Puppy diarrhea occurs when your dog is making loose, unformed poops that resemble liquid or that fall apart when touched. There are many common causes of diarrhea in puppies that may not be cause for alarm — and there are a few that require veterinary intervention to resolve.
Our helpful guide will cover the common, non-concerning reasons and other possibilities that require medical intervention. We’ll also show you how to conduct a self-analysis at home so that you know exactly when your young dog should go to the vet.
There are many reasons why your pet may be dealing with runny poops. Stress, bacterial and parasitic infections, and diet changes are a few of the most common triggers — although, each pet is different and can be triggered by different things.
Consider any of the possible reasons listed below, and speak to your vet if the diarrhea doesn’t resolve or is accompanied by other signs of illness. They can help you come up with a tailored plan and diagnostic process that works to address both the symptoms and the causes of your puppy’s diarrhea.
When you brought your pup home from the shelter, breeder, pet store, or rescue, did you keep their diet the same? For many, the answer is no — as it’s often difficult for pet parents to know what the dog ate before finding them and taking them home. This can lead to an abrupt change, which can lead to an episode (or several) of upset stomach or diarrhea.
Sudden changes in your dog’s diet can be a culprit for diarrhea or loose, watery stools and symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) upset. Fiber intake shifts and food allergies are usually the culprits associated with this specific trigger.
Much like humans, stress is enough to send your dog running to the puppy pads…often. This may be especially true in the first year of life when young puppies may not be fully potty trained yet. Stress is one of the most common causes of diarrhea, and is commonly seen when your dog is around new people, new locations, or new/other bigger, adult dogs for the first time.
After an episode of diarrhea, your puppy’s stomach might be off for a couple of days — and they may experience small amounts of watery stool when it’s time to go #2. Still, check the poop for any sort of dark red blood or black spots, as this could be the sign of a very serious health issue masquerading as stress — such as internal bleeding or related disorders. It could also be a sign of stress colitis, which can be addressed by your veterinarian.
Your dog could have diarrhea from parasites. Common intestinal parasites found in canines include coccidia, giardia roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. We’ve summarized what to expect with each type below:
🚨If you believe your dog has either of these parasitic conditions, seek medical attention. Even small amounts of parasites can have a huge impact on your dog’s health, and yours if they happen to be zoonotic.
Bacterial infections can also cause puppy diarrhea. The two most common to consider are:
Viral infections can be to blame for your puppy’s persistent diarrhea. Both parvo and coronavirus can spread with pet-to-pet contact — so be sure to watch for additional symptoms like vomiting, coughing, lethargy, or discharge from the nose and eyes. Keeping track of these symptoms helps your vet to make a correct diagnosis.
Foreign bodies can cause diarrhea due to related inflammation, which can lead to changes in your dog’s motility. This can make the digestive process less efficient, which can lead to food passing quickly in your dog’s intestines. This can result in diarrhea, cramping, and mucous in their poop. Your vet can help to remove foreign bodies surgically to help your pet heal quickly.
Luckily for pet parents, recognizing puppy diarrhea is fairly easy — especially in severe cases of diarrhea. You’ll be able to spot the poop from a mile away, as it consistently will appear soft, runny, or liquid with a complete lack of form. You might also notice foul odors associated with it that are worse than normal.
The stool may also have bloody or black streaks in it (which can be a sign of superficial or deep bleeding), white specks (which could indicate worms), or excessive mucus. This’ll be in pretty strong contrast to “healthy poop,” which is typically firm, light or dark brown, and well-formed.
💩 Here’s a helpful guide to dog poop colors and appearance, and what each can mean:
If you are noticing diarrhea in puppies, they must get medical attention as soon as possible. Younger dogs can be prone to dehydration when they are having diarrhea. It is also important to collect a fecal sample so a fecal test can be performed.
Dr. Dwight Alleyne
This process is fairly easy and uses a variety of clinical and lab testing options. Generally, you won’t need more than a regular vet visit, which is generally covered by pet insurance. (If you don’t have a pet insurance plan yet, now would be a good time to get one. This can save you a lot of money later on, especially in the event of a veterinary emergency).
Your vet might choose to conduct additional tests to ensure that the diarrhea has no other possible causes that could link to disease — such as a compromised immune system, caused by viruses.
Here’s a summary of what tests you can expect if you take your pup to the vet for diarrhea:
Once you’ve determined the possible causes of your dog’s diarrhea, you can begin to make a treatment plan. It’s important to note, though, that the suggestions we’ve put together support pups with soft stools too, even if they don’t fit the full criterion of diarrhea (i.e., liquid poops with foul odors). Here are a few ideas to help settle your pet’s digestive tract.*
It’s important to note that these treatments for symptoms are for informational purposes only. If your pet is experiencing severe diarrhea, alarming diarrhea (i.e. bloody or worm-specked), or large amounts of diarrhea, veterinary care is key. Please work with your vet (as a general rule) to determine the best course of treatment for your canine.
Medications help dogs who have lost control of their poops. There are three main classes of meds that veterinarians usually give to treat diarrhea:
Prevention is the best measure against puppy diarrhea. Here are some top tips to try at home after your dog’s pooping resolves:
Staying up to date with your puppy’s vaccines prevents them from catching a range of other ailments, and plays a large role in their GI health. This is especially important if you travel often with your pet to public places — such as coffee shops and dog parks — where other illnesses can abound.
A balanced diet is key to a healthy dog. Ensuring that your pet has enough healthy fats, proteins, and carbohydrates reduces the risk of gastrointestinal upset. Also, try to avoid table scraps, sudden changes, or too much “human food” which can throw off their gut.
This is good advice in any situation — and it prevents problems before they occur in your pet. Keeping your scheduled and routine and preventative vet visits gives your pet the healthiest life possible, and is always a good investment.
It’s never fun when your pet is under the weather — especially when there’s poop or stomach troubles involved. Early diagnosis and intervention help your pet to recover quickly and smoothly. Veterinary care should be sought as soon as possible to avoid complications and excessive dehydration in your furry friend.
If your dog has diarrhea with no known cause (and even if the cause IS known) — a vet visit is in order. Early diagnosis and treatment is key to giving your pet the best experience possible and lowering their risk for complications (such as kidney dysfunction from severe dehydration).
One or two rounds of poops are generally nothing to worry about, as this can happen from benign causes like stress. If you see your pet straining or making frequent piles with no end in sight, however, you should seek veterinary care. You should also seek help if you notice anything coming out in your pet’s poop, as that could point to a possible cause or secondary diagnosis.
It can be normal for puppies to have diarrhea in certain cases, like if they are under stress, just went through deworming, could be dealing with an illness, or if they are getting used to a new diet. Keeping contextual awareness top of mind helps pet parents determine what’s normal and what might warrant a vet visit.
Parvo can look different from pet to pet. Understanding the range of symptoms is key for early detection and support. Common early signs of parvovirus include bloating, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever or hypothermia (or, low body temperature), and loose stools. This can result in frequent blood diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
If your pet has diarrhea but is acting normal, they could very well be experiencing nervous poops or reacting to a recent diet change, if you’ve just done one. If the problem persists past the next few stools, veterinary care may be needed to get to the bottom of the problem.
