Dog With Diarrhea: When to Suspect the Food and Act
Notice: this content is for information only and does not replace a visit to the veterinarian. If your pet has symptoms, see a veterinarian before acting on this article.
Diarrhea in dogs can have a dietary origin: the American Kennel Club lists switching food too fast, dietary indiscretion (eating something the dog should not) and food allergy or intolerance among the causes (AKC — Dog Diarrhea). The same source also lists parasites (such as giardia and worms) and infections (such as parvovirus and distemper). What separates the two is the sign that comes with it: diarrhea with blood, vomiting, loss of appetite or lethargy calls for a veterinarian, and so does diarrhea that lasts more than 1 to 2 days (Cornell Riney Canine Health Center).
Not every case of diarrhea calls for panic, but not every case "will pass on its own" either. This article separates when the problem may be in the diet and when it is somewhere else.
Is diarrhea after switching food normal in dogs?
The AKC warns that switching food abruptly can cause vomiting, diarrhea and a drop in appetite, and recommends making the transition over 5 to 7 days (AKC — how to switch dog food). If the diarrhea showed up right after a fast switch, the new food is the most likely suspect.
What are the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs?
The causes split between food (a food switch, indiscretion, allergy or intolerance) and disease (parasites and infections). The AKC gives these examples of each, and what changes the path is the sign that accompanies the diarrhea:
| Cause | Examples cited by the AKC |
|---|---|
| Food switch | Moving to a different variety too fast |
| Dietary indiscretion | The dog eats something it should not |
| Food allergy or intolerance | Can cause diarrhea in some dogs |
| Parasites | Giardia, hookworms, roundworms |
| Infections | Parvovirus, distemper |
How do you switch food without causing diarrhea?
Mix the new food into the old in rising proportions over 5 to 7 days (AKC). The day-by-day schedule is in How to switch your dog's food: the 7-day protocol. To choose the new food, the dog food comparison tool shows fiber and protein side by side.
When is a dog's diarrhea an emergency rather than a diet question?
See a veterinarian if there is fresh blood or black, tarry stools, vomiting alongside, continued loss of appetite or lethargy (Cornell Riney; AKC). The AKC also includes chronic or severe diarrhea with weight loss, and any diarrhea in a puppy.
What to do at home for mild diarrhea
Cornell Riney suggests withholding food for 12 to 24 hours and then offering a bland diet, such as boiled chicken and white rice. The AKC mentions boiled chicken with rice and an over-the-counter veterinary probiotic. If the bland diet does not resolve it in 2 to 3 days, Cornell says to book an appointment.
What NOT to do
- Do not give human medication on your own. According to the AKC, most human medications are ineffective and some can harm the dog.
- Do not wait when there is blood, vomiting, lethargy or loss of appetite alongside: these are the signs the AKC and Cornell treat as reasons for a visit.
- Do not keep managing it at home if the diarrhea continues or gets worse after 1 to 2 days (AKC and Cornell).
Frequently asked questions
How long can mild diarrhea last before you call the veterinarian?
Cornell says to book an appointment when diarrhea continues for more than 1 to 2 days, and the AKC says that if it persists or gets worse, it is time to see the veterinarian. With blood, vomiting or lethargy, do not wait that long.
Does human anti-diarrheal medicine work in dogs?
The AKC warns that most human medications are ineffective for dogs and some can be harmful. Talk to your veterinarian before giving any medication.
Can diarrhea be treated with a bland diet alone?
In mild cases, Cornell and the AKC suggest a bland diet of boiled chicken with rice. Cornell sets the limit: if it does not resolve in 2 to 3 days, it is time for the veterinarian.
Diarrhea is not a diagnosis, it is a symptom, and the cause determines whether the dog needs a bland diet or a visit today. Looking at what changed recently, together with the signs that come with the diarrhea, is what separates a passing reaction from a problem that needs a veterinarian.
See the ranking of easily digestible dog foods → · Use the quiz to find the right food for your dog's profile →
Picked by score from our overall dog ranking, not by the topic of this article. To get it right for your pet — age, weight, spayed or neutered — take the quiz and get a list made for them. A pet with a diagnosed condition needs a diet prescribed by a veterinarian.
