Puppy Diarrhea: When to Worry and What to Do

You just brought home an adorable, playful puppy—how exciting!—but then you notice something concerning. Your sweet puppy has diarrhea. Should you be worried?

One messy bowel movement may not seem like a big deal, but puppies are still developing their immune systems, and are vulnerable to infections and diseases. Plus, puppy diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration and other serious issues. Diarrhea in puppies can have various causes. Knowing when to seek veterinary help is essential to your puppy’s health and well-being.

Key Takeaways

Puppy diarrhea is common and can be caused by diet changes, stress, infections, or parasites.
Mild cases can often be managed at home with hydration, a bland diet, and probiotics.
Severe symptoms like bloody stool, vomiting, or lethargy require immediate veterinary care.
Treating puppy diarrhea can be costly, but pet insurance can help cover the expenses. Finding the right pet insurance through Pawlicy Advisor can provide peace of mind.

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Here’s all you need to know about puppy diarrhea causes, red flags, treatments, and prevention methods to ensure your tiny canine friend gets the care they need.

✔️ Reviewed by multiple licensed veterinarians

✔️ Updated with the latest medical data

✔️ Compiled from veterinary research

Jump to the section that matters most to you below.

What causes puppy diarrhea?
What puppy diarrhea symptoms should I monitor?
Can puppy diarrhea be treated at home?
When should I seek veterinary help for puppy diarrhea?
How can I prevent puppy diarrhea?
Frequently Asked Questions

What causes puppy diarrhea?

Puppy diarrhea causes range from dietary changes to serious infections. Your puppy’s immune and digestive systems are still developing, so even minor disruptions can lead to loose stool.

Common causes of puppy diarrhea

Gastrointestinal (GI) issues are among the top 10 reasons why puppies visit the vet.1 Numerous issues can cause puppy diarrhea. Some of the most common causes include:

Diet changes — Puppies have sensitive GI tracts and sudden diet changes can lead to diarrhea. Potential culprits include:
Switching foods too quickly — When switching your puppy’s food, make the transition gradually over five to seven days. Start by mixing 25% of the new diet with 75% of the current diet. Slowly increase the amount of new food and decrease the amount of the old food until your puppy is eating only the new diet.
Feeding people food — You may be tempted to share table scraps with your new pup, but their GI tract may react poorly to rich, fatty, or unfamiliar foods.
Food intolerance or allergies — Puppies can occasionally experience sensitivity to certain foods. The most common irritants are protein sources, such as beef, chicken, and eggs, and dairy.
Stress — Leaving their littermates, transitioning to a new home, and meeting new people can be stressful for your puppy, and may trigger diarrhea. Stress-induced diarrhea is usually mild and should resolve once your puppy settles into their new home.
Foreign body ingestion — Puppies explore the world with their mouths, often ingesting items, such as socks, small toys, or rocks, that can lead to diarrhea and potentially a GI blockage.

 Recommended Reading: How to Take Care of a Puppy

Health-related causes of puppy diarrhea

In some cases, a serious health issue, such as an infection or intestinal parasites, can cause puppy diarrhea.

Bacterial infections — Puppies typically pick up bacterial infections by ingesting contaminated food or water, or contacting an infected animal. Bacteria that can cause diarrhea in puppies include Salmonella, E. coli, Clostridium, and Campylobacter.
Viral infections — Puppies are susceptible to viral infections, such as parvovirus, canine distemper, and canine enteric coronavirus, that can lead to severe, life-threatening diarrhea. Unvaccinated puppies are at highest risk of developing a viral infection.
Intestinal parasites — Intestinal parasites are the most common cause of diarrhea in puppies, especially those adopted from shelters or pet stores. Parasites that can lead to puppy diarrhea include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and coccidia.

Environmental causes of puppy diarrhea

Puppies are curious and their tendency to explore can get them in trouble. If your puppy ingests a toxin or eats spoiled food or trash, they can develop diarrhea.

Toxin ingestion — Many common household items are toxic to puppies and can lead to diarrhea and other serious effects. Potential toxins to keep out of your puppy’s reach include human medications, some plants, rodent baits, household chemicals, and toxic foods, such as chocolate.
Dumpster diving — Puppies have a strong sense of smell, which may tempt them to scavenge in the trash, potentially leading to GI upset.

What puppy diarrhea signs should I watch for?

Puppy diarrhea can be mild and temporary, or more severe. Since puppies with diarrhea are susceptible to dehydration, owners must monitor their symptoms closely. Here are the top considerations when monitoring your pup.

Types of diarrhea

Diarrhea in puppies can vary in consistency, color, and severity. Monitoring the appearance and frequency of your puppy’s bowel movements can help you determine if veterinary care is necessary. Types of diarrhea include:

Watery diarrhea — Thin, liquidy feces that lack any solid form can quickly lead to dehydration in puppies. If your pup has watery diarrhea that lasts longer than a few hours, they should see a vet as soon as possible.
Soft feces — Stool that is soft or pudding-like in consistency can be monitored at home if the puppy is otherwise acting normally. However, your puppy should be evaluated if soft feces lasts longer than 48 hours.
Bloody diarrhea — Feces that contain bright red blood or appear black and tarry indicate bleeding in your pup’s GI tract, and warrant an emergency veterinary visit.

Accompanying symptoms

Your puppy should be evaluated by a veterinarian if they have diarrhea that is accompanied by any of these concerning signs:

Lethargy or weakness
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Distended abdomen
Abdominal pain
Signs of dehydration (pale or sticky gums, sunken eyes, lack of skin elasticity)
Bloody diarrhea

Signs that indicate an emergency

Your puppy needs emergency veterinary care if their diarrhea is accompanied by:

Bloody or black stool — Bright red blood and black, tarry stool can indicate internal bleeding in different parts of your pup’s GI tract.
Frequent diarrhea and vomiting — The loss of body fluids can quickly lead to dehydration, which can be life-threatening for puppies.
Severe weakness or collapse — If your puppy cannot stand or is extremely lethargic, they need immediate medical attention.
Abdominal pain or distention — Whining, restlessness, or a bloated abdomen can indicate serious GI issues, such as bloat, intestinal obstruction, or infection.
Fever — Puppy diarrhea accompanied by a fever (i.e., body temperature above 103 degrees) may indicate a bacterial or viral infection.
Suspected toxicity — If you know or suspect your puppy ingested something toxic, seek emergency veterinary care right away.

Example scenario:

You find blood in your puppy’s stool—here’s what it could mean. Bloody diarrhea can indicate a serious infection, intestinal parasites, toxicity, or another potentially life-threatening condition. Blood in the stool can appear bright red (fresh blood) or dark and tarry (digested blood). Both situations are concerning and require immediate veterinary care.

Can I treat puppy diarrhea at home?

Over 80% of diarrhea cases in puppies resolve with simple hydration and diet changes. If your puppy has mild diarrhea but is eating, drinking, and playing normally, you can monitor their condition and provide supportive care. Try these puppy diarrhea treatment tips:

Prevent dehydration — Hydration is essential to counteract the fluid loss caused by diarrhea, so ensure your puppy has access to clean, fresh water. You can also mix unflavored, unsweetened electrolyte solution with water to help replenish fluid losses.
Rest the GI tract — If your puppy is older than 12 weeks, a short six-hour fast (while still providing water) can help their GI tract rest. Puppies under 12 weeks and toy breeds should not fast because they need frequent meals to maintain their blood sugar levels.
Offer a bland diet — A gentle, easily digestible diet, such as boiled, skinless chicken and plain white rice in a 1:2 ratio, can help soothe your puppy’s upset stomach.
Offer probiotics — Canine-specific probiotics can help restore your puppy’s normal gut bacteria and shorten the duration of diarrhea.

Example scenario:

Your puppy just switched to a new kibble and has diarrhea. Here’s how to handle it:

Return your puppy to their original food.
On days one and two, feed 75% of the original food and 25% of the new food.
On days three and four, feed 50% of the original food and 50% of the new food.
On days five and six, feed 25% of the original food and 75% of the new food.
On day seven, switch completely to the new food.

When should I call the veterinarian about puppy diarrhea?

“If your puppy has diarrhea that lasts more than 24 hours, contains blood, or is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, or a loss of appetite, you should seek veterinary care, puppies can become dehydrated quickly, and early treatment is key to preventing serious complications.”
Dr. Ricky Walther DVM

Signs that indicate your puppy needs veterinary care include:

Additional signs such as weakness, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain, or distension
Persistent diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
Bloody or dark, tarry diarrhea
Temperature above 103 degrees
Signs of dehydration

You should also have your puppy checked out if they are unvaccinated or were recently exposed to a sick dog.

How can I prevent puppy diarrhea?

Not all cases of diarrhea can be prevented, but you can reduce your puppy’s risk by:

Transitioning to new foods gradually — When switching your puppy’s food, transition slowly over five to seven days. In addition, avoid table scraps and excessive treats that could lead to GI upset.
Ensuring your puppy is vaccinated — Keep your puppy’s vaccinations up to date to protect them from dangerous infectious viruses.
Regularly deworming your puppy — Follow your veterinarian’s recommendations about fecal checks and deworming to protect your puppy from parasites.
Puppy-proofing your home — Make your home safe for your puppy by securing trash cans, avoiding toxic plants, and keeping dangerous substances, such as medications and toxic foods, out of your puppy’s reach.

Puppy diarrhea is a common issue pet owners encounter, but the problem usually resolves without serious consequences. Providing appropriate vaccines and parasite control, puppy-proofing your home, and avoiding sudden diet changes can help prevent GI issues and keep your puppy happy and healthy. Pet insurance can help you budget for wellness care to prevent common puppy illnesses, and help you pay for veterinary care if your pup develops diarrhea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my puppy have diarrhea?

Puppy diarrhea can be caused by numerous issues such as stress, dietary changes, infection, parasites, and toxin or foreign body ingestion. Fortunately, the majority of cases of puppy diarrhea are not serious and resolve with simple hydration and diet changes.

What should I do if my puppy has diarrhea but is acting normally?

If your puppy has diarrhea and is eating, drinking, and playing normally, you can monitor them at home. Ensure they are well-hydrated, provide a bland diet in small quantities, and consider offering canine-specific probiotics.

What home remedies help stop puppy diarrhea?

Avoid giving your puppy any supplements or medications meant to treat human diarrhea. You can feed boiled, skinless chicken with plain, white rice in a 1:2 ratio and offer an unflavored electrolyte solution in water. If your puppy does not improve in 24 hours, you should contact your veterinarian.

Is puppy diarrhea contagious to humans or other pets?

If the diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection, humans and other pets could be at risk. Viral infections can also be spread to other dogs, especially if they are young or unvaccinated. Practice good hygiene when cleaning up your puppy’s feces and keep them away from other pets if your veterinarian diagnoses a contagious condition.

What does bloody diarrhea in puppies mean?

Bloody diarrhea could mean your puppy has a severe infection or internal bleeding, and you should seek immediate emergency veterinary care.

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Dr. Ricky Walther
DVM

Ricky Walther, DVM, is a small animal general practitioner in the greater Sacramento, California area. Realizing the positive financial and medical impact that pet insurance can provide for pet parents and the profession, he lends support and advice to companies like Pawlicy Advisor "The Pet Insurance Marketplace") that simplify the process of connecting with veterinary financing resources.