How to Treat and Stop Dog Diarrhea

Overview

Most cases of diarrhea in dogs can be cured by implementing a fast for 12 - 24 hours followed by a temporary switch to a bland diet. Persistent canine diarrhea, changes in behavior or diarrhea and vomiting together indicate a more complicated problem that requires the care of a veterinarian.

Never stop providing your dog with water to avoid dehydration. If a dog will not drink try ice cubes. If your dog still refuses to drink, particularly if small breed or puppy with diarrhea, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

What is Chronic Dog Diarrhea?

Chronic diarrhea in dogs is when the consistency, frequency and volume of bowel movements changes for over 3 weeks. It can occur in the small intestine (also called small bowel), colon, or large intestine, or in both the large and small bowel.

What Causes Dog Diarrhea?

Dog diarrhea causes vary based on if the small intestine or large intestine is involved.

Dog Diarrhea Problems and Signs

Canine diarrhea is a symptom of many diseases and is a reflection of a problem in the way your dog's body is absorbing nutrients. When this system becomes out of balance due to an infection, illness, allergy, parasites or medication that your dog doesn't tolerate well, the body reacts with diarrhea.

Dog Diarrhea Guide
Dog Diarrhea Problems	Possible Cause	Action
More than a few drops of Blood in Diarrhea	Possible serious illness or intestinal disease	Visit Vet ASAP
Diarrhea and Vomiting	Poisoning, Parvo, Illness	Visit Vet ASAP
Change in Behavior such as Depression	Illness	Visit Vet ASAP
Combination of: Stomach pain Weight loss Stomach Rumbling Vomiting Gas Dehydration Changed appetite Dark bloody stools Low levels of protein in the blood (Hypoproteinemia) * Fluid buildup in the abdomen (Ascites) * Fluid buildup in the tissue such as swelling in the legs	Small Intestine Problem	Fast for 12 to 24 hours. Provide water or ice cubes. After fasting period, change to bland diet such as cooked lean ground turkey or chicken plus rice for 12 - 24 hours. See Veterinarian if condition does not improve.
Diarrhea - including mucus, bright red blood * Constipation * Increased frequency of defecation * Difficulty defecating or urinating (Tenesmus) * Inability to defecate without pain or difficulty (Dyschezia) * Vomiting * Weight loss	Large Intestine Disease	Fast for 12 - 24 hours. Change diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. See Veterinarian if condition does not immediately improve.
Diarrhea only symptom	Mild Infection, allergy, food intolerance	Change diet to chicken/rice for 24 hours. If recurs see Vet.
Dog Yellow Diarrhea	Food Intolerance, Eating of non-digestible object	Hold food for 24 hours. Change diet to chicken/rice after 24 hours. Plenty of water. If recurs or doesn't stop after 24 hours see Vet.
Black Feces	Bleeding or irritation in the digestive tract	See your veterinarian to be checked for serious disease
Light colored feces	Liver problems	See your veterinarian
Grey feces with strong odor	Calm digestive system. Withhold food for 24 hours. Provide water. Use chicken/rice diet.

Symptoms of Dog Small Bowel Diarrhea

Symptoms of small bowel diarrhea can include:

• Larger bowel movements than is normal for your dog
• Increased frequency of bowel movements (2 to 4x per day).
• Loss of weight
• Polyphagia (increase in appetite) - occurs when the digestion of food isn't normal, or the food isn't being correctly absorbed
• Melena - black tarry stools which indicates the presence of blood. There is an absence of mucus or red blood in the bowel movement.
• No difficulty in defecating (difficulty referred to as dyschezia)
• Excessive gas, stomach gurgling or rumbling
• Vomiting
• Loss of body condition
• Dehydration
• Enlarged abdominal lymph nodes

Symptoms of Large Bowel Diarrhea

Symptoms of large bowel diarrhea in dogs include:

• Fewer bowel movements than normal
• Higher frequency of bowel movements (over 4/day)
• Lack of weight loss
• Red blood in the bowel movement (hematochezia)
• Dog is in pain when defecating, or is straining
• Excessive gas
• Vomiting (not all dogs)
• Change in body condition
• Veterinarian finds that the intestines are have thickened

Diagnosis

When first seeing a case of diarrhea, the veterinarian will attempt to determine which part of the intestine is causing the problem (small intestinal involvement or large bowel diarrhea.) The veterinarian will try and first determine if parasites such as worms are the cause. Once this is ruled out, tests will be needed such as blood analysis and in more chronic cases, abdominal imaging. The veterinarian will try and determine if diet or the ingestion of things the dog should be be eating are the cause. Tests will also determine if the cause is a bacterial infection. 

If causes such as parasites, food intolerance, and bacteria are ruled out, the veterinarian will look to causes such as Idiopathic Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Dog Diarrhea Treatment

Most veterinarians will begin dog diarrhea treatment by checking your dog for parasites. If this is ruled out then they move on to dietary change.  See below to answer the question "what can I give my dog for diarrhea."

Mild Diarrhea in Dogs Treatment

For suspected mild gastrointestinal causes, such as intestinal tract inflammation, a vet will recommend fasting for 12 - 24 hours followed by small amounts of a bland diet, such as cooked lean ground turkey and rice. Feed at 1tbsp per 10 pounds of body weight. Provide a small serving every few hours for 12 - 24 hours after fasting. If the diarrhea improves, gradually increase the amount of bland diet provided over the next 1 - 2 days.  Over the next 3 - 4 days, transition back to your dog's normal diet, by gradually reducing the amount of bland food, replacing it with your dog's normal diet.

If a fecal sample is tested, the veterinarian will prescribe medications to treat the cause. For abnormal bacterial overgrowth in the stool, an anti-biotic will be prescribed to get normal bacterial back into the GI tract. Metronidazole is commonly used to get control of a diarrhea problem due to bacterial growth. It stays in the GI tract and does not effect the dog in other ways.

If there is inflammation in the bowel, a product that soothes the GI tract is needed. One product that can be sent home with the patient is called Kaolin Pectin Suspension, which is given every 4 hours.

Persistent Diarrhea in Dogs Treatment 

For cases that do not go away, a vet may also recommend dietary change, but with a switch from your dog's current diet to a commercially available hypoallergenic diet to see if food allergy is the cause. This type of diet can also be prepared at home. Many vets suggest a commercial diet that contain hydrolyzed proteins since this type of protein is absorbed better into the body. Most dogs do well with this type of diet and will respond in one week to 10 days. Dietary choices include Hill's i/d (canned or dry) and Purina EN. Both are suitable for puppies and adults.

If this doesn't help, medications are prescribed that help with canine diarrhea caused by issues such as colitis. Usually this involves the drug metronidazole and an increase of fiber in the diet. Other choices include antibiotics to fight any bacterial infection (metronidazole, tylosine, tetracycline).

If this doesn't work then additional testing is done including blood tests, examination of the digestive system and biopsies of the intestines.

After ruling out other causes your veterinarian may indicate that your dog as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD). Treatment for this condition includes several weeks of prescription corticosteroids. If it works the drug is slowly decreased in dose over time.

Treatment for Vomiting with Diarrhea

Most causes of dog vomiting with diarrhea includes withholding water and food by mouth while providing intravenous fluids in the veterinarians office. This will last until the dog does not vomit for 12 to 24 hours. After that water is provided in small amounts followed by providing a commercial GI diet for 3 to 5 days. The regular diet can then be reintroduced.

Chronic Idiopathic Large Bowel Diarrhea

Treatment for large bowel diarrhea of unknown cause may often be achieved by adding a soluble fiber to a commercially available GI diet such as Hill's i/d. One approach is to add psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid (Metamucil). Add 2 tbsp./day of Metamucil.⁽¹⁾

Natural Remedies for Dog Diarrhea

If diarrhea is a persistent problem and all of the above has been ruled out, then it might make sense to try restoring balance to your dogs digestive system such as Runni Poo Relief. It includes ingredients known to improve digestive function and health such aslantago major (Plantain), Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady’s Mantle) and Podophyllum (6C), all known for helping to restore normal stools. Discuss this option with your veterinarian.

Brochures

These free brochures on diarrhea in dogs can be downloaded and provide excellent advice for different types of diarrhea.

Dog Health Guide Diarrhea Resources

Information on Canine Diarrhea:

Control Dog Diarrhea
Common Causes of Canine Diarrhea
Problems with the Pancreas
Diarrhea due to Enzyme Deficiency
Diarrhea and Irritable Bowel Disease
Small and Large Intestine Problems
Viral Causes
Parvo virus
Illness as a cause of dog diarrhea

Dog with Diarrhea Symptoms
Gray Color
Yellow Color
Vomit Color
Vomit and Diarrhea Together
Symptoms of Intestinal Causes of Diarrhea

Treatment of Dog With Diarrhea
Canine Diarrhea Over the Counter Human Medication
Pepto-Bismol
Kaopectate
Immodium

Dog Diarrhea Diet
Chicken and Rice Diet
Use of Probiotics and Prebiotics
Natural Medicine

Ask Our Vet a Question About Your Dog's Diarrhea

References for Dog Diarrhea