Diarrhea in dogs is a common occurrence. Though diarrhea and dogs is not always threatening to dogs health, the dog owner should know when to consult the veterinarian.

Dogs may develop diarrhea if they have eaten something they should have eaten, have contracted a viral illness, or they are experiencing a digestive intolerance to something in their food. Diarrhea is often the body’s way of flushing out toxins.Bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts more than a day or two is cause for concern in the dog owner should contact the veterinarian. If the diarrhea contains blood, it may look black or resembled tar. If the dog owner thinks that the diarrhea may be due to an ingestion of poison, the dog owner should contact the veterinarian immediately.If the dog appears to be struggling to breathe, this is a veterinary emergency. The dog should be seen by a veterinarian if the dog has lost weight or doesn’t seem to be able to relax or lie still.If a puppy that has not received all of its vaccinations develops diarrhea, the puppy should be seen by a veterinarian. Diarrhea in puppies is often caused by intestinal parasites. If a dog frequently has bouts of diarrhea, a veterinarian should be consulted to determine the cause of the frequent diarrhea and recommend treatment.The dog owner should take away the dog’s food and water at the onset of the diarrhea. The dog owner should occasionally give the dog small amounts of water. By restricting food and water intake, the dog’s digestive system may settle down.After the diarrhea has subsided, the dog should be fed only bland food. A common recommendation for food for a dog recovering from diarrhea is a mixture of two thirds cooked rice and one third cooked, lean meat. The lean meat can be chicken breasts or hamburger that has been patted with a paper towel to remove excess fat.Two or three tablespoons of plain yogurt can be added to the dog’s bland food mixture. The yogurt may help calm the stomach and replenish some of the healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. The special bland diet for the dog should be followed for a few days.