There are many different things that can cause diarrhoea in dogs and puppies, and fortunately, many cases are mild and resolve within the first 24-48 hours, says PDSA vet Emma Fisher.
However, it’s important for owners to be aware that some cases of diarrhoea are more serious and require veterinary attention.
If your dog has been experiencing mild diarrhoea for fewer than 24 hours, you may want to try settling them at home before contacting your vet. Whereas, if they seem unwell and have had symptoms for more than 24 hours, it’s always best to contact your vet for advice.
What causes diarrhoea in dogs?
Diarrhoea (loose stools) in dogs can be caused by a range of different things, from mild to serious. They include:
- Eating something they shouldn’t have – if your dog eats something rich, fatty, or even just something that they aren’t used to, they may experience diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
- Poisonous plants could also cause diarrhoea in dogs.
- Sudden change in food – sometimes simply changing up what your dog eats can cause a tummy upset.
- Viruses – for example, parvovirus, is a virus that causes very severe vomiting and diarrhoea, often containing blood.
- Worms – if your dog has worms living in their intestine, they may have diarrhoea, and/or vomiting.
- Giardia – a parasite that causes smelly diarrhoea, often with mucus (a clear, jelly-like substance).
- Bacterial gut infections – for example, Salmonella or Campylobacter cause severe, watery diarrhoea, usually containing blood.
- Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) – a sudden onset of severe vomiting and bloody diarrhoea, which can be life-threatening.
- Gut blockage (foreign body) – blockages inside the guts tend to cause vomiting, and a very painful abdomen (tummy). Some dogs with blockages have diarrhoea, though this is less common.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or food allergies – dogs with IBD or food allergies often have diarrhoea. Dogs with food allergies may also have skin issues like itchiness.
- Pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas (an organ that helps with digestion and produces some hormones) sometimes following a high-fat meal. Pancreatitis often causes a very sore abdomen (tummy) and sometimes vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Diseases affecting organs other than the gut – for example liver disease, kidney disease, and some cancers can cause diarrhoea (though not always). Dogs with these conditions often have weight loss and/or other symptoms.
- Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) – is a condition which stops the pancreas from producing digestive enzymes, which means the body can’t digest food properly. Dogs with EPI tend to have weight loss and diarrhoea, or soft poo that looks oily or fatty.
When should you call the vet?
Contact your vet for advice if your dog has had diarrhoea for more than 24 hours, if they have an underlying health condition, or are taking any medication (especially anti-inflammatory drugs/NSAIDs).
You should also contact your vet if your dog is very young, very old, if they seem unwell in themselves, or if they also have any of the symptoms listed below:
- Blood and/or mucus in their diarrhoea
- Severe or constant watery diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Reduced appetite (eating less)
- Vomiting
- Lethargy (low energy when they are awake)
- A painful stomach – dogs with a painful stomach will often yelp when they are picked up, hunch their back, or stand in a 'prayer position' with their front legs on the floor and hind legs stood up.
- The same applies to dogs producing soft stools but not diarrhoea – if it’s been ongoing for more than 24 hours, contact your vet for advice.
Below is some advice for home care of dogs with mild diarrhoea. You should only follow this if your dog has had diarrhoea for fewer than 24 hours and seems otherwise fine. If your dog has any other symptoms, or seems unwell in themselves, you should contact your vet for advice. It’s also important to seek advice if you have a young puppy or elderly dog with diarrhoea as this can be more serious.
How to treat dogs with mild diarrhea
Give plenty of water – make sure your dog has access to plenty of water and that they drink regularly. It’s likely that they’ll need a bit more water than usual to replace the water they’re losing in their diarrhoea.
Feed small, frequent meals – give your dog small, frequent portions of food that is easy to digest, such as boiled chicken breast or white fish with rice. Make sure not to give the skin or bones from the chicken or use salt or oils.
You can also buy tinned food from your vet practice specifically made for dogs with upset tummies. Avoid high-fat foods and dairy.
Once your dog is passing solid poos, you can slowly reintroduce their normal food over three to five days. Mix the bland diet with their usual food, increasing the amount of normal food with each meal. Don’t continue a homemade diet for more than a few days without consulting your vet.
Make sure they rest - it’s important to let your dog rest if they need to and avoid any really energetic activities until they have completely recovered from having diarrhoea.
Try probiotics – probiotic pastes and powders for dogs contain a mix of "good" bacteria that are thought to top up the natural, healthy gut bacteria inside your dog’s guts. They can be beneficial for some dogs with diarrhoea (but not all).
Ask your vet for recommendations on probiotics or to purchase them from their practice. Most of the time, dogs with diarrhoea don’t need antibiotics because they usually don’t help and can even make things worse.
Find more advice at the pdsa.
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