Few symptoms are more concerning (and perhaps messy!) for pet parents than when their dog has diarrhea. Our Baltimore vets understand that if your pup has diarrhea, you need a cure quickly. Here are some of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs and what you can do to help resolve the distressing issue.
Diarrhea in Dogs
Many dogs will have issues with diarrhea in their lifetimes, for a wide range of reasons.
Mild bouts of diarrhea are common in our canine friends and can be caused by mild intestinal distress, often because your dog has eaten a small amount of something that doesn't agree with them, such as scraps from the dinner table, or just as a result of switching to a new flavor or brand of food.
That said, many serious health issues can cause your dog to suffer from diarrhea. Today, our Baltimore vets will list these issues, recommend when to contact your vet and describe common treatments.
What causes diarrhea in dogs?
Here are some of the most common reasons for diarrhea in dogs:
- Eating garbage or spoiled food
- Medications such as antibiotics
- Stress or anxiety
- Intestinal cancer
- Colitis
- Pancreatitis
- Change in treats or overall diet
- Ingesting poisons or toxins
- Ingestion of foreign objects such as fabric, bones and toys
- Viral infections such as distemper, coronavirus or parvovirus
- Liver or kidney disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Parasites — Giardia, coccidia, whipworms, roundworms or hookworms
- Bacterial infections, including salmonella
With all these potential causes, how do you know whether your dog will need to visit the vet?
When should you contact your vet?
If your dog has had a single episode of diarrhea but is otherwise acting normal, it's likely not a cause for concern. Track your dog's bowel movements to see whether your pup starts to feel better on his or her own. More than two episodes might be cause for concern as these could indicate a health problem, so it's a good idea to contact your vet if your pooch experiences two or more bouts of diarrhea.
If your pup is straining to pass a stool but only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy. This is a veterinary emergency and needs veterinary attention right away. Contact your vet or head to the nearest emergency animal hospital for care.
Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short period of time could be a sign of a very serious health issue, particularly if your pup is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your pooch is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea.
Dogs showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea should also be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms, contact your vet right away to make an appointment:
- Lack of Appetite
- Blood in stool
- Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)
- Unusual drooling
- Weakness
- Vomiting
If your pooch is displaying any symptoms that cause you concern, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet's symptoms indicate that an examination is necessary.
How can you stop diarrhea in dogs?
When it comes to treating diarrhea in dogs it's essential that you never give your dog medications formulated for people before consulting your vet. Many human medications are toxic to dogs and could cause further health complications for your pooch.
If your pup has had one or two runny or soft stools, you may want to give your dog some time to recover by simply fasting for 12 to 24 hours.
A bland diet for 24 to 48 hours may help to resolve your pup's issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) may help to make your pup's tummy feel better. Once your pooch feels better, gradually reintroduce their regular food.
Other things that might help to soothe your dog's upset tummy include natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg with no oil added, specially formulated dog foods, and medications prescribed by your vet.
When it comes to your pup's health it is always best to err on the side of caution. By taking your pooch in for an examination you give your vet the opportunity to determine the underlying cause of your pup's diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
Chronic diarrhea in dogs is a serious health issue. If your pup is suffering from diarrhea, contact our Baltimore vets today to schedule an appointment. We can treat your dog's diarrhea and help your pooch feel better.
Almost all dog owners have been there: Your poor dog does their business as usual in the yard or out on a walk. The problem? Well, it isn't really business as usual. This time, their business is much harder to pick up with the plastic baggie, or it's running down their back legs — more liquid than solid. Yep, your dog has a dreaded case of diarrhea.
Normal dog stool should be "chocolate brown, shaped like logs, compact, and easy to scoop," according to the American Kennel Club, which just ruined chocolate for readers everywhere. "Experts say it should feel like cookie dough or Play-Doh when pressed," the AKC writes. Poop that is watery or puddle-like or has signs of mucus is not typical and may require medical attention. Luckily, there are a few things you can give your dog to help with their diarrhea if it doesn't clear up on its own.
What causes dogs to have diarrhea?
Dr. Danielle Bernal, global veterinarian with Wellness Pet Food, tells Woman's Day that dogs can have loose stools or diarrhea for a variety of reasons, but most often it's related to something that they've eaten. "This includes eating something the dog shouldn’t have, a sudden change in diet from not gradually transitioning to a new food or a food allergy or sensitivity," Bernal says.
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Diarrhea could also be caused by or is associated with the following:
- Stress
- If a dog is on medication or antibiotics that upsets their stomach
- Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia
- Viruses like parvovirus, distemper, coronavirus, and an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, such as salmonella
- Underlying medical issues such as kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease
- Dietary indiscretion (eating too much), eating garbage, or eating spoiled food, according to the American Kennel Club.
- Poisonous plants or substances
- Swallowing a foreign object that isn't digestible
What can help?
Because there are so many things that can contribute to your dog having diarrhea, you might need to work with your veterinarian to figure out the root cause before you can pinpoint the right solution.
"With so many causes as to what can upset a dog’s digestive system it is often difficult to assume a one size fits all approach to a solution," Bernal says. "Start by thinking back on what your dog has eaten or done in the past 12-24 hours. Have they had a chance to eat anything new or something they should not have? Are there any other clinical signs that could suggest something more serious could be underlying? Knowing this history is key to determining what next steps to take."
Many times, diarrhea is episodic and should resolve on its own, Dr. Lisa Lippman, a veterinarian in New York City, tells Woman's Day. "If it lasts more than a day, and there aren’t any other symptoms, you can try offering your dog something to eat that’s highly digestible, like shredded white meat chicken and pumpkin." You could also try giving them boiled chicken and rice, according to Bernal.
Signs to watch out for.
There are a few warning signs you should watch out for that would warrant a trip to the vet, Lippman says, including the following:
- Diarrhea that lasts longer than a day or two
- Diarrhea that is streaked with blood
- Your dog seems lethargic or listless
- Your dog is showing signs of dehydration, and excessive vomiting accompanying diarrhea
If the diarrhea is being caused by internal parasites, bacterial overgrowth, or systemic disease, it will persist and likely require medical treatment.
Keeping your dog's poop healthy.
One of the first steps toward keeping your dog's bowel movements healthier is to feed them a high-quality food, Lippman says, which generally means one that is high in protein with healthy non-meat ingredients.
"A diet rich in high quality, highly digestible ingredients supports maximum nutrient absorption, so choose pet foods with added dietary fibers, prebiotics and guaranteed amounts of probiotics that can help support their microbiome," Bernal explains. "After all, 70% of a dog’s immune system is located in their gut, so supporting their digestive health will keep their immunity and natural defenses strong."
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