- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Dog diarrhea isn’t fun to talk about, but the fact is, most dogs will have a case of the runs at some point. It’s not hard to recognize: dogs with diarrhea will have loose, watery stools. They may defecate more often than usual and in greater amounts. Diarrhea isn’t a disease itself but rather a sign that something else is happening in a dog’s body. It’s a common issue that can point to various causes, including changes in diet, medications, allergies, stress, or an infection.
While mild cases often resolve on their own, it’s crucial to consult a vet if diarrhea persists for more than two days or if other symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or loss of appetite are present. You should also call your vet if the poop looks black or tarry.
We’ve compiled all the need-to-know information to help you take care of your dog’s diarrhea as quickly as possible. So relax, plug your nose, and let’s look at how to get your dog’s gut back in order.
When Should A Dog See A Vet About Diarrhea?
Sometimes diarrhea points to something more serious. Contact your veterinarian if diarrhea lasts more than two days and the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Discolored stool
If your dog’s stool is black and tarry, it could indicate bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, or respiratory system. Dr. Alison Manchester, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), also advises pet parents to be on the lookout for mucus or red blood in poop. If your dog’s stool is orange, green, or gray, it could mean problems with their liver, gall bladder, or pancreas.
Don’t wait with puppies
Additionally, keep a close eye on young puppies with diarrhea as they are at a higher risk for infection, including canine parvovirus, says Dr. Manchester. “Young, small animals may also have smaller reserves, so diarrhea could cause them to become dehydrated and quite ill more rapidly than expected in an otherwise healthy adult dog,” she adds. The risk of dehydration is more serious for immunocompromised and senior dogs.
Lastly, you should also watch out for constipation or dogs who show signs of pain while pooping. “These clinical signs may point to a structural issue rather than something wrong with the function of the gut,” Dr. Manchester explains. Diarrhea can also signal a food allergy.
Graphic by Rover
10 Reasons for Severe Dog Diarrhea & Vet Treatments
Treating more severe cases of diarrhea requires treating the underlying cause. With Dr. Manchester’s help, we’ve laid out the most common veterinary treatments for dog diarrhea in the chart below.
| Causes | Treatments |
| Allergies | Identify the allergen with skin & blood tests, and follow an elimination diet. Then, avoid the allergen and switch to a hypoallergenic food or limited-ingredient diet |
| Sudden dietary changes | Go back to the old diet or try introducing a new diet at a slower pace |
| Eating non-food items (socks, toys, rawhide, etc) | if there is an obstruction, endoscopic removal, or surgery; if not obstructed, supportive care |
| Eating toxins (poisonous plants, chemicals) | Depending on the toxin, it’s likely supportive care |
| Medication side effects | Stop the medication, and try restarting at a lower dose |
| Parasites (roundworms, hookworms, Giardia) | Deworming (drugs like pyrantel or fenbendazole) |
| Bacterial infections (salmonella, E coli) | Probably supportive care. In some cases, antibiotics are necessary (though primary bacterial enteritis is a very uncommon cause of diarrhea in dogs) |
| Viral infections (parvo, distemper, canine coronavirus) | Supportive care (IV fluids, nutritional support, anti-nausea medications, potentially antibiotics if white blood cells drop too low) |
| IBD (more commonly referred to as “chronic enteropathy”) | Diet is the mainstay of management. A small subset of dogs may respond to antibiotics or immunosuppressants |
| Stress (often due to routine changes) | Supplemental fiber, bland diet, possibly probiotics, environmental modifications |
Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea
The good news? Most cases of mild diarrhea will resolve within a couple of days without a trip to the vet. Pet parents can take a wait-it-out approach at home if their dog’s energy level is normal, they’re eating and drinking normally, and there’s no vomiting or signs of nausea (drooling, panting, lip-licking, retching). Closely monitor your pup for signs of improvement. In the meantime, here are ways to offer relief.
First, set up a comfortable and quiet place for your pup to rest. Avoid giving your dog a full bath until they feel better. Instead, use a soft, wet cloth or pet wipe to clean their rear to prevent odors and infections. You can clean soiled dog beds with an enzymatic cleaner, pet-safe detergent, and vinegar.
Then, you can implement a temporary fast to give your dog’s GI tract time to heal. Remove food and treats for 12-24 hours, but keep fresh water available so your dog stays hydrated. You can also give your dog rice water (the creamy liquid from boiling white rice) to provide some sustenance. Add a couple of teaspoons of chicken or dog-safe bone broth to make it more appealing.
Finally, you may be able to ease symptoms with over-the-counter medication. Use a pet-specific medication and check with your veterinarian before using it. Alternatively, a probiotic supplement can establish healthy bacteria in the gut, speeding up recovery.
How Can a Bland Diet Help Dogs Recover?
After this period of fasting, you can gradually offer small portions of a bland diet—foods rich in carbs and low in fat that provide nutrition to pets experiencing mild to moderate GI upset.
“Feeding a bland diet helps maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining, helps to keep intestinal cells and muscles functioning properly, and helps provide a pet’s calorie needs during a time of illness,” says Dr. Jennifer Sperry, DVM and veterinary advisor for Pets Plus Us. She explains that fat and fiber are a lot of work for your pet’s digestive system to process. Since a bland diet has a lower amount of these nutrients, it’s much easier to digest.
Here are some great dog-safe bland foods:
- Rice
- Pasta
- Boiled chicken
- Lean hamburger
- Scrambled eggs
- Low-fat cottage cheese
Keep in mind a bland diet is meant to be short-term. Dr. Sperry says it’s not nutritionally complete and should only be used for 3-5 days. “Once GI symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea have improved, pet families can start gradually re-introducing their pet’s long-term diet.” If symptoms haven’t resolved in this time, however, Dr. Sperry says dogs should be evaluated by their veterinarian.
Dietary Tips for Soothing Your Dog’s Diarrhea
If your dog frequently suffers from diarrhea, it might indicate a food intolerance, food allergy, or a sensitive stomach. Nutritional management can be helpful in such cases.
First, you’ll want to avoid certain foods that are more likely to cause diarrhea in dogs, such as milk and dairy products, high-fat or rich foods, and spicy foods. Dogs with sensitivities may also benefit from a limited-ingredient diet or low-fat prescription diet.
Food allergies are less common. However, avoiding the allergen is the best approach for dogs with a genuine food allergy. In addition, they may need to switch to a food with a novel protein source.
Dr. Sperry explains that the specific nutritional approach taken will depend on the underlying cause of the problem. “Some pets do better on ultra-low fat diets, while others need a rich source of soluble and insoluble fibers.” Ultimately, your vet is always your best ally in finding the right diet for your pup. They can also refer you to a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist for advice.
iStock/Iryna Imago77
How to Prevent Dog Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a malfunction in the digestive system, so you can help prevent this uncomfortable condition for your pup by making sure they’re putting nutritious food and water into their body—and nothing else. “Feeding a complete and balanced diet made from cooked ingredients should set the gut up to be healthy,” Dr. Manchester says. Here are the following tips for a balanced diet.
- Make sure your dog can’t access food scraps or garbage.
- Avoid sudden changes to your dog’s diet—all food transitions should be gradual.
- Give your dog high-quality food that will keep their digestive system functioning optimally.
- Make sure they’re eating fresh dog food.
- Avoid fatty foods—Dr. Manchester says these are more likely to incite diarrhea than fruits, veggies, or carbs.
- Avoid the activities you know are stressful for your dog.
- Ensure your dog’s vaccines are up-to-date. Dr. Manchester says they are critically important in your pet’s first year of life.
Takeaway
The color, consistency, and shape of your dog’s poop say a lot about their overall health and well-being. “Normal poop” will be chocolate brown, compact, and log-shaped. It should be easy to scoop. Frequency matters, too. On average, a healthy adult dog will poop once a day (though up to 2-3 times can be normal for some dogs).
If you have a dog, they’ll likely get a case of the runs at some point. Though diarrhea should not be taken lightly, with some strategic preventative measures, time to detoxify the digestive tract, and a temporarily bland diet, you should be able to nip most cases of diarrhea in the bud.
