German Shepherd Upset Stomach: A Complete Care Guide
If you have a German Shepherd in your life, they will probably experience an upset stomach at some point. Just like humans, our Shepherd companions are at risk of common illness and complications that can cause their stomachs to grumble.
So what do you do when your Shepherd pup is experiencing gastrointestinal upset?
A German Shepherd with an upset stomach will usually be caused by a change in diet, bacterial infections, parasites, a food allergy, or simply eating something that they shouldnt have. Effective remedies include fasting your dog, introducing probiotics, a bland diet, and possibly over-the-counter medication.
In this article well discuss the details of GI upset in our furry friends, and offer a complete care guide to an upset stomach in German Shepherds.
What Can You Give A German Shepherd For Diarrhea
To feed a German Shepherd with diarrhea, give small frequent meals of bland, easily digestible foods such as white rice with cooked chicken. Other alternatives are pasta, pumpkin, sweet potato, or yogurt.
How to treat German Shepherd diarrhea? Know how to treat dog diarrhea at home. If your German shepherd has diarrhea, stop feeding her for 12 hours. This will allow whatever is in her system to work its way out. Provide plenty of water, however, as this may help flush her system and will prevent dehydration. You may also want to offer your dog ice cubes made from Pedialyte.
Why does my German Shepherd have diarrhea? German shepherds have a high prey drive, so a dog left alone in the yard may treat himself to the occasional squirrel or rabbit, ingesting some bacteria along with his treat. Even with supervision, some dogs manage to gobble up things they shouldnt. Certain medications can also cause diarrhea, as can changing your dogs diet too quickly.
What is the best dog food for German Shepherds? Another of the best dog food for German Shepherds with sensitive stomach is Natural Balance. Infact, I recommend it as the #2 best dog food for German Shepherd with diarrhea. This blend is grain free and has limited ingredients. Perfect for dogs with sensitivities to certain popular dog food recipes.
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Raw Egg Can Gsd Eat Raw Egg
Yes, it is also possible. But there are concerns by some that egg contains salmonella virus which can cause vomitting and diarrhea in German Shepherds.
The diet BARF or ACBA is a way to feed dogs. It is about preparing dishes with ingredients suitable for dogs , and these are served raw.
The recipes raw feeding use raw egg for dogs as one of its ingredients .
Is it better to give my dog cooked egg or raw egg ? Strictly speaking, the raw egg is better. Why? Because it preserves much better its nutrients. When cooking the egg, components such as certain vitamins sensitive to heat are destroyed, and also the proteins change state.
But, if you are not familiar with the BARF diet or do not feel confident about giving your dog raw egg, do not. Nothing is mandatory here, and you have to do what you find optimal and comfortable. In that case, it is enough to give our dogs cooked eggs .
Why is it said that the raw egg is bad for dogs ? For fear that they get sick of salmonellosis, as sometimes happens with humans. However, many experts who advocate the BARF diet assure that cases of salmonellosis in dogs are extremely rare , and that dogs in the wild ate whole and raw eggs , so their body and their immune system are prepared for it.
In some cases is the raw egg for German Shepherds unadvisable ? In certain cases it is better to cook the egg . When?:
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Many German Shepherd Owners Feed Their Dogs Table Scraps As A Snack
When feeding a German Shepherd a mixture of home-cooked dog food along with a small amount of cooked rice or baked sweet potatoes is a great way to help your dog avoid diarrhea. The next time you cook dinner for your family considers boiling high-quality rice water instead of using tap water. Boiling is good for your dog because it helps to remove many of the toxins found in other types of cooking.
If you choose to boil the food, be sure to use apple or potato slices that have been pre-boiled and have been seasoned beforehand. You can also add canned pumpkin or sweet potato soup for some additional moisture. Use the same can of rice or pumpkin that you used to cook the dogs dinner.
Some people believe that the best dog food for diarrhea comes in the form of a can. There are several different brands on the market and some are certainly better than others. A couple of canned choices would be Basswood and RolyPig. If youre not sure about RolyPig, then look for those that say they are preservative-free.
One option that is not well-known but has worked for many owners is adding a teaspoon of table salt to their dogs food every day. While this isnt the most exciting cure for German Shepherd diarrhea, it does work. Be sure to only put the amount of salt that would be used by an adult. This will help prevent the problem from reoccurring.
Is Your Dogs Poop Normal
From bloody poop to diarrhea, all your dogâs poop problems explained.
Occasional diarrhea is to be expected in dogs. Mild bouts of diarrhea will often resolve within two to four days on their own or with simple home remedies . Most of the time, diarrhea is caused by dietary indiscretion or stressful circumstances and is self-resolving. But other common causes of diarrhea in dogs may include allergies, viral infections, inflammatory bowel disease, ingestion of toxins, parasites, pancreatitis, colitis, or other illnesses.
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German Shepherd Diarrhea Causes
Diarrhea can affect both German Shepherd puppies and adults. Although it is more seen in puppies due to their underdeveloped immune system. Here are some possible causes from mild to severe.
When Should I Take My Gsd To The Vet
On the first sign of diarrhea, assess the situation. Determine if your dog has recently ingested garbage, spoiled food, or food that causes sensitivities or contains too much fat or sodium.
Diarrhea that is triggered by these causes often goes away within 24 hours.
If your GSD has only vomited once, passes only very little diarrhea, and then becomes playful and returns to normal bowel movement afterwards, is likely indicative that the diarrhea has resolved on its own.
Just be sure that you assess the areas that your GSD has visited prior to falling ill. Keep her away from those areas, as you dont want a repeat of what just happened!
However, if any of the following situations ring true, please do not hesitate to bring her to the vet!
- The diarrhea is bloody
- The diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, depression, lethargy, weight loss, or fever
- Symptoms persist for more than a day, or worsen over time
- You feel somethings just not right
- Your GSD has swallowed a foreign object
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Symptoms Of Diarrhea In A German Shepherd
Diarrhea can appear on its own, but it can also have other accompanying symptoms.
The most common symptoms are bloody stool , a low-grade fever, lethargy, flatulence, loss of appetite, and vomiting .
In cases wherein these symptoms also appear alongside diarrhea, it is best to bring your dog to the vet immediately.
What Is The Healthiest Diet For A Dog
It is entirely acceptable to feed your dog a pure kibble diet. Or you can mix their diet up with some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables and rice. Many owners like to feed a raw meat diet to their dogs, and while this can suit some dogs very well, there are some important considerations you need to be aware of.
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How To Prevent Diarrhea In Dogs
It would be impossible for your dog to never suffer from a rare case of diarrhea. However, if you follow these simple guidelines, you will help prevent diarrhea in your German Shepherd:
- Make sure you are aware of all the poisonous foods that are dangerous for your German Shepherd.
- Make sure your dog follows his usual diet. Do not feed any human leftovers that your dog is not used to.
- If you want to change your dogs usual food, transition gradually.
- Avoid having guests in your house give you snacks, especially toxic foods they are unfamiliar with, for example, grapes or chocolate.
- Be careful about feeding the bones as they must be raw and the correct type and size for your dog.
- Keep all toxic substances out of your dogs reach.
- Make sure your garden does not contain any poisonous plants. The Pet Poison Helpline has a complete list of these.
- If your dog is the scavenger type, keep all trash safe as moldy food is toxic.
- Consider wearing a muzzle when youre out in the woods or in the park to prevent your dog from rummaging through the garbage if he leans there.
- Keep the antiparasitic treatment updated. Veterinarians recommend that it be done every three months, but check your breed.
- Keep vaccinations up to date.
- Exercise your German Shepherd regularly, especially if he is under stress.
- Refrain from exercising your dog immediately before or after a meal. I like to give my German Shepherd a good hour on each side and this also helps prevent bloating.
What Stools Say About Your Dogs Health
The consistency and color of diarrhea reveal a lot about the cause of the problem and what is happening in your dog. Take very careful note of the color, consistency, and anything else that might help when you describe the symptoms to a vet. In many cases, diarrhea will resolve after a few days of home treatment, but its a good idea to give your vet a call if it continues for a long period or has any one of several signs that may point to a serious problem.
This infographic from Purina gives you an idea of a perfect dog poop, which is chocolate brown, shaped like logs, compact, and easy to scoop. Experts say it should feel like cookie dough or Play-Doh when pressed. Large volumes, pudding-like or watery consistency, or signs of mucus , or blood streaks, are not normal.
Take Note of the Color of the Poop
Color can also indicate a lot about what is going on inside your dogs gut. Chocolate brown is normal, while colors like orange, green, or gray may signify issues with such organs as liver, gall bladder, or pancreas. Black tarry stool is very serious, and may point to internal bleeding. If you see this, contact your vet as soon as possible.
Purina has also provided a handy referencea color wheel of dog poop.
Color, shape, and consistency will all help you and your vet figure out what is wrong when your dog gets diarrhea. These factors will help your vet determine where the problem is originating along the dogs digestive tract.
Other Ways to Decipher Dog Poop
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Diarrhea With Vomiting In Dogs
When dog diarrhea occurs with vomiting, a new section of the gastrointestinal tract has entered the picture. Gastroenteritis is the group term for inflammation of both the stomach and the upper GI tract.
Sometimes a high-fat treat, even a small one, can trigger pancreatitisa condition wherein the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes, among other things, becomes inflamed. This condition can cause acute vomiting and diarrhea as well as abdominal pain. In very severe cases, pancreatitis can even be fatal.
Vomit that contains blood can look red, brown, or black. Unlike a small amount of blood in the stool, any amount of blood in vomit is concerning and should result in a trip to the vet right away.
Can You Feed German Shepherd Puppies Bones
Bones have many other nutrients including marrow, iron, and antioxidants.
Bones are also great for dental health. When your dog eats bones, the bones act as a scraper, removing tartar and plaque buildup. This will help to prevent gum disease and tooth infections.
Teething puppies also benefit from chewing on bones to relieve teething discomfort.
However, when feeding your puppy bones, you need to take precautions. Make sure you are feeding frozen or raw bone only. Cooked bones are soft and can break easily. So they have a high chance of splintering and getting stuck in your pups throat, causing pain and risk of choking.
Puppies should always be supervised while eating bones. Some GSDs may gulp down their dinners, which can be dangerous when bones are in them.
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Why Do German Shepherds Get Diarrhea An Overview
Just like their people, German Shepherd dogs can develop diarrhea at any age and stage of life.
And just like in people, diarrhea in German Shepherds should never be ignored. It is a sign from your dogs digestive system that something is amiss.
Sometimes the reason is very temporary and passing. But for German Shepherds in particular, sometimes the reason can be an underlying digestive disorder.
German Shepherds, in particular, are prone to digestive disorders ranging from a sensitive stomach to G.I. disease.
As Central Texas Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital explains, symptoms like weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea can be warning signs of an underlying genetic health condition.
In fact, in research published in the Journal of Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, researchers pointed out that diarrhea was one of the most consistent health issues reported by German Shepherd owners.
Clearly, there are a number of reasons why a German Shepherd might develop diarrhea.
These reasons can sometimes be related to age or life stage as well as the environment, which is what we will talk about in the next section here.
Raw Feeding Can Be Expensive
Unfortunately, feeding raw meat to your puppy can be quite expensive. For the first year of life, feeding your puppy raw costs an average of $800 for the year. This is compared to an average of $200-$600 for typical dry dog foods.
If you are interested in the cost of dog food for puppies, check out our article How Much Does It Cost to Feed a German Shepherd Puppy in the First Year.
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In Conclusion There Is Nothing Wrong With Feeding Your German Shepherd Regular Dry Dog Food
It is important to try to prevent any type of diarrhea before it happens. If you do find that your German Shepherd is struggling with constant diarrhea, you may want to consider adding some table salt to the food or mixing some RolyPig or Basswood into the water bowl. By doing so, you will soon see that your dog will be back to being her usual self again.
Unfortunately, another very common cause of German Shepherd diarrhea is a common cause of other types of digestive problems. That is a diet containing too much table salt. Although we may not realize it, table salt can cause your dog to suffer from kidney stones. In addition, excessive amounts of protein in the diet can also lead to kidney and liver problems.
The best way to avoid these types of problems is to avoid feeding your German Shepherd table salt as well as protein and carbohydrates that are too high in carbohydrates. This is one of the easiest ways to ensure your dogs health. You may also want to try adding a teaspoon of dried corn or rice to the water bowl daily to minimize your dogs diarrhea.
Prevention Of Vomiting And Diarrhea
There are several things you can do to prevent your dog from having diarrhea or bouts of vomiting. Monitoring his diet and making sure he only eats dog food, rather than human food, can help prevent an upset stomach. When he goes outside, monitoring him to be sure he does not eat anything foreign can also prevent an upset stomach.
Keeping up-to-date with his flea and tick prevention and also keeping him out of harsh environments, such as areas that are heavily soiled and away from murky water can prevent parasites from infesting your dog. Also, making sure you take your dog to the veterinarian on a regular basis for checkups can keep parasites and other infections at bay. Your veterinarian will routinely check for abnormalities in your dog if need be, and, if anything, can diagnose situations early before they cause your dog any sickness.
Making sure your dog lives in a healthy and safe environment, free from toxic substances within his reach, such as rodent killer or antifreeze, is another way to prevent your dog from vomiting and having diarrhea due to a toxic substance that has been ingested.
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