Diarrhea in dogs is a very common complaint and is one of those unfortunate things that most dogs (and their owners) will have had to deal with at some point. Many cases tend to clear up by themselves, but other dogs can become seriously ill very quickly and may need hospital treatment to recover. The severity often depends on the age and general health of the dog. Diarrhea (or diarrhoea) in dogs can be acute (sudden) in a usually healthy dog, or chronic (long term) weight loss.
What causes diarrhea in dogs?
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Food intolerance or allergies – even if you aren’t aware of an existing intolerance or allergy in your dog, these can develop over time
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Poisonous substances and environmental toxins – check whether your dog could possibly have ingested a poisonous plant or toxic household chemical for example
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Sudden change in diet – new foods should be introduced gradually, as an abrupt change can upset your dog’s digestion
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Parasites like intestinal worms can irritate your dog’s gastrointestinal tract causing an upset stomach
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Medication side effects, including antibiotics and other medicines
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Stress or upset – anxiety about big changes in your dog’s life or other stresses can cause digestive upsets
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Bacterial infections – these can occur more frequently in younger dogs
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Other illnesses including liver, pancreas or thyroid disorders
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Swallowing a foreign object – dogs can sometimes swallow indigestible objects that can’t be broken down and therefore cause an upset stomach.
Types of diarrhea in dogs
Diarrhea can either come from the small or the large bowel, and this has a bearing on how serious it can be for your dog.
Small bowel diarrhea usually means large amounts or very watery diarrhea which can lead to dehydration very quickly. With large bowel diarrhea your dog will be straining and passing smaller amounts of softer stools, sometimes also with mucous or blood.