Diarrhoea in dogs is characterised by frequent urge to defecate, liquid or mushy stools and can be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite or exhaustion. The consistency, colour and frequency of the stool changes significantly compared to the animal's normal condition. Diarrhoea is not a disease in its own right, but a symptom that can indicate various health problems.

In recent years, behavioural researchers and dog trainers have increasingly questioned and criticised the dominance theory. The main points of criticism and alternative approaches are:

Nutritional causes

Diet plays a central role in the health of our dog's digestive system. Sometimes, whether through inadvertent access to "forbidden" foods or careless feeding on the part of owners, dogs consume things that are not beneficial to their gastrointestinal tract. Here are some dietary factors that can trigger diarrhoea:

• Bad food: Sometimes poor preservation or storage of Dog Food can cause it to spoil. Mould or bacteria in the food can make the dog ill and cause diarrhoea. Particular attention should be paid to hygiene when feeding BARF. 

• B-Vitamine: Vitamin B, insbesondere Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) und B6 (Pyridoxin), spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der Verdauungsgesundheit von Hunden. Ein Mangel oder Ungleichgewicht dieser Vitamine kann Durchfall und andere gastrointestinale Symptome bei Hunden verursachen. Vitamin B12 ist entscheidend für viele metabolische Prozesse und unterstützt die Zellteilung sowie die Protein- und Energieproduktion. Ein Vitamin B12-Mangel kann unter anderem Durchfall, Appetitlosigkeit und Gewichtsverlust bei Hunden verursachen. Ein gesunder Darm ist notwendig, um Vitamin B12 aufzunehmen. Daher kann eine Gastrointestinalerkrankung (wie IBD - Inflammatory Bowel Disease) die Aufnahme von Vitamin B12 behindern, was wiederum die Darmgesundheit weiter beeinträchtigt, in einem teuflischen Kreis. Vitamin B6 ist wesentlich für die Produktion von Neurotransmittern, die Immunfunktion und den Stoffwechsel. Ein Mangel an B6 kann Durchfall und andere Symptome wie Anämie und Hauterkrankungen hervorrufen. Vitamin B6 ist auch an der

  B vitamins in general are critical for energy production and can affect the health of the gut lining. An imbalance or deficiency of B vitamins can disrupt the body's ability to absorb nutrients, leading to diarrhoea and other digestive problems.

• Abrupt food changes: A quick change of food without a gradual change can irritate the dog's gastrointestinal tract. It is important to make any change to the diet slowly over a week or more to give the digestive system time to adjust.
• Foreign bodies and toxic substances: Dogs explore the world with their mouths and sometimes eat things they shouldn't, such as rubbish, toys or toxic substances (e.g. chocolate, onions). This can lead to irritation and inflammation in the intestines.
• Sensitive stomach: Some dogs have a naturally sensitive stomach, which means that certain food components or types of food can trigger diarrhoea. Special diets or feeds are often helpful here.
• Food allergies and intolerances: Some dogs are allergic or intolerant to certain ingredients in their food, such as certain proteins, grains or additives. Symptoms may include skin problems and/or digestive problems such as diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Overfeeding: Excessive amounts of food or treats, even if they are suitable for dogs, can also cause diarrhoea as they overload the digestive tract.
• Feeding leftovers: Sometimes the habit of giving leftovers from our food to the dog can also lead to problems. Our food often contains ingredients and spices that can be difficult for dogs to digest or even poisonous.

Allergies and intolerances

It is not uncommon for our dogs, like us humans, to be sensitive to certain food components. Allergies and intolerances to certain ingredients in food can trigger a whole range of symptoms, with diarrhoea being a particularly common sign. Dealing with the issue of allergies and intolerances is essential to ensure your dog's well-being and avoid serious health problems.

• Common allergens: Common allergens in dog food include beef, chicken, egg, wheat and soya, but other proteins, carbohydrates and additives can also cause allergic reactions.
• Variety of symptoms: Allergies can manifest themselves in many different ways, including skin irritations (itching, redness), chronic ear itching, but also digestive problems such as diarrhoea or vomiting.
• Food diary: A helpful method for identifying allergies or intolerances is to keep a food diary, documenting the ingredients fed and the occurrence and intensity of symptoms.
• Exclusion diet: A method often recommended by vets to identify food allergies is the so-called exclusion diet. In this method, the dog is fed a strictly controlled diet containing only a few ingredients classified as harmless for a certain period of time. Other food ingredients are then gradually reintroduced to observe whether and which of them trigger a reaction.
• Allergy test: Dog owners who are confronted with the discomfort and stress of an allergy-plagued animal are often looking for ways to identify the triggering factors quickly and effectively. In addition to the exclusion diet often recommended by vets, there are other methods such as allergy tests and bioresonance, which are, however, controversial among experts.
• Adaptation of the diet: Once the triggering factors have been identified, the diet can be specifically adapted to exclude the identified allergens or intolerable ingredients.

Medication side effects

Some medications can have diarrhoea as a side effect, so if your dog has recently started a new medication and develops diarrhoea, you should discuss this with your vet.

Diseases of the internal organs

Diseases of the internal organs can cause complex and varied symptoms, and diarrhoea is often one of the first signs that something is wrong. Some specific diseases of the internal organs that can be associated with diarrhoea are:

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

• Symptoms: In addition to diarrhoea, pancreatitis can also cause vomiting, abdominal pain, fever and lethargy.
• Causes: High-fat food, injuries or side effects of medication can trigger pancreatitis.
• Management: Treatment may include dietary adjustments, medication and, in severe cases, hospitalisation.

Intestinal obstruction

• Symptoms: Intestinal obstruction can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, visible abdominal pain and a swollen abdomen.
• Causes: Intestinal obstruction can be caused by foreign bodies, tumours or twisted parts of the intestine.
• Emergency: An intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency and requires immediate veterinary intervention, possibly including surgery.

Tumours in the digestive tract

• Symptoms: Depending on the location and size of the tumour, symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, blood in the stool or weight loss may occur.
• Diagnosis and treatment: Imaging techniques can help to identify tumours, while the treatment strategy varies depending on the type and location of the tumour.

Liver and kidney diseases

• Symptoms: These can vary, but often include symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, increased thirst and urine output and jaundice.
• Management: Depending on the diagnosis, various therapeutic approaches may be considered, including medication, dietary changes or even surgery.

Diarrhoea in dogs can be a symptom of many different health problems, and while some causes are relatively harmless and easy to treat, others can be more serious and complex. Autoimmune diseases are one such category of conditions that can cause diarrhoea and other digestive problems in dogs.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies its own cells and tissues as foreign and attacks them. Some autoimmune diseases that affect dogs and can also be associated with diarrhoea and other digestive problems are:

Lupus

• Definition: Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect various parts of the body, including the skin, joints and internal organs.
• Symptoms: skin changes, joint inflammation, fever and, in some cases, gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea.
• Management: Treatment is often based on immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatory drugs to control the symptoms.

Addison's disease (hypoadrenocorticism)

• Definition: This disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones, which are important for regulating various bodily functions.
• Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss, weakness and apathy may occur.
• Management: Addison's disease is often treated with steroids and, if necessary, additional electrolytes to compensate for the hormone deficiency.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Definition: IBD is a chronic inflammation of the gut that is often associated with an overactive immune system.
• Symptoms: Frequent diarrhoea, vomiting and weight loss are characteristic.
• Management: Dietary management, probiotics and often anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs are part of the treatment strategies.

Diarrhoea may be the first sign that the dog's immune system is not functioning properly, especially if it is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms. To diagnose autoimmune disease, comprehensive veterinary investigations are required, including blood tests, ultrasound and possibly tissue samples. The exact causes and links between autoimmune disease and diarrhoea are complex and vary depending on the disease and the individual dog. Overall, the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune disease in dogs requires an in-depth understanding and an individualised approach to managing the particular symptoms and challenges. 

A thorough diagnosis is crucial to determine the exact cause of diarrhoea in dogs and to initiate the right treatment accordingly. Here are some more detailed points on the methods already mentioned as well as some additional approaches.

Faeces examination

• Parasite infestation: The vet looks for signs of parasites such as worms or giardia.
• Bacterial infections: A microscopic test can indicate harmful bacteria such as salmonella.
• Viral infections: Some viruses, such as the parvovirus, can cause diarrhoea and are often life-threatening.
• Digestive enzymes: A digestive enzyme test can provide information about problems with the pancreas.

Blood test

• Organ function: Checking the function of the liver, kidneys and other important organs.
• Inflammatory markers: Anti-inflammatory markers may indicate a systemic disease or infection.
• Blood count: Analyses the number and quality of blood cells, which can indicate various health conditions.

Ultrasound or X-ray

• Tumours: Identifies possible growths or abnormalities in the organs. 
• Blockages: Checks whether there are foreign bodies or blockages in the digestive tract.
• Organ structure: Examines the shape and structure of internal organs for abnormalities or changes.

Feed samples

• Allergy tests: Sometimes special elimination diets or skin tests are carried out to identify food allergies or intolerances.
• Food intake: Documentation of the dog's food and water intake to detect abnormalities or patterns that could indicate a problem.

Additional diagnostic measures

• Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the dog's mouth to inspect the digestive tract and take tissue samples if necessary.
• Biopsy: In certain cases, a tissue sample can be taken from digestive organs to check the cells microscopically for abnormalities or diseases.
• Specialised tests: Sometimes specific tests are necessary for diseases such as pancreatitis, Addison's disease or hyperthyroidism.

Diagnosing diarrhoea in dogs can be complex, especially if the cause is not immediately obvious. It is important that you work with your vet to provide an accurate history and symptom survey to help make a diagnosis. Every clue can be valuable, and combining specialised tests and detailed information can pave the way to effective treatment and restoration of your dog's health.

Some supplements and home remedies can offer support if your dog has acute diarrhoea, but they should never be considered as the sole solution. The cause of the diarrhoea must not be ignored. If digestive problems persist or recur, a more in-depth examination by a vet is essential to rule out or appropriately treat any underlying conditions or problems. If the diarrhoea persists for more than 3 days or is accompanied by other worrying symptoms, a visit to the vet is essential. Diarrhoea, especially if it persists for a prolonged period, can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening dehydration.

Individual tolerance plays an important role when it comes to using natural remedies and home remedies. Every dog is unique and reacts differently, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It is therefore crucial that you observe your dog closely and pay attention to how they react to certain remedies. Another essential factor is professional advice. Consultation with your vet is of the utmost importance to ensure that the chosen remedies are not only safe, but also suitable for your dog's specific case. 

Diarrhoea in dogs can have a variety of causes, including food intolerances, infections, parasite infestations or more serious health problems such as diseases of the internal organs. Although it is natural to first resort to gentle home remedies and proven nutritional supplements such as elm bark, probiotics or Moro soup, these remedies should never be seen as a substitute for veterinary diagnosis and treatment.

In the case of acute diarrhoea, it is first important to keep an eye on your dog and make sure that he is not becoming dangerously dehydrated. If the diarrhoea lasts longer than 24-48 hours, blood is visible in the stool or the dog's general condition worsens, a visit to the vet is essential. Even if the diarrhoea passes but recurs at regular intervals, it is essential to have it checked out by a specialist in order to rule out chronic or hidden illnesses.

Ultimately, it is always about finding a careful balance between initial measures at home and professional veterinary care. As a dog owner, you should always be vigilant and know your dog well so that you can act accordingly in the event of irregularities in the digestive tract. The health of the dog is the most valuable asset and always deserves priority and attention.