Puppy Has Diarrhea But Still Playful: Your Questions Answered
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Why Is My Puppy Acting Normal But Has Diarrhea?
It is possible for puppies to act normal while having a bout of diarrhea or loose stools. However, the entire “puppy has diarrhea, but still playful“ scenario is confusing and needs close monitoring.
Puppies can act normally during a mild case of diarrhea as long as they have the following:
- Plenty of Water. Watery poop makes dogs lose plenty of water. To compensate for the losses and maintain healthy hydration, the puppy needs to drink as much water as possible.
- Rest. You will see your puppy resting a lot during cases of diarrhea. It is important to give it its space to recover from common causes of diarrhea.
- Bland Diet. A bland diet consists of boiled white rice and chicken, and it is best for soothing a puppy’s upset stomach. Instead of a bland diet, puppies with diarrhea can be offered prescription puppy food formulated for sensitive digestive systems.
- Probiotics. Probiotics help manage diarrhea before it becomes a serious problem. Not only do they soothe an upset stomach, but they also improve the dog’s gut bacteria. This reduces the causes of puppy diarrhea, especially in new puppies.
Is it Normal for Puppies to Have On and Off Diarrhea?
Yes, puppy diarrhea is common, especially after they arrive in their new homes and start eating a new diet.
However, if the diarrhea bout lasts for over two days or it has bloody diarrhea, the puppy needs to be checked by a veterinarian.
Puppies have underdeveloped immune systems and are prone to many health issues, both infectious and non-infectious.
Common infectious causes of diarrhea are bacterial infections (Salmonella & E. coli), viral infections (distemper, parvo & coronavirus), and intestinal parasites (hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, tapeworms, Giardia & Coccidia).
Non-infectious diarrhea causes in puppies include dietary indiscretions (eating table scraps, non-food items, or garbage), food allergies, and sudden implementation of new foods.
- Specially formulated with both dog probiotics and prebiotics.
- Avoid diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation, and many other problems.
- Helps promote the production of natural antibodies, fight free radicals, and support a healthy immune system in your dog.
How Long Is it OK for My Puppy to Have Diarrhea?
Generally, any diarrhea episode that lasts for more than a day requires veterinary attention. This is because of the risk of side effects such as dehydration. Also, prolonged diarrhea can be a sign of a more serious and potentially life-threatening underlying condition.
Should I Keep Feeding My Puppy if He Has Diarrhea?
Many veterinarians recommend withholding food for a short while to give your dog’s gastrointestinal tract to rest and recover. This can then be followed up with a bland diet, including cooked chicken and rice.
What Should I do if My Puppy Has Diarrhea and Is Not Eating?
There are some home treatment options for dogs with mild cases of acute diarrhea. These include:
- Bland Diet. Give your puppy a bland diet. Keep table scraps and human foods off the menu until the puppy’s upset stomach settles.
- Supplements. Supplements for digestive health, including probiotics and prebiotics, are more than helpful in managing puppy diarrhea.
- Pumpkin. Pumpkin for dog diarrhea is great. You can use cooked or canned pumpkin (just ensure it is not pumpkin pie filling as it often contains xylitol and other potentially harmful ingredients).
If these tips are not working, it is best to seek proper veterinary care.
How do I Treat My Puppy’s Diarrhea at Home?
If you plan on treating your dog’s diarrhea at home, do not use human meds without consulting with a vet. Here are some over-the-counter products for managing the “puppy has diarrhea but still playful“ situation.
Summary: These probiotics for dogs have been specially formulated with both dog probiotics and prebiotics. The probiotics inhibit the growth of harmful gut bacteria, while the prebiotic stimulates the growth of gut flora.
It helps to prevent diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation, and many other stomach-related problems. It also offers superior digestive health thanks to its optimal blend of ingredients in the dog supplement powder. Additionally, these probiotics and digestive enzymes boost the overall well-being of your dog.
Review: This probiotic supplement benefits your dog’s digestive and immune systems, in addition to healthier-looking fur and skin. Pet parents give this product 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Summary: PetLab Co. Digestive Support Bites offer dogs dietary support for strong and healthy gastrointestinal, skin, and coat conditions. Made with the real goodness of turkey meat, this product provides a delightful and efficient approach to support your dog’s digestive system and relieve gut issues such as diarrhea and constipation.
They also contain high-quality ingredients including pumpkin, organic apple cider vinegar, and rosemary extract. Moreover, these chews are great sources of vitamins A, C, and E, which are all essential for overall immune function.
Review: Customers give PetLab Co. Digestive Support Bites a 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon with very desirable reviews. Many of them say this supplement helped their dog with digestive issues and they loved the flavor.
Summary: Meaningful Tree Prebiotics for dogs developed a proprietary way to combine extra virgin olive oil and acacia fiber into an effective prebiotic. This vet-approved super-powder helps balance a dog’s gut microbiomes and fights inflammation. The high-quality extra virgin olive oil also helps keep your dog’s coat moisturized and adds visible shine. Acacia fiber is also beneficial for heart health and can lower cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, and stabilize blood sugar levels.
Review: Dog owners have noticed a positive impact in their dog’s gut health after using Meaningful Tree Prebiotics. They love that they can simply add the powder on top of their dog’s daily meal. Customers even say they’ve noticed a healthier and shiner coat after using the prebiotic.
Summary: This advanced medicine is made to soothe the upset stomach and stop diarrhea. The diarrhea medication is suitable for use in cases of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and gas relief.
The active ingredients help relieve diarrhea without leaving your dog dehydrated. This product has fast absorbent action, which helps alleviate the irritation, discomfort, and cramping associated with dog diarrhea within 2-3 days.
Review: The dog diarrhea medicine provides relief for dogs thanks to its potent pectin fiber and kaolin clay formula suitable for all dogs. Pet parents give this product 4.3 out of 5 stars.
Summary: This product helps keep your dog’s health in prime condition. The probiotic helps with digestion and to maintain a healthy balanced in your dog’s gut. It also contains unique ingredients that help fight free radicles and build your dog’s immunity against common infections.
It contains an all-natural prebiotic called inulin derived from chicory that promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.
Review: This product helps fortify your dog’s immune system with good bacteria. It is produced in a GMP-certified facility to ensure optimum quality and safety. Pet parents give this product 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Summary: Every probiotic soft chew works great against typical tummy troubles and irregular digestion. It also supports normal gut flora and bowel movements. This promotes healthy digestion and improved gut health.
The product is formulated with 100% traceable and vet-approved functional ingredients. The brand’s supplements jars are 100% recyclable, making them extremely environmentally friendly.
First-time customers can also get 20% off their first auto-ship order using the code VET20!
Review: These delicious soft chews support the healthy immune function of your pet. These will leave your pet feeling free of tummy troubles and irregular digestion. Pet parents give this product 5 out of 5 stars.
- Provides nutritional support for a healthy gut, skin, and coat
- Made with powerful ingredients such as organic apple cider vinegar and pumpkin
- A hefty source of vitamins A, C, and E, hence strengthening your dog's natural defenses
When Should I Take My Puppy to the Vet for Diarrhea?
You should take your puppy to the vet for diarrhea if it lasts for more than a day or two or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Unusual drooling
- Lack of appetite
- Dehydration.
