Dogs often experience diarrhea when they’re feeling unwell. While diarrhea can sometimes be common and insignificant, it can signal more serious health problems that require attention. Understanding the causes, recognizing accompanying symptoms, and knowing how to treat and prevent diarrhea can help you keep your dog’s health in check.

What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?

Diarrhea in dogs can be triggered by various causes, ranging from minor dietary indiscretions to severe medical conditions. Let’s explore some of the most common causes:

Dietary Changes

One of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs is a sudden change in diet. A dog’s stomach is sensitive to a specific set of foods, and introducing new foods too quickly can upset their stomach. For example, when your dog is used to eating dry kibble and switches quickly to wet food with different ingredients, it may lead to diarrhea for your dog.

Food Intolerances and Allergies

Some dogs may have specific food intolerances or allergies. Common culprits include dairy products, gluten, and certain proteins. If your dog is allergic or intolerant to something in their diet, their body may respond by expelling the irritant, leading to diarrhea.

Infections

Infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause diarrhea in dogs. Common infections include parvovirus, distemper, and infections caused by bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli. Parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, and giardia can also lead to digestive issues, resulting in diarrhea.

Toxins and Poisons

Dogs are curious creatures, often getting into things they shouldn’t. Ingesting toxins, such as household cleaners, plants, or spoiled food, can lead to severe gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea. Toxic foods such as garlic, chocolate, and onions can also be super deadly for your dogs. When you notice your dog eating these toxic foods and substances, it’s important to bring it to the vet immediately.

Medications

Certain medications and prescriptions can also cause diarrhea in dogs. Antibiotics, for instance, can disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your dog's gut, leading to loose stools. Each dog is unique and has a different reaction to each type of medicine, which is why it’s important to consult us first before giving your dog any.

Stress and Anxiety

Dogs can also feel stress and anxiety just like us humans. The stress takes a toll on their bodies, which leads to physical symptoms such as diarrhea. Changes in routine, new environments, or separation anxiety can trigger stress-induced diarrhea in some dogs. Even a quick car ride and visiting the vet can cause diarrhea in dogs.

Underlying Health Conditions

Chronic or recurring diarrhea may be a sign of something much more serious, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), pancreatic issues, or liver disease. These conditions require veterinary diagnosis and long-term management. So, when your dog has prolonged diarrhea, it’s important to visit the vet.

How to Diagnose Diarrhea in Dogs

Diagnosing diarrhea in dogs is one of the duties you have as your dog’s caretaker. While a single episode of loose stool might not be alarming, ongoing or severe diarrhea requires closer attention. 

1. Monitor the Symptoms

The first step in diagnosing diarrhea is careful observation. Monitoring your dog’s symptoms allows you to assess what to do and where to go. Here’s how to do it:

Duration and Frequency

Take note of how long diarrhea lasts and how frequently it occurs. If the diarrhea is still ongoing for more than 24 hours or if there are multiple episodes in a short period, a visit to the vet is the best option.

Color and Consistency

Observe the consistency and color of your dog’s stool. Diarrhea can range from slightly loose to completely liquid. The color can also give clues about the underlying cause. For instance, black stools could indicate internal bleeding, while yellow or green stools may suggest liver or ball bladder issues. 

Behavior and Appetite

Along with diarrhea, monitor your dog’s overall behavior and appetite. If your dog is still active, playful, and eating normally, the cause of diarrhea may be less severe. However, if your dog becomes lethargic, loses interest in food, or appears uncomfortable, these are signs that something more serious might be going on.

Other Symptoms

Along with your dog’s diarrhea, it may also experience other symptoms that may give clues to its condition. These are:

• Vomiting

• Fever

• Dehydration

• Boating

• Abdominal pain

• Gastrointestinal tract issues

2. Visit the Vet

If your dog’s diarrhea is accompanied by any of the symptoms above, it’s important to visit the vet. Here’s what you can expect while our vets diagnose your dog’s diarrhea:

Fecal Examination

Our vets will start with a fecal examination under a microscope. This test can identify the presence of parasites, bacteria, or other pathogens that might be causing diarrhea. The fecal exam is a critical first step in determining the specific cause of diarrhea in dogs.

Blood Tests

Blood tests are often performed to assess your dog’s overall health. These tests can reveal signs of infection, inflammation, dehydration, anemia, or organ dysfunction. Blood tests also help in evaluating the dog’s liver, kidneys, and pancreas, which can be linked to gastrointestinal issues and your dog’s diarrhea.

Diagnostic Imaging

If the cause of diarrhea is still not clear, our vets may recommend imaging studies such as X-rays or an ultrasound. These diagnostic tools help us visualize the dog’s internal organs and detect abnormalities like blockages, tumors, or foreign objects in the digestive tract. 

Endoscopy and Biopsy

In more complex cases, we might use an endoscopy or biopsy. An endoscopy procedure involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera into your dog’s digestive tract to look for ulcers, tumors, or other abnormalities that might not be visible on X-rays or ultrasounds. 

A biopsy is when we collect tissue samples from your dog and carefully study it to determine any presence of pathogens that could be the cause of diarrhea.

How to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

When your dog is suffering from diarrhea, finding the right treatment is crucial to help them feel better and recover quickly. Here’s a closer look at the most common and effective treatments for diarrhea in dogs:

Fasting

Withholding food from your dog for 12 to 24 hours helps their stomach have a much-needed break. This period without food allows their stomach to rest and and recover from what’s causing the diarrhea, whether it's a minor dietary indiscretion or a mild infection. 

Bland Diet

After fasting, your dog’s digestive system needs gentle, easily digestible food to ease back into normal eating habits. A bland diet is designed to be soothing and simple, which helps firm up stools and prevent further diarrhea. The most common foods to use are boiled chicken and rice, which provide a good amount of protein and other nutrients for your dogs.

Other options include boiled turkey, lean ground beef, and potatoes. Make sure to serve these foods with no seasonings and in small portions to help your dog recover.

Probiotics

Probiotics are supplements that have bacteria that are good for the gut. Probiotics help in promoting better digestion and faster recovery. However, before proceeding with probiotics, consult with us first so we can guide you on the correct use of probiotics for your dog’s diarrhea.

Medications

In some cases, diarrhea can be treated by specific medical treatment. Depending on the diagnosis, we may prescribe various medications to help address your dog’s diarrhea. These include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-parasite medications, and anti-diarrheal medicines.

Hydration

One of the most important steps to recovery is through good hydration. Diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration in your dogs, especially if it’s severe or prolonged. By providing fresh and clean water all the time, your dogs can slowly recover and regain their strength.

In some cases, our vets may recommend an electrolyte solution designed for dogs to help replenish lost fluids and electrolytes. These solutions can be particularly helpful if your dog has constantly been vomiting or has severe diarrhea.

Preventing Diarrhea in Dogs

While we offer viable treatment options for your dog’s diarrhea, it’s still helpful to focus more on preventive techniques. Here are some tips we recommend:

Maintain a Good Diet

Avoid sudden changes in your dog’s diet. If you need to switch foods, make sure to do this slowly. We recommend consulting with us first before introducing any type of food for your dog especially if they have sensitive stomachs. This will help your dog’s digestive system adjust.

Be Careful with Treats

Many human foods are not suitable for dogs and can cause digestive upset. Stick to dog-safe treats and avoid feeding your dog table scraps, especially fatty, spicy, or rich foods.

Keep Your Dog Safe

Prevent your dog from accessing garbage, toxic plants, and other hazards that could lead to poisoning or ingestion of harmful substances. Ensure your home and yard are dog-proofed to minimize risks.

Regular Vet Check-Ups

Regular vet check-ups can help catch potential health issues before they become serious. We can help you monitor your dog and keep it up-to-date with vaccinations and parasite prevention.

Keep Your Dog Stress-Free

Try to keep your dog’s environment calm and predictable. Provide plenty of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and affection to help your dog feel secure and happy.

Conclusion

While diarrhea in dogs can be concerning, it can also be easily managed. With the right understanding and care, your dogs can be safe from diarrhea and live happy, gut-healthy lives. Your dog’s health is worth the effort, and with a little care and attention, you can make sure that diarrhea doesn’t disrupt their happy and active life.