There's a pretty good chance your dog has had diarrhea at some point. Diarrhea is characterized by the passing of watery or very soft stool and is one of the most common signs of illness reported by dog owners. It's important for dog owners to understand why dogs have diarrhea and also know how to respond to it—what you can give them to treat diarrhea, when to be concerned, and more. Here's what you should know about diarrhea in dogs
What Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is loose, liquid, or very soft stool that tends to happen more frequently than normal and is larger in volume. Normal stool should be well-formed and solid. Diarrhea can range in consistency from slightly soft and unformed to thin and watery.
What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?
Diarrhea is common in dogs and may be caused by a variety of things. For example, it may be the result of something as simple as dietary indiscretion (we all know some dogs who get into the trash or sneak table scraps). However, diarrhea may be related to something more serious, such as an infectious disease or ingestion of toxins. Some potential causes of diarrhea include:
- Eating spoiled or harmful food
- Eating too many treats or chews, especially those higher in fat
- Ingesting non-edible items
- Intestinal parasites
- Food allergies or sensitivity
- Bacterial infections
- Viruses, such as parvo
- Toxin exposure
- Organ disorders, such as liver disease and kidney disease
- Fear, anxiety, and other stress
- Cancer
What to Do If Your Dog Has Diarrhea
One or two episodes of diarrhea are not necessarily reasons to become alarmed. Some cases of diarrhea are self-limiting (meaning they resolve on their own). If your dog is still eating and drinking, that's a good sign. Never give over-the-counter or prescription medications without your vet's advice. If you're that concerned, it's best to take your dog to the vet.
If your dog has diarrhea once or twice and is otherwise acting normal, remove food (not water) for 12 hours and observe your dog for the day. Monitor the stool color and consistency and make note of anything seen in the stool, such as blood, mucus, or pieces of plastic, fabric, or other inedible material. Note that dogs with diarrhea may strain to defecate with little or no stool production. This is not necessarily a cause for concern unless it continues for more than a day.
Contact your veterinarian if diarrhea continues for more than one day, or if you see other signs of illness, such as vomiting, lethargy, or loss of appetite. Occasional diarrhea is not considered normal either. If your dog has diarrhea off and on for more than a week or two, you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
Continued diarrhea can lead to dehydration or weight loss and could be a symptom of an underlying illness. It's important not to ignore symptoms when your dog is sick. Dogs often hide their illnesses for as long as possible, acting as if they feel normal when there's really something more serious going on.
Collect a Stool Sample
Before heading to the veterinarian, try to collect a sample of the diarrhea and bring it to the appointment so they can check for intestinal parasites. Of course, you should always wear gloves or use a plastic bag and wash your hands well afterward. If you can't take the stool sample to the vet right away, store it in the fridge in a sealed bag or container for up to 24 hours. Many people prefer to double-bag it because it is poop, after all.
When to Call the Vet
If any of the following circumstances apply to your dog, contact your vet immediately:
- Diarrhea episodes repeat frequently over several hours
- Extreme lethargy or lack of responsiveness
- Suspected foreign body ingestion, such as a toy or clothing
- Suspected toxin exposure
- Excess blood in the stool (light spotting isn't necessarily an emergency, but call the vet if it continues)
- Black or tarry stool appearance
- Taking medications that may cause diarrhea (stop giving the medication and call your vet)
- Gums are pale, white, bluish, or gray in color
- Abdomen seems painful and/or distended
- Worms in the stool (not an emergency, but a dewormer will be needed).
- Diarrhea occurs for more than 24 hours
- If you're in doubt, just call the vet.
If your dog has diarrhea one time and otherwise acts completely normal, you can probably continue with its normal routine and feeding. Just keep watching for diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and signs of illness.
Treatment for Diarrhea in Dogs
Your veterinarian will examine your dog and discuss their history to determine the cause of your dog's diarrhea. Other diagnostics, such as blood testing or X-rays may be necessary, and your vet may discuss medications, supplements, and dietary changes.
Treatment of diarrhea in dogs often depends on the underlying cause. Your vet may recommend medications such as metronidazole to address bacterial overgrowth or other drugs that can help firm up the stool. If intestinal parasites are found, your dog will receive the appropriate dewormer. Dogs with severe diarrhea may need to be hospitalized for supportive care, which can include intravenous fluids to combat dehydration.
Feeding a Bland Diet
Your veterinarian may recommend feeding a bland diet at home until your dog's stool returns to normal. To prepare a bland diet, mix plain, cooked white rice with boiled unseasoned chicken breast or ground low-fat meat with plain white rice. Drain off any residual fat after boiling the meat. Don't add salt or seasoning.
Feed your dog the bland diet as directed by your vet. When the diarrhea has improved, transition back by gradually adding more of your dog's normal food to the bland diet mixture. Call your vet if diarrhea continues for more than 24 hours or if other signs of illness develop.
How to Prevent Diarrhea in Dogs
As you likely know, diarrhea cannot be entirely prevented. Preventive measures related to your dog's diet are your best bet to guard against diarrhea. Avoid things that can cause digestive issues and generally wreak havoc on a dog's gastrointestinal system. You can't stop all illnesses from affecting your dog, but you can take steps to protect your dog from some of the common causes of diarrhea.
- Keep trash, food, and toxins out of your dog's reach
- Avoid feeding rich, fatty foods or too many treats
- Vaccinate your dog as recommended by your veterinarian
- Visit the vet for annual or biannual wellness checkups