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Why Do German Shepherds Get Diarrhea

How Long Does German Shepherd Teething Last

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Its difficult to determine an exact timescale, as weve already pointed out because all animals are so different. The first stage of teething could be a matter of a couple of weeks, but it might last twice as long.

The final stage, when the adult teeth grow in, can last longer, perhaps three or four months or more. If it goes well beyond six months, its time to check with the vet.

The main thing to remember is that it will soon be over, and your dog will be fully grown! You need to make sure you are on hand to make this process as easy and painless as possible.

Why Does My German Shepherd Puppy Have Diarrhea What To Do And When To Worry

A German Shepherd puppy producing very liquid stool could be a sign of diarrhea. Is this common and when should you worry as a German Shepherd puppy owner?

Why does my German Shepherd puppy have diarrhea? Diarrhea is common in German Shepherd puppies and depending on the underlying cause, it can be mild or severe. The main causes of diarrhea in puppies include diet change, food intolerance, parasitic, bacterial, viral, or protozoan infections, stress, or ingestion of foreign materials such as garbage, dirt, or toxins.

This article will explain what diarrhea in puppies looks like, how long it lasts, and explain in detail the reasons why your German Shepherd puppy has diarrhea and what you can do.

Your German Shepherd Might Have Eaten Something Off

Yes, we know, most German Shepherds will literally eat anything they can possibly get close to. Its in a dogs nature, but as dog owners, we must try to prevent this. Not only can eating something off-limits give your Shepherd a nasty case of dog diarrhea, it could also make them extremely sick, or worse.

Until your dog is well-trained on what is okay to eat and what isnt, it is important to supervise them whenever possible. Dog-proofing your home and areas your dog will be in can also help prevent this. Whenever you and your dog go out for a walk, be sure to pay close attention as you never know what may be laying on the ground.

There are certain things your dog can eat that are certain to give him diarrhea, such as

  • Grass and other plants
  • Meaty bones can contain harmful, diarrhea-inducing bacteria
  • Rotten food, whether its human or dog food
  • Certain human foods, which is why vets recommend sticking with dog food

If there is a chance your German Shepherd may have eaten something harmful, you should take him to the vet immediately to prevent anything worse than diarrhea from happening.

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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

What Stops Diarrhea Fast

6 Month Old German Shepherd Diarrhea

A diet known as BRAT may also quickly relieve diarrhea. BRAT stands for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. This diet is effective due to the bland nature of these foods, and the fact that theyre starchy, low-fiber foods. These foods have a binding effect in the digestive tract to make stools bulkier.

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Holistic Select Natural Grain Free

Holistic Select Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food* is another good choice. This food is grain-free and contains no filler materials.

The product also has a number of ingredients to encourage digestion like enzymes, probiotics, and prebiotics.

For dogs without other health problems, this is one of the best dog food for sensitive stomachs in German Shepherds in the twilight years.

However, a hypoallergenic food might be required if your dog has a serious ailment.

Make sure to work with your veterinarian to choose the best food to make sure that your canine receives the fat, calories, and essential nutrients that every senior dog needs.

What Are The Risks Of Dogs Eating Feces

It generally poses little danger for a dog to eat his own stool. However, bacteria and parasites from that stool can possibly be transmitted to humans and other animals through contact with the dogs mouth and saliva. If you are unable to keep your dog from eating feces, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly if you are in contact with your dogs mouth/saliva.

When a dog eats the feces of another animal , he is at risk for ingesting the eggs of intestinal parasites and potentially harmful bacteria that can easily lead to illness. A dog that is known to eat the feces of other animals should have frequent fecal analyses by a veterinarian.

Perhaps the worst effect of a dog eating poop is the foul breath you have to smell. Home dental care can help the breath, but its best to prevent stool-eating altogether.

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Why Does My German Shepherd Have Digestive Problems

If he ingested something other than dog food, he may be allergic, intolerant, unable to digest it, or even worse, it could have given him an infection. Also, some breeds, such as German shepherds, Great Danes, and Schnauzers, are more prone to digestive issues. Here are seven digestive problems in dogs you should be aware of.

How To Identify Skinny German Shepherds

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Things like weight loss is obvious. But there are things that you have to pay attention other than mere appearance. Then only you can prevent you German Shepherd being overweight or skinny.

Hints Description
Keen observation
Feeling ribs Feeling and noticing ribs are two different things. If their ribs are apparent, then it is serious issue. If you feel your German Shepherds ribs like skin and bone, he is underweight.

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Feeding A Malnourished German Shepherd

Perhaps youve taken in a stray or a rescued German shepherd.

Or maybe your vet surprises you by saying your dog is malnourished, even though you feed your dog every day.

Whatever the reason, your dog is malnourished and needs to fatten up.

The key is doing this gradually with several small meals a day. This way, the dog will not get sick by gorging on food.

However, many malnourished dogs will only eat a small amount since their stomachs stretch receptors react more quickly than in healthy dogs.

So, the dog may feel full when his or her stomach isnt full.

Feed a few large spoonfuls of puppy or growth food. Your vet may recommend a therapeutic or prescription diet based on your German shepherds individual needs.

Ask your veterinarian about a food supplement, since malnourished dogs are often lacking in critical nutrients.

Until you can get to your vet, try supplements with fatty acids . This is what many dog shelters use to help their dogs gain healthy weight.

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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How Do I Stop My German Shepherd Puppy From Eating Her Poop

Give your GSD a proper diet that includes digestive enzymes and probiotics. Make sure your German Shepherd is eating the best dog food available. Do not let your dog be bored because many GSDs will eat their own feces when bored. If your GSD is heading towards its feces, distract it using a toy or treat.

How To Deal With German Shepherd Stomach Problems

How Much Water Should a Puppy Drink?

If your German shepherd is having stomach problems like vomiting, diarrhea, etc., first identify how severe it is.

If they are acting like their usual normal selves, it may just be something they ate or something minor.

Withholding food and water for 24 hours if they are vomiting may be the answer to give their stomach a rest and if they have diarrhea, no food, but liquids can be offered. This may be all it takes to remedy the situation.

Sometimes a bland diet is called for such as some boiled turkey or chicken along with some white rice.

When their stomach settles down, gradually reintroduce their regular food and see how they do.

If you call your veterinarian, they may suggest Pepto-Bismol or Imodium but will tell you the dosage and how long to use it.

Dont wait for things to get out of hand if vomiting and diarrhea persist. Its time to bring in the big guns and either schedule an appointment with their vet or take them to an animal hospital or emergency clinic.

Your veterinarian will perform tests, bloodwork, and check vitals to see whats going on. Since German shepherds cant speak and tell you how they feel, the detective work of your veterinarian is necessary to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

It may be just a food allergy and hard to pinpoint or it may be something that can clearly be identified by bloodwork, an x-ray, or a stool sample.

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Why Dogs Eat Poop

The scientific term for the habit of poop-eating is coprophagia.

Dogs eat poop for a variety of reasons. Some are normal and some are signs of an underlying issue. Its normal and somewhat common for dogs to eat the poop of another species, but its uncommon for adult dogs to eat their own poop or another dogs poop.

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What Is The Best Dog Food For German Shepherds With Sensitive Stomachs

So, what is the best dog food for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs?

German Shepherds can develop a wide variety of gastrointestinal ailments, food sensitivities, and allergies that can make nutrition challenging. Of course, we know that challenging may be an understatement.

The good news is that there are so many great sensitive stomach, hypoallergenic, easily digestible, and hydrolyzed foods out there. There are surely one or two choices that fit your dogs needs.

Speak with your veterinarian and then peruse your options, because the right diet can do wonders for your dogs health.

Do you have a German Shepherd with a sensitive stomach, or have you found the best food for GSD with sensitive stomach? Let us know in the comments below.

Affiliate link disclosure: Links in this article marked with an * are affiliate links, and we may receive a small commission if you purchase these products. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own.

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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.

Teach Leave It With The Poop

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If your German Shepherd hasnt learned the leave it command yet, this is a good one for discouraging poop eating behaviors.

When you teach leave it, you will essentially be redirecting your dogs attention away from the poop and towards you. Then you will reinforce this with praise, pats, treats, and attention.

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Dog Diarrhea 6 Reasons Why Your German Shepherd Might Have Diarrhea

Could your German Shepherd be suffering from dog diarrhea? If so, you probably already know that it causes a lot of crap for both you and your dog. Seriously though, dog diarrhea is no fun for anyone.

You want to identify the signs so you can help your pooch out ASAP, preferably with your vets help if the problem lasts longer than 24 hours. What are the warning signs of dog diarrhea?

  • Is your German Shepherds stool loose and/or watery?
  • Has your German Shepherd shown signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes and lethargy?
  • Is your German Shepherd showing any signs of abdominal pain and/or discomfort?
  • Has the smell of your German Shepherds stool changed?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your dog just might have diarrhea. Once you believe that your German Shepherd has dog diarrhea, its a good idea to identify why your dog has diarrhea. Down below in this article, we will go over six reasons why your dog might have diarrhea.

Treatment For Your Dog When It Gets Diarrhea Before Calling The Vet

Every pet owner has had to deal with their furry friend getting sick at one time or another. One of the most common illnesses that pets can suffer from is diarrhea, and there are many things that can cause diarrhea in animals. With young animals we worry about dietary indiscretion–eating things that they shouldnt be eating. With older animals, diarrhea may often be a symptom of a more serious underlying problem.

In many cases we may know exactly what caused the diarrhea, such as a sudden diet change. However, in other cases, we need to do some investigative work, such as laboratory testing and possibly imaging, such as x-rays or ultrasound, to find the cause. Whatever the situation, the following guidelines should help you get through your furry friends next bout of diarrhea.

Do know your pets bathroom patterns

One of the most common causes of diarrhea is colitis, or inflammation of the large intestine. A common symptom typically seen with colitis is increased frequency of defecation, along with mucous and fresh blood in or coating the stool. If your dog is asking to go outside to poop more frequently than usual, then he or she may be suffering from colitis. This is especially important with dogs on invisible fences, dogs that are let out in the yard without being walked by a person. Just because you dont see them having diarrhea doesn’t mean that they are not having diarrhea.

Do hold off food when symptoms are first noticed

Do simplify your pets diet

Don’t

Summary

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Treating Diarrhea In German Shepherd Dogs

As with any health issue, your German Shepherd is suffering from, the very first step is always to make sure you know what is causing diarrhea.

The best approach is to schedule an appointment with your canine veterinarian to get a correct diagnosis. Your veterinarian may want to take fecal samples and run tests to identify the underlying cause of your dogs diarrhea.

Then you can match the treatment to the cause.

As this YouTube video by a veterinarian explains, antibiotics may be necessary when diarrhea is being caused by a parasite or bacteria.

When your GSD develops diarrhea, of course, you want to do whatever you can to stop it right away for your dogs comfort and safety. Dogs can quickly become dehydrated and so adding extra fluids is vital.

The American Kennel Club suggests feeding your dog some pumpkin. Pumpkin has healthy prebiotics and lots of vitamins and minerals that can replenish your dogs body.

Just make sure that the pumpkin product you choose is just plain pumpkin puree with no additives. Check to be sure there is no xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be fatal to dogs.

Sometimes diarrhea arises and subsides quite quickly, and when this happens, just make sure your dog takes in plenty of water and gets lots of rest. But if diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours without abating, it is time to call your dogs veterinarian.

Is It Normal For A Puppy To Get Diarrhea

German Shepherd Dog Guide

Yes, it is normal for a puppy to get diarrhea which can range from being mild which resolves quickly to severe indicating serious illness. It is a sign that something might be wrong therefore as a dog owner you need to be willing to learn about the consistency of your puppys stool and any other symptoms so that you can provide the needed care and be able to contact the vet in time.

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