manner until you are providing your dog with 100% of the new food the whole process should take about 5-7 days.
Not all dogs will a sensitive stomach will suffer gastrointestinal upset from a new dog food, and it may even start to produce positive results very quickly. In such cases, it may make sense to accelerate the pace of the switch. Youll just have to use your best judgment.
Why Do I Need To Feed A Bland Diet
The best way to prevent diarrhea in dogs is to feed them a high-quality commercial dry kibble. Dry foods contain less moisture than canned foods and therefore they dont require as much water to keep the food moist. Also, its important to note that adding too much water to dry food will actually increase the risk of developing diarrhea in dogs.
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Can Dry Dog Food Cause Diarrhea
Dry dog by itself cannot cause diarrhea. Often, switching your dogs diet for instance from wet food to dry food or vice versa, may be the reason behind the diarrhea. A dogs stomach is sensitive and may react to any sudden changes in feed.
Kibble is one of the best options to give your dog at the puppy, adult, or senior stages . It is preferred to wet dog food for several reasons.
Best For Gastrointestinal Tract: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food
The gastrointestinal system of your dog ensures that food is correctly digested and that the nutrients required for good health are extracted, thereby supporting the rest of the body.
Whether mild or acute, symptoms of gastrointestinal issues in dogs should be addressed with seriousness and a visit to the vet. This is where the Royal Canin product comes in.
For dogs who may have trouble digesting fat, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Canned Dog Food is a tasty, digestible low-fat food with a pleasing texture.
The support of digestive health is provided by a combination of highly digestible proteins, balanced fibers including prebiotics, and EPA+DHA. These also ensure that your canine buddies get enough calories to meet their daily needs. While the prebiotics help to regulate the good bacteria in the gut, the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in fish oil support and calm the GI system.
Since its a veterinary diet product, you cant purchase it without a prescription from a vet.
Based on a vets recommendation and prescription, a user got this for her Shi Tzu who needed to be placed on a low-fat diet. According to her, I was terrified when my pooch started losing weight without eating much. However, Ive noticed drastic changes since the vet prescribed this.
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Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
You should always avoid feeding your dog human food and scraps. However, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, chocolate, alcohol, coffee and foods containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol can all be harmful to your dog, so keep these foods out of reach and never feed them to your dog.
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Zignature Turkey Formula Limited Ingredient Dog Food
Image Zignature
When you feed your dog Zignature Turkey Limited Ingredient Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food, you fill their bowl with nutritious nutrition. Your dog will enjoy a delectable dinner prepared from real, farm-raised turkey from the American Midwest, whole peas, chickpeas, and flaxseed.
Zignature’s simple-to-make, meat-first recipe gives dogs the nutrients they need to thrive. Combine that with important antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and a host of vitamins and minerals, and you’ve got one happy pup.
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What Is The Cost For Treating Diarrhea In Dogs
The cost of treatment for diarrhea in dogs will include a vet visit, but can vary after that depending on how many tests are needed to diagnose the cause. You may incur additional fees if medications and follow-up visits are necessary.
In the most serious cases, hospitalization and supportive care will be necessary. These will add significantly to the costs.
- Meats: chicken, turkey, beef, bison, pork, lamb, venison
- Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, zucchini, summer squash, spinach, kale, collard greens, chard, thawed frozen peas
- Complex carbohydrates: brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, lentils, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, winter squash
Recommended Serving Amounts
- 2 pounds of food per day for a 100-pound dog
- 1 to 1 1/2 pounds of food per day for a 50-pound dog
- 1/2 to 3/4 pound of food per day for a 25-pound dog
- 5 to 6 1/2 ounces of food per day for a 10-pound dog
This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Every dogs dietary needs are different. Please consult with your veterinarian and use personal judgment when applying this information to your own dogs diet.
Blue Buffalo Basics Grain
Image courtesy Blue Buffalo
If your dog has allergies, they’re not alone. In fact, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, as many as 15% of Americans suffer from some form of allergy.
While there are a variety of things that can cause an allergic reaction in dogs , the good news is that there are a number of hypoallergenic dog food brands on the market that can help your furry friend feel better.
One of those brands is Blue Buffalo, which offers a variety of grain-free, natural, and hypoallergenic recipes designed to minimize your dog’s exposure to potential allergens.
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Which Is More Nutritious Wet Or Dry Dog Food
Wet food is generally more expensive and of a better quality than your regular kibble. However, wet food is less nutritious and can prove impractical when you have a large dog to feed.
The main reason wet food is less nutritious is the high water content, which can be as high as 84%. It will make the dog feel full quickly which may be of great help when your pet is a bit chubby.
On the other hand, the high water content is what makes wet food a great choice for dogs with urinary tract infections or pets who do not drink enough water on their own.
Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Bland Diet
For dogs with highly sensitive stomachs, Daves Pet Food offers their Restricted Bland Diet recipe offers a simple and easily digestible diet of chicken and rice. This bland recipe helps soothe queasy tummies which often occurs when a dog is stressed, or ill, or undergoing changes in its environment. Its ingredients include chicken, chicken liver, rice, water, and vitamin and mineral supplements.
- More sensitive stomach canned dog food reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Ingredients: Chicken, Water Sufficient for Processing, Brewers Rice, Guar Gum, Potassium Chloride, Minerals , Natural Flavor, Salt, Carrageenan, Choline Chloride, Vitamins
This dog food has a thick consistency and dogs love it. Some pet owners mix this with kibbles so that they could stretch 1 can for a couple of days. They can only say that feeding their picky dogs has never been simpler because their dogs now dont need so much wheedling as before. Dogs with sensitive stomachs, on the other hand, are thriving on Dave’s Pet Food Restricted Bland Diet. This agrees with their tummies and causes no upsets. Plus, they have beautiful skin and coat and great energy.
Another good thing they like is that this canned dog food can be bought without a prescription, which is very convenient. We find its formulation to be gentle enough for puppies, seniors, and those recovering from surgery or other ailments. It has a slight smell but is bearable otherwise. Besides, it doesnt bother the dogs.
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Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice
Purina Pro Plan Focus Salmon & Rice Entrée Classic has a single source of protein for easy digestion. This makes it easier to provide dogs with nourishment while avoiding certain meats and protein sources. It also contains rice, potato protein, carrots, and vitamins and minerals for sufficient energy and overall health.
- More sensitive stomach canned dog food reviews: Read opinions of other pet owners
Ingredients: Water Sufficient for Processing, Salmon, Rice, Fish, Potato Protein, Corn Oil, Carrots, Inulin, Potassium Chloride, Carrageenan, Locust Bean Gum, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Tricalcium Phosphate, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Niacin, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Biotin, Sodium Selenite
This canned wet dog food has been proven many times to be quite effective in solving GI and skin issues in dogs. Some dogs that were fed with Hills Science Diet Sensitive Stomach & Skin still had occasional throwing up episodes with that food. Fortunately, their pet owners found Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice and were quite successful with the results. Indeed, different formulas for different dogs.
What Is Blue Buffalo Dog Food Made Of
Blue Buffalo dog food is made from 100% natural chicken and turkey products. Blue Buffalo uses only the highest quality ingredients. Not many people know, but Blue Buffalo dog food is made right here in the good ole USA.
Most of the ingredients are made in the US as well. The components are then delivered to Blue Buffalo dog food facilities, stored, and processed.
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Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets
Image courtesy Natural Balance
This food is made with sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of carbohydrates and fiber. It also has fish, which is a great source of protein.
It is grain-free and does not contain any artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This food is made in the USA with high-quality ingredients. Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets is perfect for dogs with allergies or sensitivities.
What Ingredients To Look For
Just as important as knowing what ingredients to avoid is knowing which ones to look for and include.
- Ingredients that are highly digestible You want to look for ingredients that your dog will find easier to digest. Good options include chicken, lamb, rice, and potatoes. You can also look for foods with high fiber content to help solidify your dogs stools. Moderate fat content is also ideal, as too much can cause pancreatitis. The ideal would be about 5-20%.
- Probiotics These helpful bacteria can improve digestion. Just keep in mind that formulas with probiotics will have expiration dates that are potentially shorter than with other foods, as the bacteria must still be viable.
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If Your Dog Has Diarrhea Talk To Your Vet Before Choosing A Dog Food
Remember, you should always talk to a veterinarian if your dog has diarrhea for more than a few days.
It might be the food that they are eating, and switching their food will help. But it could be something that requires treatment that is making them ill.
Your vet will be able to recommend the right food to help the process along. You can even show them this list and see which they would select.
Dog Food Hack Adding Water To Dry Dog Food
If you add too much water to dry dog food, it will not only cause diarrhea, but it will also damage your dogs stomach lining. The best way to avoid this problem is to mix the dry food with warm water before feeding it to your dog. This will ensure that the food gets wet enough so that it doesnt clump together and form lumps.
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How Do I Know If My Dog Has A Sensitive Stomach
Just as theres a wide range of human allergies, there are different dog food intolerances that your dog could have. For example, most dogs have some level of lactose intolerance, which means they cant digest the sugar found in cows milk. For this reason it is not recommended to feed dogs any dairy products. Dogs can also be affected by the gluten in wheat.
Vets tell us that other common dog food intolerances are:
At James Wellbeloved we make hypoallergenic dog food by carefully choosing our ingredients to avoid these common allergens.
Another common problem is poorly digested starch. Starch is a fantastic energy source for dogs, but they cant digest it fully unless it has been properly cooked. Poor digestion of starches can lead to a fibre imbalance. Symptoms of a fibre imbalance include:
- more frequent runny stool
Dogs need both soluble and insoluble fibres, but they must be balanced properly.
If youre ever unsure, its always good to visit a vet to find out exactly what food intolerances your dog may have. Sometimes these stomach sensitivities can change during your dogs lifetime.
When Should I Call The Vet About My Dogs Sensitive Stomach
Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog vomits several times within a short time frame, continues to vomit for more than 24 hours or has any of the following symptoms:
- Continued dry heaves without vomiting
- Bloated belly or painful tummy
- Constant vomiting with no breaks in between
- Hes a puppy or senior dog with other illnesses
- Blood or black coffee-like granules in his vomit or stool
- Dehydration: sunken eyes, sticky gums
- Signs of lethargy and disorientation
- Sleeps frequently or collapses
These symptoms can indicate a more chronic, serious problem like irritable bowel disorder, gastric bloat or pancreatitis, which require treatment from your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Take heart, its common for dogs to have sensitive stomachs. If addressed early, your dogs digestive problems can be resolved successfully and he can get back to his normal routine.
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Best For Small Dog Breeds: Merrick Lilplates Grain
Heres another one for your fur babies with sensitive stomachs. The gravy meal is a fantastic alternative for many puppies since its first ingredient is real, deboned chicken and it has no gluten fillers.
Thanks to the omega-fatty acids, prebiotics, vegetables, and other essential minerals in this product, your little puppy is guaranteed to enjoy improved digestion, balanced nutrition, healthy skin and coat, and increased hip and joint performance.
This product is easy to use, but it has plastic packaging which may put off environmentally conscious dog parents.
A user fed this to his Pomerinarian who didnt particularly enjoy the larger canned food that required refrigeration for her subsequent meals. In his words, Im glad to have found a well-portioned product that works.
What Causes Puppy Diarrhea
Puppies are vulnerable to parasites. They are born with parasites or can pick them up from their surroundings. Parasites cause puppy diarrhea. Some of them need to be treated by a veterinarian.
Final thoughts
Does wet dog food cause diarrhea? Wet food may cause digestive troubles in your dog, so begin with little amounts to allow his digestive tract time to adjust to the change in diet. You may also offer your dog a mixed diet of wet and dry food.
If your dog is prone to a smelly stool problem because of a sensitive tummy, dont feed him wet food until he has fully adapted. Start with small amounts and work your way up.
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