My dog has diarrhea: what to do

Take it to the vet the same day if…

• It's a puppy, especially without complete vaccines: it may be parvo.
• There's a lot of red blood, or its poop is black like tar.
• It's also vomiting, won't eat or is lethargic.
• It goes many times a day or has had diarrhea for more than a day.
• Its belly is swollen or painful, or its gums are pale.

Puppies and small or senior dogs dehydrate very quickly.

Common causes

• A sudden change of food, table scraps or eating garbage.
• Eating plants: many houseplants and decorative plants are toxic to dogs.
• Intestinal parasites: that's why deworming matters.
• Stress: moving, travel, fireworks or visitors.
• Infections like parvo or distemper in unvaccinated dogs.
• Other diseases of the stomach, pancreas or liver.

If it's lively and only has mild diarrhea

• Always keep fresh water available: the most important thing is that it doesn't get dehydrated.
• Ask your vet whether a bland diet for a few days makes sense.
• Don't give it human anti-diarrhea medicine: some are toxic to dogs.
• If it doesn't improve within 24 hours or any sign from the list above shows up, take it in.
• Bring a photo or a stool sample less than 24 hours old: it helps the vet.

Frequently asked questions

What can I give my dog for diarrhea?

Fresh water at all times and, if your vet says so, a bland diet for a few days. Don't give human medicine. If it doesn't improve within a day or has other symptoms, take it in.

My dog has bloody diarrhea but is eating fine. Is it serious?

A few drops of fresh blood can come from an irritated gut, but a vet should check it. If there's a lot of blood, the poop is black or it's a puppy, go the same day.

My dog has diarrhea but seems fine. Should I wait?

If it's an adult, lively, eating and drinking, you can watch it for a day. If it continues, gets worse or vomiting, blood or lethargy shows up, take it to the vet.

My puppy has diarrhea. What do I do?

Take it to the vet the same day, especially if it doesn't have all its vaccines. Puppies dehydrate fast and parvo starts this way.

Related guides

• How to tell if your dog is sickSigns of fever, dehydration, poisoning and parvo in dogs, and when to go to the emergency vet.
• How often to deworm a dog or a catHow often to deworm a dog or cat by age, and signs that it has parasites.

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Sources

Information from:

• VCA: diarrhea in dogs
• AKC: dog diarrhea