Dog symptom
Diarrhea in dogs
Loose or watery stool. Mild diarrhea in an otherwise bright adult pet is often short-lived, but persistent, bloody, black, or diarrhea with vomiting or weakness can cause dehydration and needs veterinary care.
Common causes of diarrhea in dogs
- Diet change, scavenging, or food intolerance
- Intestinal parasites (worms, giardia)
- Stress or anxiety
- Viral or bacterial infection
- Chronic conditions (inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis)
Who's most at risk
- Diet changes, scavenging, or rich treats
- Puppies and kittens
- High-stress events — travel, boarding, a new home
- Pets overdue for parasite prevention
What you can do at home
- Offer plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration
- For a bright adult pet with mild diarrhea, feed small portions of a bland, easily digestible diet for a day or two
- Collect a fresh stool sample to bring to your vet if it continues
When to see a vet
- Blood or black, tarry stool
- Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours, or in a puppy/kitten
- Also vomiting, weak, not eating, painful, or showing signs of dehydration
When it's more serious
- Young or weak pets can crash fast (including parvovirus) — seek care now.
- Blood or black, tarry stool can mean GI bleeding or infection — get them seen today.
- Diarrhea plus vomiting dehydrates pets quickly — see a vet today.
- Diarrhea beyond two days warrants a vet visit and likely a stool test.
What your vet may do
- Exam and a dehydration check
- Fecal test for parasites and infection
- Bland or prescription diet, probiotics, and a dewormer if indicated
- Bloodwork or imaging if it's persistent or severe
Questions to ask your vet
- Should we test a stool sample?
- Is my pet dehydrated?
- What should I feed to settle the gut?
- When should ongoing diarrhea worry me?
Frequently asked questions
What causes diarrhea in dogs?
Loose or watery stool. Mild diarrhea in an otherwise bright adult pet is often short-lived, but persistent, bloody, black, or diarrhea with vomiting or weakness can cause dehydration and needs veterinary care. Common causes include: Diet change, scavenging, or food intolerance; Intestinal parasites (worms, giardia); Stress or anxiety; Viral or bacterial infection; Chronic conditions (inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis).
Is diarrhea in dogs an emergency?
Book a veterinary visit soon. See a vet right away if: Blood or black, tarry stool; Diarrhea lasting more than 48 hours, or in a puppy/kitten; Also vomiting, weak, not eating, painful, or showing signs of dehydration.
What can I do at home for a dog with diarrhea?
Offer plenty of fresh water to prevent dehydration For a bright adult pet with mild diarrhea, feed small portions of a bland, easily digestible diet for a day or two Collect a fresh stool sample to bring to your vet if it continues
Sources
Related reading from Webvet
Reviewed by the Webvet Veterinarian Team
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis, and does not replace an exam by your veterinarian. If your pet is in distress, contact your vet or an emergency clinic right away.