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Diarrhea in Dogs

Diarrhea in Dogs: What to Do

Updated on February 03, 2023
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Reviewed by Dr. Elyse Macartney
DVM

Causes | When to call your vet | Diagnosing the causes | Veterinary treatment | Treating dog diarrhea at home

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Most pet parents know what it’s like to have a dog with diarrhea. Maybe your beloved pet seems to go out the doggie door every other minute—or perhaps they don’t even make it outside. Though diarrhea in dogs can be an indication of serious illnesses, there is some good news!  Diarrhea in dogs is not always a big deal, and treating dog diarrhea can be simple.

Dog diarrhea is very common, and sometimes it’s just a way for your dog’s intestinal tract to clean itself out—not a cause for concern. However, diarrhea can also indicate that something isn’t right inside your dog—from a mild problem like indigestion to potentially serious or even life-threatening health conditions. Read on to find out how to treat diarrhea in dogs, including advice on how to help your pet at home before a veterinary visit . For more information, visit our guide, What Is Your Dog’s Poop Telling You?

Causes of diarrhea in dogs

If your dog has diarrhea, something is wrong, and the severity of the cause can vary a great deal. Before you learn how to treat dog diarrhea, you’ll need to know what’s causing it. Some of the possible causes of dog diarrhea include the following.

Garbage gut

Many dogs happily chow down on whatever they can find, and some even consume unusual or indigestible items. This could be a cause of diarrhea.

Stress

Much like humans, dogs can experience indigestion when they are anxious or stressed, such as when a new pet is brought into the family, or you move homes. 

Sudden dietary change

Dogs sometimes get diarrhea when they switch to a new food. This is especially likely if the switch occurs rapidly, rather then slowly. 

Infection

Viral, bacterial and parasitic infections can all cause diarrhea. Parvovirus, Giardia, hookworms, roundworms, coccidia and whipworms are just a few unwelcome guests that might cause diarrhea in your pup.

Dietary sensitivities and intolerances

A dog with diarrhea may be suffering from an undiagnosed food sensitivity.

Exposure to toxins or drugs

Your dog may be reacting after being accidentally exposed to a drug or chemical compound.

Pancreatic disease

This disorder can affect your pet’s ability to digest food and absorb nutrients, resulting in diarrhea.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Chronic digestive tract inflammation could be behind your dog’s diarrhea.

Irritable bowel syndrome

A constantly upset stomach or irritated intestinal tract can lead to frequent diarrhea.

Cancer

Diarrhea may be symptomatic of some types of cancer.

Diseases outside the digestive tract

Treating dog diarrhea isn’t always a matter of finding out what’s happening in the digestive system. Diseases outside the digestive tract—such as liver failure or heart disease—can produce diarrhea as a side effect.

These are just a few of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs—but there are many others. If your dog is experiencing diarrhea for several days, has other symptoms such as vomiting, inappetence, or lethargy, and seems to be deteriorating, it is crucial to take your pet to see a veterinarian to reach a diagnosis and discuss dog diarrhea treatment.

When to call your vet

Sometimes it’s okay to treat dog diarrhea at home—for instance, if you watched your dog have a dietary indiscretion with a food that isn’t known to be toxic, and you know that’s the cause of their trouble. However, you should never try treating a dog with diarrhea at home if certain additional symptoms are present. If any of the following apply, contact your veterinarian.

  • The diarrhea is profuse, frequent and extremely watery
  • Your dog has been experiencing diarrhea for more than two days
  • Diarrhea contains blood or is dark and tarry
  • Your dog is vomiting, depressed, lethargic or exhibiting signs of pain
  • Your dog is very old or has a preexisting condition that would make them unable to tolerate even mild dehydration
  • Your dog is a puppy

It’s important to note that diarrhea in puppies can be particularly serious. If your dog with diarrhea is very young, don’t try any home remedies, even if their diarrhea seems mild—contact your vet for advice right away. 

Diagnosing the cause of dog diarrhea

To determine how to treat diarrhea in dogs, veterinarians must first find the root cause, or make a diagnosis. Figuring out whether diarrhea originates in the large or small intestine is a necessary step in this process, as tests and treatments may differ accordingly. Small intestine diarrhea may present as large amounts of diarrhea at a slightly increased frequency—possibly with dark, digested blood. Large intestine diarrhea may be indicated by small amounts of diarrhea at a very increased frequency—possibly with bright blood or mucus.

Once your veterinarian has reviewed your pup’s health history, done a physical examination and—in some cases—received results from a stool sample test, they’ll decide whether further testing is needed before treating dog diarrhea. Here are just some of the tests your vet may perform.

  • Blood chemistry panel
  • Complete cell count
  • Urinalysis
  • Abdominal x-rays
  • Abdominal ultrasound
  • Endoscopy
  • Parvovirus lab test
  • Pancreatitis lab test
  • Other specialized lab tests

What causes jelly-like diarrhea in dogs?

A dog with diarrhea containing jelly-like mucus most likely has diarrhea originating in the lower part of the digestive tract—the large intestine. Several conditions can lead to diarrhea developing in the large intestine, but some of the most common include parasites, inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. If your dog’s diarrhea does not improve within a day or two on a bland diet, consult your veterinarian for further testing.

Veterinary treatment for dog diarrhea

Your dog’s diarrhea treatment depends on its underlying cause, severity and any other health considerations your pet may have. Treatment can vary widely depending on these factors. For instance, surgery may be required to remove a swallowed sock or an undigested piece of food or treats. Inflammatory bowel disease or a food sensitivity could mean switching to prescription dog food and treats. A parasite might be treated with medication from the pet pharmacy. In severe cases of diarrhea, hospitalization may be required at the start of treatment so a dog can receive intravenous fluids and electrolytes. Hospitalization may also be recommended if a canine needs to be under medical supervision or monitoring.

Treating dog diarrhea at home

This is a reasonable first step if your adult dog has mild to moderate diarrhea and seems to be in otherwise good condition. Some steps you might want to take include the following.

Fluids

Encourage your dog to drink water. You may also try offering your dog a second bowl containing a 1:1 dilution of an electrolyte solution—for instance, Pedialyte—or a very diluted chicken or beef broth with water. Do not give your dog undiluted electrolyte solution or broth. Check labels to ensure the electrolyte solution contains no xylitol and the broth contains no alliums, as these are harmful to dogs.

Bland foods

Try feeding your dog with diarrhea a bland diet of boneless, skinless white meat chicken in a 50/50 mix with plain white rice for 1 to 2 days. Special bland diets are also available through veterinarians. If the issue resolves, you can gradually reintroduce regular food to your dog for about a week. If their normal food is the culprit, check out our guide, How to Transition Your Dog to a New Diet.

Medication

Give your dog an antidiarrheal kaolin-pectin medication to absorb excess fluid in the intestines and slow bowel movement. Be sure to follow label instructions closely.

Probiotics

Probiotic supplements can help normalize your dog’s gut bacteria and help support intestinal health.

When to call your vet

If your dog’s diarrhea fails to improve or worsens after 24 to 48 hours of at-home dog diarrhea treatment, make an appointment with your veterinarian.

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