Dog diarrhoea: understanding the causes and choosing the right treatment

Diarrhea in dogs: understanding the causes and choosing the right treatment

Diarrhea in dogs: how to recognize a digestive disorder?

Diarrhea in dogs is a change in the frequency, volume, or consistency of the stools. These usually become soft or liquid.

This digestive disorder is very common. It can result from a simple dietary lapse. However, it can also reveal a disease requiring a veterinary consultation.

Are you wondering whether your dog's diarrhea should worry you? First look at its general behavior. Then observe its hydration, appetite, and other symptoms.

Acute diarrhea appears suddenly and usually lasts a few days. Conversely, persistent or recurring diarrhea requires investigation of the cause.

Diarrhea is therefore not a disease in itself. It is a symptom whose origin may be digestive or general.

What are the causes of diarrhea in dogs?

Diarrhea in dogs can have a dietary, parasitic, infectious, toxic, or pathological origin.

Identifying the context helps determine the approach to take. An isolated dietary lapse does not have the same consequences as an infection.

Why does diarrhea in dogs deserve monitoring?

The main consequence of significant diarrhea is the loss of water and electrolytes.

The dog can then become dehydrated. This risk increases when liquid stools are frequent or accompanied by vomiting.

Puppies are particularly fragile. Their low fluid reserve favors rapid dehydration.

Caution is also needed with:

• older dogs;
• small dogs;
• animals with a chronic disease;
• dogs refusing to drink;
• animals showing diarrhea and vomiting at the same time.

An isolated episode of diarrhea in an active adult dog therefore does not have the same significance as diarrhea in a listless puppy.

Diet, parasites, infections: the main causes

Diet is a frequent cause of acute diarrhea.

The dog may have eaten an unusual, too fatty, or spoiled food. Table scraps are also often to blame.

A diet transition that is too fast can disrupt the intestinal microbiota. Changing kibble should therefore remain gradual.

Certain food intolerances can cause recurring digestive disorders. A food allergy may also be investigated in certain cases.

Intestinal parasites are another important cause.

Various parasites can cause diarrhea, in particular certain digestive worms or Giardia.

A stool analysis may then become necessary. Indeed, standard deworming does not systematically cover all parasitic causes.

Infections can also cause diarrhea.

In puppies, parvovirus is in particular a veterinary emergency. Other infectious agents can also affect the digestive tract.

However, diarrhea does not automatically mean that a bacterial infection is present.

Current veterinary recommendations therefore limit the systematic use of antibiotics in mild or moderate acute diarrhea.

Other causes must also be considered:

• ingestion of a foreign body;
• poisoning;
• significant stress;
• an adverse effect of a treatment;
• inflammatory bowel disease;
• pancreatic disorder;
• liver disease;
• kidney failure;
• a tumor condition.

Recurring diarrhea therefore requires a more thorough veterinary assessment.

What does the color or appearance of the stools mean?

The appearance of the stools provides useful information. However, it is never enough on its own to establish a diagnosis.

Very liquid diarrhea corresponds to a significant loss of water in the stools.

The presence of mucus may point to irritation of the colon. The dog may also defecate frequently in small amounts.

Red blood may come from the terminal part of the digestive system.

Very dark or blackish stools can sometimes indicate the presence of digested blood. A veterinary consultation then becomes necessary.

A persistent unusual color should also draw attention.

However, always look at the animal as a whole. Its general condition remains essential for assessing severity.

When does diarrhea in dogs become a veterinary emergency?

The severity of diarrhea mainly depends on the dog's general condition and its level of dehydration.

This is an essential point.

Spectacular diarrhea is not necessarily the most serious. Conversely, a very listless dog may need prompt care.

According to WSAVA and ENOVAT recommendations, classification is mainly based on general signs.

Diarrhea can be considered mild when the dog remains:

• alert and responsive;
• properly hydrated;
• circulatory stable;
• without significant alteration of its general condition.

Prompt veterinary care becomes necessary if your dog shows:

• marked listlessness;
• repeated vomiting;
• an inability to keep water down;
• dehydration;
• significant abdominal pain;
• severe weakness;
• suspected poisoning;
• possible ingestion of a foreign body;
• persistent diarrhea;
• rapid worsening of symptoms.

The presence of blood always deserves your attention. However, it does not alone define clinical severity.

This distinction avoids two mistakes. The first is panicking solely because of the color of the stools. The second is underestimating a very weakened dog.

How to treat diarrhea in dogs?

The treatment of diarrhea in dogs depends on its cause, its duration, and the animal's general condition.

The priority goal is to preserve hydration. It is then necessary to support the digestive system and treat the cause when it is identified.

Hydration and diet: the first steps

Always leave fresh water available.

Make sure your dog is drinking normally. Repeated vomiting greatly increases the risk of dehydration.

The diet should then be adapted to the situation.

A highly digestible diet may be offered during recovery. The return to the usual diet should then be gradual.

Avoid:

• table scraps;
• fatty foods;
• sudden changes of kibble;
• unusual treats;
• potentially toxic foods.

Prolonged fasting is not systematically recommended for all animals. Puppies and fragile dogs in particular require more caution.

Ask your veterinarian for advice on adapting the diet to your dog's age and condition.

Recommended veterinary solutions

Certain nutritional solutions can support mild digestive diarrhea in a dog that remains in good general condition.

Digestive protectants notably help protect the intestinal mucosa.

Prebiotics and probiotics can also support the balance of the microbiota.

Rehydration nevertheless remains the priority when fluid losses become significant.

The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that the management of diarrhea is notably based on correcting fluid and electrolyte losses. The specific treatment then depends on the cause identified.

Antibiotics are not an automatic treatment for diarrhea. WSAVA/ENOVAT recommendations advise against their systematic use in mild and moderate forms.

If in doubt, consult your veterinarian before any treatment.

You can also discover our selection of solutions for digestive problems in dogs, diarrhea and transit.

A simple approach: assess the dog before assessing its stools

A dog's general condition is a more relevant indicator of severity than the appearance of the stools alone.

Here is a simple method to apply during a digestive episode.

Ask yourself five questions:

1. Does my dog remain lively and responsive?
2. Is it drinking normally?
3. Does it keep down the water it drinks?
4. Is it still eating or showing interest in its food?
5. Is its condition improving or worsening?

Then add three observations about the stools:

• frequency;
• volume;
• possible presence of mucus or blood.

This checklist allows you to give the veterinarian much more precise information.

Above all, it avoids reducing monitoring to the simple question: "Are the stools liquid?"

Good news: most acute diarrhea cases seen in veterinary consultations are classified as mild.

WSAVA/ENOVAT recommendations indicate that they represent more than 90% of cases seen in veterinary practice.

However, this statistic should never delay a consultation when the general condition worsens.

Diarrhea in dogs: which products can support their digestion?

Digestive supplements can support intestinal comfort in digestive disorders suited to home care.

They never replace a veterinary diagnosis when a disease or an emergency is suspected.

Diarsanyl + CEVA

Diarsanyl + 60 ml CEVA is an oral paste intended for digestive support.

Its formulation notably contains montmorillonite and fructo-oligosaccharides.

Its main benefits are:

• helping protect the digestive mucosa;
• supporting intestinal balance;
• accompanying episodes of liquid stools;
• making administration easier thanks to the dosing syringe.

Several sizes are available to adapt use to the animal's weight.

Pro-Kolin Advanced for dogs

Pro-Kolin Advanced 30 ml is intended for gastrointestinal support in dogs.

Its formula notably combines prebiotics, fiber, and substances that contribute to intestinal comfort.

It helps to:

• support the intestinal microbiota;
• contribute to digestive comfort;
• provide prebiotics;
• make administration easier thanks to its syringe presentation.

Its dosage should be adapted to the dog's weight.

FortiFlora for dogs

FortiFlora is a probiotic supplement intended to support the intestinal balance of dogs.

It can notably accompany periods of microbiota disruption.

Its main advantages are:

• a supply of probiotic microorganisms;
• support for the intestinal flora;
• simple use with individual sachets;
• easy mixing into food.

The choice between a digestive protectant, a probiotic, or a nutritional solution depends on the context.

Ask your veterinarian for advice when diarrhea persists or recurs.

Frequently asked questions & FAQ on diarrhea in dogs

How to stop diarrhea quickly in dogs?

For mild, isolated diarrhea in dogs, start by monitoring its hydration and general condition. Always leave fresh water available. A highly digestible diet and certain digestive supplements can support recovery. However, avoid giving a human medication without veterinary advice. Consult promptly if your dog vomits, becomes listless, or becomes dehydrated.

What disease causes diarrhea in dogs?

Many diseases can cause diarrhea in dogs. Causes include parasitic infections, digestive infections, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Certain pancreatic, liver, or kidney disorders can also cause digestive problems. In puppies, certain infections such as parvovirosis require urgent veterinary care. Recurring diarrhea therefore warrants further examinations.

What food causes diarrhea in dogs?

Fatty foods, table scraps, and spoiled food can cause diarrhea in dogs. A sudden change of kibble is also a frequent cause. Some dogs also have an intolerance or sensitivity to certain ingredients. Therefore always introduce a new diet gradually. Also avoid letting your dog access trash cans or potentially toxic foods.

What are the possible causes of liquid diarrhea in a dog?

Liquid diarrhea can appear after a dietary lapse, too rapid a diet transition, or a digestive infection. Parasites, stress, certain treatments, poisoning, or a digestive disease are also possible. The more frequent and liquid the stools, the greater the fluid loss. Therefore pay particular attention to your dog's hydration and general condition.

To find out more about diarrhea in dogs

Diarrhea in dogs is usually temporary when the animal remains active, hydrated, and without any other worrying symptom.

However, the appearance of the stools should never be your only decision criterion. The progression of the general condition remains decisive.

To support its digestive health, see our category dedicated to transit, digestion and diarrhea in dogs.

To complete your reading, also discover our article on signs of poor digestion in dogs.