
2 minute read
Humane Services
Ask a Vet
By Dr. Heather Hillier Veterinarian, City of St. John’s
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During the course of your pet’s life they are bound to experience some diarrhea, commonly because they ate the wrong thing at the wrong time (like raiding the garbage once you’ve cleaned up from turkey dinner), but sometimes it can be a sign that something else is wrong.
What does pet diarrhea look like?
Loose to watery stool with increased foul-smelling gas.
Frequent episodes with urgency, this may lead to accidents in the house.
What can I do at home if my pet has diarrhea?
Let their belly settle by withholding food for 12-24 hours. Continue to offer small amounts of water frequently to prevent dehydration.
Once the belly has settled, offer something bland and easy to digest - try plain white rice and boiled chicken breast - in small frequent meals.
Once bowel movements have returned to normal, slowly mix their regular food in with the chicken and rice.
Humane Services
576-6126 humaneservices@stjohns.ca @HumaneServicesStJohns
If the diarrhea continues, when should I be concerned?
Consult your veterinarian if:
Your pet is under 6 months old. Younger dogs are more likely to dehydrate quickly or get infections or parasites.
The diarrhea lasts for more than 24 hours.
The stool has fresh blood or is black and tarry.
Your pet is straining with no production.
Your pet is also experiencing vomiting, weight loss, decreased energy, or loss of appetite.
Important
Never use over the counter anti-diarrheal medication (like Pepto-Bismol or Immodium) intended for humans on your pets.
Proper places for your pooch to play
Using off-leash dog parks
Running your dog on school grounds, sports fields, playgrounds and other fenced public areas intended for human recreation can pose a significant public health risk.
Even when owners pick up their dog’s feces the grass remains contaminated with fecal material (bacteria and parasites), and just a couple of dogs visiting the same field on a regular basis can contaminate an entire field in a short period of time. These fields are then used by people who sit and play on the same contaminated grass. This is a concern, especially for children with developing immune systems.
The City of St. John’s has nine dog parks where you can exercise and socialize your dog off leash. Five are designated for small dogs weighing less than 25 pounds. The others are for any size dog; small dog owners should exercise judgement before putting their dog in one.

Find your nearest dog park
Sable Chief Dog Park, McNiven Place Airport Heights. Quidi Vidi Lake, off The Boulevard. Two parks: Small dogs & larger dogs
Running dogs off leash on ballfields and open spaces is prohibited under City By-Laws #1488 and #1514
85 Messenger Drive at Kenmount Terrace Community Centre. Two parks: Small dogs & larger dogs

Humane Services, 81 Higgins Line. For small dogs only
Mundy Pond off Blackler Avenue. Peter Murphy dog park Shea Heights, off Linegar Avenue by the ball field.
Bidgood Park, off Main Road in Goulds. Two parks: Small dogs & larger dogs

Inset Map: Goulds
Victoria Park, Near playground. Two parks: Small dogs & larger dogs
Waterford Valley, near the corner of Waterford Bridge Road and Brookfield Road.