Puppy Diarrhea, Home Remedies & When to Call The Vet
We love snuggling baby dogs with sweet puppy breath, Frito-smelling toes, lap snuggles, and then–OH NO, puppy diarrhea! What’s a pet parent to do about dog loose motion or explosive diarrhea? We’ve already had this issue with our new pup, Shadow, and had to deal with it. And one time Magical-Dawg suffered explosive diarrhea–not fun for any of us!
Of course, adult dogs also suffer from the occasional loose stool as well or they pass gas (flatulence). At any age, dog diarrhea can be a sign of something serious that needs immediate attention to prevent pet dehydration. This is not about puppy accidents during house training, but an illness your dog can’t control. Knowing home remedies, dog first aid, and when to call the vet about puppy diarrhea could save your pet’s life.
If your dog is also VOMITING, click here to get the free tips sheets.
Puppy diarrhea ranks near the top as a common puppy problem, and being familiar with dog diarrhea treatment is important. Mild cases may be treated at home and get better but diarrhea can be deadly especially for puppies.
When you have a dog, poop happens. Knowing what to do is key, and it’s vital to recognize the difference between an aggravation and an emergency, and what to do with both.
Diarrhea isn’t a disease. It’s a sign of illness and caused by many conditions. You can get insight from the color of the poop, too, in this post.
Causes Of Puppy Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be associated with viruses such as parvovirus and distemper. It also can be caused by intestinal parasites like whipworms, hookworms; protozoan such as giardia, bacterium like salmonella and E. coli. Some types of intestinal parasites can be very difficult for veterinary tests to detect and it can take many tests over weeks to obtain a diagnosis.
Puppies also may develop diarrhea from a sudden change of diet, or even swallowed foreign objects. The stress of coming to a new home could prompt loose stools or vomiting. Overfeeding or eating out of the garbage also causes tummy upsets. Without knowing the cause, the right treatment can’t be suggested.
Diarrhea can point to conditions that could kill your puppy. Don’t wait—the resulting dehydration can make puppies even sicker.
A couple of years ago, Magic suffered from a bout of explosive diarrhea. I’d been called for jury duty, so I was gone–and discovered his illness when I returned home after the first day of service. Yikes! Magic had been drinking from the water-filled tank (aka man-made pond) on our property, and we suspected the run-off infected him with some type of parasite. It required a couple of weeks of medication for him to feel better. Had he been a baby, the situation could have been life-threatening. Learn more about what normal poop and poop problems look like. See the veterinarian immediately if your puppy’s diarrhea:
- Looks black with a tar-like consistency
- Smells extremely foul
- Contains large amounts of red blood
- Diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting, severe pain, fever, appetite loss or lethargy.
How to Treat Dog & Puppy Diarrhea At Home
It’s always best to get a vet check first. But your vet may recommend milder forms of diarrhea be treated at home. For instance, if it’s been less than three days, the dog or puppy still feels and acts well, and the diarrhea has a pudding-like appearance, home care may help.
Make sure that water remains always available. It’s very easy for puppies to quickly become dehydrated. Ask your vet about electrolyte replacement solutions like Petralyte. A sudden watery diarrhea can spill large amounts of fluid and important minerals out of the body.
- Withhold food for 24 hours to let his tummy rest
- Then offer bland meals (one-part boiled egg with two parts rice or cooked macaroni) in four to six servings for several days
- Gradually transition the meals to regular food. Mix half/half, gradually increasing to regular food by end of the week.
It often takes a couple of days for your puppy’s tummy to calm down, and a bland diet can help. You’ll find all the must-know puppy-licious info in the book COMPLETE PUPPY CARE (much of it applies to adult dogs, too!).
Are you also dealing with vomiting? Learn more about dog vomiting and what you can do in this post about puppy and doggy vomiting. Or click below to get the quick tips list for treating vomiting at home (or making your dog vomit, in case of poisoning!).
CLICK to get TIPS: TREAT VOMITING AT HOME!
Has your dog ever suffered from diarrhea? Seems like it always happens on a holiday or weekend, too! What did you do? Although dealing with diarrhea stinks, knowing 
what to do can ensure that everything comes out all right. Literally.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book giveaways and appearances related to my September Day pet-centric THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Amy Shojai, CABC is a certified cat & dog behavior consultant, a consultant to the pet industry, and the award-winning author of 35+ pet-centric books and Thrillers with Bite! Oh, and she loves bling!
I have brought a golden retriever puppy 2 months old, after 3 days at home he developed diarrhoea with vomiting, gave saline with metrogyl + pan+Intacef +botropase+ conciplex for 5 days 2 times, and stopped oral consumption during these days. After that he was given little water and his food, thought active his stool was watery, doc again adviced Diarest cool for 5 days, improved a bit, but mucus in stool still there. What should I do now?
Your veterinarian needs to see the puppy again, for further tests or treatment. I’m so sorry your going through this and hope your puppy improves soon.
Hello, i have 3 month old lhasa puppy, he is was absolutely fine, as its our first pet in house today he had loose motion with slight liquidish while doing 3rd to 4th time with pressure in a span of 1 hour, pls suggests is he fine or need some remedies
Young puppies with diarrhea should always be seen by a veterinarian. Please call the doctor for an appointment.
Hello. I have a Labrador of 3 weeks old. He has diarrhoea since yesterday but he is still playful and active. I had made him fast for 5-6 hours yesterday. I also give him a bowel regulator of 0.5ml before meal in the morning and at night. But his stool is still soft. I feed him human baby cerelac not the puppy formula one. Is that the reason? Or because he is not getting enough water and it’s because of dehydration. I don’t know the main reason. His stool is still brown, normal colour but does not have a firm shape. What should I do? Please help.
Hi Ellie, A three week old puppy should be eating a puppy formulation, not a human formula. Three weeks is VERY young to be away from his mom. I understand sometimes there’s no choice, of course. I’d recommend you get the puppy formula and begin to mix with a dry puppy food (make a mush) to get him started on solid food. Gradually reduce the liquid over the next 3 weeks until he’s mostly eating the dry kibble. I also hope you’ve had a veterinarian check the baby out. You’re right to be concerned about dehydration in such young babies. He should of course have water available all the time. Congrats on your new puppy!
My puppy had a diarrhea with a little blood on it yesterday and she was playful then but now no blood on her poop but the diarrhea is still going and her mood went down too, she kinda lost her appetite because of this corona virus I can’t call for a vet and I don’t know what to do for her at home. please I need help
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Most veterinary clinics ARE taking clients — you just have to stay in the car and they come out to get your puppy for the exam. Please call the clinic and ask for advice. I cannot diagnose your little one, or offer anything more than the advice in the blog. Dehydration is a real danger so be sure she keeps drinking water.
Thank you, as always, for the great information.
How much kaopectate can u give a nine mo old puppy with diarrhea
Hi Mikki, It goes by weight (not age of the dog). You can give 1/2 to 1 teaspoon for every 5 pounds the pup weighs– but NO MORE than 2 tablespoons every 8 hours. If after one day it doesn’t help, see the vet asap.
Hi I have a 5 month old lab puppy for the pass 4 days gas has had diarrhea. The first few days she couldn’t make it outside. The first night she was up ever hour which isn’t her at all. She would try going but couldn’t some of the times but when she did it was runny. The next day we took food away and just kept giving her water but she wanted food so we gave her a half a scoop. She has been acting like herself just with diarrhea. She’s still acting fine but she is still having trouble going and when she does it’s runny. What I do she since it doesn’t seem to be changing?
Hi Marlena, Since she’s not improved, I would STRONGLY urge you to take her to the veterinarian. There are tests that can be run and medication given to help your puppy feel better.
We have a 5-6 month old Siberian Husky that was a rescue. He has had runny stool since we picked him up. The rescuer was feeding him a grain free food plus a probiotic. Should we continue the same diet? We started a different grain free food. Is grain free better?
Hi Tom, great question. It may not be the food itself, but the change in diet. A sudden change often upsets tummies. So yes, at least at first, stick to the same food. To change the diet, do I gradually… mix 1/4 new with the previous food for a week, then 50/50 another week, and so on.
i have a new mutt and she keeps having diarrhea right after eating we bought her from strangers who said she was all fine in vet checkups but she has been moved in three house 1.The first was the house we got her from 2.my house 3.my sisters boy friends she has also aten different food 1. the food from where we got her 2 My dogs food (she is a golden retriever) 3 sisters boy friends dog food 4. the puppy food we just bought her she is also 3 months old
Hi please help me. I have a 9 week old lab puppy and his name is toby. I noticed this afternoon that he has a soft stool with a dot of blood then he pooped again and this time it was a watery yellow with small blood. But after that his poop became normal but the problem is he poops every an hour. Does this means he have a diarrhea? What should i do? Please notice me huhuhu
It’s normal for puppies to poop up to 5 times a day. If he’s defecating every hour, I’d wonder about the kind of food, or a possible digestion issue, even if the feces is well formed. I’d recommend you call your vet.
What is a bland diet for a puppy with pudding poop?
Hi Laurel, Veterinarians often recommend boiled chicken mixed with rice for a bland diet. It really depends on the cause of the diarrhea, though. That may not help if there are parasites or some other non-dietary cause.
Hi.. We have a 2 months old lab that was bought the other day.. It was still fine but yesterday afternoon my aunt said it vomited yesterday night and this afternoon, it vomited again. The stool of it was very watery that it was almost clear. We visited the vet this afternoon before he vomited and gave some medications but our puppy still vomited.. What do you think I should do?? Thank you 🙁
I’m glad you saw the veterinarian. It’s really best to follow the doctor’s advice. Often, it takes a while for the tummy to settle.
hi thanks for the information. I have a year old girl lab and she started having diarrhea yesterday morning and all day today. Nothing has changed in diet or otherwise. Im just not sure if I should be worried or if there is anything I can do to help at home? is there anything you could recommend to stop the diarrhea? She is house trained completely and yet keep finding a runny mess.. she acts and seems perfectly fine.
The tips are in the blog post link that you click to access them. Best wishes with your puppy. I always advise you call the vet to be sure, since every puppy is different.
Baki..I bought a Pomeranian puppy 45 days old 4 days ago…since then he got loose stool…he seems Fyn but still got loose stool..it looks watery…no vomiting …he doesn’t eat anything else only drinks milk…I’m worried about his health…should I take him to a vet…he is supposed to have his deworming injection on 10th…if this loose stool continues…what should I do…his stool is watery too..
Hi Thomas, Yes, I’d take him to the vet immediately. Those tiny guys get dehydrated very quickly. Depending on the type of milk, that could contribute to the diarrhea (many dogs can’t digest cow’s milk).
What should I give him instead of cows milk
Usually the recommendation is for a commercial puppy food, either canned or dry (you can moisten with water to soften dry kibble). There also are some “puppy formula” milk products from pet supply stores that can be used to transition the baby to the solid food.
hi, I have a 9 week old male Cavachon and since we acquire him 3 days ago he has had loose poo. he seems fine in all other ways, no vomiting or lethargy. runs around quite playful and sleeps well at night. We feed him on pedigree dried food as we did not know what is previous food was due to the circumstances surrounding how we got him. he has had his 2 vaccinations and been wormed and chipped. should we be worried about anything more serious scubas Parvo. Thanks
Hi Donna, Congrats on your new puppy! A change in diet can cause loose stools. It’s very positive that he’s feeling good with high energy. Those little guys can develop dehydration very quickly, though, so even if he’s not ill, I’d worry about that. Please call your vet for some advice today, before the holiday weekend has everyone shut down. It’s always better safe than sorry! The vet may recommend something to help control the diarrhea.
My 6 month old goldendoodle has had diarrhea for 3 days now. We haven’t changed any foods and I can’t figure out what might be causing it. I’ve read that it can help to fast for 12 – 24 hrs then introduce easy foods like rice or pumpkin before going back to the normal diet. Is 6 months too young to fast?
Hi Lainey, Thanks for visiting the blog. Yes, temporary fasting can help rest the gut when it’s a transient upset tummy. But if this has gone on 3 days, I would STRONGLY urge you to check with your veterinarian and follow her/his advice.
Thanks for the added information that coming to a new home can cause loose stools. he got his second Parvo shot the afternoon we adopted him (He’s 3 1/2 months old). Jamie is being fed food the rescue center sent home, he’s drinking lots of water, playing and just generally seems fine. His stools were pretty firm when we stopped on our way home and then the first 2 times at the house. Since then they have been much softer with a few very runny. It’s been about about 48 hours so I’m not panicked. Thought I’d give it another 24 hours. Then go to the vet.
Hi I have 5 month old lab that is having diarrhea. Today is Tuesday. She had it on Sunday, didn’t eat much that day but seemed normal otherwise. didn’t eat breakfast yesterday, but had dinner then a normal poop last night. This morning she had an accident in her crate and it was diarrhea again. went outside and she tried to get more out of her. She also did not want to eat her breakfast this morning. Again, she seems normal otherwise. I had her at my office on Friday and a coworker fed her way to many pupperoni and treats like that. I’m not sure if that could be affecting her but we have not been giving her any treats like that since. Any advise or insight is really appreciated!
Hi Ash, First off–congrats on the new pup! And secondly, while I am NOT a veterinarian and can’t give medical advice, the timing of the extra treats sound very suspicious. *s* I always advise calling your vet for expert input. Meanwhile, the tips on the handout (did you get that in the pop-up option here?) offer some basic home remedy tips.
Thank you for such a quick reply! So excess treats given 4 days ago could still be affecting her? It would certainly be a relief if that’s the case. I will monitor the situation and the call the vet if it happens again. I really hope she’s ok soon! Thank you Amy!
My 5 month old Boxer started with vomiting, diarrhea and slight (103/104) fever 6 days ago. Took him to his vet 2x (Tues & Wed). 4 shots, oral meds & special food from vet. After shots, appetite and energy returned but still has diarrhea.
His stool was checked on Thursday and was clear.
Can I try giving him some child Pepto Bismol? What dose? He’s 34-36 pounds.
Hi Betty Jo, I’m glad the vet took a look at the baby. It can take a while for the stool to firm back up. The dose for both Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate for dogs is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon for every 5 pounds of body weight (a maximum of 2 tablespoons) up to 3 times a day (per the veterinarians cited in my pets “first aid” book).
Please help!!!!
My 8 weeks old American staffy is doing loose poops since this morning.this is our first pet and I am bit worried,
Today is 6th day with us and no changes in diet!!!!
Hi Sunny, Congrats on the new pup! As the post says, when the dog still feels good otherwise, you may be able to simply give the tummy a rest. I always recommend calling the vet just in case, though–to get specific recommendations. Check the puppy’s gums (lift the lips) and if they look cold or pale, the pup needs the vet. If the pup still wants to play and bounce around, I’d wait a bit and then follow the “remedy” steps if it continues. Sometimes just an exciting day can upset the digestion for these little guys.
Please help! It’s the third day since my 3 month old spaniel had diarrhea and vomiting. Took her to the vet on the first day where she recieved some fluids and a few meds for fever, vomiting and the diarrhea. She got better and started eating but soon threw it all up. Her diarrhea never stop though. Took her to the vet again where she was given some fluids and different meds as well as one to boost her appetite. It didn’t work. She hasn’t eaten all day and she keeps vomiting out some foamy white liquid. Her diarrhea stopped though but she’s really weak and restless. Is there anyway or anything I can feed her just to give her enough strength for the night?
Oh dear, so very sorry your puppy is having these issues. The foamy vomit probably simply is from stomach acids, making her feel yucky. I wouldn’t feed her anything–could make vomiting worse–but use some Karo syrup or honey and rub on the inside of her gums. That will absorb through the tissue to combat low blood sugar. Offer just small amounts of water (or ice to lap), or even diluted Pedialyte. You really need the vet to see your pup again, this isn’t something that should wait. I know, it always happens on weekends, too!
My 12 week old lab-coon hound mix was fine and then all of a sudden he started drooling excessively and has diarrhea. My husband thinks it is too many treats. We are trying to housebreak him with a bell and treats. Could this be the reason? Or would it be something else?
Please call the vet. It could be treats, or the pup could have gotten into something toxic–that can cause drooling as well as diarrhea. Don’t wait–better a false alarm or something worse!
It was the treats. Thanks for the advice, I really appreciate it!
Yay! Love hearing that, thanks for the update.
I have a 12 wk old GSD who has been on a grain free gluten free etc puppy food since i got her at 8 wks old She has soft stools all the time unless I add pumpkin to her food How long can I expect her to have soft stools?? How long can I continue to add pumpkin without causing any other issues? I have not had this ptoblem before in other puppies Not runny or foul smelling I know the signs of parvo She UTD on shots and worming
Hi Jeannette, Is this the same ration the breeder fed the puppy? Did the pup have soft stools at the breeder’s, too? After four weeks I’d strongly recommend a vet check to see if something else might be going on, or if it’s with the food.
no I changed foods during the first week I got her I gradually switched brands of food as I wanted her to be on a grain, gluten free diet like my other dogs I don’t know if her stool was soft at the breeders But I will def check with my vet if this continues How long can I continue to give her pumpkin in her food to help with her soft stools? I have been doing this for about a week They firm up but if I stop the pumpkin we are right back to soft again, which leads me to believe it is the food
It may indeed be the food. Not every dog does well on the same food so you may need to consider something with more fiber (that the pumpkin appears to provide) rather than the one that’s causing soft stools. Again, I strongly urge a veterinarian to provide her/his expert advice on this. Good luck! (Love those GSD pups! but some do have sensitive tummies).
My Lab is 9 weeks old and we just changed his diet today to kibble. He had very watery (and explosive) diarrhea in multiple spots in the house, but he seems to be fine and still wants to play. Should i be worried?
Changing the food suddenly can cause diarrhea. Usually, it’s best to introduce new foods gradually–mix 50/50 with the old diet at first, and gradually increase the amount of the new food, over a period of several days. If the diarrhea goes on for more than a day, get him to the vet! It’s good that he’s still wanting to play–puppies, though, can become dehydrated very quickly so don’t delay. Best to call your vet and ask, too. *s*
I have a 10 week lab puppy who threw up 2x and has diarrhea. How much kaopectate should she have
Hi Cathy, sorry your puppy is having problems. With puppies, I highly recommend a vet visit. That said, the typical dose for kaopectate for diarrhea for dogs is 1/2-1 teaspoon for every 5 pounds the dog weighs. So if the pup weighs 10 pounds, that would be one to two teaspoons, for example. It can be given once every 8 hours. Please call the vet first to confirm! Hope the baby feels better soon.
I have two shih tzu one had diarrhea and now the other one has it is that a virus
Hi Gwendolyn, there is no way for me to tell you if your dogs have a virus. Diarrhea can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and many other things. I would strongly advise you to see the veterinarian for a diagnosis.