Home Remedies for Blood in Dog Stool: Diarrhea in dogs is caused by a number of factors, but more often than not it is a sign that the body is in a state of imbalance and is in grave need of cleansing. Parasites or bacterial pathogens settle in bodies that are weakened, causing more trouble than usual. The main cause for a digestive problem is processed food, dried or even poor quality canned food.
When you see blood in your dog’s stool, chances are that this is a sign of hemorrhagic colitis. This is no reason to panic, all you really need to do is tweak your dog’s diet. If, however, you have a young puppy, wherein you notice that the diarrhea is followed by signs of lethargy and loss of appetite, this might be a sign of parvovirus infection which needs to be treated right away. In order to differentiate parvovirus from colitis, watch out for the energy levels in your dog. In parvo, you would notice that your dog is lazy and lethargic whereas in colitis your dog would be bright and alert as usual.
What Causes Blood in Dog Stool?
Keeping gastrointestinal disorders aside, there are a number of reasons for blood in dog stool such as:
- Allergies from food additives such as fats and emulsifiers.
- Overeating or ingestion of sharp objects.
- Inflammation of the anal sacs.
- Injury to the colon or rectum due to fractures in the pelvis area.
- Presence of intestinal parasites like ringworm or whipworm.
- Bacterial infections such as Clostridium and Salmonella.
- Contraction of the colon or anus because of cancer, inflammation or trauma.
- Inflammation of the colon or rectum.
- Viral infections such as Parvovirus or Coronavirus.
- A sudden change in dietary plans or consuming food that is unfit.
If you are not able to access medical assistance immediately, you can always resort to home treatment. Here are some home remedies for blood in dog stool:
5 Natural & Safe Home Remedies for Blood in Dog Stool
1. Fasting
If your dog has violent diarrhea, it is time you put your dog on a twelve to twenty-four hour fast. This includes the removal of all food and water so as to clear the system and ensure that the root cause of the diarrhea is not from the food itself. Fasting clears out the gastrointestinal tract, allowing it to settle down if it has been riled up by bad food. Just make sure that before you proceed to put your dog on a fast, it is healthy enough to endure the fast. For smaller breeds, fasting is not recommended, same is the case with young puppies or old dogs.
For this remedy:
- Take away your dog’s food and water bowl.
- Closely monitor your dog and watch out for changes in behavior along with the signs and symptoms they are exhibiting.
- Allow your dog to rest during the fast.
- Make sure that you do give them small amounts of water, or even ice cubes work just fine.
Related: Tried and tested home remedies for parvo
2. Chicken broth
Chicken broth is one of the best home remedies for blood in dog stool as it soothes an irritated stomach. Providing them with food that isn’t too harsh on their tummies will give them the energy they require to kick-start their appetite.
For this remedy:
- Heat the chicken broth, just enough to avoid simmering or boiling.
- Check the temperature of the broth before you give it to your dog. Keep it warm, but not hot as this might cause burns to your dog’s mouth and throat.
- Give your dog one cup of warm chicken broth four or five times a day.
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3. Bland food diet
Soon after your dog’s fast, it is time to place your dog on a bland food diet. The bland food will help to settle your dog’s stomach down and aid in preventing diarrhea from coming back. Ensure that the diet is rich in protein which is essential for health and recovery.
For this remedy:
- Prepare a small amount of white rice or boiled chicken or a combination of both.
- Make sure there are no fats, grease, butter, oils, or seasonings as these ingredients aggravate your dog’s system.
- Feed your dog small servings of this bland diet four to five times per day.
- Repeat each day until they are back to their normal state of health.
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4. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a natural substance that clears the digestive system of both humans and dogs. The activated charcoal works to absorb any toxins present, flushing out any bacteria or viruses, in the process.
It can be procured at any pharmacy, natural food store, or pet supply stores. Aside from being one of the best home remedies for blood in dog stool, it is also a tried and tested remedy that cures parvo in dogs.
For this remedy:
- Take three to four activated charcoal tablets and crush them into a fine powder.
- Add the crushed activated charcoal to a syringe followed by the warm water so as to dissolve it.
- Once the activated charcoal has dissolved, gently open your dog’s mouth, and spray the contents of the syringe right in.
- Quickly expelling the syringe, gently close your dog’s mouth while massaging their throat to ensure that it is swallowed.
- Repeat three times a day.
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5. Pedialyte
Pedialyte is generally administered to children who are suffering from an upset stomach or bad diarrhea, which is why it can also be used for your dog. Pedialyte contains high amounts of electrolytes which will help to re-hydrate your dog. Also, Pedialyte contains vitamins and nutrients that will help your dog recover faster.
For this remedy:
- Administer one tablespoon of Pedialyte to your dog.
- Combine it with their food, or simply allow them to drink it from a bowl. You could also force feed it to them with a syringe.
- Repeat this every hour during the first day of diarrhea.
- Repeat each day, and administer the Pedialyte at least five times each day until diarrhea has ceded.
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If your dog suffers from diarrhea for more than 48 hours, then it is best you seek the consultation of your vet. Chances are that your pet has been infected with the Parvovirus or worse. Remember that blood in dog stool’s is no reason to panic, it is essentially just diarrhea gone bad. With these home remedies for blood in dog stool, you should be able to get your pooch back on track.