My dog has diarrhea
Normal dog stool is firm, well-formed, and ‘chocolate brown’ in color. With diarrhea, the stool is thinner and more watery than normal. In many cases, diarrhea is not serious and there is no need to worry; this is often the case with acute diarrhea. With acute diarrhea, a dog suffers from diarrhea for one day to a few days. In addition to acute diarrhea, a dog can also suffer from chronic diarrhea. We speak of chronic diarrhea when the diarrhea lasts for 7 days or longer.
Causes of diarrhea in dogs
A dog can develop diarrhea as a result of various conditions or ‘actions’. Below you will find the most common causes of diarrhea:
- (Sudden) change in food
- Eating something unsuitable
- A parasitic infection
- A viral infection
- Giardia, especially in puppies
What can you do if your dog has diarrhea?
Diarrhea is not immediately a reason to panic. It often goes away on its own, with the diarrhea lasting approximately one to a few days. However, it is important to keep a close eye on your dog during this period. Your pet should remain active and alert and continue to eat and drink well.
If your dog has diarrhea and also becomes lethargic, starts vomiting, has blood in its stool, has a fever and/or is dehydrated, it is important to contact the veterinarian. In this case, we are dealing with a severe form of diarrhea.
It is also best to contact the veterinarian if diarrhea is a recurring problem or lasts longer than a few days.
If your dog has diarrhea, there is a chance that it will become dehydrated, as it loses a lot of fluid through its stool. Therefore, make sure your dog continues to drink enough.
Would you like more information about diarrhea in dogs? Then read our in-depth blog article: dog with diarrhea: causes & top tips.
