Dog Diarrhea — When to Watch, and When to Call the Vet
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Call the Vet — Check This First
Call a veterinarian promptly if any of these are true:
- The diarrhea lasts more than a day or two. (Merck Animal Health)
- There is a large volume of it. (Merck Animal Health)
- There is blood in it — don't try to treat bloody diarrhea at home; call your vet or go to an emergency vet hospital, and veterinary attention is needed within 24 hours. (PetMD, “Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs”)
- Your dog is eating less than usual. (Merck Animal Health)
- Your dog is drinking less water than usual. (Merck Animal Health)
- Your dog is also vomiting. (Merck Animal Health)
- Your dog seems weak or tired / lethargic — if so, don't wait the day or two. (Merck Animal Health)
- It keeps going for weeks — loose, frequent stools multiple times a day for weeks at a time is “chronic” diarrhea and usually comes from an underlying condition a veterinarian can treat. (PetMD, “Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs”)
Why waiting is risky: Dogs with ongoing diarrhea can become dehydrated, which is a medical emergency. Severe dehydration may need intravenous (IV) fluids. (PetMD, “Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs”)
When It May Be Okay to Watch for a Short Time
Many everyday causes are minor and clear up. Those causes include a sudden change in food, high-fat treats or table scraps, getting into the garbage or eating spoiled food, and stress or anxiety. (PetMD; Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital)
Even so, even a mild case that lasts a day or two — it is always a good idea to call your veterinarian. (Merck Animal Health)
Keep fresh water available. Make sure water is always available. (PetMD)
Do NOT give your dog diarrhea medicines made for people. Merck says: “Don't treat your pet with over-the-counter diarrhea medications for humans.” Washington State University says do not give over-the-counter diarrhea medications without consulting a veterinarian. (Merck Animal Health; Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital)
Common Causes
This is a general list of causes only. It is not a diagnosis of your dog.
- Sudden diet change
- Eating something they shouldn't — garbage, spoiled food, foreign objects like bones or sticks
- Food allergy
- Bacterial infection or overgrowth
- Intestinal parasites
- Pancreatitis
- Liver or kidney disease
- Stress
Sources: PetMD and Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital lists.
What the Vet Will Do
Knowing what happens can make the trip less scary.
Bring a small, fresh stool sample — less than six hours old. The vet can check it for intestinal parasites and other microscopic organisms. (Merck Animal Health)
The vet starts with your dog's history and a complete physical exam, and may run a fecal float test — a stool sample under a microscope to look for parasite eggs. (PetMD)
Sources
- Merck Animal Health, “Dealing with Diarrhea in Pets”
- PetMD, “Bloody Diarrhea in Dogs”
- PetMD, “Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs”
- Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, “Diarrhea”