Knowing the common causes of diarrhea in Shiba Inu and how to treat minor cases safely at home can help you get your dog back on track quickly. Dealing with dog diarrhea is never fun for both of you and it really does put a damper on those adventures with Fido! Therefore, make sure you know to recognize the warning signs when something’s not right so that he can stay happy and healthy. We’ve got tips to help them feel better, including what foods should be avoided at all costs–and which ones will be actually good for their digestive system.
What can cause diarrhea in Shiba Inu?
Diarrhea is one of the most common issues that occur in our pets. Runny stool and bad smell are probably the worst things you could expect you’ll face during dog ownership. However, in most cases, it’s easy to treat in-home conditions by feeding your dog with certain ingredients.
The causes of diarrhea in Shiba Inu include inappropriate diet, food allergies, viral or bacterial infections, chronic inflammations, and certain diseases of the liver and kidneys.
Besides, it can also occur due to a sudden change of diet, ingestion of poisonous food or plants, stress, and certain medication.
What to do if your Shiba Inu has diarrhea?
If your Shiba Inu puppy has diarrhea, you must take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. The immune system of the puppy isn’t strong enough, so it’s essential to provide him with the right therapy on time. A pet parent should always observe signs like lethargy, lack of appetite, runny or bloody stools, and the number of stools that can lead to dehydration.
Withholding your dog from food for 24h is also essential, as well as encouraging him to drink a lot of water and monitoring his symptoms closely. After 24h fasting, provide your dog with 3-4 small meals throughout the day.
What food to feed a Shiba Inu with diarrhea?
Choose easy-to-digest food such as rice, yogurt, macaroni, oatmeal, or boiled carrots and chicken breast meat. This should be your Shiba Inu’s diet for the next few days until the symptoms improve. Yogurt is rich in healthy bacteria that soothe the irritated digestive system.
When a Shiba Inu diarrhea can become severe?
The symptoms of diarrhea can indicate a number of different things, from food poisoning to more serious medical conditions. Regardless of the trigger, you should know to recognize the severity and provide your pooch with the appropriate treatment.
If diarrhea in your Shiba Inu lasts more than a day and he started to vomit, has a fever, lethargy, dry or sticky gums, dark-colored or bloody stools, it’s important to seek a vet for advice. Dry and sticky gums and lethargy point out dehydration that can turn out to be fatal for puppies.
If you own a Shiba Inu puppy or a senior dog, food restriction will not be a good choice. Instead, feed your dog with small portions and make sure he drinks a few sips of water every half an hour. Besides, dogs who suffer from diabetes or tumors require an immediate vet visit.
How to prevent diarrhea in Shiba Inu?
- Make sure your dog eats a healthy, well-balanced diet.
- Avoid feeding your Shiba Inu with ingredients that can cause food intolerance or allergies. In case your Shiba Inu suffers from allergies, make sure you choose a dry kibble diet free of by-products, corn, soy, and artificial flavors.
- Keep up to date with vaccinations.
- Make sure your Shiba Inu is free of parasites.
- Do not feed your dog with food leftovers, and place the garbage can in a safe place.
- Decrease the percentage of fibers in your dog’s diet. Ingredients such as pumpkin, broccoli, beans, and fruits can lead to watery stools.
