Seeing your dog have liquid or loose stool can be worrying. Diarrhea in dogs has several potential causes, from dietary indiscretion to an underlying medical issue. While it’s normal for stool consistency to vary day-to-day, ongoing loose stools or diarrhea indicates a problem that needs attention. Here is an overview of the common causes of liquid poop in dogs and how to get your dog’s stools back to a healthy consistency.
What Causes Loose Stool in Dogs?
There are several potential causes for liquid or loose stools in dogs:
- Dietary indiscretion – Eating garbage or other non-food items, a sudden diet change, or simply overeating can upset a dog’s stomach and lead to loose stools. This is a very common cause of diarrhea that arises from the dog’s environment.
- Bacterial or viral infection – Pathogens like parvovirus, coronavirus, salmonella, campylobacter or Clostridia can infect the gastrointestinal tract and cause inflammation and diarrhea. These infections are highly contagious between dogs.
- Parasitic infection – Intestinal parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia or giardia can disrupt digestion and trigger diarrhea. Puppies are especially prone to parasitic infections.
- Chronic disease – Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease, liver or kidney disease, cancer or other chronic illnesses often cause loose stool as a symptom.
- Medication side effects – Some medications like antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, NSAIDs or others can cause digestive upset and diarrhea as a side effect.
- Food allergies or sensitivities – An allergy or sensitivity to ingredients in the dog’s diet can result in chronic loose stools and inflammation.
- Stress or anxiety – Stressful events, changes in routine, travel, boarding, loud noises or other factors that produce anxiety can influence gut motility and stool consistency.
Pinpointing the exact cause of your dog’s diarrhea is important in order to provide the right treatment. Mild, occasional loose stool may resolve on its own, while ongoing diarrhea indicates a veterinary visit is needed.
How Do I Know if My Dog Has Diarrhea?
Diarrhea in dogs is defined as stools that are extremely watery, liquid, and unformed. Some signs of diarrhea include:
- Very loose, mushy or liquid stool
- Increased urgency or frequency of bowel movements
- Accidents or soiling in the house
- Mucus and/or blood in stool
- Unformed stool or just a splatter of liquid
- Foul stool odor
- Loss of bowel control or difficulty holding it
- Straining without producing much stool
- General abdominal discomfort
Healthy canine stool should be well-formed, moist but firm, and have a mild odor. Dramatic deviations from normal stool consistency could require medical intervention.
When to See the Vet for Dog Diarrhea
Diarrhea that persists beyond 24-48 hours, contains blood or mucus, or is accompanied by concerning symptoms warrants a trip to the veterinarian. Seek immediate vet care if your dog shows these signs:
- Repeated vomiting
- Signs of dehydration – dry gums, weakness, rapid heart rate
- Loss of appetite or not drinking water
- Lethargy, depression or other signs of feeling unwell
- Straining or pain when trying to go
- High fever
- Bloody, black or tarry stool
Puppies, older dogs, and those with compromised immune systems are also at higher risk from diarrhea. Don’t hesitate to call your vet if the diarrhea is severe or concerning.
What Diagnostics Are Done for Dog Diarrhea?
To identify the root cause of your dog’s diarrhea, the veterinarian will start with a physical exam, medical history, and ask questions about diet and environment. Diagnostic tests may include:
- Fecal exam – Checking a stool sample for intestinal parasites like giardia, coccidia, worms, or bacterial infections.
- Bloodwork – Complete blood count and chemistry panel to evaluate organ function, electrolyte levels, and hydration status.
- Urinalysis – A urine test can reveal issues like a UTI, kidney problems, or pancreatitis.
- Imaging – Abdominal x-rays or an ultrasound to check for foreign material, tumors, pancreatitis, or other issues.
- Endoscopy – A camera inserted into the digestive tract to obtain biopsy samples and inspect the gut lining.
- Stool culture – Lab testing of stool samples for pathogenic bacteria like Clostridium perfringens or Salmonella.
Based on your dog’s specific signs, your vet will recommend the appropriate combination of tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
How to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs
Treatment of diarrhea will depend on the underlying cause identified through diagnostic testing. However, some general treatment guidelines include:
- Withholding food for 12-24 hours to allow rest for the gastrointestinal tract
- Transitioning to a bland, easily digestible diet like boiled chicken and rice
- Oral rehydration therapy with electrolytes if dehydrated
- Medications like Metronidazole or Probiotics that reduce intestinal inflammation and balance gut flora
- Deworming medication if intestinal parasites are found
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Anti-diarrheal medication or stool hardeners in mild cases
- IV fluids, hospitalization, and supportive care for severe dehydration
Most acute diarrhea resolves within a few days with symptomatic treatment. Seek immediate veterinary care if diarrhea lasts longer than 2-3 days or your dog appears ill.
How to Firm Up Dog Poop
To help firm up your dog’s loose stools and get poop back to a healthy consistency, try these home remedies:
- Feed a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice for a few days
- Give probiotic supplements to support digestive health
- Make sure your dog has access to fresh, clean drinking water
- Add canned pure pumpkin (not pie filling) to meals to firm up stool
- Mix a spoonful of yogurt into your dog’s meal for probiotics
- Consider switching to a sensitive stomach or easily-digestible dog food formula
- Limit exercise and excitement while diarrhea resolves
You can also ask your veterinarian about anti-diarrheal supplements or medications to help firm up stool. Monitor your dog’s energy, appetite and hydration closely. See the vet promptly if home care doesn’t improve diarrhea within 1-2 days.
How to Prevent Diarrhea in Dogs
You can help prevent diarrhea by taking these proactive steps:
- Maintain your dog on a consistent, high-quality diet tailored for their age and health status
- Clean your dog’s water and food bowls daily
- Keep your dog up-to-date on deworming and preventative care
- Pick up stool promptly in your yard to prevent reinfection
- Avoid sudden food changes or people food treats
- Keep your garbage secured and environmental hazards removed
- Schedule annual vet check-ups to monitor your dog’s health
- Follow veterinarian recommendations for vaccines and preventative medication
While occasional loose stool is normal, ongoing diarrhea indicates an underlying health problem needing attention. Keep an eye on your dog’s symptoms and energy levels, and contact your vet if you have any concerns.
When to Switch to a Bland Diet for Diarrhea
Switching to a bland, low-fat, highly digestible diet is recommended to help manage acute diarrhea. Follow these guidelines on when to introduce a bland diet:
- At the first signs of loose stool, especially if it persists more than 24 hours
- When your dog has episodes of vomiting along with diarrhea
- If your dog shows signs of abdominal discomfort, gas, or loss of appetite
- Your veterinarian recommends a bland diet to help firm up stool
- Your dog has suspected food allergies or sensitivities contributing to diarrhea
Try feeding a bland diet for 2-3 days up to 1 week maximum. If stools do not firm up, seek veterinary advice. Gradually transition back to your dog’s normal diet once stool returns to a healthy consistency.
Sample Bland Diet Recipe for Dogs
Here is a simple bland diet recipe you can make at home for a dog with diarrhea:
- 2 parts boiled, shredded chicken breast
- 1 part cooked white rice
- Low-sodium chicken broth as needed for moisture
Mix the ingredients together and feed small, frequent meals throughout the day. Only reintroduce your dog’s regular food slowly once stool firms up. A bland diet simplifies digestion while providing nutrients for recovery.
When to Seek Emergency Care for Dog Diarrhea
While most diarrhea cases can be managed at home, some situations requiring immediate emergency veterinary care include:
- Profuse, unrelenting diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea leading to dehydration
- Bloody or black tarry stool
- Loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, or signs of extreme pain
- A known or suspected ingestion of toxins or foreign material
- Young puppies with diarrhea becoming rapidly dehydrated
If your dog shows any signs of illness beyond diarrhea such as vomiting, lethargy, pain, or dehydration, don’t hesitate to seek emergency veterinary care, even after hours. Dehydration from fluid loss can become life threatening quickly in dogs with diarrhea.
Can I Give My Dog Imodium or Pepto Bismol for Diarrhea?
Over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medications designed for humans are generally not recommended for dogs due to differences in dosage and metabolism. However, some key considerations on using these OTC meds for dogs include:
- Imodium AD – May be given safely to dogs based on weight. Consult your vet on proper dosing. Only use for acute diarrhea, not chronic issues.
- Pepto Bismol – Safe for dogs when dosage is adjusted for weight. Do not give to breeds prone to aspirin toxicity.
- Kaopectate – Contains kaolin and pectin to firm stool. Can use for dogs at adjusted dosage.
- Pumpkin – High fiber pure pumpkin can help firm up stools. Ensure it is plain, not pie filling.
Check with your vet before giving any OTC medication to your dog. Only use these for mild diarrhea and discontinue use if diarrhea persists more than 2 days.
Summary: Key Points on Caring for Dogs with Diarrhea
Here are some key summary points for caring for a dog with diarrhea:
- Withhold food for 12-24 hours then reintroduce a bland, low-fat diet
- Make sure your dog stays well-hydrated with fresh water
- Contact your vet for diarrhea lasting over 48 hours or if your dog seems ill
- Collect a stool sample and bring it to the vet appointment
- Discuss OTC anti-diarrheal medication dosages with your veterinarian
- Monitor for symptoms of dehydration like lethargy, dry gums, weakness
- Transition slowly back to regular diet once stool firms up
- Seek emergency care if your dog appears in distress or has bloody stool
While loose stool due to dietary indiscretion may resolve on its own, extended diarrhea can lead to dehydration or more serious conditions. Get familiar with normal vs abnormal stool in your dog. Seek veterinary guidance for appropriate treatment based on the cause and severity.
Conclusion
Diarrhea in dogs can have many causes, from simple dietary upset to more serious illness. Acute cases may resolve on their own, but ongoing loose stool or diarrhea requires veterinary attention. Diagnostic testing helps identify whether an infection, disease, allergy or other issue is contributing to your dog’s liquid poop. Most dogs with diarrhea recover fully with supportive care. Know when to seek emergency treatment and when to bring a stool sample to your vet appointment. Monitoring your dog’s symptoms closely helps ensure any bout of diarrhea passes quickly and without complications.
| Cause of Diarrhea | Diagnostic Tests | Treatment Options |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary indiscretion | Physical exam, medical history | Bland diet, anti-diarrheal medication, probiotics |
| Bacterial or viral infection | Fecal exam, stool culture, bloodwork | Antibiotics, IV fluids, hospitalization |
| Intestinal parasites | Fecal exam, stool sample analysis | Deworming medication, repeat fecal tests |
| Chronic disease | Bloodwork, urinalysis, imaging, endoscopy | Treatment of underlying condition, medication, diet change |
| Food allergies | Elimination diet trials, intestinal biopsies | Novel protein or hydrolyzed diet, immunosuppressants |