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.
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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
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.
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:
Recommended Reading: How to Take Care of a Puppy
In some cases, a serious health issue, such as an infection or intestinal parasites, can cause 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.
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.
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:
Your puppy should be evaluated by a veterinarian if they have diarrhea that is accompanied by any of these concerning signs:
Your puppy needs emergency veterinary care if their diarrhea is accompanied by:
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.
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:
Example scenario:
Your puppy just switched to a new kibble and has diarrhea. Here’s how to handle it:
“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:
You should also have your puppy checked out if they are unvaccinated or were recently exposed to a sick dog.
Not all cases of diarrhea can be prevented, but you can reduce your puppy’s risk by:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.