Just like humans, dogs can sometimes suffer from diarrhea. When this happens, some dog owners may find it rather worrying. However, there is no need to be overly concerned immediately. Just know that this could be caused by a number of factors.
These factors could range from something as simple as a poor diet to something much more serious that requires surgery. The first thing to do is to inspect your dog’s stool. There may be some telling signs about your dog’s health.
Causes of diarrhea in dogs
Causes for diarrhea are about the same for dogs of all ages, from puppy through senior. So, you do not have to take that into consideration. The most common cause of diarrhea in dogs is something having to do with their diet.
Diet
Your dog may have been eating too much grass, eating garbage, or had a change in their diet. Grass helps dogs accelerate their digestive process. So it is great for dogs that are constipated. But if your dog eats too much, they will develop diarrhea.
Rotten foods from the garbage can cause discomfort in the stomach and provoke your dog’s digestive system. Just as it would a human’s. Dogs can also experience diarrhea when you change their diet suddenly. Their digestive system would not be used to it yet. However, that will subside after a few days.
Weak immune system
The cause of the diarrhea could also be something more serious. For example, in puppies and dogs with weak immune systems, worms and other parasites can cause diarrhea.
Lodged foreign object
It could also be something extremely serious, such as a lodged foreign object. If your dog swallows something that they really should not, such as a rock, small toy, large bits of bone, or any other non-digestible items, they will experience diarrhea.
Items like this have to be removed surgically by a veterinarian. Otherwise, they can be fatal.
Disease
The diarrhea could also be from a disease, such as parvo. Inspecting your dog’s feces could lead to further information on the cause of the diarrhea.
Tell-tale signs from dog’s feces
Chocolate brown is the normal color of your dog’s feces. However, if your dog’s feces is green, that most likely means that they have eaten too much grass. This is not serious and you need not worry about it.
Streaks of red in the feces are most likely blood, which would mean cuts around your dog’s anus. Black stool is very bad because it means bleeding on the inside. This could be due to a foreign object lodged inside your dog.
Take your dog to the vet immediately if you see this kind of stool. White rice looking grains in the poop are signs of worms, which is another case in which you should see your vet.
