Dogs of all ages suffer with digestive "issues" and have bouts with runny stools because of too many treats/rich holiday foods, etc. PON owners often exchange home health care to soothe upset PON tummies.

As always, check with your veterinarian before using any home remedies. Even herbs  can cause problems if used incorrectly.

These suggestions have worked well in most cases:

Skip a Meal
This is often overlooked as one of the easiest ways to get a PON's digestive system back to normal. Many times, digestive issues can be remedied by giving the system a break.

Sticky Rice and Steamed Chicken
This is normally the first advice that veterinarians offer to dogs that have runny stools. To get the useful “stickiness” use extra water and cook the rice for a longer period of time. I usually use ¾ portion rice to ¼ portion chicken. Scrambled eggs may also be used because it is extremely easy for the canine system to digest.

Canned Pumpkin
Offer a teaspoonful for a young puppy and a tablespoon for an adult. This has been known to help either constipation or diarrhea. Large dosages are also fine and in fact, I offer about four tablespoons a day for normal digestive systems. Libby's pure pumpkin can be found in the baking section of your local supermarket.

 

Other types of fiber:  If you don't have canned pumpkin and urgently need fiber, try squash or green beans. These tried and true alternatives work well and PONS absolutely love them !

Slippery Elm Bark Powder

Slippery Elm is made from the bark of the slippery elm tree. While native to North America, slippery elm bark powder is widely used in many countries to soothe sore throats as well as the digestive tract. Try ¼ tsp mixed with the sticky rice and chicken described above.

Elimination Option
Sometimes dogs react to one ingredient and it can be difficult to identify the trigger to digestive issues. The first step with an elimination diet involves paring down the ingredients to a bare minimum until the system is back on track. Then you should add ingredients slowly while making sure your PON's system remains stable. Accurate notes are important to track progress.  

Never hesitate to check with your veterinarian if your PON doesn’t quickly get back to normal. In most cases, everything is probably fine, but it is better to play it safe. Good luck and please update us.