What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?

There are dozens of reasons why a dog may experience diarrhea from time to time. Common causes include stress or anxiety, a virus or bacterial infection, or even a reaction to medication or food change. If your dog has diarrhea you want to get it resolved as quickly as possible!

Have you changed your dog’s food recently, or have they gotten something they don’t typically get (human food, new treats, feces from other animals, etc.)? If so, this might be the cause for your dog’s stomach upset. Be sure to switch dog food slowly over a period of 10-14 days, and  introduce new treats slowly, in small amounts.

Has something happened in your dog’s life to increase their stress level? If your dog has a very routine lifestyle, things that happen outside of their regular routine could cause some stress-related stomach issues. If you have a puppy under 6 months, be sure to socialize them as much as possible so new things aren’t as upsetting! Read about Socializing Your Puppy!

When Should You Call Your Vet?

If your dog is drinking water, willing to eat, and otherwise acting normally, you can try some home remedies to see if they help before making the call to your veterinarian. Minor cases of diarrhea can sometimes be resolved at home.

When a dog is having diarrhea, and especially when it’s a young puppy, keeping them hydrated is the top priority. If your pup is refusing to drink water, is vomiting, or has had more than a couple rounds of diarrhea in a single day, it’s best to contact your veterinarian. Young puppies can succumb to dehydration very quickly.

NOTE: When in doubt, always call your veterinarian before treating your dog for new symptoms/conditions.

What Home Remedies Do We Use for Diarrhea in Dogs?

The first step we take with our own pack or dogs in our care is to offer a bland diet. For most dogs, a cup of white rice with tablespoon of canned pumpkin puree mixed in will do the trick and get them back on track. This is adjusted for the size of the dog. We also include a tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt to introduce good bacteria back into the dog’s digestive system. We keep white rice, canned pumpkin puree (with no spices, NOT pumpkin pie filling) and plain Greek yogurt on hand at all times! A minor bout of diarrhea might be cleared up with just 1-2 meals of this combination.

Another option for a bland diet would be boiled chicken (no bones or skin) with some white rice. We would typically offer a large dog a cup of rice with a chicken breast, unless they have a known allergy to any of the ingredients. Boiled ground beef could be substituted. If your dog hasn’t been on a raw diet, this would not be the time to introduce raw chicken or beef.

We offer one of these bland diet recipes in small amounts at regular mealtimes along with plenty of water throughout the day. If the diarrhea eases, but the stool is still loose, we continue to offer the recipe for 2-3 additional days. Once the stool has returned to normal, you can go back to your dog’s regular diet.

What Are Some Other Options for a Dog with Diarrhea?

If a dog turns their nose up at these bland diet recipes, our next best advice is to give a dose of Pepto-Bismuth. We dose the same as an adult for a dog over 50lbs, and a half or quarter dose for smaller dogs. The tablets are easy to administer and help calm your dog’s digestive tract, much like they would for a human!

Under The Weather is a shelf-stable bland diet for dogs that can offer some of the same benefits of the other two options, if you prefer to have a ready-to-use meal option on hand. It’s also great for when you’re traveling with your dog – it’s lightweight and only needs water!

NOTE: If your dog has had more than two doses of any of the recipes, Pepto or Under The Weather options above and still has signs of

diarrhea or isn’t acting normally, contact your vet. The vet may conduct some testing and/or prescribe medications or a special diet. If their diarrhea clears, but their stool remains loose, continue treating for a few additional days and contact your vet with any changes or concerns.

Can Your Dog’s Diet Help Prevent Diarrhea?

We recommend checking out this post about The Best Diet for Your Dog. The quality of the food and ingredients can make a huge difference for your dog’s overall health and could be one cause of diarrhea. If your dog has chronic loose stools or frequent diarrhea, we strongly recommend checking their diet for areas you can improve. You may even consider allergy testing in chronic cases.