What To Do When Your Puppy Has Diarrhoea

Puppy diarrhoea can be worrying to deal with.

Aside from being unpleasant for you, especially while you are toilet training your puppy, no owner wants to see their puppy suffer or be uncomfortable. It can also be tricky to recognise when puppy diarrhoea is a sign of something serious, or when it is caused by something mild and self-limiting.

This article gives you some information about puppy diarrhoea, plus practical advice on what you can do to help and when to seek veterinary advice.

What does puppy diarrhoea look like?

Puppy diarrhoea can range from soft stools to completely liquid faeces, and it may vary in colour and appearance depending on the cause. Some puppies may simply have slightly loose stools, while others may pass diarrhoea with features that suggest irritation or a more serious underlying problem.

• Soft or loose stools – may be due to stress from moving to a new home, diet changes or mild digestive upset.
• Watery diarrhoea – this is more severe and can lead to dehydration more quickly, especially in young puppies.
• Diarrhoea with mucus - mucus may appear as a slimy or jelly-like coating and can suggest irritation or inflammation in the bowel.
• Diarrhoea with bright red blood – a small amount of fresh blood is often caused by inflammation of the lining of the lower gut. However, if the bleeding continues, there is a lot of blood, or your puppy seems unwell, you should contact your vet.
• Black, tarry diarrhoea - this can suggest digested blood higher up in the digestive tract and should always be taken seriously.
• Yellow diarrhoea - this can sometimes be seen when food is moving through the gut more quickly than normal, or after a recent diet change.

Why does my puppy have diarrhoea?

There are a number of different triggers for diarrhoea in puppies. The majority of these are not serious and can be easily addressed.

Stress

Over the first few days of your puppy being home with you, they should begin to settle in and any stress-related diarrhoea should disappear. If they have any other symptoms however – such as lethargy, panting, loss of appetite, not drinking etc – or if you are worried at all, visit your vet. Young puppies can dehydrate quickly so it’s always best to seek advice sooner rather than later.

New diet

A puppy with diarrhoea may be struggling to adapt to a change in food – or even water. When you bring your puppy home, it is best to keep them on the same food they have been used to while they settle in. If you do want to change their food, introduce the new diet gradually.

As your puppy gets older, you will also need to change from puppy to adult food at the appropriate age. This will vary depending on your dog’s breed, size or type. Keep in mind that any diet change may cause diarrhoea. This is why it is best to make any diet transition slowly – adding a small amount of the new diet to start with and gradually increasing the proportion over a week or two. Within a few days your puppy’s digestive system should become used to the new food and the diarrhoea should stop. If not, or your puppy seems unwell, talk to your vet.

Parasites

Dog parasites such as worms can also cause diarrhoea in puppies. Worms are very common, and many puppies are infected with roundworms before birth or through their mother’s milk. This is why routine worming of both the mother and her puppies is so important. 

Puppies can also pick up worms from their environment, including contaminated soil, faeces and other sources, so even well-cared-for puppies may be affected. Talk to your vet about the best ongoing treatment and prevention plan for your puppy.

Eating something that upsets their stomach

Young puppies explore the environment with their mouths – and of course, their cute looks mean that people often want to give them a treat - so eating something they shouldn’t have or that upsets their stomach, can be a fairly common occurrence.

If you think this might be the cause of the diarrhoea, talk to your vet (and tell them what your puppy might have eaten) and ask for their advice.

These are just some of the most common reasons for puppy diarrhoea. There are many other possible causes, including viral infections and a change in water.

When to take a puppy to the vet for diarrhoea?

If your puppy has a bout of diarrhoea it can be tricky to know whether or not it warrants a visit to the vet. However, there are number of signs you should watch out for:

• Blood in the stools: Blood in diarrhoea is a sign that the gut is inflamed and should be taken seriously. If you see blood, take your puppy to the vet as soon as possible.
• Black, tarry stools: This usually means there is digested blood in the intestines, which is a sign of bleeding further up the digestive tract.
• Loss of appetite: A puppy who does not want to eat may be feeling more unwell than they first appear.
• Lethargy or weakness: If your puppy seems unusually quiet, tired or not their normal self, it is best to seek advice.
• Panting: This can sometimes be a sign of pain, discomfort or stress.
• Frequent vomiting: Diarrhoea combined with vomiting increases the risk of dehydration and should always be taken seriously.
• Diarrhoea that is frequent or lasts for longer than 24 hours: Young puppies can dehydrate very quickly, so ongoing diarrhoea should not be ignored.

If your puppy has any of these signs, or if you are worried for any reason, contact your vet for advice.

How to treat puppy diarrhoea

1. Speak to you vet: If the diarrhoea persists, talk to your vet first and foremost. Take their advice on any treatment – especially if your puppy is under 12 weeks old.

2. Feed a bland diet: The first and perhaps most effective treatment is to feed a bland diet for a few days. Your vet can advise you on what will be the best choice.

   They may suggest you stick to your puppy’s regular food and feed in small portions with plenty of water. Or they may recommend a special diet suitable for puppies with a digestive upset.

3. Avoid anything that could cause further digestive upset: Avoid giving treats, snacks or human food from your plate that could further irritate their stomach.
4. Monitor for improvement: In many cases, this will be enough to help settle the stomach and within a day or two you should see your puppy’s stools may return to normal consistency.
5. Go back to the vet if your puppy does not improve: If your puppy’s condition does not return to normal or seems to worsen, you should visit the vet as soon as possible. Your vet may recommend medication that can help treat your puppy’s diarrhoea and reduce the risk of dehydration.
6. Ask about longer term dietary support if needed: For puppies that experience regular diarrhoea, a specially formulated diet can help. PRO PLAN Puppy Sensitive Digestion with OPTIDIGEST contains a special combination of nutrients that support the digestive system. These include highly digestible ingredients (such as egg) that ease the digestive process, and bentonite (a natural clay) that promotes a good stool quality.

For more advice on caring for your next puppy, take a look at our guide on puppy separation anxiety, next.

Puppy diarrhoea FAQs