People that own dogs usually know how diarrhea in dogs works, since it’s quite common. The real reasons of diarrhea, the causes and the different varieties are known by fewer people.

A diet change is one of the things that causes diarrhea. If you give your dog food that is especially made for him, and then you change his diet and you give him table scraps, he will probably get diarrhea as a result. Another possible cause for diarrhea is changing the type of water he gets, especially if you’re travelling.

Dietary changes are especially problematic for puppies, since they have sensitive intestinal tracts. If the puppy was bought from a breeder, he probably told you that he should be fed similarly to what he got in the past. You should find out what the dog ate before, if you were not told when you bought him, especially if you got him from a friend or from a newspaper ad. Either way, you should talk with a vet about the diet of the dog, so you’re sure that the puppy gets the proper food for his breed and age.

If your puppy received a diet of raw meet in the past, and you are going to give him food that is commercially available, you need to make a gradual transition, from the old food to the new one. For starters, you can put some commercial food in the raw meat, mixing it up a bit. Each day, increase the amount of food you put in the meat, while reducing the old type of food. Gradually changing the diet will prevent diarrhea in dogs.

Underfeeding and overfeeding are two other possible causes for diarrhea. Both dogs that get too much or not enough food can be susceptible to illnesses. A dog that doesn’t eat enough, will stuff himself when he finally finds food. Chances are that dogs are less susceptible to diarrhea if they get fed twice each day, instead of getting all the food in a single meal. Both veterinarians and breeders will recommend that you use self-feeding, which means that dogs get a dish full of food, which he chooses when to eat. You do this with dry food usually, so the diarrhea is quite rare.

Drinking too much water is another possible reason for diarrhea in dogs. If it happens when it’s not warm outside, over-drinking of water can point to another issue, so visit a vet to find out what the problem is.

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Article Source: Common Causes of Dog Diarrhea

Dietary treatment for pets with Type 2 diabetes (also referred to as non-insulin-dependent diabetes or NIDDM) can be instrumental in improving glycemic control and preventing the need to institute exogenous insulin therapy. Factors that must be considered when developing an appropriate diet for a diabetic pet include the consistency and type of diet, its nutritional adequacy and nutrient composition, and the pet’s caloric intake and feeding schedule.

Dogs and cats with diabetes should be fed food that contains consistent amounts and source of nutrients. Specifically, the type and quantity of nutrients that are delivered to the body should remain consistent from day-to-day, and the proportions of calories in the diet that are supplied by carbohydrate, protein, and fat should stay constant.

For pets with IDDM, the provision of a consistent diet allows the insulin dosage to be adjusted to closely fit the needs of the animal. Similarly, if pets with NIDDM are being treated with oral hypoglycemic agents, the provision of a consistent diet is helpful in maintaining normal blood glucose levels.

Changes in the ingredients or nutrient composition of a diet can disrupt the tight coupling of blood glucose levels with insulin activity that is needed for proper glycemic control. Therefore, only pet foods that are prepared using a fixed formulation should be selected for diabetic pets.

Manufacturers that use fixed formulations ensure that the nutrient composition and ingredients of a food remain consistent between batches. In contrast, manufacturers that use variable formulations will change ingredients depending on the availability and market prices. If information about the formulation type is not readily available, it can be obtained by contacting the manufacturer directly. Homemade diets should also be avoided with diabetic pets because of difficulties with maintaining nutrient consistency.

The type of commercial product that is fed is also of importance. Semimoist pet foods or snacks should not be fed to diabetic pets. Postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses have been shown to be highest when dogs are fed either canned or dry pet foods. This increase appears to be because of the high level of simple carbohydrate found in semimoist products. These nutrients require minimal digestion in the small intestine and are rapidly absorbed following a meal.

In contrast, the digestible carbohydrates found in dry and canned foods are made up primarily of complex carbohydrates (starch). Starches require enzymatic digestion to simple sugars before they can be absorbed into the body.

This process slows the rate of delivery of glucose to the bloodstream. Complex carbohydrates and certain types of fiber also affect the rate of food passage through the gastrointestinal tract and the absorption of other nutrients in the diet. Dry pet foods generally contain higher levels of both complex carbohydrates and plant fiber than semimoist or canned foods do.