Natural Treatment for Cat and Dog Diarrhea

Natural treatment for cat and dog diarrhea include probiotics, glutamine, and herbs like slippery elm. These ingredients help to firm runny or soft stools, heal the intestinal tract and support healthy bowel function in dogs and cats.

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Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats

Diarrhea is a common condition in dogs and cats but one with a variety of causes, including worms, bacteria, viruses, food allergies, toxic food, bone fragments or indigestible materials.  

The pet's body responds to these irritants by flushing them out of the system through increased bowel contractions  The quick movement of the intestine’s contents prevents the colon from absorbing much water and so the bowel movement contains a greater amount of water. 

In most cases, the diarrhea can be traced to indiscreet eating habits – eating from a tipped garbage can or ingesting spoiled foods or nonfood items – and treatment is relatively easy. 

When chronic diarrhea develops, it may indicate a more serious condition and an examination of the animal’s stool by a veterinarian is recommended.

Natural Treatment for Dog and Cat diarrhea

Related Topics:
Constipation
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Food Allergies
General Digestive Disorders
Detoxification
Hairballs

Newsletter Article: Common Causes of Dog Diarrhea

Natural Treatments for Dog or Cat Diarrhea

A 24-hour fast or liquid-only diet is necessary to give the digestive tract time to flush itself out and begin healing from the occurance of cat or dog diarrhea.  Encourage your pet to drink plenty of water during this time, to prevent dehydration.  Broth made from vegetables, rice, and some meat or a bone may be introduced within a day to replace the water, sodium and potassium sometimes lost during bouts of diarrhea. 

In addition to a fast and bland diet, nutritional supplements containing nutrients such as probiotics, amino acids and herbs can help replenish beneficial bacteria and soothe the lining of your pet's intestinal tract.

The following vitamins, herbs or other nutrients provide beneficial support to the digestive system:

• L-Glutamine - An amino acid which fuels intestinal cells and helps maintain mucosal cell integrity.
• Slippery Elm - An emollient that provides soothing protection for the mucus membranes of the intestinal tract.
• Saccharomyces boulardi - a beneficial yeast that decreases intestinal permeability.
• N-acetyglucosamine - Helps heal the inflamed bowel lining by supporting glycoprotein synthesis.
• Lactobacillus sporogenes - A probiotic that has been shown to help treat diarhea caused by bacterial overgrowth.
• DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) - supports the healing process in the intestinal lining by increasing blood flow and reducing muscle spasms.

Fasting, detoxification and diet are some of the first steps to take for many digestive disorders. For more information about treating specific conditions, see these webpages: Constipation, Food Allergies and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.