{"id":11468,"date":"2022-09-14T14:05:10","date_gmt":"2022-09-14T13:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/?p=11468"},"modified":"2023-02-10T16:30:44","modified_gmt":"2023-02-10T16:30:44","slug":"why-does-my-dog-have-diarrhea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/why-does-my-dog-have-diarrhea\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea &#8211; Causes And How To Stop It"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is your dog experiencing sudden onset diarrhea? Worried about the cause and whether or not it&#8217;s an emergency? While this is a common <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health issue<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for canines of all ages, it&#8217;s not always immediately clear why it&#8217;s happening.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re left scratching your head wondering &#8216;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why does my dog have diarrhea<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?&#8217;, then you need to pay attention to the warning signs and possible causes so you can get to the root of the problem. Here&#8217;s what you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='why-does-my-dog-have-diarrhea'><strong>Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Much like humans, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">constant diarrhea<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in dogs can be the result of a plethora of potential culprits. It can be tough to determine the exact reason without professional help, but some of the most common possibilities include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='stress-and-anxiety'><strong>Stress and Anxiety<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There&#8217;s no doubt about it &#8211; dogs can get just as stressed and anxious as we do. In fact, they can even suffer from similar disorders like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">separation anxiety<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and depressive episodes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though they might not be as vocal about it, stress can manifest in dogs in a number of ways &#8211; including diarrhea. So, if your dog seems unusually quiet or takes longer than usual to warm up to people, it could be a sign that they&#8217;re feeling overwhelmed. The emotional upset can then lead to physical manifestations like diarrhea.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='dietary-changes'><strong>Dietary Changes<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;ve recently implemented some changes to your dog&#8217;s diet &#8211; even if it&#8217;s just switching brands of kibble &#8211; that could be enough to trigger an episode of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">loose stool<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. While some pups have no problem adjusting to new foods, others can be quite sensitive. The inner workings of their digestive system can get thrown off balance, resulting in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chronic diarrhea<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take note of what you&#8217;ve fed your pet in the last 24 hours and see if there&#8217;s any correlation with the onset of symptoms. If so, it&#8217;s best to go back to their old food until their system can better adjust.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='digestive-issues'><strong>Digestive Issues<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parasites<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, bacterial <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infections<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and inflammatory bowel disease are all common <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dog diarrhea causes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that stem from an imbalance in the digestive system. Some of these conditions are more serious than others, but all can result in unpleasant (and sometimes dangerous) diarrhea symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These sorts of issues can sometimes be tough to spot on your own, however it&#8217;s always best to take your furry friend to the vet if they&#8217;re experiencing persistent potty problems. They&#8217;ll be able to properly diagnose the issue and put your mind &#8211; and your pup&#8217;s health &#8211; at ease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='ingestion-of-foreign-objects'><strong>Ingestion of Foreign Objects<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dogs are curious creatures, which can sometimes lead them to ingest things they shouldn&#8217;t. Everything from random objects found on walks to houseplants and kids&#8217; toys can be fair game.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure you closely <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">monitor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your pup when they&#8217;re exploring their environment to make sure they&#8217;re not putting something dangerous in their mouth. If you think they may have swallowed a potentially harmful object, call your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">veterinarian<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">right away.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='when-is-dog-diarrhea-an-emergency'><strong>When Is Dog Diarrhea an Emergency?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, diarrhea is more of a nuisance than a cause for alarm. The symptoms usually last for a day or two and will eventually clear up on their own. However, there are some instances where this condition can signify a more serious <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">problem<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your dog is also exhibiting any of the following symptoms along with their runny stools, it&#8217;s best to bring them to the vet for professional care:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of Appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Stool<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fever<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excessive <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Signs of Dehydration (Sunken eyes, Dry Nose, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavy Drooling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling of the Abdomen<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These could all be indicative of a more serious issue, such as blockage of the intestines or poisoning. If these conditions aren&#8217;t treated immediately, they could lead to serious health complications &#8211; or even death.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='how-to-treat-diarrhea-in-dogs'><strong>How to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your dog is only experiencing mild symptoms, there&#8217;s a high chance that they&#8217;ll be able to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recover<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on their own with a little bit of at-home care. You can make this process a little bit easier using the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/dog-care\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">basic dog care essentials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as well as a few additions, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='plenty-of-fluids'><strong>Plenty of Fluids<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watery stools can quickly lead to dehydration since your pup is losing more fluid than they&#8217;re taking in. To help prevent this, make sure they have plenty of fresh water to drink throughout the day. You can also add a little bit of unflavored Pedialyte to their water bowl to help replenish electrolytes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other clear liquids, such as chicken broth and rice water, can also help to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">soothe<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your pet&#8217;s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tummy<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and offer some much-needed hydration. Just be sure not to give them too much at once, as it could further upset their stomach and make their symptoms worse.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='fasting-and-dietary-restrictions'><strong>Fasting and Dietary Restrictions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people are unsure of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what to feed dogs with diarrhea<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially since most human gastrointestinal remedies are off-limits. The best course of action is usually to withhold food for 12-24 hours, allowing their system time to rest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After that, you can slowly reintroduce small amounts of plain foods as part of their <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bland diet<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; think <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">white rice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, cooked <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chicken<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, cooked <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">eggs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">peeled boiled potatoes<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Avoid giving your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pooch<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> any fatty or spicy foods, as these can further upset their stomach and make their symptoms worse.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='probiotics'><strong>Probiotics<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever there&#8217;s an imbalance in the gut, particularly after a bout of diarrhea, the natural bacteria can be thrown off. This can make it difficult for your puppy to properly digest their food and absorb the nutrients they need.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help restore the equilibrium, you can give your pet probiotic supplements or feed them <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">natural yogurt<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with live cultures. This will help to replenish the healthy bacteria in their belly and get their digestive system back on track.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id='lots-of-rest'><strong>Lots of Rest<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking it easy and getting some much-needed rest is crucial for recovery, both for people and pups. Make sure your four-legged friend has a cozy place to sleep and plenty of quiet time to just relax. This can help them feel better faster and get back to their normal selves in no time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can even try using a calming aid to help relieve any stress or anxiety that may be exacerbating their symptoms. This may include anything from dog appeasing pheromones to CBD treats &#8211; whatever helps your pup to settle down and feel comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id='finishing-thoughts'><strong>Finishing Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the end of the day, leaky bowels are usually nothing to worry about &#8211; as long as your pet is otherwise healthy and not exhibiting any other concerning symptoms. However, if you&#8217;re ever on the fence and keep asking yourself &#8216;Why does my dog have diarrhea?&#8217;, it&#8217;s always best to play it safe and consult your vet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They&#8217;ll be able to assess the situation, rule out any serious causes, and help you create a treatment plan that will get your furry friend feeling better in no time. After all, nobody likes dealing with a sick pet, so it&#8217;s always better to be safe than sorry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This article has been edited and verified by our own veterinarian Dr.Stevce Ilievski.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Is your dog experiencing sudden onset diarrhea? Worried about the cause and whether or not it&#8217;s an emergency? While this is a common health issue for canines of all ages, it&#8217;s not always immediately clear why it&#8217;s happening. If you&#8217;re left scratching your head wondering &#8216;Why does my dog have diarrhea?&#8217;, then you need to [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/why-does-my-dog-have-diarrhea\/\">Read More&#8230;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> from Why Does My Dog Have Diarrhea &#8211; Causes And How To Stop It<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":11469,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11,14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-guides"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11468"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11468\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11469"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/petpedia.co\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}