Rain, Puddles, and Doggy Gut Drama: What Aussie Pet Parents Need to Know This Autumn

Here in Queensland, it feels like it’s been raining for weeks – and we’re not the only ones getting cabin fever! For our four-legged mates, all that soggy weather means less park time, fewer sniff adventures, and one sneaky hazard we don’t always think about… puddles.

When the clouds finally clear, your dog might race back to their favourite patch of grass – only to find something very tempting waiting in those muddy puddles. But beware: that “mystery drink” could be a recipe for tummy trouble.

What’s Hiding in That Puddle?
After a hot Aussie summer, sudden downpours wash all sorts of nasties into puddles: dog poo, garden chemicals, fertilisers, and parasites like Giardia. Because puddles are stagnant, they become little swamps of bacteria and parasites. Yuck!

According to the Australian Veterinary Association, waterborne parasites like Giardia duodenalis are common causes of gastrointestinal illness in dogs – especially in warm, humid climates like ours.
Common symptoms include:

• Diarrhoea (often watery or foul-smelling)
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Cramping or discomfort
• Giardia isn’t the only suspect – bacterial infections, especially from E. coli, also rise during wet weather.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe After Rain
Here’s how you can protect your pet:

• Always bring fresh, clean water for your dog on walks.
• Avoid letting them drink from puddles, creeks, or bowls at off-leash parks.
• Stay away from stormwater drains after rain.
• Gently wash their paws and belly after walks.
• Maintain regular worming treatments and provide probiotic support.

If Your Dog Has a Tummy Trouble
If your dog ends up with the runs or a sore tummy, here’s how to soothe and stabilise their digestive system:

1. Temporary Fasting – Withhold food for 12–24 hours (but keep fresh water available!).
2. Offer Gentle, Gut-Friendly Meals – Start with small portions of:
   • Plain steamed pumpkin – fibre-rich and soothing
   • Boiled white rice – easy to digest
   • Lean, boiled free-range chicken or turkey
   • Unsalted bone broth - which is hydrating and healing (check out our recipe in the blogs!)

Add a Gut-Boosting Supplement
That’s where SymbioPaws comes in.

Formulated in Australia, SymbioPaws combines veterinarian- and nutritionist-approved prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. It’s designed to:

• Restore healthy gut bacteria
• Soothe inflammation
• Improve digestion
• Promote long-term gut health

SymbioPaws includes:

• Bifidobacterium animalis: A gut-loving probiotic that supports digestion, strengthens the immune system, and helps dogs bounce back faster from tummy upsets.
• Inulin: A natural prebiotic fibre that supports digestion, helps firm stools, and may even help reduce bad breath by balancing the microbiome.
• Saccharomyces boulardii: A robust probiotic yeast that supports gut health, especially after diarrhoea, antibiotics, or tummy upsets.

Puddle Watch: Stay Ahead of Gut Drama
You can’t stop your pawsome mates from having fun when they get out and about, but please be aware of what might be lurking next time your dog eyes off a puddle. Your dog can bounce back naturally with prevention, gut-soothing foods, and SymbioPaws.

Stay dry, stay safe – and give your pup a belly rub from us at Pawsome Naturals!

References:

1. Australian Veterinary Association. (2022). Giardia in Dogs and Cats: What Pet Owners Should Know.
2. Hussein, A.H., et al. (2022). Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in dogs and cats. Veterinary World.
3. Rossi, M. et al. (2014). Effect of Bifidobacterium animalis on gut microbiota composition and health. Journal of Animal Science.
4. Muir, J. G., et al. (2016). Fiber and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Clinical Nutrition.
5. Gironés, J. et al. (2018). Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745 in the treatment of acute diarrhoea. World Journal of Gastroenterology.
6. Sanders, M.E., et al. (2021). Fermented foods and bone broth in gut health. Frontiers in Nutrition.