Kann ich Giardien natürlich behandeln?

Nein. Giardien sind hartnäckig und brauchen eine medikamentöse Behandlung, um die Parasiten sicher abzutöten. Viele Menschen haben Angst davor, die Darmflora ihres Hundes anzugreifen, jedoch sind moderne Medikamente milder. Trotzdem kannst Du mit einer schonenden Ernährung sowie mit pro- und präbiotischen Präparaten dabei helfen, dass Dein Hund eine gesunde Verdauung behält. Haushaltsmittel wie Kokosöl solltest Du vorher mit Deinem Tierarzt besprechen, da hohe Mengen die Verdauung stören können.

Können Giardien auch auf Katzen übertragen werden?

Ja. Wenn Du Katzen im Haushalt hast, solltest Du bei einem Giardien-Vorfall auch bei Deinen Katzen auf mehr Hygiene achten. Desinfiziere auch ihre Näpfe und Katzenklos und wechsele täglich das Streu.

Können Giardien sich auch bei anderen Haustieren einnisten?

Ja, wobei die Infektionswahrscheinlichkeit eher geringer ist.

Ist Trockenfutter bei Giardien erlaubt?

Generell solltest Du Trockenfutter meiden. Oft ist bei Trockenfutter der Anteil von Getreide oder Reis hoch, wodurch auch mehr Stärke verfüttert wird, die wiederum Giardien ernährt. Wir empfehlen daher, komplett auf Trockenfutter zu verzichten und lieber ein Nassfutter zu füttern, bei dem möglichst wenig Kohlenhydrate vorhanden sind.

Darf ich meinem Hund bei Giardien Reis oder Obst füttern?

Nein. Diese Lebensmittel sind zwar leicht verdaulich, werden im Darm aber zu Zucker umgewandelt, wodurch Giardien sich besser ernähren können.

Hund läuft durch Wiese für den Ratgeber Giardien beim Hund von Liebesgut Tiernahrung

Recognising, combating and preventing giardia in dogs

Giardia are small parasites that attack the digestive tract of dogs and cats. The main symptoms are extremely foul-smelling faeces, flatulence and diarrhoea. It is important to feed your dog gently and above all without added sugar, as Giardia likes to feed on sugar and cereals. In combination with a suitable medication, there should be a rapid improvement, but some parasites can survive and strike again even after months, which is why regular check-ups are important. We explain everything you need to know about giardia in dogs.

What are the symptoms of Giardia in dogs?

Giardia initially manifests itself with relatively unspecific symptoms: If your dog is infected with Giardia, it will probably initially have general digestive problems such as vomiting, flatulence and stomach pain. A relatively reliable sign of Giardia is a noticeable diarrhoea with an extremely strong odour and a slimy consistency - however, these symptoms are also consistent with a bacterial infection. So to be sure that your dog has Giardia, the faeces must be examined.

Other alarm signs you should look out for are these:

● Prolonged diarrhoea

● Noticeable colour of the faeces such as yellow or green

● Fever

● Sluggishness

● Dull coat

● Weight loss

● In young dogs: Slowed development

You should go to the vet as soon as your dog has diarrhoea for several days in a row. As mentioned, this is not a specific sign of Giardia, but can be a first alarm signal. The vet will send in stool samples for examination. The faeces are examined for cysts. Often a blood test is also carried out to confirm the diagnosis.

The perfidious thing is that Giardia in dogs can also be completely asymptomatic, i.e. have no visible signs, or the symptoms only appear intermittently and subside in between.

How dangerous is Giardia in dogs?

Adult and healthy dogs are generally not particularly at risk, so Giardia is not normally an emergency. The situation is different in dogs with weak immune systems: This mainly includes puppies and sick dogs, old dogs are also more at risk. What is particularly problematic here is that Giardia steals important nutrients from your four-legged friend - which is why many symptoms also correspond to a lack of nutrients. Young dogs can suffer irreversible damage to their development as a result. Dogs with persistent diarrhoea can also become dehydrated.

If you suspect Giardia, you should definitely visit the vet. Even if your dog can easily cope with the parasites, its faeces are a carrier for giardia. This makes it a danger to other dogs and cats. Giardia can also be transmitted to humans, but this is less dangerous.

For this reason, you should always have permanent or recurring digestive problems in your furry friend checked by a vet.

How can Giardia be treated in dogs?

As soon as the parasites have been detected in your dog, your vet will prescribe a preparation that is administered over several days. As they are very persistent in dogs, the faeces should always be re-examined after the end of treatment. It has been shown that dogs respond very well to this therapy and around 80 per cent are cured. However, these parasites can return weeks or months later and cause problems for your dog. Most vets also recommend that a faecal examination is carried out again around two years after the first infection in order to rule out so-called "sleepers".

Your dog's diet plays a key role in the success of treatment for Giardia. Giardia in dogs needs a large amount of sugar to multiply in the intestines. Your dog absorbs this through its diet. For this reason, you should completely avoid sugar in your dog's diet if Giardia is present, and you should also avoid grain, as it can be quickly converted into sugar during digestion. Make sure that the food is specifically labelled as grain-free and sugar-free. We recommend our Sensitive wet food as it not only fulfils these requirements but is also easily digestible. Especially if your furry friend has digestive problems anyway, an easily digestible food is all the more important.

How does a dog become infected with Giardia?

Giardia are single-celled parasites that usually spread via infected faeces or water. Infected faeces carry cysts - these are Giardia that are in a kind of "protective mode" and cover themselves with a resistant layer. This layer allows them to survive for several days or months in water or moist soil until a new host ingests them. If an animal then ingests these Giardia via the mouth, the Giardia become active again and nest in the intestinal wall, where they feed on the host's food. Under these conditions, Giardia can then divide and multiply until some of the parasites become cysts and are then transmitted further via infected faeces.

Dogs are therefore infected with Giardia via infected faeces or contaminated water - this means that places where there are many dogs are particularly likely to attract Giardia. Even smear infections are possible, as around ten cysts are enough to trigger an infestation. So there is no direct protection. If your dog has Giardia, rapid treatment is important to prevent the possible spread of Giardia. You should also take strict hygiene measures: Wash all blankets and upholstery that your dog has come into contact with - preferably at a temperature of at least 65 degrees. You should always pick up and dispose of faeces so that other dogs and animals cannot become infected. Surfaces in the home should be treated with a steam cleaner and disinfectant. You should clean the transport boxes, toys and bowls properly or buy new ones.

But it's not just objects and blankets that pose a potential risk of infection. Your dog can also become infected again and again. To prevent your dog from getting Giardia again, you can clean his anus area with a special shampoo. In addition, you should make sure that your dog does not play with other dogs until the end of the treatment and the new faecal examination to prevent transmission. If you have other animals in the household, you should also treat them as a precaution to prevent mutual infection.

How do I prevent infestation with Giardia in dogs?

As mentioned above, there is no direct protection against Giardia in dogs. However, a healthy immune system and good intestinal flora can prevent infection. A healthy digestive system prevents Giardia from multiplying unchecked. So even if your dog ingests Giardia, an infection can be prevented.

However, there are a few general guidelines that reduce the chances of infection:

● Make sure your dog does not drink from puddles or similar.

● Your dog should also avoid the faeces of other dogs.

● If you have a garden in which your dog frequently spends time, you should always
always clean up their droppings.

● You should also ensure good hygiene at home.

● Be a good role model and always remove poo when you walk your dog!

Giardia in dogs: unwelcome guests

Giardia in dogs is an unpleasant problem. But don't worry: the symptoms are often mild. Good treatment and proper aftercare are important to keep your pet healthy. Even with previously ill, young or old dogs, there is no major risk with the right care. Just make sure that you and your dog live clean and, above all, healthy lives - this not only helps with Giardia, but also in general!

Frequently asked questions about Giardia in dogs

Can I treat Giardia naturally?

No. Giardia is stubborn and requires drug treatment to kill the parasites safely. Many people are afraid of attacking their dog's intestinal flora, but modern medication is milder. Nevertheless, you can help your dog maintain a healthy digestive system with a gentle diet and pro- and prebiotic supplements. You should discuss household products such as coconut oil with your vet beforehand, as large amounts can disrupt digestion.

Can Giardia also be transmitted to cats?

Yes, if you have cats in your household, you should also pay more attention to the hygiene of your cats in the event of a Giardia outbreak. Disinfect their bowls and litter trays and change the litter every day.

Can Giardia also infect other pets?

Yes, although the probability of infection is lower.

Is dry food allowed for giardia?

In general, you should avoid dry food. Dry food often contains a high proportion of cereals or rice, which means that more starch is fed, which in turn feeds Giardia. We therefore recommend avoiding dry food completely and feeding a wet food that contains as few carbohydrates as possible.

Can I feed my dog rice or fruit if he has giardia?

No. Although these foods are easily digested, they are converted to sugar in the intestine, making it easier for Giardia to feed.