Bad stools from your dog? This is how you improve it!

Is the stool of your four-legged friend not as it should be? Don't panic, we understand that you are concerned. Bad stool is a common problem in dogs. It can have various causes, such as:

• Unhealthy intestinal flora;
• Food allergy or intolerance;
• Parasitic infection;
• Medicines;
• Medical condition.

If your dog suffers from poor stools, it is important to determine the cause and treat it. Here are tips to improve your dog's bowel movements:

• Feed your dog a healthy diet;
• Avoid allergens;
• Keep an eye on your dog's stool;
• Give your dog probiotics.

Symptoms of bad stools

Bad stools can manifest themselves in different ways. For example, the stool is too hard or too soft, comes too often or too little, or contains blood, mucus and undigested food remains.

Other symptoms of poor stool include:

• Abdominal pain : Watch for signs of discomfort, such as showing pain when touching the abdomen. The dog may also complain, move painfully or curl up.
• Nausea : Look for vomiting, gagging or other signs of nausea.
• Vomiting : If your dog is vomiting for no apparent reason, it could be a sign of digestive problems. It may also indicate an underlying medical condition.
• Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may indicate problems with digestion or nutrient absorption.
• Energy loss : A decrease in energy levels can go hand in hand with digestive problems.

Causes and solutions

Let's take a closer look at the causes and solutions for bad stools in your dog. Below you will find the most common causes.

Unhealthy intestinal flora

A dog's intestinal flora consists of billions of bacteria. These bacteria play an important role in digestion, the immune system and nutrient absorption.

When the balance of these bacteria is disturbed, for example due to stress, incorrect diet or medication, the dog can suffer from digestive problems.

An unhealthy intestinal flora is one of the biggest causes of bad stools. Fortunately, you can take steps yourself, such as administering probiotics and improving your diet. Probiotics, as living good bacteria, help to restore balance and improve the health of the intestinal flora.

In case of persistent problems, it is always good to consult a reliable veterinarian for appropriate advice and treatment.

Food allergy or intolerance

Food allergies and intolerances are common in dogs. A food allergy is an exaggerated response of the immune system to a particular food.

If the cause of poor stool is a food allergy, the only way to relieve symptoms is to eliminate the suspect food from the diet. This can be done by following a so-called elimination diet.

With an elimination diet, you give your dog a diet for 8 weeks that consists of one protein source and one carbohydrate source. If symptoms subside after 8 weeks, the suspect food is the cause.

Is the cause a food intolerance? Then give the food in smaller quantities. In some cases, it also helps to cook or process the food.

Parasitic infection

Parasites can infect the intestines and lead to inflammation, which results in poor stools. For example, there may be diarrhea, blood in the stool or inflamed skin.

Worms, such as roundworms and tapeworms, are common intestinal parasites in dogs. Giardia and Trichomonas are protozoan parasites (single-celled organisms) that can also cause gastrointestinal problems (problems with the digestive system).

Dogs pick up parasites in a variety of ways, such as eating contaminated food or water, sniffing contaminated feces from other animals, or even from fleas or ticks.

Regular deworming is very important to prevent parasites. For adult dogs this is about four times a year. This contributes to the maintenance of healthy intestinal flora. Also ensure a clean living environment and avoid contact with contaminated food. In addition, minimize contact with feces from other animals.

Medicines

Some medications have side effects that manifest themselves in poor stools. This is because medications can disrupt intestinal flora or affect digestion.

Medications that can cause side effects of poor bowel movements include:

• Antibiotics;
• Chemotherapy;
• Hormones;
• Remdesivir.

The treatment of poor stool due to medications depends on the type of medication. In some cases, the dose of the drug may be reduced or the dog may be given a different medication. In other cases, the vet may prescribe other medications to relieve symptoms.

Medical conditions

In rare cases, poor bowel movements are a symptom of an underlying medical condition. These conditions affect the digestive or intestinal system, causing poor stools. Consider liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes or autoimmune diseases.

It is important to visit the vet regularly for checkups and vaccinations so that medical conditions are detected and treated in time.

In some cases, the dog may be given medication to relieve symptoms. In other cases, the dog may require surgery to treat the condition.

Tips for preventing bad stools in dogs

Here are some simple tips to prevent bad stools in your dog.

Feed your dog a healthy diet

A healthy diet is the basis for good health, including digestion. Therefore, give your dog a diet that consists of fresh, unprocessed food. This means that your dog receives food that is as close as possible to its natural diet.

Fresh, unprocessed food contains all the nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy, including fiber. Fiber is important for healthy digestion. They ensure that the stool is soft and easy to digest.

Avoid allergens

Food allergies and intolerances can lead to poor bowel movements. If your dog suffers from bad stools, it is important to find out whether your dog is allergic or intolerant to a certain food.

You can do this by following an elimination diet, as we mentioned earlier. If your dog's symptoms improve after this period, the suspect food is the cause.

Keep an eye on your dog's stool

Your dog's stool tells you how healthy he or she is. If you notice any changes in your dog's stool, such as a change in color, consistency or frequency, it is a sign that something may be wrong.

By thinking about possible causes (as we've mentioned here) you can take steps to improve your dog's bowel movements. If you do not notice any improvement, always visit the vet.

Give your dog probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria that, when given to dogs, support healthy intestinal flora. In this way they drive out bad bacteria, allowing good bacteria to gain the upper hand.

Probiotics help with nutrient absorption, skin allergies, and a stronger immune system.

Dogsuppy Probiotics Forte contains a unique combination of probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics and parabiotics. This combination ensures that the good bacteria in your dog's intestines can settle and multiply properly. This helps to improve bowel movements and prevent bad stools.