The facts about dog diarrhoea
It may be unpleasant, but whether your dog has diarrhoea or not, you should keep an eye on their poo - it's a very useful indicator of gut health.
Obviously, your dog’s diet is going to play a big part in what their poo looks like. A mid brown colour is common, but the colour will vary depending on what he’s eating. It should be firm but not too firm, and your dog will go regularly, though not more than a few times a day. If your dog’s stool is entirely liquid, or very mushy then your dog or puppy has diarrhoea.
Why does my dog have diarrhoea?
There are numerous causes of diarrhoea in dogs:
- change in diet - a simple change in diet can unsettle your dog's gut
- eating something during a walk - let's face it, when they're out and about, dogs can pick up things we'd rather they didn't - and sometimes their gut would agree!
- medication - some medication may upset the dog's stomach; it's important to check with your vet before continuing to give the medicine.
- parasites and infections - including bacterial infections, viral infections or infestations with one of several types of worm (such as roundworm, tapeworm or hookworm). There are also many other conditions including food intolerances, inflammatory conditions and some other more serious conditions that can cause diarrhoea.
Always speak to your vet if you’re concerned about your dog.
What do I do if my dog has diarrhoea?
Whilst diarrhoea in dogs is really common and often nothing to worry about, it’s still worth speaking to your vet, especially if your dog is not his usual self, off his food, not drinking as normal, there is any blood in the stool, or his belly seems bloated.
Don't starve dogs with diarrhoea unless your vet has told you to withold food. This is especially important for puppies who do not have the bodily reserves of older dogs. However, your dog’s normal food may be a bit rich for them to cope with at this time, so your vet might recommend that you give something blander (such as chicken and rice), and to give smaller portions 4-6 times a day. If diarrhoea persists, dogs can get very dehydrated so make sure you keep offering plenty of clean, fresh water so your dog doesn’t get dehydrated.
