Why Dogs Have Diarrhea and How To Help

Our pups can develop diarrhea due to everything from eating fatty human foods to coming in contact with bacteria in the soil. Due to just how common GI upset is in dogs, it’s important to be aware of the many factors that can upset your little one’s stomach.

We want to help you get to the bottom of your pup’s diarrhea, so let’s discuss the many possible causes of an upset stomach in dogs. We will also dive into some of the best ways to help your little one with diarrhea, so let’s get into everything you need to know below!

What Is Considered Diarrhea In Dogs?

Before we discuss the possible causes of your dog’s diarrhea, it’s important to make sure you understand what diarrhea is in the first place. In order to spot abnormal stool in your canine companion, you must first understand what is considered normal.

Healthy dog poop is typically chocolate brown in color, in a formed log shape, and easy to pick up. Many describe the ideal dog poop as having a playdoh consistency, but yet still being squishy enough for a dog to pass with ease. If your dog’s poop is not formed or impossible to pick up easily, then this likely means they are experiencing soft stool or diarrhea.

Diarrhea in dogs can range in severity, which is why many veterinary professionals will ask you to describe your dog’s diarrhea to the best of your ability. While this may seem strange, some of the most helpful comparisons include soft serve ice cream, pudding, and liquid.

Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea? 6 Possible Causes

Now that you can identify that your dog is having diarrhea, it’s time to break down the most common causes of GI upset in our furry friends. Ranging from dietary indiscretion to pesky parasites, let’s discuss it all!

They Ate Something They Shouldn’t Have

The term “dietary indiscretion” refers to a dog that eats anything outside of their standard diet. This can refer to them eating items found in the trash, eating fatty human food, and even eating random items found outdoors on their walk. Due to the fact that our dog’s digestive system is not used to foods outside of their standard diet, this can easily lead to a case of diarrhea. This is especially true if the food items they consume are high in fat, as it is much more challenging for their bodies to break this fat down.

They Had A Sudden Diet Change

Just as we mentioned above, our dog’s digestive system grows accustomed to the standard diet they consume each day. Our dogs also have a delicate balance of bacteria that inhabits their digestive system, along with GI flora that lines their digestive tract. If our dogs undergo an abrupt diet change for any reason, this can throw off their delicate balance of gut bacteria, leading to the sudden onset of diarrhea.

This does not mean you cannot change your dog’s dietbut that you simply need to transition them over to the new food over a two-week period. The best way to do this is by following the guidelines below:

• Day 1: 25% of their new diet and 75% of the old diet
• Day 5: 50% of their new diet and 50% of the old diet
• Day 10: 75% of their new diet and 25% of the old diet
• Day 14: 100% of their new diet

They Have A Bacterial Infection In Their Gut

Bacterial infections are another common cause of diarrhea in our canine friends. Bacteria can be found everywhere in the world around us, and often in areas that our dogs come in contact with. Our dogs can be exposed to bacteria that exists naturally in the soil, bacteria that is present in their water bowl, and even bacteria that can develop in old food. If your pup comes in contact with any of these microscopic invaders and consumes them, this can quickly lead to a bacterial infection in their digestive system.

They Have Intestinal Parasites & Protozoa

Just as bacteria exists everywhere in the world around our dogs, so do intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites that invade a dog’s digestive tract can be found in the soil in our yard, in infected fleas, and even in sitting water. If your pup is not on a monthly heartworm prevention that contains deworming agents, this can cause them to develop a nasty parasitic infection. This is why we always suggest keeping your dog on a monthly heartworm prevention that has deworming agents, giving them flea and tick prevention once a month, as well as deworming your pup once yearly for good measure.

They Caught An Infectious Illness

Unfortunately for our beloved pups, they can be exposed to infectious illnesses that can lead to serious GI upset. These contagious diseases most commonly impact young dogs and puppies, as their immune systems are not as strong as their older canine friends. While these infectious illnesses are everywhere in the world around us, most of those that cause GI upset can be prevented by making sure your puppy or adult dog is fully vaccinated. A typical vaccination plan includes a series of three vaccines that are given 3-4 weeks part starting at around 8 weeks of age, as well as yearly vaccines for the rest of their lives.

If you have any questions about the best vaccination plan for your dog, be sure to reach out to your trusted veterinarian for assistance. Every case will vary based on the dog’s age and general health, so we always suggest seeking guidance from your vet directly.

They Have An Underlying Health Condition

Diarrhea in dogs can also be a result of an underlying chronic illness of some form. Some of these conditions can impact their digestive system specifically, or they can even lead to GI upset that causes a change in their stool. While this is always possible, most of these complications will also lead to other concerning symptoms as well.

Some of these symptoms include a change in appetite, weight changes, lethargy, disinterest in activities they typically enjoy, weakness, coat changes, and any other shifts in their behavior. If you think this might be the case for your dog, we suggest having them seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Can You Treat A Dog’s Diarrhea At Home?

If your dog is experiencing a sudden case of diarrhea, you might be wondering if you can treat their GI upset at home. You certainly can treat some cases of dog diarrhea at home, but you just need to make sure the situation is minor enough to allow it. To make sure you know whether or not you can attempt to resolve your dog’s diarrhea at home, let’s break down the do’s and don’ts of home care for GI upset in your canine friend.

You can begin home care for your dog’s diarrhea (with vet approval) if:

• They are over 1 year of age
• They do not have any known health conditions
• They have had diarrhea for less than 48 hours
• They have a normal appetite
• They are not vomiting
• They are not experiencing any lethargy or weakness

You should pass on home care and reach out to your vet instead if:

• They are a puppy
• They have any other signs of GI upset like vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy, or abdominal pain
• They have had diarrhea for more than 48 hours
• They have any underlying health conditions

If your dog has had diarrhea for less than 48 hours and is suitable for home care based on the list above, then you can attempt the home care instructions we will discuss below! Just be sure to always reach out to your vet first, as they may have other guidance to offer based on your dog’s medical history.

Temporary Fasting To Help Their Stomach Settle

If you think your dog’s diarrhea is a result of something they ate, you can attempt to fast them for 12 hours to allow their digestive system some time to rest. Sometimes a dog’s GI system can be in overdrive when they are having diarrhea, so a short fasting period can allow things to slow down.

Just keep in mind that you can only do this with healthy adult dogs that do not have any underlying health conditions, as fasting can be dangerous for puppies and elderly canine friends. Once you do introduce food again 12 hours later, be sure to offer them a bland diet.

Offer Them A Bland Diet For 5-7 Days

If your dog is experiencing a mild case of diarrhea, then offering them a bland diet for 5-7 days can be beneficial. This can be helpful for furry friends that have not yet seen the vet for their diarrhea, as well as being used in addition to veterinary care. If your dog is having GI upset of any kind, your vet will likely recommend a bland diet for 5-7 days regardless.

The standard bland diet option that vets recommend is boiled chicken breast and white rice. You can also use boiled ground turkey if your dog does not like chicken, or any other lean protein source your dog enjoys. If your dog has any protein allergies and you are not sure what would work best for them, just be sure to reach out to your vet for guidance.

When To Take A Dog With Diarrhea To The Vet

If your dog has a bad case of diarrhea, you may be wondering when it is time to have them seen by a veterinarian. We want to make sure your pup gets the help they need, so let’s offer some tips to help you determine when your dog with diarrhea needs vet care.

No matter the potential cause of your dog’s diarrhea, we always suggest having them assessed by a vet if their diarrhea lasts for more than 48 hours. Diarrhea that lasts for more than 24 to 48 hours can lead to dehydration in our furry friends, and this often requires some form of medical care to resolve properly. Vet care is especially important if your dog is also experiencing vomiting or a decreased appetite, as this increases the risk of dehydration even more.

In addition to the 48 hour rule and the presence of other GI symptoms, we always suggest having your dog with diarrhea seen by a vet if they are a puppy, if they are elderly, or if they have any chronic medical conditions. These furry friends are more at risk of life threatening dehydration and serious health complications, so we always suggest having them assessed as soon as possible when diarrhea develops.

Final Thoughts

Though diarrhea in dogs can be due to benign factors, it can also be a result of serious underlying medical conditions. This is why we always suggest having them seen by a vet if their diarrhea lasts for more than 48 hours, as this can point to an underlying threat that requires medical care. Be sure to review the potential causes of diarrhea that we discussed above, and you will get to the bottom of your dog’s diarrhea in no time!

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