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Diarrhea is a common health issue in dogs. It’s safe to say that all dog owners encounter this problem in their dogs sooner or later. Diarrhea has many different causes, from benign to serious, and it’s usually a stressful condition for the pet to experience and the owner to manage. In most cases, diarrhea is not a medical emergency — there are simple and effective ways to treat it at home. This article will show you a natural and science-backed plan to stop diarrhea and restabilize your dog’s digestion. It will also help you recognize when to pause the home remedies and call your holistic vet.
Types and Causes of Dog Diarrhea
There are two main types of diarrhea in dogs — acute and chronic. Acute diarrhea lasts no more than two weeks and typically resolves within a few days without a vet visit. Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, lasts over two weeks, doesn't respond to treatments, and requires close monitoring by a veterinarian. When dogs have diarrhea, anything they consume passes through them too quickly, so the body doesn't have time to properly absorb water and nutrients. Dogs with chronic diarrhea are especially at risk for nutrient deficiency and dehydration, so it's important to discover the underlying cause of diarrhea as soon as possible.
Diarrhea can be caused by a minor issue (stress, eating something they shouldn’t have, rapid dietary change), but it can also be the very first symptom of a larger problem (parasite, virus, organ dysfunction, poisoning, cancer). This is why it’s important to call your holistic veterinarian and bring them in the loop if your dog’s diarrhea lasts more than three days. They can guide you through the process of pinpointing the exact cause of diarrhea and advise you on the next steps.
That said, you should call a veterinarian immediately and NOT wait three days if your dog is showing the following symptoms in addition to diarrhea:
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea (red or black-colored stools)
- Not eating or drinking
- Weight loss
- Lethargy and apathy
The Four-Step Treatment Plan for Dog Diarrhea
The internet has a lot of contradicting suggestions on how to address diarrhea in dogs. The amount of information can be confusing and overwhelming, leaving you with more questions than answers. Should you switch your dog’s food? Should you give them chicken and rice? Hypoallergenic kibble?
The problem of diarrhea is often layered, and so the solution must be layered as well. You need a plan. A plan that’s easy to understand and simple enough to use at home. Below, you will find a step-by-step treatment plan for dog diarrhea that’s based on research and holistic veterinary suggestions. We recommend that you follow the steps in order, for maximum benefit and the most well-rounded approach.
Step 1: FASTING
The first step in treating dog diarrhea should always be fasting. Dogs are rapidly losing water and nutrients through watery stools, so they’re really not benefiting from food in those early stages of acute diarrhea. Any food they eat is irritating to their (already upset) gastrointestinal tract. It’s recommended that you fast your dog for 12 to 24 hours when they first show signs of acute diarrhea. Do not limit their water intake! They should always have fresh water available to prevent dehydration!
If you have second thoughts about fasting or are concerned about the safety of this approach, we have a detailed article on fasting that explains the scientific evidence behind it and shares the safest ways to do it. In the context of diarrhea, the goal of fasting is to reset your dog’s digestive system rather than continue burdening it with more food that won’t get properly digested.
Step 2: PROBIOTICS
Once the dog is fasting, it’s time to get their disrupted gut microbiome some extra help with probiotics. The research on the benefits of probiotics is endless. They’re easily the best and most essential supplement for your dog’s daily diet — even more so when your dog is suffering from diarrhea. Probiotics are healthy microorganisms that are essential for a balanced gut microbiome and good immune function. They support the entire immune system!
A study published in 2020 looked at 30 dogs with diet-related diarrhea. The researchers put them on a hypoallergenic diet in combination with a probiotic mixture. All dogs recovered within 15 days, with the average improvement time being eight days. Another study focused on stress-related diarrhea in 773 shelter dogs. 399 were given a probiotic together with a prebiotic (food for probiotics), and the rest were given a placebo.
In the first two weeks after being admitted to the animal shelter, only 19% of dogs in the probiotic group experienced diarrhea, in comparison to 27% of dogs in the placebo group. Dogs in the placebo group also had a higher percentage of diarrhea that lasted more than two days.
These two studies highlight a significant reason why probiotics should be one of the immediate lines of defense against dog diarrhea — we often can’t pinpoint the exact cause of diarrhea right away. And yet, probiotics have proven efficacy against different causes! By supporting the gut microbiome and immune functioning, they directly address the underlying cause, whatever it may be.
Step 3: NATURE’S MEDICINE
As your dog’s GI tract is resting by fasting and getting the necessary support from probiotics, it still may take a few days for digestion to normalize. That’s why the third step is to address the loose stools with nature’s medicine backed by science. The home remedies listed below are often sold as supplements specifically intended for dogs, which is the easiest way to use them.
Different supplements contain different herbal concentrations, so it’s important to follow the dosage disclosed on the package. If you decide to purchase the herbal remedies as they are (not in a pet-intended supplement), please consult a holistic veterinarian on the safest and most effective dosage for your individual dog. Here’s a list of the most powerful natural remedies:
- Slippery Elm is an absolute superstar. It's used in veterinary herbal medicine to treat a variety of stomach issues, including diarrhea, inflammation, and colitis. The mucilage (viscous fluid) in the herb creates a protective coating in the digestive tract, which soothes irritation and speeds up the healing process. An incredible study spanning over three years and including 197 veterinarians found that out of 2024 dogs given Slippery Elm as diarrhea treatment, 93% showed improvement within two days or four doses!
- Chamomile is another fantastic herb that your dog can benefit from when they have diarrhea. It relaxes the muscles of the GI tract, soothes digestive cramps, reduces bloating, and calms inflammation. It also has a calming, anti-anxiety effect, so it’s a great choice for dogs experiencing diarrhea caused by stress.
- Tormentil is recognized by the European Medicines Agency as a traditional treatment for diarrhea. One study looked at children suffering from diarrhea caused by a rotavirus infection. 40% of children treated with tormentil were diarrhea-free within two days. In comparison, the percentage for the placebo group was only 5%. Although there are no studies yet that specifically look at tormentil for dogs, the herb is generally considered safe for animals and recommended in veterinary herbal medicine. A study in rats showed that even higher doses (up to approximately 7 g per kg of body weight) didn’t have a toxic effect.
- Blackberries are packed with vitamins and are safe for dogs to eat. They contain a lot of tannin, which is a natural substance known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal effects on the GI tract. The leaves, roots, and fruit of the blackberry plant can all be used for diarrhea treatment, but using the fruit is the easiest and most common way to safely do it at home. The general veterinary recommendation is to feed between two and six blackberries per day, depending on the size of your dog.
- Berberine is a natural chemical found in certain plants with an antiparasitic effect. Plants that contain a lot of berberine (such as Oregon Grape and Goldenseal) can help treat diarrhea caused by parasite infections. You can read more about berberine and other natural parasitic treatments in this article.
- Activated charcoal is extremely helpful when your dog’s diarrhea is a direct consequence of ingesting a toxin. If they’ve accidentally eaten chocolate, xylitol, or a similar toxin, activated charcoal can absorb the toxin in the pet’s system and reduce its negative impact. However, it’s important to get in touch with your holistic veterinarian before giving activated charcoal because it’s not suitable for all pets and doesn’t work on all toxins.
Step 4: SLOW REINTRODUCTION OF FOOD
The final step of the plan is to end the dog’s fast and slowly reintroduce food. Many owners are unsure about what to feed a dog with diarrhea, and the veterinary opinions on this topic do somewhat diverge. Some recommend starting food reintroduction with a bland diet, while others say you can start offering your dog’s regular food right away, only in smaller quantities. The bland diet consists of rice (because it soaks up the moisture in the GI tract and hardens the stool) and lean protein (eggs, chicken breast, or fish).
This diet is not nutritionally complete and shouldn’t last more than a few days. The goal is always to get your dog back on their regular diet. While the bland transitional diet can be a good way to reintroduce food, if your dog is not used to eating those specific ingredients and is sensitive to quick dietary changes, then introducing something completely new to their already-upset digestive tract isn’t the best idea. You can safely reintroduce their regular diet by gradually increasing the amount with every meal.
Final Thoughts on Dog Diarrhea Treatments
Diarrhea in dogs is a complex issue with many possible causes, but thankfully, it can safely be managed at home in the majority of cases. It's important to be proactive from the very first day your dog shows signs of diarrhea. Knowing the crucial steps in the natural treatment plan enables you to spring into action immediately rather than being in a passive state of waiting. Fasting, probiotics, and natural remedies will holistically support your pup's irritated GI tract — within a few days, the diarrhea should resolve. If it doesn't, the diarrhea could be a symptom of a larger issue, so make sure to step in touch with your dog's holistic veterinarian and ask for additional guidance.
Sources
“Diarrhea: Worry or wait?” Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Rossi, Giacomo. Cerquetella, Matteo. Alessandra, Matteo. et. al. “Rapid Resolution of Large Bowel Diarrhea after the Administration of a Combination of a High-Fiber Diet and a Probiotic Mixture in 30 Dogs.” 10/02/2020, PubMed.
Rose, L. Rose, J. Gosling, S. Holmes, M. “Efficacy of a Probiotic‐Prebiotic Supplement on Incidence of Diarrhea in a Dog Shelter: A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Trial.” 10/02/2017, PubMed.
Wynn, G. Susan. Fougère, J. Barbara. “Veterinary Herbal Medicine: A Systems-Based Approach.” 15/05/2009, PubMed.
McCullough, W. Ricky. “Expedited Management of Canine and Feline Vomiting and Diarrhea. Observational Study in 3952 Dogs and 2248 Cats Using Sucralfate-Like Potency-Enhanced Polyanionic Phyto-Saccharide—Elm Mucilage.” 05/2013, Scientific Research.
Mitchell, C. Sandra. “Can Dogs Eat Blackberries?” 03/06/2022, PetMD.
Melzig, F. Matthias. Böttger, Stefan. “Tormentillae rhizoma – Review for an Underestimated European Herbal Drug.” 2020, Thieme.
Higgs, Veronica. “Activated Charcoal for Dogs and Cats.” 01/03/2023, PetMD.
Luna’s passion for learning about canine psychology and behavior began when she adopted a severely reactive puppy from a local shelter. She is now a big advocate for positive reinforcement and compassionate training. As a writer, she strives to spotlight the topics that fly under the radar and be the voice for all who cannot speak for themselves.
