Dog faecal problems: let's start with nutrition

It is said that "we are what we eat" and that faeces are the mirror of health: this also applies, to a certain extent, to our four-legged friends.

Your dog's faeces can tell you a lot about the wellbeing of its intestines and digestion. So, although it may seem strange to you, it's a good idea to examine your dog's faeces closely.

The composition of the faeces is mainly due to the quality of the food consumed and the process of digesting the  nutrients: if everything is going well, you will see a cylindrical, compact, light to medium brown "well-formed stool"; and if something is wrong, you will easily recognise stools that are dehydrated, full of mucous, too light, too dark, with foreign bodies or even blood in them.

These situations should raise alarm: your dog's digestive and metabolic processes may not be functioning properly.

However, remember that changes in the stools are not always due to illness, but more often the result of  poor or inadequate nutrition. Be aware that even a change of kibble can cause loose stools in dogs.

Below, we explain in detail what can cause diarrhoea in your four-legged friend and discuss the vital role of a proper diet.

However, we advise you always to tell your vet about loose stools and diarrhoea so that he/she can assess your pet's specific case.

Loose stools and diarrhoea? Here are the possible causes

In general, loose stools indicate an irritative process that may have several causes. In fact, diarrhoea is not a disease, but only a symptom of a disorder.

It is important to know that loose stools make it difficult to absorb nutrients, so an episode of diarrhoea should never be taken lightly.

Moreover, it may be an isolated case, but it is important to be able to intervene as soon as possible if it should happen again to prevent your dog from not getting the right supply of nutrients necessary for its subsistence and health.

Soft faeces in a puppy, for example, can be very problematic for its development.

As we have said, the causes of diarrhoea can be diverse. Here are the most common ones:

• Stress: your pet's emotions can be reflected in its digestive processes, so an unusual situation (moving house, the arrival of a new family member, a trip, etc.) can lead to intestinal discomfort. In general, if this is the cause of the diarrhoea, you will find that it clears up on its own in a short time.
• The consumption of inappropriate substances: you dropped some processed food with too many calories while you were eating and Fido wolfed it down; the dog devoured rotten food from who knows where and on the sly; while you were walking, it drank stagnant water from a puddle... the reasons can be many and varied. Unfortunately, as you know, some dogs are real hoovers and swallow everything they see. If this is the case, it is advisable to take it to the vet who, depending on the case, will tell you if it is necessary for him to take medication or milk enzymes.
• Temperature differences: The difference in temperature between indoors and outdoors can cause some tummy problems for dogs. For example, in winter, if you have a puppy, you can cover it up to go outside. In summer, on the other hand, try not to expose it to very high temperatures.
• Parasites, bacteria or viruses: In severe cases, diarrhoea can be caused by infectious substances in the intestines. In this case, a visit to the vet is necessary.
• Food: as we mentioned at the beginning, your dog's food is very important for its health. Giving it a healthy, complete diet is the first step for its health: always choose good quality products prepared in such a way that the animal receives the necessary nutrients in the right amounts. Remember, too, that dogs also suffer from intolerances and it may be necessary to eliminate some foods from their diet.

Changing kibble and a dog with loose stools: what you need to know

If you have recently changed kibble and the dog's stools are now soft, as mentioned above, the cause of the diarrhoea could be the new food.

This is usually not a cause for concern and will be over in a short time.

However, we advise you to switch from one type of kibble to another gradually, perhaps over a week.

You can mix the new food with the old one in smaller quantities at first, then increasing it over the following days.

In this way, your dog's intestines will gradually get used to the new food.

If the problem persists, it could be an allergy or intolerance. In this case you should speak to your vet for a closer examination.

Diet for diarrhoea

When the dog has loose stools, it may be necessary to reduce the amount of food or fast for a short time (24 hours) to allow the dog's bowels to rest.

Water should always be available during this time to prevent dehydration.

After that, you can restore  its food, at first in small amounts.

Feed your dog an easily digestible or tummy-friendly food that does not overload its intestines.

Always ask your vet and follow his or her advice: doing it yourself can be dangerous and may not help your four-legged friend.

Preventing diarrhoea and loose stools in dogs with proper nutrition

A healthy, balanced diet is the best way to prevent diarrhoea from recurring.

This is why we recommend a diet that balances wet and dry food: the result is a greater variety in the composition of the food and a greater abundance of nutrients.

Also, did you know that mixing different foods is very good for their gut and therefore improves digestion? A contented tummy often traps nutrients and makes the animal feel good.

There are also some functional and natural ingredients that can have a positive effect on the good bacteria in the gut: this is the case, for example, with apple fibre.

Adding apple fibre to a dog's diet has many advantages because it is very good for health.

In the case of diarrhoea in dogs, foods with apple fibre are highly recommended. The pectin it contains can trap bad bacteria and, together with the transit regulating function of this plant fibre, will help the animal to feel well.

In addition, there are many studies that show that apple fibre is also excellent for lowering cholesterol and does many good things for their bodies; for example, it is an antioxidant and helps fight inflammation.

Take a look at our Natural Selection product line (both kibble and wet food): our recipe is full of good, natural things that make your dog's tummy feel good. It helps them to digest food easily and to get all the nutrients they need to stay healthy.