If your dog’s tummy has been a bit upset lately and your vet has mentioned Giardia, you’re not alone. Giardia is a fairly common intestinal parasite that can affect dogs, the good news is, with the right care and nutrition, most dogs bounce back really well.
What is Giardia?
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines. It attaches to the lining of the digestive tract, which can cause inflammation and make it harder for your dog to absorb nutrients properly.
Dogs can pick up Giardia in a few different ways, often from:
Drinking or swimming in contaminated water (like puddles or ponds)
Coming into contact with infected poops while out on walks
Grooming themselves after touching contaminated surfaces or other dogs
Common Symptoms of Giardia
Giardia can cause a few symptoms, such as:
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Weight loss
Reduced appetite
General tummy discomfort or bloating
Treatment and Recovery
Treatment typically includes a worming medication, sometimes combined with antibiotics and probiotics to support gut healing. It’s also really important to maintain good hygiene at home:
Wash food and water bowls regularly
Pick up and dispose of poo promptly
Wash hands thoroughly after handling anything contaminated
Avoid dogs sharing bowls or toys while treatment is ongoing
Supporting Recovery with Butternut
Once your dog is on the mend, gentle nutrition can make all the difference to their recovery. Our Butternut Box meals are gently cooked and easy to digest, ideal for sensitive tummies or those recovering from Giardia.
Here’s what we’d suggest:
Try our leaner recipes like Chicken, Turkey, Game, Veggie, meals, which are super gentle on tummies. We’d suggest starting with one of these meals first to help keep things consistent and gentle on digestion.
Add a daily gut health supplement to support the beneficial bacteria in the gut.
If you’re new to Butternut, once tummies have settled we would suggest transitioning slowly over 14 days to avoid upsetting the tummy further. You can do this by adding in a teaspoon of Butternut to each meal on day one, and each day gradually increase the Butternut whilst reducing the old food until your dog is eating their full portion of Butternut,
If you have more than one dog, keep using separate bowls and continue with thorough cleaning until your vet confirms the infection has cleared.
The Bottom Line
Giardia can sound scary, but with vet care, good hygiene, and a tummy friendly diet, most dogs recover quickly and happily.
If you would like more support, our team would love to help, just drop us a message, our team of friendly Vet Nurses are always on hand to answer any questions.