Intestinal problems in your dog: symptoms, causes and advice

Causes of intestinal problems in dogs

Intestinal problems can arise in various ways. Here are the main causes:

• Diet: Poor or low-quality food, sudden food changes, or food that does not agree (e.g. spoiled food, something from the street, garbage, or unsuitable dog food).
• Parasites: Giardia, Coccidia, or other intestinal parasites (e.g. roundworms and tapeworms) that disrupt digestion.
• Stress: Emotional stress due to changes in the environment, moving, or other dogs can directly disrupt digestion. Also read our blog post How do you recognize stress in your four-legged friend and what to do?.
• Bacterial or viral infections: Bacteria, viruses, or other pathogens that affect the intestines.
• Transmission from the mother: If the mother is an infected animal, she can pass the parasites to the puppies via milk or the placenta.
• Food sensitivity: A reaction to certain ingredients that causes inflammation in the intestinal wall. 
• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease): Collective term for chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. In this case, the immune system is dysregulated and attacks its own intestinal wall. Food can worsen the symptoms (such as abdominal pain and diarrhea), but food is not the cause of the disease. Even with a strict diet, the inflammation often remains active without medication.
  This is more common in specific dog breeds (such as the Boxer, French Bulldog, and German Shepherd).
• Other factors: Weakened resistance, unhealthy food, or sometimes an underlying disease such as chronic intestinal inflammation.

Symptoms of intestinal problems in dogs

The complaints can vary greatly, depending on the cause and severity. Typical signs are:

• Digestive complaints: Diarrhea (watery, with blood or mucus), constipation, flatulence (foul odor, gurgling sounds), vomiting, bloated belly, and lack of appetite.
• Behavior and energy: Less energy, lethargy, itching on the belly or hind legs, weight loss (or unexpected weight gain), strange eating habits, and a thinning coat.
• Other complaints: Bad breath, nausea (drooling, eating grass, or licking lips), abdominal pain (hunched posture), and in severe cases, impaired growth in puppies.

Practical tips to tackle parasites in the intestines

There are several smart and natural ways to help your dog. Here are some proven tips:

• Steamed meat food
  Choose BF steamed meat sausages (e.g. chicken & salmon, chicken & lamb, chicken & duck). This is a complete, light, and highly digestible food that directly supports digestion. The advantage of our steamed meat food is that it is minimally processed and therefore low in residues. Together with the mixed protein sources, this makes it difficult(er) for parasites to settle. The intestines need to do almost no effort to absorb everything. So there is almost nothing left that a parasite can use as a “good place”. High meat percentages, few carbohydrates, and residues. This ensures that the intestinal wall is as clean as possible and that there are so few “foreign” substances that parasites (worms, Giardia, etc.) have almost no chance to attach, grow, and settle. It is therefore a natural, pre-incident protection. 

  Feed this meat food alternately with dry food (with FOS prebiotics) or as a main meal – perfect for dogs with mild intestinal complaints. 

• Combine with BIOFOOD wet food
  You can also choose organic wet food from BIOFOOD, complementary or complete (e.g. beef, chicken, or turkey). These products are 100% natural ingredients without artificial additives. The organic quality and the high meat percentages ensure a clean and healthier intestinal environment. It is an excellent choice if you want to help your dog with a diet that optimizes digestion and gives parasites less chance.
  
  
• BF probiotic products support the intestinal flora
  BF Probiotics tablets (with pre- and probiotics) for dog and cat, BF Probiotics bonbons and BF Omega+ Liquid Probiotics for the dog are super convenient. The EFSA-registered probiotic strains used strengthen the good bacteria and help not only with existing complaints, but also preventively after a deworming course or during stress. You can give 1 Probiotics tablet per 5 kg of body weight per day. This restores the balance and reduces flatulence and diarrhea. 
  
  Tip: Both deworming agents (ask your veterinarian) and/or the Giardia itself can cause damage to the intestinal wall and disrupt the intestinal flora. For this reason, animals that have ever had Giardia in their life often remain sensitive to the gastrointestinal tract for life. Our BF^® Probiotics products, liquid, tablet, or bonbon, offer the necessary support for this. Read more info in our blog post: Why probiotics for my dog and/or cat? – BF Petfood

• Herbs that support the intestines
  Herbs such as mugwort and oak have an anthelmintic effect. These herbs contain polyphenols, including tannins, which have a negative effect on gastrointestinal worms. Peppermint supports the intestinal flora and de present menthol has a mild numbing and disinfecting effect in the gastrointestinal tract, which contributes to an unfriendly climate for parasites. Fennel seeds and Anise seeds are the ultimate intestinal herbs. The essential oils (anethole) in fennel and anise help stimulate intestinal peristalsis (squeezing motion). This helps the intestines to physically expel worms that have been loosened or paralyzed by other substances faster through the stool. All the above-mentioned herbs are in our strictly selected BF Natural Herb Mix.
  
  Garlic supports a healthy intestinal flora in a controlled dose by selectively inhibiting unwanted bacteria, while sparing the good lactic acid bacteria. BF garlic tablets or garlic bonbons offer the necessary support. Garlic reduces the number of eggs and/or larvae in worm species and supports the intestinal flora, skin, and resistance at the same time.
  
  
• Extra smart tips
  Combine everything in an alternating menu: kibble (with FOS prebiotics) + steamed sausage + wet food with probiotics. Also read the tips for stress and restlessness How do you recognize stress in your four-legged friend and what to do?. Fill a lick mat with wet food, meat food, or supplements occasionally for extra digestive support. Keep the environment clean and observe your dog's stool – a healthy bowel movement is already a good sign!

In summary

Parasites in the intestines can be annoying, but with the right approach you can give your dog a strong and healthy digestive system. Start with BF steamed meat food or Bio wet food and use BF probiotics and herb products as healthy support. This way you build up a natural, effective protection that not only makes your dog more comfortable, but also gives them more energy and vitality.

In our shop you can see under 'Problem & Advice' which food or supplements are suitable for your dog and/or cat that support the intestines. Abdominal pain in dogs: recognize the signs – BF Petfood

Always contact your veterinarian if the complaints persist, then you can have a thorough examination done for peace of mind. You want that!

For more information email: info@bfpetfood.nl or use the contact page.