How to treat giardia in dogs with Probiotics, Diet and Natural Remedies

Giardiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Giardia duodenalis , which frequently affects the intestinal tract of dogs. This parasite can induce an inflammatory condition of the small intestine known as enteritis, characterized by symptoms such as chronic or intermittent diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting, and dehydration.

In this article, I will analyze the correlation between Giardia and enteritis in dogs, with particular attention to natural remedies, diet and the use of probiotics useful for supporting intestinal health and promoting healing.

💡 Correlation between Giardia and Enteritis

Giardia infestation causes an alteration of the normal intestinal bacterial flora and induces an inflammatory state in the gastrointestinal tract. This inflammatory process is what we call enteritis, or inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.

The persistent presence of the parasite determines:

• Alteration of intestinal motility
• Malabsorption syndrome
• Intestinal dysbiosis
• Increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

These factors contribute to aggravating symptoms and prolong convalescence. This is why, in addition to traditional drug treatment (e.g. metronidazole or fenbendazole), it is essential to intervene with natural and nutritional strategies to restore intestinal health.

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✅ Useful Probiotics for Dogs with Giardia and Enteritis

Probiotics play a key role in restoring the balance of intestinal flora altered by the presence of the parasite. Some bacterial strains demonstrate antagonistic activity towards Giardia and help strengthen the intestinal barrier.

Recommended probiotics for dogs:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium animalis
• Enterococcus faecium
• Saccharomyces boulardii (probiotic yeast)
• Bacillus subtilis

Benefits of probiotics:

• Giardia growth inhibition
• Strengthening the function of the intestinal barrier
• Reduction of inflammation
• Improved nutrient absorption

It is advisable to administer probiotics in association with the meal and possibly separated from antibiotics or pesticides (if used) for at least 2 hours.

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🥣 Recommended Diet for Dogs with Giardia and Enteritis

A well-balanced and easily digestible diet is essential to allow the digestive system to recover. The choice of foods must aim to reduce intestinal inflammation, provide energy and restore the balance of microbial flora.

Basic principles of a diet for dogs with Giardia enteritis:

1. Hypoallergenic and low-stimulant foods: avoid potentially allergenic protein sources (e.g. chicken, beef).
2. Easy digestion: prefer highly digestible proteins and simple carbohydrates.
3. Rich in prebiotic fiber: to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
4. Omega-3 supplementation: for their anti-inflammatory properties.

Example of a homemade diet (to be evaluated with the veterinarian):

Below you will find a personalized weekly meal plan for dogs with giardiasis and enteritis, suitable for three different sizes:

• 🐶 10 kg (small dog)
• 🐶 20 kg (medium-sized dog)
• 🐶 30 kg (large dog)

The diet is formulated to be easily digestible, hypoallergenic and nutrient-rich, with the aim of reducing intestinal inflammation, improving nutrient absorption and supporting the intestinal bacterial flora thanks to prebiotic fibers and soothing foods.

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📋General Nutritional Principles

Characteristics of the diet:

• Easily digestible proteins: turkey, lamb, egg
• Simple carbohydrates: rice, sweet potato, pumpkin
• Healthy fats: salmon oil (omega-3)
• Prebiotic fibers: pumpkin pulp, cooked carrots
• Avoid : gluten, dairy products, fatty or spicy foods

💡 Recommended supplements during the diet (if necessary) :

In the case of giardia in dogs, the natural remedies that I recommend you evaluate are:

1. VIVOMIXX/CDSS22
2. Vermal Pulver or Marsavet Vermal
3. Mycotherapy: Hericium+Coriolus
4. Colostrum noni
5. Natural probiotic (e.g. Saccharomyces boulardii or Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bacillus subtilis)
6. DiaGiar
7. Mycani Giardia Garaus

🍽️ Example Weekly Meal Plan – 10 kg dog (small size)

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Rice + boiled turkey + grated carrot	Light vegetable broth + hard-boiled egg	Pumpkin pulp + cooked lamb
Tuesday	Sweet potato + hard-boiled egg + salmon oil	Rice + turkey breast + pumpkin	Vegetable broth + lamb meat
Wednesday	Rice + minced lamb + cooked carrot	Boiled egg + sweet potato + salmon oil	Pumpkin + boiled turkey
Thursday	Light broth + rice + shredded turkey	Lamb + sweet potato meat	Boiled egg + pumpkin + carrot
Friday	Rice + turkey + salmon oil	Vegetable broth + lamb	Pumpkin + hard-boiled egg
Saturday	Pumpkin pulp + cooked lamb	Rice + Turkey	Boiled egg + sweet potato
Sunday	Rice + hard-boiled egg	Broth + turkey + grated carrot	Lamb + pumpkin

🔁 Repeat the same sequence every week, possibly rotating the protein sources.

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🍽️ Example of Weekly Meal Plan – 20 kg dog (medium size)

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Rice + boiled turkey + carrot	Light broth + hard-boiled egg	Pumpkin + lamb
Tuesday	Sweet potato + hard-boiled egg + salmon oil	Rice + Turkey	Broth + lamb
Wednesday	Rice + minced lamb + cooked carrot	Boiled egg + sweet potato	Pumpkin + Turkey
Thursday	Broth + rice + turkey	Lamb + sweet potato	Boiled egg + pumpkin
Friday	Rice + turkey + salmon oil	Broth + lamb	Boiled egg + pumpkin
Saturday	Pumpkin + lamb + carrot	Rice + Turkey	Boiled egg + sweet potato
Sunday	Broth + turkey + carrot	Rice + lamb	Boiled egg + pumpkin

🥄 Indicative daily amount: about 400-500 g of total food per day, divided into 2 main meals.

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🍽️ Example Weekly Meal Plan – 30 kg dog (large size)

Day	Breakfast	Lunch	Dinner
Monday	Rice + Turkey + Carrot	Broth + hard-boiled egg	Pumpkin + lamb
Tuesday	Sweet potato + hard-boiled egg + salmon oil	Rice + Turkey	Broth + lamb
Wednesday	Rice + minced lamb + cooked carrot	Boiled egg + sweet potato	Pumpkin + Turkey
Thursday	Broth + rice + turkey	Lamb + sweet potato	Boiled egg + pumpkin
Friday	Rice + turkey + salmon oil	Broth + lamb	Boiled egg + pumpkin
Saturday	Pumpkin + lamb + carrot	Rice + Turkey	Boiled egg + sweet potato
Sunday	Broth + turkey + carrot	Rice + lamb	Boiled egg + pumpkin

🥄 Indicative daily amount: about 700-800 g of total food per day, divided into 2 main meals.

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🧂 Ingredients and dosages per portion (example for 10 kg dogs)

Ingredient	Amount per meal (approx.)
Rice or sweet potatoes (cooked)	30–40 grams
Animal protein (turkey, lamb, egg)	40–60 grams
Vegetables (pumpkin, carrot, sweet potato)	10–20 grams
Salmon oil (optional)	1–2 drops
Water or light broth (optional)	to make the meal softer

⚠️ The quantities should be proportioned according to the weight of the dog: double for 20 kg, triple for 30 kg.

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✅ Important note

• Gradually introduce new foods to avoid further intestinal irritation.
• Avoid potentially allergic foods such as chicken, beef, dairy, fruits, or corn.
• If you use natural supplements (probiotics, GSE, Aloe), administer them separately from food.
• Always consult a veterinary nutritionist to adjust the diet to your dog’s individual needs.

Therapeutic Foods or Natural Homemade Diet

If you prefer a homemade diet, you can rely on:

• Balanced BARF diet (on the recommendation of a nutritionist)
• Hypoallergenic and easily digestible foods: turkey, lamb, rice, pumpkin, sweet potatoes
• Specific commercial foods : Hill’s i/d, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal, Eukanuba GI, Purina Veterinary Diets IT

📌 Final Advice

If you have a dog with giardiasis or enteritis, I recommend that you:

• Always perform regular fecal exams on three samples taken in the acre of one week
• Follow an integrated plan under veterinary supervision
• Use natural remedies for giardia as a support, never as a substitute for drug treatment!

The contents are for informational purposes and in no case can they constitute the prescription of a treatment or replace the specialist visit or the direct relationship with your doctor/veterinarian.