Dog Diarrhea: Causes, Home Care & When to See a Vet
Most diarrhea in dogs is short-lived and caused by eating something unusual. It usually settles within 24 to 48 hours. But diarrhea with blood, vomiting, weakness, or in a puppy or senior dog can become serious quickly.
Common causes
- Eating garbage, table scraps or a sudden food change
- Stress (boarding, travel, new home)
- Intestinal parasites such as roundworms, giardia or coccidia
- Viral infections, including parvovirus in unvaccinated puppies
- Food intolerance, inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis
- Toxins or swallowed objects
See a vet today if
- There is blood (red or black, tarry stool)
- Your dog is also vomiting, won't eat, or is lethargic
- It's a puppy, senior, or a dog with health problems
- Diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours
- Belly looks swollen or painful
- You suspect they ate something toxic or a toy
Home care for mild cases
For an otherwise bright, healthy adult dog:
- Make sure fresh water is always available
- Feed small, bland meals (plain boiled chicken or lean turkey with white rice) for a day or two
- Gradually mix their regular food back in over 2 to 3 days
- Don't give human anti-diarrhea medicines unless your vet says so
Preventing it
- Change foods gradually over 7 to 10 days
- Keep garbage and scraps out of reach
- Stay on schedule with deworming and vaccines
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. If you're worried about your pet, call your vet or an emergency clinic.