Best Dog Anti-Diarrhea Medicine to Comfort Your Pup in Pain
Every dog owner has to encounter the case of runs from time to time. There are tons of reasons that can cause an upset stomach in dogs, from food allergies, parasites, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal injuries to anxiety and stress.
Usually, diarrhea in dogs goes away on its own, but if it gets severe, you can treat dog diarrhea easily with the help of anti-diarrhea medicine. Whether prescription or over-the-counter, all anti-diarrhea medications have instructions about dosages that one should strictly follow. However, you should still consult a vet before offering it to your pup.
Diarrhea can vary in frequency, intensity, and duration depending on the dog’s underlying cause and immune system. We picked some of the best anti-diarrhea medicines in 2022 for your dog to help you make a better decision.
Five Top Anti-Diarrhea Medicine for Dogs in 2022
Vets Preferred Anti-Diarrhea for Dogs
– Best Overall
This anti-diarrhea medication for dogs will soothe your pup’s upset stomach and restore their gut health. No matter what the reason, the Kaolin clay and Pectin fiber formula will make sure your dog’s digestive track gets back to its optimal working condition. These active ingredients help relieve symptoms of diarrhea, gastroenteritis, and gas.
Moreover, it won’t leave your furry friend dehydrated as there is no artificial ingredient added during its formulation. The dosage is easy to administer as well. The dog diarrhea treatment is designed for fast absorption action; this means your dog can feel free of discomfort and relief from cramps and irritation in just 2-3 days of use. There are no side effects to this product as it is safe for use on puppies as well (in the advised dosage).
- Tested and produced in GMP-certified facility
- Relieves stomach pain and cramps
- Fast absorption action
- Easy to administer
- Has a strong smell
Vetoquinol Pro-Pectalin Anti-Diarrhea Tablets
– Runner Up
Pro-pectalin composition helps maintain a healthy pH in your dog’s gut and helps digestive function overall. These oral gel tablets come in a liver flavor that makes it easier for the dog to take. It works efficiently to reduce loose stool and elevate stomach cramps, pain, and gas. The anti-diarrhea formula contains microencapsulated Enterococcus faecium and probiotics that help restore the natural microbial flora and intestinal bacteria.
It protects the Enterococcus faecium from low stomach acid pH to create a favorable environment for beneficial bacteria to grow in the intestines and restore healthy digestion. There are three active ingredients: Kaolin, which absorbs excess bacteria and water and soothes irritation in the intestines. Pectin and Enterococcus faecium firm the stool and promote healthy bacteria growth.
- Easy to administer
- Helps to relieve intestinal irritation
- Balances gut pH leve
- Tablets are enormous
HomeoPet Digestive Upsets
– Honorable Mention
This product is a multispecies anti-diarrhea dog med that is safe, gentle, and made from all-natural ingredients. It has a chemical-free formula that makes it safe for puppies or elderly dogs. You can administer this liquid dosing medicine as a treat, in food, or directly in the pet’s mouth. This product is designed to provide instant comfort from stomach pain and irritation.
It can relieve problems like diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, or retained gas. The chemical-free formula ensures that there are no side effects on your dog. Its pack lays out the proper dosage for your dog according to its weight, size, and age. Fast-acting liquid can show results in just 24 hours of use.
- Calms intestinal irritation and pain
- Fast absorption without causing dehydration
- Promotes production of healthy bacteria
- Might cause nausea
Lambert Kay Pectilllin Diarrhea Medication
– Also Consider
Containing active ingredients like Kaolin clay and Pectin fiber, this anti-diarrhea medicine ensures your dog is relieved from pain within 24 hours of use. The Pectin fiber creates a protective coating around the irritated gastrointestinal membranes to help soothe the irritation. It also acts as a detoxifying agent that rids the digestive track of bacterial toxins that will otherwise cause inflammation and discomfort to your pup.
Kaolin works to absorb excess water and increase bulk in the intestines. This slows down the stool passage and promotes the excretion of toxins within the track. You can use it safely for small dogs, puppies, and kittens as well. It can also help in restoring water and electrolyte levels in your pet.
- Balances stomach pH
- Protects the gastrointestinal tract to relieve discomfort
- Acts as a detoxifying agent
- Has a floral scent that may repel the pet
This anti-diarrhea medicine for dogs comprises natural and gentle ingredients that will help soothe your dog’s upset stomach. It works by quickly absorbing excess bacteria and moisture from the dog’s intestinal tract, which hardens the stool. It’s an easy-to-use liquid that works safely and effectively to stop diarrhea, gas, nausea, and stomach cramps.
It works as a detoxifying agent as well. It extracts and flushes out bacterial toxins that otherwise cause inflammation, pain, and loose stools. Active ingredients like Pectin forms a protective layer around the irritated gastrointestinal membrane and ease discomfort. At the same time, Kaolin clay absorbs water and increases bulk in the intestines.
- Easy to administer and quick action
- Works for diarrhea and upset stomach
- Reduces inflammation and gas
- Insufficient information about dosage
Best Dog Anti-Diarrhea Medicine
Learn all about anti-diarrhea medicine for dogs, all the considerations and things to avoid in this guide.
Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs
Dogs can have an upset stomach due to numerous reasons. Change in diet, antibiotics, parasites, or general anxiety can cause diarrhea in dogs. Some common triggers for diarrhea in dogs include:
- Intolerance to a particular type of food.
- Parasites like roundworms, coccidian, whipworms, hookworms, and giardia directly affect weak immune systems in older dogs and puppies.
- Bacterial infections, including salmonella.
- Emotional distress and general dog anxiety coming from places, changes, and people.
- Medication or antibiotics can also cause diarrhea as a side effect.
- Liver or kidney diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, and cancer can cause an upset stomach.
- Intake of a poisonous plant or substance.
- Viral infections like distemper, coronavirus, parvovirus.
- Swallowing indigestible things like toys or rocks.
- Eating spoiled food, overeating, and consuming garbage can also cause diarrhea.
- A change in your dog’s regular diet can also upset the digestive system to adapt to the new proteins.
What Are Some OTC Antidiarrheals for Dogs?
You can treat mild dog diarrhea at home with the help of some common over-the-counter medicines. This includes:
Pepto-bismol
Pepto Bismol, or bismuth subsalicylate, is used to treat general stomach issues in humans. It is declared safe for the treatment of diarrhea in dogs as well. However, it is always better to consult a vet to decide the dosage according to your dog’s condition. Overdosing may also cause gastric bleeding.
Imodium
Imodium anti-diarrhea medicine is the most common cure for diarrhea in dogs. It’s made from a drug called Loperamide that creates bulk and slows down the movement of food in your dog’s gut. Imodium increases water absorption in the body and results in firm stools. It also aids in better absorption of nutrients and moisture by the body.
However, Imodium is not safe for old dogs, puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs. Imodium concentration is also important to consider. For instance, liquid Imodium is a lot milder than solid tablets that contain about 2mg of the drug.
Pepcid-AC
Pepcid-AC or Famotidine is an acid neutralizer that treats acid reflux and upset stomach due to acidity. Only 0.25 to 0.5 milligram per pound of this drug is recommended for dogs. It works to relieve gas and heartburn as well.
How To Treat Diarrhea in Dogs?
It is never advised to rush and give medication to your dog as a first response to diarrhea. Most of the time, dog diarrhea clears up on its own in just a matter of days. If it persists, make sure you visit a vet and rule out any serious health problems that might be causing it.
Some of the common dog diarrhea treatments to combat regular bouts of dog diarrhea are:
- Monitoring and controlling liquid intake and then rehydration
- Food deprivation
- Using digestive supplements and dog diarrhea remedies
- Adjusting your dog’s diet
- Switching to a bland diet to allow the digestive system to easily process the food and not “work hard.” It could be steamed chicken or boiled white rice.
These are some “natural” ways of treating or controlling dog diarrhea while waiting for it to run its course. They should be the only initial treatment that you try on your own. If the condition lasts for more than 48 hours, you should immediately speak to a vet for further diagnosis.
Your vet will prescribe anti-diarrhea medicine, dewormer, or probiotics that support the digestive system and treat irritation. Supplements and probiotics are also helpful in fulfilling the nutritional requirements of dogs suffering from diarrhea..
When to Visit a Vet if Your Dog Has Diarrhea?
If your dog has just had a single episode of diarrhea and is actively playing and behaving normally, you needn’t worry about anything. However, you should keep an eye on your pup’s bowel movements from then on to make sure that they’re back to normal.
If your dog has a second episode, it’s probably better to get them to a vet for a checkup. If you observe your dog straining and struggling to pass stool or has small and frequent watery stools, it could be because of an obstruction. Dogs can swallow rocks, toys, or anything small they feel is fun to eat. This is a serious case and needs immediate professional care.
Other than that, recurring bouts of diarrhea in a limited period can be a symptom of a serious underlying health issue. It could be from a bacterial infection, which is predominantly a cause of concern if your dog is old or very young.
To narrow it down, you can observe if Diarrhea accompanies the following symptoms. If so, immediately take them to the vet:
- Blood in stool
- Weakness
- Unusual or excessive drooling
- Dehydration that one can spot from sunken eyes, sticky or dry gums, and dry nose
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy and decreased interest in playing
Make sure you never give human medication to treat diarrhea in dogs without consulting it with the vet. It can seriously harm their digestive tract, cause bleeding, or may sometimes even prove fatal.
Conclusion
Dog parents often have to deal with diarrhea. But as common as it is, there could be several serious reasons that may have caused it. Specific diagnosis, the severity of diarrhea, and the dog’s response to initial treatment determine the prognosis in any case. Dog anti-diarrhea medicine helps ease the pain and discomfort caused by irritated intestine walls and stomach cramps.
This guide recommends some of the best dog anti-diarrhea medicines in 2021, along with some tips and home remedies to treat your dog. Nonetheless, it should be stated that your first step should be to consult a veterinarian after an episode of diarrhea.
Best Dog Anti-Diarrhea Medicine FAQs
A: Diarrhea in dogs is only contagious if caused by a contagious virus.
A: Yes, you can try rice water, white rice, pumpkin, probiotics, and yogurt to treat dog diarrhea at home.
A: Loperamide or Imodium is the best and the safest treatment for diarrhea in dogs.
