What to do about loose stools in cats and dogs?

DOG

Diarrhea in dogs can have several causes. The main ones are:

• Dietary problems: changing food too quickly, sensitivity to certain ingredients in a diet (e.g. certain grains), table scraps, high-fat food, milk (many dogs are lactose intolerant), spoiled food or eating waste.
• Infections: viruses such as parvovirus or coronavirus, bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter, and parasites such as giardia, roundworms, or hookworms.
• Medications or stress: Antibiotics can disrupt intestinal flora, as can dewormers. Both dewormers (ask your veterinarian) and Giardia can damage the intestinal wall and disrupt intestinal flora. For this reason, dogs that have had Giardia often remain sensitive to their gastrointestinal tract for life. Stress from moving, fireworks, or environmental changes can also cause diarrhea. BF® Probiotic products, liquid, candy, or tablet, offer support for both Giardia and stress.
• Underlying diseases: pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, inflammation of the bowel (such as IBD), allergies or tumors.
• Foreign objects: eaten toys, bones, grass, or other indigestible things.

Nutrition for acute diarrhea (1–2 days):

• Fasting: Don't let your dog eat anything (water only) for 12–24 hours to allow its intestines to rest. Do not fast puppies or small breeds – go to the vet immediately.
• Blended diet (also called a mild, easily digestible, or clean diet: e.g., boiled chicken and boiled rice), followed by BIOFOOD® BIO 100% chicken or BIO 100% beef with boiled white rice or boiled potato (1:2 ratio). Small portions, 4–6 times per day.
• Build up slowly: after 2–3 days, gradually mix the blended diet with normal food over 5–7 days.

For chronic diarrhea: hypoallergenic food (e.g. BF® Adult Turkey Grain-Free, BF® Lamb Rice, BF® Sensitive mini, BIOFOOD® Bio Turkey Sensitive menu) or elimination diet to detect allergies.

Supplements:

• Probiotics: such as BF® Probiotics – liquid, bonbon or tablets – restore intestinal flora and provide support during stressful situations, feed changes and flatulence.
• Prebiotics: fibers such as psyllium or inulin. Our BF® Probiotic tablets contain probiotics, prebiotics, and psyllium.
• Electrolytes (special minerals): in case of dehydration (via veterinarian or special solutions).
• Kaolinite: has absorbent properties for toxins from intestinal contents and helps bind harmful substances in the digestive tract. BF® 3-in-1 Dog Biscuits Grass & Poo contain kaolinite and fiber, among other things. It thickens stool, supports stool or grass eating, and is helpful when changing food or with less digestible food.

CAT

In cats, the causes are often similar, but with some specific points to consider:

• Dietary problems: sudden change of food, sensitivity to certain raw materials in the food (e.g. grains), milk (cats are often lactose intolerant), eating too much fat, or eating plants or garbage.
• Infections: viruses such as feline panleukopenia or calicivirus, bacteria such as Salmonella, and parasites such as giardia, toxoplasma, or worms.
• Stress: Cats are very sensitive to changes in the home, new animals, moving, or noise. BF® Probiotic tablets offer support for both Giardia and stress.
• Underlying conditions: IBD (chronic inflammatory bowel disease), food allergy, hyperthyroidism (especially in older cats), kidney problems or tumors.
• Hairballs: especially in long-haired cats; too much hair in the stomach can cause diarrhea. BF® Hairball tablets with psyllium seed (psyllium) support intestinal function and ensure natural hair removal and reduce hairball formation.

Nutrition for acute diarrhea:

• Short fast: 12 hours without food (water only). No fasting for kittens or sick cats.
• Bland diet (also called mild, easily digestible or clean diet: e.g. boiled chicken and boiled rice) then BIOFOOD ^® BIO 100% chicken or BIO 100% beef + boiled white rice or special recovery food (veterinarian).
  Feed small portions 4–6 times a day. After 2–3 days of the blended diet, gradually mix this with regular food over 5–7 days.

For chronic diarrhea: hypoallergenic food (e.g., BF® Sensitive Cat with only salmon as animal protein source or Adult Cat with only chicken as animal protein source). Sometimes raw or fresh meat (BARF) can be helpful under supervision.

Supplements:

• Probiotics: such as BF® Probiotic tablets, support the intestinal flora and provide support during stressful situations, feed changes and flatulence.
• Prebiotics: fibers such as psyllium or inulin. Our BF® Probiotic tablets contain probiotics, prebiotics, and psyllium.
• Hairball paste or Anti-Hairball tablets (e.g. BF® Hairball tablets with psyllium) if hairballs are a problem.
• For stress-related diarrhea (FIV/FeLV cats) L-Lysine or BF® Probiotic tablets.
• Electrolytes or (special minerals) a veterinary solution for dehydration.

Important: Diarrhea lasting longer than 48 hours, with blood, mucus, vomiting, or lethargy → see a vet immediately. Puppies, kittens, and older dogs and cats dehydrate quickly – don't wait too long. Supplements are supportive, not a replacement for a diagnosis.

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