Watery stool, three times a day or more, and you are not sure whether to wait it out or head to the vet? In most cases it comes down to stress, a food switch, or something wrong picked up off the ground. With puppies, though, diarrhea is an immediate case for the vet, because they dehydrate quickly.
- Acute diarrhea (1–3 days) is usually harmless: stress or the wrong food
- Chronic diarrhea (longer than 3 days) needs to be treated by the vet
- Puppies with diarrhea go to the vet right away: risk of dehydration!
- Bland diet after 24h of fasting: rice, low-fat meat, cooked vegetables
- Plenty of water to make up for the fluid loss
Definition and Symptoms
Diarrhea is a malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract. Bowel movements happen more than three times a day and are marked by watery or mushy stools.
Common accompanying signs
Causes
The causes of diarrhea are varied. Acute diarrhea (1–3 days) is usually harmless, as long as the dog is otherwise fit. If the diarrhea lasts longer than two days, or blood, vomiting, or listlessness come along with it, go to the vet. Chronic diarrhea (longer than 3 days) should be treated by the vet in any case.
Acute vs. Chronic
- Stress or excitement
- Food or a treat that does not agree with them
- Food switch
- Portion too large
- Spoiled food
- Gastrointestinal diseases
- Poisoning
- Viral or bacterial infections
- Autoimmune diseases
- Parasites (giardia, worms)
- Kidney or liver disease
- Hormonal disorders
Extra Caution With Certain Symptoms
- Bloody diarrhea or bloody urine
- Fever over 40 °C
- Cramps, trembling, or unconsciousness
- Increased drooling
- The dog won't drink or eat
- Diarrhea lasting longer than 3 days
- For puppies: always go to the vet right away!
These symptoms often point to poisoning. Sadly, many dogs still die from poison bait scattered in forests, parks, and meadows.
Pay Attention to the Dog Food
Cheap food products in particular, with added sugars, lots of animal by-products, and hard-to-digest proteins, can trigger diarrhea.
A food switch should take at least 4 days. For sensitive dogs, 1–2 weeks. Mix small amounts of the new food into the old one and increase the share step by step.
3 Tips to Get Diarrhea Under Control
1. Enough Fluids
Make sure your dog takes in enough fluids. Set out several water bowls and encourage them to drink.
2. Put Them on a Fast (max. 24 hours)
If your dog doesn't take in any more food, the gastrointestinal tract gets a chance to settle.
Puppies must not be put on a 24-hour fast! They dehydrate faster. Instead, switch to an easily digestible bland diet. After 12–24 hours, slowly bring them back to their usual food.
3. Bland Diet
After 24 hours at the most, your dog gets a bland diet. The right foods:
| Food | Preparation | Why it's good |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | Cooked soft, unsalted | Ideal bland food |
| Chicken/turkey | Boiled in water, low-fat | Easily digestible protein |
| Carrots | Cooked soft and pureed | Good for digestion |
| Pumpkin | Cooked soft and pureed | Easy on the stomach |
| Potatoes | Cooked only! (raw is toxic) | Easy on the stomach |
You'll find a tried-and-tested recipe to cook at home in our bland diet recipe for dogs, with an exact ingredient list and instructions.
How to Best Protect Your Dog
Prevention
Further Guides
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