Diarrhea in Pets

Nothing is more alarming and annoying than finding out that your pet dog or cat has had an "accident" all over a newly carpeted room! Diarrhea and loose stools are a common clinical sign associated with many types gastrointestinal disorders.

Some of the more common causes of diarrhea in pets include:

• Intestinal parasites or "worms"
• Intestinal infections
• Change of diet or the feeding of table scraps
• Milk, fatty or spicy foods
• Intestinal tumors and polyps
• Medications
• Stress and many more

If your pet is acting normally otherwise, you may choose to restrict food intake for the next 24 hours to allow the GI tract to "rest." When you resume feeding, give bland, low-fat foods in small amounts frequently. Some examples include boiled rice, potatoes, combined with skinless chicken or lean ground beef, yogurt or low-fat cottage cheese.

If the diarrhea persists beyond 24 hours or if your pet develops other symptoms such as vomiting, bloody stools, or listlessness, contact your veterinarian immediately for instructions. Chronic diarrhea can be life-threatening in dogs and cats due to dehydration and loss of electrolytes.