German Shepherd With Diarrhea? What to feed him?

I think you will agree that your German Shepherd’s runny poop is unpleasant to deal with, but it is normal for dogs to suffer from diarrhea from time to time, although it can be upsetting to see your dog suffering from any illness.

So what do you feed a German Shepherd with diarrhea?If your German Shepherd suffers from diarrhea and an upset stomach, it is best to frequently feed him small meals of soft, easy-to-digest foods, such as cooked white rice or pasta with some cooked skinless chicken.

Luckily, myGerman Shepherdrarely suffers from an upset stomach or diarrhea, but that may not be the case with your dog.So let’s dig deeper and see some simple things I do to prevent this.

Index

Why do German Shepherds have Diarrhea?

First of all, let’s see why German Shepherds sometimes get diarrhea.The German Shepherd breed is well known for having asensitive stomachand can get diarrhea relatively quickly.But don’t worry, your dog may have eaten something he shouldn’t have or may have contracted a mild stomach virus.

Even if you always keep an eye on your German Shepherd, it is surprising how he sometimes manages to get something he shouldn’t.

Less common or more serious causes of diarrhea in German Shepherds:

How to treat diarrhea in German Shepherds

If you have yourGerman Shepherd with diarrheaand he has vomited once or twice, the recommended initial treatment at home is to stop feeding him for the first 12 hours.This will allow whatever is in your dog’s system to get out.Then you can start to introduce soft fixation foods like cooked white rice.

If your German Shepherd has not vomited and has mild diarrhea with no other symptoms, you can slowly start introducing the white rice, perhaps with some cooked lean chicken meat.

These are some other recommended soft foods.It’s also important to check with your vet first if yourGerman Shepherdis new to any of these foods and to make sure they are cooked when appropriate:

Pasta
Potatoes
Sweet potato
Pumpkin
Chicken
Turkey
Plantain
Low fat cottage cheese
Yogurt

You should always cook potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a compound called solanine that istoxic to dogs.

Yogurt has beneficial bacteria that can help restore balance in your dog’s stomach and firm up the stool.

Give your German Shepherd this soft diet until the consistency of his stool returns to normal.You can then start mixing your dog’s regular food with the rice meals, slowly increasing the amount you feed until your dog returns to his regular diet.Most cases of diarrhea will pass quickly and usually within a couple of days.

You should also offer your German Shepherd small amounts of water frequently to ensure that he does not become dehydrated and to clean his system.

Give your German Shepherd ice cubes if they are not interested in drinking.This is also a good idea in hot weather.You can also invest in a pet water fountain that encourages hydration.

When should I see my vet?

You should always consult your veterinarian if the diarrhea is severe or persistent (more than 24 hours), or if your dog is a puppy, elderly, or suffers from an underlying health condition.

Puppies may be at particular risk as they are more susceptible to infections that cause diarrhea and can quickly become dehydrated.

Your vet may advise your German Shepherd to fast for up to 24 hours (depending on your dog’s circ*mstances), however this may not be appropriate for puppies, small breeds, or elderly dogs.Remember, all dogs are different, just like you and me!

You should also seek urgent veterinary attention if a dog of any age shows any of these additional symptoms:

Loss of appetite or thirst
Reduction or not of urination
Pain or discomfort
Lethargy
Repeated vomiting
Increased thirst or urination
Seizures
Blood in the poop
Signs of worms in poop

Your vet will treat diarrhea depending on the cause and further investigation may be necessary.

Tip: Never give your German Shepherd any anti-diarrhea medication beforeconsulting the vetto make sure it is safe for your dog and for advice on specific dosing instructions.

Is Cooked Rice Good For Dogs?

Rice is one of the most popular staples in the world and there are many different varieties.So what nutritional value does it offer?

Thewhite ricecooked long grain comprises 68% water, 28% carbohydrate, 3% protein and fat negligible.In a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) human serving, it provides 130 calories and is a valuable source of energy.It contains some micronutrients, however these are minimal.

Carbohydrates have become an important part of a German Shepherd’s diet, along with protein and fat.Rice is a carbohydrate and is often added to commercial pet foods.Carbohydrates are fine to feed your dog as long as it is fed in moderation, as too many can result in weight gain.

So is cooked white rice good for German Shepherd dogs with diarrhea?A healthy dog can generally eat both cooked white rice and brown rice.Brown brown rice is the healthier of the two, but you should only feed your dog white rice if he has diarrhea, as advised by theAmerican Kennel Club:

Brown rice is never prescribed for dogs that have gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea.It’s always white rice because our canine companions need the starch.Brown rice can be more difficult for a dog to digest because it is not as processed.

Why do vets recommend cooked brown rice to dogs with diarrhea?Cooked brown rice is often given to dogs suffering from stomach upsets and diarrhea for the following reasons:

It is extremely tasteless – helps to settle the intestine
Easy to digest
Low in fiber
Helps bind stool
Quick and easy to prepare

How to prevent diarrhea in dogs?

It would be impossible for your dog to never suffer from a rare case of diarrhea.However, if you follow these simple guidelines, you will help prevent diarrhea in your German Shepherd:

Make sure you are aware of all the poisonous foods that are dangerous for your German Shepherd.
Make sure your dog follows his usual diet.Do not feed any human leftovers that your dog is not used to.
If you want to change your dog’s usual food, transition gradually.
Avoid having guests in your house give you snacks, especially toxic foods they are unfamiliar with, for example, grapes or chocolate.
Be careful about feeding the bones as they must be raw and the correct type and size for your dog.
Keep all toxic substances out of your dog’s reach.
Make sure your garden does not contain any poisonous plants.The Pet Poison Helpline has a complete list of these.
If your dog is the “scavenger” type, keep all trash safe as moldy food is toxic.
Consider wearing a muzzle when you’re out in the woods or in the park to prevent your dog from rummaging through the garbage if he leans there.
Keep the antiparasitic treatment updated.Veterinarians recommend that it be done every three months, but check your breed.
Keep vaccinations up to date.
Exercise your German Shepherd regularly, especially if he is under stress.
Refrain from exercising your dog immediately before or after a meal.I like to give my German Shepherd a good hour on each side and this also helps prevent bloating.

conclusion

You and I have learned that even healthy German Shepherds can sometimes get diarrhea, so you don’t need to worry.However, now you are not only aware of the common causes of the German Shepherd with diarrhea and how to treat it safely at home, but also what to look for if the disease can be something more serious.

I hope you’ve found the ton of really helpful prevention tips that will help minimize the risk of this nasty, messy occurrence!

If you follow the advice of the home remedies, I am sure that your best friend will be back at it in no time.

German Shepherd With Diarrhea? What to feed him? - About German Shpherd (2024)