Diarrhoea in dogs

Diarrhoea is an unpleasant experience for our dogs (and for us!). Your dog has diarrhoea if they are producing soft or watery poo. 

As dog owners, it’s important we understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments for diarrhoea – as well as the ways we can prevent runny dog poos from upsetting our canine companions.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• Common causes of diarrhoea in dogs
• Symptoms of diarrhoea in dogs
• When to worry about your dog’s diarrhoea
• What’s the difference between ‘acute’ and ‘chronic’ diarrhoea?
• Dog diarrhoea treatment
• How long will dog diarrhoea last?
• Preventing diarrhoea in dogs
• Best way to clean up your dog’s diarrhoea

Why has my dog got diarrhoea? Common causes of diarrhoea in dogs

Diarrhoea in dogs is incredibly common. Research has found that around 1 in 12 dogs in the UK are diagnosed with acute diarrhoea each year, making it one of the most frequent reasons for a vet visit.

The first step in successfully dealing with our dogs’ diarrhoea is to discover what’s causing it. However, there are so many causes of diarrhoea in dogs that it can sometimes make it difficult to find the reason they’re suffering from it. 

Common causes of diarrhoea in dogs include:

• Swallowing an inedible object (e.g. stick, toy, sock, etc.)
• Eating something toxic (e.g. chocolate, garlic, grapes, etc.)
• Sudden changes in their diet
• Food intolerance or allergy
• Worms and parasites (e.g. giardia)
• Viral infection (e.g. parvovirus)
• Bacterial infection (e.g. salmonella)
• Inflammation (usually redness or swelling) of their large intestine (colitis)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Inflammation of their pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Reaction to medicine
• Stress (such as moving home, kennelling, or travelling)

Your dog can experience diarrhoea as a result of any of these causes, but some are more likely than others.

A recent VetCompass study by the Royal Veterinary College identified the most common triggers as scavenging or dietary indiscretion, gastroenteritis, colitis, reactions to medication (particularly anti-inflammatory drugs), and sudden dietary changes.

Which dogs are at the most risk of diarrhoea?

While any dog can develop diarrhoea, the same research suggests that some breeds may be more prone to tummy troubles. According to the VetCompass study, breeds including Cavapoos, Maltese, Miniature Poodles, German Shepherd, Yorkshire Terriers, and Cockapoos showed higher rates of diarrhoea compared to crossbred dogs.

Young dogs (under 3 years) and older dogs (over 9 years) also appear to have a higher risk. Puppies are especially vulnerable because of their curious, scavenging nature, while older dogs may be more susceptible due to age-related changes in gut health.

Symptoms of diarrhoea in dogs

Soft stools (poo) can vary in amount, consistency (the way it holds together), and colour when your dog has diarrhoea.

Due to the different causes of diarrhoea in dogs, there are many symptoms that might appear, alongside their watery stools:

• Gurgling sounds from their tummy
• Passing wind
• Reduced appetite
• Possible vomiting
• Lethargy (quieter than usual)
• Eating grass (to try to make themselves sick)
• Drinking more water than usual

When to worry about your dog’s diarrhoea

Diarrhoea in dogs is often mild and short-lived, but bloody diarrhoea or ongoing symptoms should never be ignored. Fresh, red blood in your dog’s poo usually points to an issue in the lower digestive tract (such as colitis), while darker, tarry stools may indicate bleeding higher up in the gut.

Dog diarrhoea with blood isn't always an emergency, but it does require prompt veterinary attention – especially if your dog seems unwell, is vomiting, or the bleeding is severe.

Contact your vet promptly if your dog has diarrhoea and shows any of the following signs:

• Blood in their poo
• Diarrhoea lasting longer than 24 hours
• Vomiting alongside diarrhoea
• A bloated or painful abdomen
• Lethargy, weakness, or looking generally unwell
• Signs of pain, such as yelping or adopting a ‘prayer position’ (front legs on the floor, back legs standing up)
• Signs of dehydration (dry gums, sunken eyes, or skin that doesn’t spring back when gently pinched)
• Refusal to drink water

You should also seek veterinary advice sooner if your dog is a puppy, elderly, or has an existing health condition, as these dogs are more vulnerable to complications. 

If you're unsure whether your dog needs a physical visit to the vet, you can speak to a veterinary professional for advice instead. 

Animal Friends policyholders can access free 24/7 video consultations with Joii Pet Care, which can help you decide on the best next steps for your poorly pup.

What’s the difference between ‘acute’ and ‘chronic’ diarrhoea?

Acute diarrhoea isn’t usually linked to a medical condition and tends to last a couple of days. Provided your dog doesn’t have any serious symptoms, acute diarrhoea can often be treated at home, following advice from a vet.

Chronic diarrhoea in dogs typically lasts for over three weeks and is often connected to a medical condition, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), food allergies, or other gastrointestinal problems. If your dog is suffering from chronic diarrhoea, a vet will perform tests to find out what’s causing it.

Dog diarrhoea treatment

What to give a dog with diarrhoea at home

If your dog is suffering from mild diarrhoea, you’ll need to monitor them to make sure they stay bright and alert. 

As well as monitoring your dog, to help them feel better when they have mild diarrhoea, you should:

• Provide plenty of clean, fresh, drinking water, day and night
• Consider withholding food for 12-24 hours to let their gut rest (but always ensure water is available). You shouldn't do this if your dog is very young, elderly, or has another health condition
• Feed them a small amount of bland food – plain white rice and flavourless boiled chicken breast (no skin or bones!), for example
• If your dog has a known allergy or intolerance to a dietary ingredient, find something appropriate for your pet to eat while they have diarrhoea
• Let them rest (avoid activities, like going for a walk, until they’ve recovered)
• Try a probiotic paste or powder designed for dogs, as these can help restore healthy gut bacteria. The same VetCompass study found that probiotics were the most common treatment given by vets, prescribed in around 60% of cases

Should you starve a dog with diarrhoea?

A short period of fasting (12-24 hours) can help give your dog's digestive system a rest. However, this isn't suitable for puppies, elderly dogs, or those with underlying health conditions, as they can become dehydrated or hypoglycaemic (low blood sugar) more quickly. 

You need to make sure there is easy and plentiful access to water during the fasting period. After fasting, gradually reintroduce small, frequent meals of bland food over 2-3 days before slowly transitioning back to their normal diet.

How do vets treat diarrhoea in dogs? 

If your dog needs veterinary care for their diarrhoea, treatment will depend on the suspected cause and how unwell they are.

Your vet may recommend:

• Fluid therapy: to replace lost fluids and correct dehydration, especially in more severe cases.
• Dietary management: a prescription gastrointestinal diet or bland food.
• Probiotics: to help restore healthy gut bacteria.
• Anti-sickness medication: such as maropitant, if your dog is vomiting too.
• Worming or anti-parasitic treatment: if parasites are suspected.
• Further tests: such as blood tests, faecal analysis, or imaging if the cause isn't clear or symptoms persist.

When your dog isn’t feeling well, it’s natural to feel concerned, and vet visits can sometimes bring unexpected expenses. If treatment is needed for diarrhoea or an underlying condition, pet insurance can help with some of the costs, so you can focus on getting your dog back to their usual self.

If you’re considering coverage for your pet, find out more about our Dog Insurance policies.

Will my dog need antibiotics?

You might expect antibiotics to be part of dog diarrhoea treatment, but veterinary guidelines now advise against routine antibiotic use for most cases of acute diarrhoea.

Research has shown that antibiotics don't speed up recovery for uncomplicated diarrhoea and can actually disrupt the natural balance of healthy gut bacteria, potentially making things worse. 

Your vet will only prescribe antibiotics if they suspect a specific bacterial infection or if your dog is severely unwell.

How long will dog diarrhoea last?

The amount of time your dog has diarrhoea will depend on many factors; for example, whether they’ve eaten something they shouldn’t have or they have a health condition.

Most cases of mild diarrhoea resolve within 24-48 hours with supportive care at home. The VetCompass study found that over 80% of dogs with acute diarrhoea didn't need a second vet visit, suggesting most cases respond well to initial treatment.

Please contact a vet if your dog has diarrhoea for longer than 24 hours, or sooner if they're a puppy, elderly, have other symptoms, or seem unwell.

Preventing diarrhoea in dogs

Luckily, there are lots of ways to prevent diarrhoea in dogs!

Here are some top tips to help your dog avoid diarrhoea:

• Keep up with their worming treatments and vaccinations
• Feed them good-quality dog food
• Make any dietary changes gradually (over one to two weeks)
• Don’t let them eat anything they shouldn’t be eating (keep bins secured and be vigilant on walks)
• Only let them play with dog-safe toys
• Avoid feeding table scraps or fatty human foods
• Keep them away from puddles, ponds, and other dogs' faeces where possible
• Reduce stress during changes like moving home or travelling

If you'd like to learn more about recognising when your dog might be unwell, read our guide on how to spot early signs of illness in dogs.

Best way to clean up your dog’s diarrhoea 

Although it’s rare, there are some causes of diarrhoea in dogs that can be passed to humans if their mess isn’t properly cleaned up.

In all cases of diarrhoea, it’s essential the mess is cleaned, and the area disinfected as quickly as possible, to prevent the spread of potentially harmful diseases.

Cleaning up dog diarrhoea inside your home: 

Step 1 – Use a dog poop bag (or two!) to pick up as much of the mess as you can. You might want to wear rubber or disposable gloves to do so.

Step 2 – Safely throw away the full dog poop bag in an outside bin.

Step 3 – You could sprinkle cat litter or sawdust onto the damp stain to soak up any moisture, before removing the cat litter and spraying the spot with disinfectant. If you don’t have cat litter or sawdust, soak the stain by spraying it repeatedly with disinfectant.

Step 4 – Wipe moisture from the disinfected spot using sheets of kitchen roll, then throw the dirty kitchen roll away in an outside bin (prevents odours from lingering!).

Step 5 – Wash your hands thoroughly before doing anything else!

Cleaning up dog diarrhoea in your garden: 

Step 1 – Use dog poop bags and rubber or disposable gloves to pick up as much of the mess as you can.

Step 2 – Safely throw the poop bag away in an outside bin.

Step 3 – If on a hard surface (like a patio), either pour boiling water on the spot (careful not to burn yourself/others!) or squirt a little bleach-and-water mixture (making sure to keep your pet away from you while you clean) onto it.

To clean up diarrhoea from grass, you’ll need a hose to wash away any remaining specks of diarrhoea with clean water. Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to keep all pets and children away from the area until it has fully dried.

Step 4 – Wash your hands thoroughly before doing anything else!

Cleaning up dog diarrhoea while out and about: 

Step 1 – Use several dog poop bags to pick up as much poop as you can. If you happen to have a pair of disposable gloves on you, this is definitely the time to use them, to protect yourself as much as possible until you can wash your hands thoroughly.

Step 2 – Safely throw away the poop bag (and disposable gloves if you've used them) in the nearest bin.

Step 3 – During summer months, you might be able to sprinkle some dry dirt over the area, to mop up any remaining moisture. If on grass, or during wetter months, you can pour some of your bottled water over the area, to remove any leftover signs of diarrhoea. 

Step 4 – Use hand sanitiser to clean your hands as best as you can, before washing your hands thoroughly as soon as possible.

Related resources:

• Garbage gut in dogs (garbage toxicosis)
• Diarrhoea and vomiting hub
• All dog health advice