Ask Dr. Jenn: Can I Give My Dog Pepto-Bismol?

I know it can be very frustrating when your dog suddenly develops diarrhea. You want to treat it immediately with something that is easy to administer and readily available. If it’s available over the counter, it must be safe, right? Unfortunately, not all over-the-counter medications are safe for pets. 

Pedialyte 

Clear Pedialyte is a great at-home treatment. It replaces water and electrolytes that are lost through diarrhea and can help your dog feel better quicker. Here’s a few tips on using it safely: 

• Approximately 1 teaspoon per pound of body weight every 2-3 hours is recommended for most dogs. 

• Avoid flavored Pedialyte as it contains added sugar and artificial color.  

• Read the label and list of ingredients carefully. Some formulations of Pedialyte and other electrolyte drinks contain the artificial sweetener Xylitol. While it’s fine for humans to drink, Xylitol is toxic to dogs. Even in small amounts, Xylitol can lead to liver damage and dangerously low drops in blood sugar. 

Pepto-Bismol  

Pepto-Bismol should be used with caution. The active ingredient is bismuth subsalicylate. Subsalicylate is in the same class of drugs as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). Aspirin and Subsalicylate are potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pepto-Bismol treats diarrhea by reducing the inflammation in the intestines, but it can also break down the digestive tract’s natural protective layer.  The protective layer of dogs and cats is much more sensitive than a human’s. Once the protective layer breaks down, the animal can develop ulcers in the stomach, intestines, or colon. Dogs that are receiving other NSAIDs, such as Meloxicam, Carprofen, Grapirprant (sold as Galliprant), or Deracoxib are especially more sensitive to GI ulceration.  

Some veterinarians will tell you that one dose of Pepto-Bismol is safe to treat diarrhea. This may be true, but it depends on other factors, such as the size of your dog, the amount given, what other medications he is currently on, and if your dog is especially sensitive to the subsalicylate in Pepto-Bismol. Therefore, I do not advise giving Pepto-Bismol without first consulting your veterinarian. 

In some patients, the active ingredients in Pepto-Bismol react with bacteria in the colon forming a harmless pigment that turns the stool black.  This can lead to some confusion because bleeding in the stomach and upper GI tract also causes stool to be black. It is important to differentiate whether the black stool is due to Pepto-Bismol or a much more serious condition such as bleeding ulcers. 

Please do not be ashamed to tell us if you gave your dog Pepto-Bismol before bringing him or her to the vet. We need to know what your pet has received over the past few days to better interpret the symptoms and come up with a correct diagnosis. In addition to causing black stools, Pepto-Bismol looks white on x-rays. The tablet especially can look like a foreign body in the stomach or intestines. Many dogs have had exploratory surgeries performed to remove what was thought to be a rock, coin, or other harmful object only to find a Pepto-Bismol tablet. 

Tips on Caring for a Dog with Diarrhea 

When your dog has diarrhea, make sure he is getting enough water to replace the extra fluid he is losing. Feed him small, frequent meals of a bland diet.  

A bland diet is low in fat and is a 50:50 mixture of a simple carbohydrate and a source of protein.   

• Examples of simple carbohydrates are white rice, plain noodles, and white bread.  

• Low fat protein options include boiled hamburger, microwaved chicken breasts, and scrambled eggs.  

There are also some prescription diets you can purchase through your veterinarian. 

In general, it's best to skip the over-the-counter human anti-diarrhea medications, take him out frequently, and try not to get too frustrated. Most diarrhea is self-limiting, meaning it resolves on its own within a day or two without treatment.  If your dog becomes lethargic, weak, painful, develops excessive vomiting, or the diarrhea doesn’t resolve after a few days, contact your veterinarian.