How to Cure Loose Stools in a Puppy
Loose stool in puppies is not unusual. Changes in food can upset the digestive tract. Puppies are also in a stage when they are going through a lot of transitions and stress. They leave their moms and siblings for the first time. They often go to a new home and must learn to live with new humans and new animals. They are exploring their world with their mouths, chewing and biting on all kinds of substances. And, puppies often have intestinal parasites. There are several actions you can take to treat your puppy's loose stools.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription deworming medication
- High-quality puppy food
- Canned pumpkin
- Tennis ball
- Boiled chicken
- Cooked rice
Instructions
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1
Take your puppy to the veterinarian for a fecal exam. The exam will determine if the puppy has intestinal parasites. Administer deworming medication as instructed by your veterinarian.
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2
Establish a feeding routine for your puppy. Depending upon your puppy's age, meals should be provided two to three times a day. Puppies may overeat, causing loose stool, if they have access to food all day.
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Add a little fiber to your puppy's diet. Fiber will help to firm the puppy's stool. A tablespoon of canned pumpkin once a day--either as a treat or with a meal--is a good source of fiber.
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Do not feed your puppy human foods. Feed your puppy high-quality, age-appropriate food and healthy treats.
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Try to get your puppy to slow down when he eats. Many puppies eat frantically, which can lead to poor digestion. If your puppy feels as though he has to compete with other pets and gobble down his food before the other dogs take it, feed him alone. Try placing a tennis ball in the center of his dry kibble. If he has to pick around the ball to get to the food, he will slow down.
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Feed your puppy a bland diet for a few days. Withhold food for eight hours if the puppy is older than 8 weeks (never withhold food from a puppy younger than two months). At the end of the eight hours, offer the puppy a meal of boiled chicken and rice. Feed this diet at the puppy's next couple of feedings and then gradually add in more of his regular food and decrease the amount of chicken and rice until he is again eating only his regular food.
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Tips & Warnings
Loose stool can be a first symptom of parvovirus. If your puppy's loose stool progresses to diarrhea, you should take the pet to a veterinarian immediately to ensure the puppy doesn't have parvo.
