- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Adding a puppy to your family is an incredibly joyful experience. However, it also comes with new responsibilities and care. Unpleasant things are part of the experience, from chewed-up shoes and incessant whining to nipping and tummy troubles like diarrhea.
If your puppy is experiencing diarrhea, keep a close eye on them. Puppies are still building their immune systems, so you want to be sure to treat any possible illness quickly. Below, we’ll discuss all things puppy diarrhea, from the most common causes and when to see a vet to the best diarrhea treatments and how to prevent it long-term.
Why Does My Puppy Have Diarrhea?
There are many reasons why puppies could get diarrhea. It could be an infection or a case of overfeeding. Your vet can help you diagnose and resolve any issues.
Here are the six most common causes of diarrhea in puppies:
1. Diet change or food intolerance
Part of having a puppy means changing their food to keep up with their growing size or address a medical issue. If you switch your puppy’s food too rapidly, it can give them diarrhea. Instead, make food transitions over 7 to 10 days unless otherwise instructed by your veterinarian. A more gradual transition gives the bacteria in your puppy’s gut time to adapt to the new food.
Additionally, your puppy might be intolerant or sensitive to certain foods. Consult with your vet to determine which hypoallergenic foods are best for your puppy.
2. Stress
Just like humans, dogs can feel stress and anxiety in their gut. Separation anxiety and acclimating to a new environment are the most common diarrhea-inducing stressors for puppies.
To combat this stress, get puppies into a routine once you take them home to help them feel at ease.
3. Bacterial infection
“Puppies have immature immune systems that are not fully developed, which makes them more susceptible to bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections that can cause diarrhea,” says Maria Baker, DVM, veterinarian at pet-how.com.
While it’s normal for some bacteria to live in your puppy’s gut, sometimes “bad” bacteria sneak in and cause problems. The bacteria Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter can all cause puppy diarrhea.
Additionally, Dr. Baker says diarrhea from bacterial infections tends to carry a foul smell. Pet parents may also notice mucus or blood in their stool.
4. Viral infection
Puppies are more susceptible to viruses than grown dogs because they haven’t received all their vaccines. Parvovirus, distemper, and coronavirus can all cause diarrhea.
Dr. Baker explains that diarrhea from viral infections is often watery. It can also cause symptoms like:
- Fever
- Lethargy (tiredness)
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
5. Parasites
Puppies can be born with parasites or catch them from the ground or water in their environment. These parasites live in a puppy’s gastrointestinal tract.
Your puppy can develop diarrhea from:
- Giardia
- Coccidia
- Roundworms
- Whipworms
- Tapeworms
“Parasitic infections often result in diarrhea with visible worms or other parasites in the stool,” says Dr. Baker. However, every infection is different, and you can’t always determine the source of diarrhea just by looking at it.
6. Eating foreign objects, garbage, or toxins
Like babies, puppies love to explore the world through their mouths. They’re quick to ingest anything, including rotten food in the garbage, chocolate on the counter, and squeakers inside the toys they destroy.
As a puppy parent, know what foods are toxic for your puppy. Additionally, get rid of dangerous toys with small pieces that can block the intestines when ingested.
If you suspect your dog ate something toxic or has an intestinal blockage, take them to the emergency vet immediately.
What To Do If Your Puppy Has Diarrhea?
First of all, don’t panic. You can handle this. After you clean up the diarrhea, look to see whether there’s any blood or mucus.
Make sure to disinfect the area after cleaning up the poop. Once you’ve cleaned up the mess, make sure your puppy gets the aftercare they need. Patrick Mahaney VMD, CVA, CVJ, suggests the following:
- Keep your puppy hydrated with water or ice cubes to lick.
- Fast for 8, 12, or 24 hours while monitoring your puppy closely.
- Feed your puppy bland foods like white rice, boiled chicken, and vegetable broth to soothe their stomach
- Try fiber-rich foods like cooked sweet potato or canned pumpkin to get their stool back to normal.
- Give them probiotics to replenish their gut health. Probiotics come in various forms, such as powders, capsules, chews, and yogurt or kefir.
- Incorporate prebiotic foods to nourish and promote the growth of good bacteria living in the colon.
- Ask your veterinarian about Rx Clay, which calms down and detoxifies the gastrointestinal tract.
You may want to place the stool inside a plastic baggie to give to your veterinarian as a fecal sample. The fresher, the better. If you’re not going to the vet right away, you can store the sample in your refrigerator for a few hours. Double-bag it to ensure it doesn’t contaminate your refrigerator or food.
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When To See a Vet About Your Puppy’s Diarrhea?
Monitor your puppy closely after they have diarrhea. If diarrhea only happens once within a 24-hour period, and they act normal, all is likely well. Dr. Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian at The Vets, says you should reach out to your veterinarian if your puppy:
- Has persistent or worsening diarrhea
- Has blood in their stool
- Acts lethargic or mopey
- Starts vomiting
- Stops eating and drinking
Dr. Baker says vets might recommend over-the-counter medications to treat diarrhea. If an infection is causing the diarrhea, the medication will be tailored to the specific illness. Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, antivirals treat viral infections, and antiparasitics treat parasitic infections.
Your vet can tell you the safest dose for your puppy’s size and age.
Why Is Puppy Diarrhea Concerning?
Puppy diarrhea can be a more serious issue than diarrhea in adults or seniors. “Their small size means they have less body fluid reserves to begin with, so any loss of fluids through diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration,” Dr. Baker explains. Severe dehydration can be deadly for growing puppies.
Additionally, chronic diarrhea could have long-term effects. Dr. Baker says diarrhea interferes with a puppy’s ability to absorb the proper nutrients from food; this deficiency can hinder their growth and development.
Some risk factors for severe diarrhea include:
- Age: Puppies under six months have a higher risk of diarrhea.
- Breed: Dr. Baker says Irish Setters, Scottish Terriers, and Yorkshire Terriers are prone to digestive issues like diarrhea.
- Environment: Puppies at high-volume breeders are more likely to get infections that cause severe diarrhea.
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How To Prevent Puppy Diarrhea
While you can’t prevent every case of tummy troubles, you can use these strategies to lower your pup’s risk of diarrhea:
- Puppy-proof your house so they can’t snack on trash or human food
- Be careful feeding your puppy cow’s milk or dairy products, as many dogs are lactose-intolerant
- Avoid feeding too many treats or fatty foods, like liver or table scraps
- Don’t leave your puppy alone for too long, or else you may come back to find stress diarrhea
- Keep exercise to an age-appropriate level as too much excitement can also cause stress diarrhea
- Vaccinate your puppy as they get old enough for each shot
- Keep an eye on how often your puppy is pooping to monitor their stomach health
Pro-Tip: Boarding your puppy with a pet sitter can be helpful if you plan to be away from home. Not only will your puppy receive constant TLC but a trusted sitter can reduce your pup’s stress and ensure their safety. Explore Rover’s dog boarding services to find an experienced pet sitter in your neighborhood!
