Diarrhoea in Dogs 

How Dangerous is Diarrhoea in Dogs? 

The danger diarrhoea poses to a dog primarily depends on the cause. An adult dog that for example has drunk dirty water from a puddle will generally recover quickly. However, diarrhoea should never be taken lightly as it could indicate serious health issues. 

For puppies, diarrhoea can quickly become dangerous. Fluid loss and the resulting electrolyte imbalance can be life-threatening for young feline friends. 

Causes: What Leads to Diarrhoea in Dogs? 

Diarrhoea isn’t a standalone illness but a symptom that occurs frequently in dogs. There are many possible causes, just as varied as the frequency with which it appears. 

Stressful situations such as moving house or the birth of a baby can literally cause stomach aches for your dog. A sudden food switch (for example from wet food to dry food), too cold or spoiled food, or even feeding table scraps can all be triggers. 

Less Innocuous Causes of Diarrhoea in Dogs 

Unfortunately, there are also many less harmless causes for a dog’s diarrhoea. The most important include: 

• Parasites 
• Bacterial or viral infections 
• Food allergies / food intolerances 
• Organ diseases (such as Addison’s disease or pancreatitis)) 
• Autoimmune diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) 
• Poisoning 
• Foreign objects 

Regardless of the cause, diarrhoea is as unpleasant for your dog as it is for humans. It’s often accompanied by other symptoms like stomach ache and flatulence. 

Diagnosis: When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet for Diarrhoea? 

If diarrhoea in an adult dog persists for more than 48 hours, there is blood in the stool, or other symptoms such as weakness or fever appear, you should visit a vet.

For puppies, consult a vet after six hours as they have fewer reserves and can become weak quickly. Also, see the vet if your dog alternates between diarrhoea and normal stools. 

Diarrhoea in dogs: What does the vet do?

After speaking with the owner and carrying out a general examination of the dog, the vet will usually recommend further tests. A blood test and a faecal examination can reveal infections caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites.

A stool analysis also helps the vet determine whether your dog has an imbalance in their gut flora (known as dysbiosis). Ideally, you should bring a fresh stool sample with you when visiting the practice.

Additional Examination Methods 

X-rays and an ultrasound can reveal potential foreign objects in the intestine or inflammatory changes in the intestinal mucosa or other organs.

In particularly persistent cases, a biopsy might be needed. Using an endoscope, the vet takes samples from the intestinal mucosa, which are then examined under a microscope to diagnose diseases like IBD. 

What Can the Colour, Consistency, and Frequency of Diarrhoea Tell Us? 

Describe the type of diarrhoea in detail to your vet. Information about the colour, consistency, and frequency provides clues about the potential cause. Some examples: 

• Mucous diarrhoea could indicate food intolerance or intestinal disease 
• Yellow diarrhoea might suggest a problem with the liver or pancreas 
• Bloody diarrhoea suggests bleeding in the lower colon or an injury near the anus. Giardia infections often lead to bloody diarrhoea. 

The frequency of diarrhoea also hints at the cause. If the issue is in the small intestine, the dog will frequently pass small amounts of watery diarrhoea. If the large intestine is affected, the dog will have normal stools, but they will often be mucous. 

Chronic diarrhoea in dogs: What to do if your dog has constant diarrhoea?

Persistent diarrhoea in dogs is a warning sign you shouldn’t ignore. If your dog’s symptoms last for three weeks or more, it’s classed as chronic diarrhoea. This often occurs alongside other signs such as vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, lethargy, and changes to their coat and/or temperament.

The discomfort is considerable for both dog and owner – especially if your pet suffers from diarrhoea during the night. It’s essential to take your dog to a veterinary practice or animal clinic. Only veterinary professionals can accurately identify the cause of chronic or recurring diarrhoea in dogs and provide targeted treatment.

Treatment: What to Do if My Dog Has Diarrhoea? 

When your four-legged friend passes loose stools, many worried owners wonder: What can you do straight away to help a dog with diarrhoea? The tips below may help, but they’re no substitute for a visit to the vet:

• As soon as your dog has passed the first watery stool, it’s best to avoid feeding them for a day as a precaution. This gives their gut lining a chance to settle.
• Make sure your dog drinks enough during this time. Boiled water, fennel tea or chamomile tea are ideal choices.

Diarrhoea in dogs: What can help?

After 24 hours, you can offer your dog small portions of easily digestible food, or feed them a special veterinary diet formulated for dogs. In many cases, a dog’s diarrhoea clears up on its own after two days.

What does the vet give for diarrhoea in dogs?

If this isn’t the case, treatment will be based on the vet’s diagnosis. Depending on the underlying cause, different measures may be taken. These can range from antiparasitic medication in cases of worms or giardia, switching to a hypoallergenic diet food for dogs, right through to surgery to remove a foreign object.

Don’t be alarmed if the vet fits your dog with a catheter. This helps provide your furry friend with plenty of fluids. While this so-called symptomatic treatment doesn’t address the root cause, it will help your dog feel much better very quickly.

Gentle diet and home remedies: How long should you avoid feeding a dog with diarrhoea?

The most important step in tackling your dog’s acute diarrhoea is always to switch to a gentle diet after 24 hours without food.

What should I cook for my dog if they have diarrhoea?

Soft, well-cooked rice and plain boiled chicken are the best options.

Porridge oats, cottage cheese and charcoal tablets for dogs with diarrhoea

Two other tried-and-tested home remedies for canine diarrhoea are charcoal tablets and porridge made from oats. Cottage cheese can also be gentle on an upset tummy in this situation.

Is dry food good for diarrhoea?

If your dog has acute diarrhoea, it’s best to switch dry food at first and instead feed them the gentle diet mentioned above. For dogs with chronic diarrhoea, dry food – or even home-cooked dog meals – may sometimes be easier to digest than wet food. This is because the high protein content in wet food can trigger diarrhoea in some sensitive pets.

Carrot Soup as a Proven Home Remedy 

Just like with children, Moro’s carrot soup is a proven home remedy for dogs. Carrots are cooked in water for 90 minutes and then pureed. Through prolonged cooking, medium-length sugar chains (oligogalacturonides) are formed. These resemble the sites in the intestine where bacteria bind.

Instead, bacteria bind to these sugar chains and are excreted via the stool. The mineral content and increased fluid intake from carrots promote recovery. 

Prognosis: What are the Chances of Recovery from Diarrhoea in Dogs? 

In most cases, the prognosis for diarrhoea is very good. Usually, light food and a few days of rest are enough for your feline friend to recover without needing a vet. 

If a serious underlying cause exists, it’s more complicated. For example, a dog with Addison’s disease might see an improvement in diarrhoea but will need lifelong treatment for the underlying condition. 

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Prophylaxis: Can I Prevent Diarrhoea in Dogs? 

Feeding mistakes are the most common cause of acute diarrhoea in dogs. Follow these tips: 

• Don’t give oversized food portions. 
• Feed as few carbohydrates as possible. 
• Avoid sudden food switches. 
• Too fatty foods are hard to digest. 
• Always check expiration dates. Spoiled food is off-limits!