Diarrhoea in Dogs

This article is written by Pet Circle Veterinarian, Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc.

Most dogs will experience diarrhoea at some point in their lives, and there are many causes for this unfortunate affliction. Some dogs with a sensitive stomach may experience 'on and off' bouts of chronic mild loose stool, which may respond to a sensitive stomach diet such as Royal Canin Digestive Care.

But sometimes the issue is acute and can affect healthy dogs. Your dog may just have small bouts of tummy upset and quickly improve, while others can become seriously unwell. If diarrhoea continues for an ongoing period, it can lead to weight loss, dehydration, and electrolyte depletion.

Contents:

Main Causes of Diarrhoea in Dogs
Dietary Change
Dietary Indiscretion
Parasitic Causes
Food Allergies
Bacterial or Viral Infections
Systemic disease

Treatment of Diarrhoea in Dogs

Causes of Diarrhoea in Dogs

Dietary Changes

A frequent source of diarrhoea in dogs is a sudden change in diet. Whether you’ve just run out of their favourite food or thought you’d try a tasty, new treat, suddenly changing a dog's diet can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. When introducing your pet to a new diet it is best to do so slowly to try and minimise any potential problems. Read our article How to Transition to a New Pet Food for some more tips and tricks.

Eating something they shouldn't have

Dietary indiscretion, where your pooch has helped himself to something he shouldn't have, is another common cause of diarrhoea. Whether your dog has been rummaging through the garbage bin or has found a tasty morsel while out on a walk, both scenarios are likely to lead to an upset tummy. In this situation, feeding your dog a bland diet such as boiled chicken and white rice will often quickly help to resolve the diarrhoea. If however, the diarrhoea persists, your dog is vomiting frequently or seems generally unwell, it is important to seek veterinary advice and treatment.

Parasites

Another common reason for diarrhoea is parasite infection. Intestinal parasites like hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, coccidia and giardia will all cause diarrhoea. Dogs can pick up these parasites from eating contaminated meat, drinking from contaminated water, as well as coming into contact with infected animals or their faeces. Parasites are also easily transmitted from mothers to their pups, so it is especially important that puppies and pregnant or nursing females are treated for parasites regularly.

If you'd like more information about protecting your dog or puppy from worms check out our Dog Worming Guide.

Food Sensitivities and Intolerances

Much like their human owners, dogs may also have dietary sensitivities or food intolerances which can result in diarrhoea. Intolerances in dogs generally develop over time and are associated with common proteins found in many commercially prepared dog foods including beef, dairy and wheat.

If you suspect that your dog may have a food allergy or intolerance, consult your vet regarding the best course of action. They may recommend a dietary trial using an elimination diet which is specifically formulated to be hypoallergenic. If the diarrhoea resolves during the feeding trial, it may indicate a food intolerance which usually requires a special dietary formulation to be fed long term.

For more information, take a look at the Signs Your Dog May Have a Food Allergy and read more about hypoallergenic diets in our article What is the best Hypoallergenic Dog Food?

See our top diets for sensitive stomachs: