Puppy diarrhoea can be caused by stress, a new diet, viruses, bacterial infections, parasites, food intolerances, poisons, toxins or from eating things they shouldn't. Understanding the likely cause can help you decide if you should manage their diarrhoea at home or contact your vet for advice.
A bland diet for 24 to 48 hours may help to resolve your pup's issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) may help to make your pup's tummy feel better. Once your pooch feels better, gradually reintroduce their regular food.
A: The reasons why your puppy has diarrhea could include a change in diet, eating something unusual, exposure to toxins, viral or bacterial infections, food allergies or intolerances, intestinal parasites, stress, and other potentially serious health problems.
Diarrhea that doesn't resolve on its own within 24-48 hours should be treated as a veterinary emergency. If the watery stools have an obvious cause (for example, pizza left on the coffee table) watch your puppy closely to ensure that diarrhea resolves once the irritant has passed through their system.
Runny poop can be a result of stress, medication, eating new food or food that's intended for humans. It can also be a sign of infection or an underlying condition. There are also many things that can cause dog diarrhoea: A stressful event like adopting a new dog, the arrival of a new family member, moving home etc.
Intestinal parasites are very common in puppies and adult dogs. They can cause a variety of symptoms including loose stools, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration, lack of appetite, weight loss and lethargy. Roundworms are the most common intestinal parasite of dogs and cats.
1) Overfeeding – Many owners are unaware that overfeeding can cause loose stools. This is due to an 'overload' of the digestive system, meaning it is unable to absorb what it needs and instead expelling it. This is more common in young puppies with sensitive stomachs but can happen at any age.
Diarrhea is actually quite common in puppies and can vary from one or two mild episodes that resolve quickly to severe gastrointestinal signs that may indicate a more serious illness.
Some of the signs of parvovirus include lethargy; loss of appetite; abdominal pain and bloating; fever or low body temperature (hypothermia); vomiting; and severe, often bloody, diarrhea. Persistent vomiting and diarrhea can cause rapid dehydration, and damage to the intestines and immune system can cause septic shock.
Parvo poop color
The poop should start a pale yellow and gradually become darker as more blood enters the intestines. Parvo poop can go from yellowish brown to dark red, to nearly black in the later stages.
If your dog has a single episode of diarrhea and displays no other symptoms, it is likely not a cause for concern. Monitor your dog's bowel movements to see if diarrhea persists. More than 2 episodes could indicate a problem, so it's a good idea to call your vet if diarrhea has persisted for three or more episodes.
Contact your vet right away if your pup is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea or chronic diarrhea. If your dog is showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea they should be seen by a vet as soon as possible.
Greasy/fatty dog poop
If you can visibly see grease and fat in your dog's poop, it's a sign your pooch may have issues in its pancreas, gall bladder or intestines, or an overall problem with fat digestion and absorption. This is also another symptom of colitis (see above).
The number one reason why a dog's poo is too soft is that they are being overfed. Soft poo is a very common sign of a dog who is getting too much food. Check their weight and ensure the amount your dog is actually having is suitable for their size and that it is weighed out accurately.
Soft stool can be normal in healthy puppies, but if a puppy that normally has firmer stool starts having soft stool monitor the change for 24 hours. If the soft stool continues for more than 24 hours or becomes diarrhea contact your advisor or area coordinator and start fasting the pup.
Some tried-and-true methods include: Rice water: Boil high-quality rice in a lot of water, remove the grains, and offer the dog the creamy white soup that's left. A splash of broth or a bit baby food will make it more palatable. Plain white rice.
If your dog has a single bout of diarrhea and is otherwise acting normally, there is no need to be concerned. Keep an eye on your dog's bowel movements to see if things improve. More than two episodes of diarrhea may indicate a problem, so contact your veterinarian if your dog has two or more bouts of diarrhea.
Vomiting/Diarrhea
Your puppy will vomit and have diarrhea if canine parvovirus is present in their system. Vomit may be clear or a yellow or brown color, and diarrhea will often contain blood and be a light yellow or mustard colored hue.
Viral diseases such as Parvovirus (especially in puppies), distemper, coronavirus and other rotaviruses also cause foul-smelling diarrhea. These viral diseases are highly contagious and can be life threatening; signs include lethargy, vomiting, lack of appetite, fever and, in distemper, coughing.
Signs that Your Dog May Have Parvo
Symptoms include: vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea (usually bloody) and fever. The gastrointestinal tract is where the heaviest damage occurs. Parvoviral infections are characterized by a drop in white blood cell count due to a bone marrow infection.