CHOU2 FAQ: What Should I Do When My Dog has Loose Stool?

So, your dog is experiencing a bout of diarrhea. Don’t panic, pet parents. Whether it’s concerns about loose stool, general gastrointestinal tract health, abdominal pain, ingestion of human food, or other side effects that are plaguing their tummies, here are a few quick, easy tips to get things back on tract. (Get it?)

Remember, always talk to your veterinarian about any concerns relating to your dog’s diet, health, or routine. If your dog ingested a toxic substance, foreign body, or harmful chemical – contact poison control and your veterinarian immediately, and plan to get your dog to an urgent care.

Start a Bland Diet

Put a pause (paws) on treats, bones, and their usual dog food for a bit. Step one is a bland diet of white rice with ground beef, turkey, or chicken (boiled, or drained off if you decide to fry – and of course, no salt or other seasonings). A bland diet is necessary to keep their tummy calm and reset their digestion. Some pet parents opt for pumpkin puree (not pie filling) or bananas. Not the most appetizing combination, but even our friends at VCA agree: bland is best in these situations. If all goes well, and their stool returns to normal after a day or two, feel free to ease back into their regular food by offering a 50/50 mix of their normal diet and the bland diet. Your dog may miss his usual meal and routine, but getting his gut back on track is going to be much more important – he’ll thank you in the long run!

Understand the Causes of Diarrhea

Thankfully, the most common causes of diarrhea tend to not be anything to worry about. Most often, tummy troubles start with too many table scraps, a diet change or new food brand not quite settling in well, or simply a bug in their digestive tract. Thus, many cases of diarrhea can be solved with a short-term switch to a bland diet.

However, if you find that your dog’s diarrhea persists, there could be a number of factors impacting their gut health and immune system, such as a viral infection, sensitive stomach, food allergies or food intolerance, or other health issues. This is yet another situation where your vet will play an important role, especially if you are having trouble narrowing down the cause, or figuring out where to go next.

Consider Probiotics or Gastrointestinal Supplements

Whether your dog’s tummy troubles are short lived, or more frequent, you may find yourself turning to dietary supplements – like many pet parents and humans do. Diet alone often cannot solve for the variety of needs your dog faces, especially when it comes to gut health, regular bowel movements, and overall comfort. An over-the-counter probiotic and/or gastrointestinal supplement is certainly worth consideration, especially as your dog ages and their needs continue to develop.

CHOU2 PHARMA / CHOU2 PET WELLNESS Digest soft chews were crafted with touchy tummies in mind, giving some extra TLC to your pup’s gut. Boosted with pure, natural cannabinoids, CHOU2 calls Digest an upgrade to your standard probiotic. Best taken daily, and on an empty stomach, Digest can enhance your dog’s routine and have them feeling their best. Pet parents playfully say, Digest gives their dog the “best poops ever.” Hey, they said it first!