Diet for a Dog With Diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea can deplete your dog of fluids, electrolytes and vital nutrients. Usually, a bout of gastrointestinal distress resolves itself within a few days, but chronic diarrhea may be a sign of a food intolerance. For dogs with food allergies, a hypoallergenic diet may help. If you eliminate irritating foods, symptoms will subside. Diarrhea is considered chronic if symptoms persist for more than two weeks.

Restrict Food Intake

Begin with a 24-hour fast. Your dog may try to sway you with the "hungry eyes," but a fast gives his digestive system a chance to rest and purge itself of toxins. Wolves often go for extended periods without food, so your pampered pet will survive.
To divert your dog's attention, take an extended walk around his usual meal times. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water. A salt-free vegetable or meat broth can substituted for water.

Switch to a Hypoallergenic Food

After the fast, introduce small amounts of food, such as cooked white rice and boiled ground beef or chicken. Feed no more than half her daily rations, divided into four to six feedings.
Hypoallergenic foods contain a limited amount of ingredients. Dogs can be allergic or sensitive to any ingredient in a dog food, including the protein and carbohydrate sources, preservatives, synthetic and natural chemicals and flavorings. Limiting these ingredients helps determine the source.
A wide variety of hypoallergenic and limited-ingredient dog food is available. Experiment with different protein and carbohydrate sources to find the food that works best for your dog.

Aftercare and Supplements

Probiotic supplements provide beneficial bacteria that support and protect the gut and aid digestion. The microorganisms found in these supplements include Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei which are similar to the cultures found in yogurts.
Nutritionists at University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine in Knoxville say probiotics help farm animals and although there is "no hard clinical evidence" that probiotics offer similar benefits to dogs, preliminary research looks promising.