Dealing with a pet who suddenly has diarrhea can be upsetting. It's good to know that this is a common problem for both dogs and cats, and usually, you can help them feel better at home. If you notice it early and take good care of your pet, they should get well soon without bigger problems. 

Common Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats

Figuring out why your pet's tummy is upset is super helpful for stopping it from happening again. Here's a rundown of the usual reasons for diarrhea:

• Sudden Dietary Changes

Switching your pet's food too fast can mess with their tummy. Dogs and cats do best with the same food. If you change it suddenly, they might get sick. 

So, when you get new food, mix a little bit with their old food for a week or two. Slowly add more new food and less old food to allow their belly to get used to it.

• Food Allergies 

Some pets have sensitive tummies or allergies to certain foods like grains, dairy, or some proteins. This can cause things like loose poop, bloating, and just general tummy trouble. 

Figuring out what foods bother them and avoiding those is super important for keeping their bellies happy. A vet can help you figure out what's causing the problem and create a good diet for your pet.

• Parasites

Lots of pets get internal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and Giardia, and these often cause ongoing diarrhea. These nasty critters live inside your pet, mess up their digestion, and lead to loose poop.

 Regular deworming is super important to get rid of them and stop future problems. Also, following your vet's advice on regular checkups helps keep your furry friend healthy and parasite-free. 

• Infections

Bacteria, viruses, or fungi can cause your pets to have upset stomachs. This often happens when they’re too young or weak. These germs mess up the good bacteria in their bellies and irritate their insides, causing diarrhea. Figuring out exactly which germ is the problem usually means a trip to the vet for tests so they can get the right medicine.

• Ingestion of Foreign Objects or Spoiled Food

Pets, especially dogs and cats, are super curious and sometimes eat things they shouldn't, like trash, bad plants, or spoiled food. This can make their tummies feel yucky, from just a little sick to sick, depending on what and how much they ate. So, pet owners have to keep an eye on their furry friends and make sure they don't get into anything that could make them sick.

• Stress and Anxiety

Big changes like moving, trips, or new family members can cause stress to pets. This can mess with their tummies and cause diarrhea. Keeping things steady and giving them a comfortable, safe spot can help their digestion when things change.

• Medication Side-effects

Some pet medications, like antibiotics, can upset your pet’s stomach and give them temporary diarrhea. If your pet's on meds and has loose poop, it might just be that. It usually gets better but watch them and call your vet if it doesn't stop or if you're worried.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Keep an eye on your pet's potty breaks and how they're acting; it can tell you if something's not right. Loose or watery poop, going more often, and struggling to go are common signs of diarrhea. They might also throw up, eat less, seem tired, or have dry gums. Sometimes there might be mucus or blood in their stool. 

If the diarrhea doesn't stop in a day or two, or if they seem very sick, are throwing up a lot, have blood in their stool, or just look very uncomfortable, get them to a vet as soon as possible.

Read more: Woof Woes: Why and What to Do If Your Dog Is Not Eating

What to Do When Your Dog Has Diarrhea

For mild, short-term diarrhea in dogs, here’s what you can do at home:

• Introduce a Bland Diet

Try small amounts of plain boiled chicken (just the meat, no skin or spices) mixed with plain white rice. This bland diet is gentle and will help them get back to normal without upsetting their stomach. 

• Feed Digestible Food for Dogs with Diarrhea

After your dog's mild diarrhea gets better, usually in a day or two with rest and bland food, you can switch them to special food for sensitive tummies. This food is easy to digest and shouldn't upset their stomach again. 

You can find the best dog food for dogs with sensitive stomachs at Pet Express. These dog food brands use gentle ingredients to help their digestion and get their poop back to normal as they recover.

• Monitor Stool and Behavior

Keep an eye on your pet's poop, how it looks, how often they go, and how they're acting overall. Watch for any changes in their energy or how much they're eating. If the diarrhea gets worse or you see anything else worrying, get them to the vet as soon as possible.

Cat Diarrhea: Treatment and Tips

Cats are often more sensitive than dogs, and diarrhea in felines can result from many of the same causes. Here's how to manage it:

When dealing with your cat's diarrhea, it’s better to keep it simple: feed them small, easy-to-digest meals like plain chicken or special tummy-friendly cat food. Wet cat food helps, plus make sure they drink plenty of water. 

Some of the best cat food for sensitive stomach diarrhea are:

Don’t forget to keep their litter box clean so you can keep an eye on things. And give them a quiet, comfy spot to relax and de-stress. 

When to Seek Veterinary Help

Diarrhea lasting over 2 days, blood, mucus, or black poop, repeated vomiting, and signs of dehydration like dry gums, sunken eyes, and being super tired. Puppies, kittens, and older pets need extra attention. 

If you think your pet ate something poisonous or swallowed something they shouldn't have, get to the vet ASAP. Don't wait if you see these serious signs, as it could lead to bigger health problems. 

Pet diarrhea is pretty normal, but don't just ignore it. Knowing why it happens, spotting the signs early, and doing simple things like feeding them easy-to-digest food and giving them lots of water can help them feel better quickly.

Got a dog or cat with a sensitive tummy? Pet Express has tons of food and health stuff for them, even gentle options for diet changes. Check out your nearest Pet Express store or shop online to keep your furry friend's belly happy.