What To Feed Dogs With Diarrhea: These Dietary Staples Might Already Be In Your Kitchen
Woman picking up poop on a hike with her Maltese Provided by Pawtracks Woman picking up poop on a hike with her Maltese
Just like with children, adopting a dog comes with its fair share of messes. Whether you have torn-up squeaky toys strewn about your house or a muddy dog streaking through the yard, these are the things pet owners have to learn to take in stride. Besides, a little mess can be fun sometimes!
Dog diarrhea, though, is the opposite of a fun mess. No one enjoys trying to clean up something so runny and stinky, and it’s even more miserable being on the other end. Fortunately, there are some easy home remedies for dog diarrhea that you can make in your own kitchen Odds are, you already have some of these ingredients!
Here’s what to feed dogs with diarrhea.
Pumpkin is packed with helpful nutrients to help a dog’s system reset
When your dog has diarrhea, you might not think of feeding them some pumpkin, but this vegetable can be a great source of bowel-regulating soluble fiber. Believe it or not, this fiber also helps dogs with constipation, so pumpkin can be a great choice whenever your pup is under the weather.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), this autumnal vegetable is also packed with nutrients:
Vitamin E
Thiamin
Niacin
Vitamin B6
Folate
Iron
Magnesium
Phosphorous
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Riboflavin
Potassium
Copper
Manganese
With just a little pumpkin, your dog can start to get their strength back while their system re-regulates. It’s important to double-check that you’re feeding your pup plain pumpkin puree, as the ingredients in seasonings or pumpkin pie filling can do more harm than good.
The rear view of a small black dog as they face a door © Provided by Pawtracks The rear view of a small black dog as they face a door Chicken and rice is a canine classic, and it can be great for dog diarrhea, too
Even rookie dog owners hear about the benefits of chicken and rice for pups that need a temporary bland diet. This staple offers a bit of protein and fat alongside a bland starch, so your dog will feel full and still get some nutrition while they’re under the weather. Both of these ingredients are easy for canines to digest, though the AKC advises owners to stick with plain white rice, as brown rice can be a bit harder to digest.
Even rice water has benefits for dogs! The AKC lists this ingredient as something to feed a dog with diarrhea, though you may need to add a splash of chicken broth for flavor. So while you’re preparing rice for your pup, don’t forget to save the water you rinse it with.
A tiny Yorkshire rerrier puppy squats to poop in green grass © Provided by Pawtracks A tiny Yorkshire rerrier puppy squats to poop in green grass Chicken or bone broth can be a helpful ingredient for dogs with diarrhea
In the same way that rice water can take the edge off an upset stomach, so can bone broth.
Broth can be easily purchased at any grocery store, so no preparation is required. However, if you decide to buy broth, make sure to choose plain broth with no additives or extra salt.. Some popular brands include Kitchen Basics, Swanson Chicken Bone Broth, and Brodo Beef Bone Broth
.While making your own broth from scratch is an option, it requires more time and effo You don’t want to take an accidental step in the wrong direction! Unseasoned broth can be mild on a dog’s stomach, which is ideal for when their body needs to reset.
If you choose to make broth at home, the AKC recommends filling a slow cooker with bones like beef marrow or poultry joints. Then, it suggests you “cover the bones with 2-3 inches of water, cover [with lid], and cook on low for 20-24 hours.” Your broth won’t harden until you transfer it to the refrigerator for several hours. At this time, a layer of fat will separate, too, so your broth will be ready for storage and use.
Bone broth can be great to use on top of plain white rice when a dog is feeling picky, though it can even be added to water to make it even more enticing. After all, hydration is ultra important when a dog has diarrhea.
A large dog squats to poop in a field of tall golden grass © Provided by Pawtracks A large dog squats to poop in a field of tall golden grass Cooked white or sweet potatoes are other starchy options that are easy to digest
Potatoes don’t always come to mind as a super food for dogs, but sure enough, they are easy to digest for pups dealing with stomach trouble. You can choose between white potatoes or sweet potatoes, notes Chewy, but whichever you pick, remember this: Dogs cannot eat raw potatoes. That’s because spuds contain solanine, a chemical compound that can be toxic to some canines.
To cook potatoes for your dog, try baking or boiling them until they’re soft all the way through. Cutting them into bite-sized pieces is usually the way to go, but you can also mash the potatoes for dogs that need something softer. Remember not to add milk, cheese, or any other ingredient to any potatoes you’ll be feeding your dog. Plain is perfect, especially when your furry friend is already dealing with diarrhea.
It is possible that some of these items are already available in your kitchen.. You never know when your dog will come down with diarrhea, and keeping your pup fed with bland foods like these can make a world of difference. . . . . Remember, your veterinarian is your best resource for ensuring your dog’s health and happiness.. Most of the time, though, these foods and a little time is all your fur baby will need to start feeling better.
How To Feed Your Adventure Dog
Summer’s almost here. You’re planning and preparing for warm-season outdoor adventures. And the food you put in your body powers your hikes, climbs, runs, and bike rides. .Your dog is subject to the same truth. Here’s everything you need to know about fueling your dog the same way you fuel yourself (sort of), so you can have a summer full of memories with your four-legged adventure buddy.
It All Starts with Nutrition
How do dog owners support their pups so they get the most out of their time outside? It all starts with dog-specific nutrition.
A little bit of science for you: Just like humans, a dog’s diet supports its performance. Unlike humans, dogs are built to tap into fat stores for stamina. While humans burn carbs (or glycogen stores) to support their endurance during exercise, dogs rely on fat oxidation to perform. Burning fat for energy requires more oxygen and a higher VO2 max. That’s why dogs need increased fat in their diet and higher oxygen capacity to boost endurance.
A diet high in fat and protein fuels an active dog’s metabolism and optimizes VO2 max. Purina Pro Plan Sport dog food formulas are made to support canine athletes with high levels of fat, not carbohydrates, to provide energy. The recipes also include amino acids to nourish muscles, plus glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids for mobility and joint health.
The result is a dog that’s fueled with the strength and stamina to run alongside you on every big outing.
Dogs: Built for Endurance
Dogs are natural athletes. Their seemingly endless energy and powerful muscles help them keep up with–and sometimes smoke–their humans on the trail. They make it look easy. Maybe too easy. Curious how your dog can go from couch to 5K while you’re spending hours training? There’s a simple answer: it’s all in the VO2 max. And dogs have some impressive stats.
Pro Plan Sport dog food formulas are made to support canine athletes. (Photo: Purina Pro Plan)
1. This unit is commonly used to describe the quantity of oxygen consumed by the body from inspired air under basal conditions
2. The standard oxygen consumption value equivalent to one metabolic equivalent (MET) is generally assumed to be 3.5 ml/min/kg resting oxygen consumption (VO2 resting)
3. However, this value may not be appropriate for elderly people, as the energy expenditure equivalent to 1 MET is likely to vary with age . Human athletes typically range from 60 to 85 for women and 70 to 85 for men, while a sled dog can have a VO2 max as high as 240.
Simply put, dogs consume oxygen more efficiently than humans when exercising at maximum capacity. That increased efficiency gives them more energy and improved endurance.That’s why when you’re out for a stroll, your furry friend is happily trotting alongside you, getting the exercise they need and keeping you both healthy and happy.
Feeding for Adventure
You’d never skip breakfast before a workout. But unlike humans, dogs do not need to fuel up immediately before exercising. A dog’s metabolism takes about 20 to 24 hours to completely digest a meal, even if your food-mongering lab tries to convince you otherwise. That means when you head out on your morning run together, your dog’s body is still processing food from dinner the night before. To keep your dog moving at top speed, feed them two to three hours before moderate exercise–short hikes, neighborhood runs, and the like. If you’re heading out on something more intense, opt for a small meal or even no meal before. Your dog will still have the nutrition it needs, because dogs derive the most nutrition from meals ten to 12 hours after eating. Feed your canine companion 30 to 60 minutes after a high-energy adventure. Of course, trail snacks are always welcome.
Empowering Owners. Advancing Nutrition. And Improving Pets’ Lives. Pro Plan is reimagining what breakthrough pet nutrition can do. Our pioneering mindset inspires us to turn the impossible into incredible new products that can help pets enjoy a happier, healthier life and strengthen the bond they share with their owners. Visit ProPlan.Com to learn more.
For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
Grossest Ingredients In The Food You’re Feeding Your Dog
Feeding your pup the wrong food isn’t just cruel, it might end up shortening your dog’s lifespan significantly.
Like low-quality food for humans, cheap dog food will often be full of fillers, additives and preservatives that have no business being in your dog’s bowl.
. How many of these can you find in your dog’s current brand? This tip is brought to you by our sponsor.
1. BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) It may extend the product’s shelf life but at the cost of your dog’s kidney and liver function.
2. Meat of dubious origin
Meat meal is much like the stuff you’ll find in cheap fast food burritos. Unsurprisingly, it contains much less meat than it appears, often through extra water or other fillers.
Low-quality meat from unusual animals or meat that’s too old to sell in its unadulterated form might all be included in filler meat. If the label doesn’t say what it is explicitly, proceed with caution.
3. Flour
Flour is a perfectly acceptable binder for human food. For dogs, refined and bleached starches can spike blood sugar levels and even contribute to pet obesity.
4. Vegetable oil and rendered fat
Fat and oil in excess aren’t healthy for your dog. Rendered fat should be avoided for the same reason meat filler should be. Some sources claim that the carcasses used to make it can occasionally be sourced from animal shelters.
5. Nitrates and nitrites
Both meat-curing ingredients have been linked to high blood pressure and cancer in canines. They’re found in things like bacon and cured ham, so limit how much of these treats your dog gets.
6. Corn syrup
Like shopping for yourself, foods containing corn syrup (especially in excess) are best left on the shelf. This stuff can give your dog diabetes and cause them to gain weight. Studies show that it might even be chemically addictive.
Treat your pup to some five-star cuisine
What are you feeding your dog? Chances are, even if it’s premium or organic dog food, it contains 50% to 64% processed cereal byproducts with little nutritional value.
For 45+ years, Dr. Marty Goldstein has been a pioneer in pet nutrition. Nature’s Blend is a premium freeze-dried, raw dog food made in North America, designed to mimic what your dog would eat in the wild.
Get this: 81% of the food is made from real cuts of raw turkey, raw beef, raw salmon and raw organ meats. The rest is omega-3-rich seeds, superfood veggies and fruits. They offer a hassle-free, full refund within 90 days of purchase if your dog doesn’t love it.
