Dealing with dog diarrhea is… not glamorous. But every pet parent faces it sooner or later. If it keeps happening, though, your dog could be reacting to food, parasites or another underlying issue.
Here’s everything you need to know — from what’s normal to when to call the vet.
What Exactly Is Diarrhea?
Diarrhea is any stool that’s too soft, runny or watery — basically anything with a soft-serve ice cream texture or worse. It can vary in color, contain mucus and even be, well… explosive.
As gross as it is, the details matter. Your vet will need to know:
- The color
- The consistency
- How long it’s been happening
- Whether there are other symptoms
If diarrhea shows up along with vomiting, low energy or loss of appetite, call your veterinarian right away.
What Healthy Dog Poop Should Look Like
Normal poop should be:
- Firm but not dry
- Similar to play-dough in texture
- Easy to pick up
- Not leaving smudges or residue
Anything significantly softer qualifies as diarrhea.
Why Your Dog Might Have Diarrhea
There are lots of reasons — some simple, some serious.
Common causes:
- Diet change (even something small, like a new treat or stolen snack)
- Intestinal parasites
- Stress or anxiety, such as after a vet visit or boarding stay
More serious causes include:
- Eating foreign objects
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Toxic ingestion
- Liver or kidney disease
- Cancer
Because diarrhea can cause dehydration and sometimes signals a major issue, don’t ignore it if it persists.
What You Can Give Your Dog for Diarrhea
1. Bland diet (for mild, one-time episodes)
If your dog had diarrhea just once, try:
- Boiled chicken
- White rice
If it doesn’t improve or gets worse, call your vet.
2. Probiotics
Probiotics can be extremely helpful, especially for dogs with frequent or antibiotic-related diarrhea.
Vet-trusted options include:
(Always check with your vet before starting any new supplement.)
3. Medications
For severe or persistent diarrhea, your vet may prescribe:
- Metronidazole
- Tylosin
- Other gut-supportive medications
Vets typically use these when diarrhea is ongoing, severe, bloody or causing dehydration.
Never give medication without veterinary guidance.
4. Prescription diet
For chronic digestive issues, a vet may recommend:
- Specialized prescription gastrointestinal diets
- High-quality over-the-counter sensitive-stomach formulas
If your dog frequently has soft stool, ask your vet which diet is best.
Try Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach dry food from Amazon
Or Hill's Gastrointestinal canned wet dog food from Amazon
Preventing Diarrhea in Dogs
A few habits can make a big difference:
- Keep your dog’s diet consistent
- Limit new treats or table scraps
- Use high-quality parasite prevention
Products like Sentinel protect against heartworms, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and fleas, and are available by prescription for dogs from 2 to 100 lbs.
The Bottom Line
Diarrhea is messy, smelly and inconvenient — but it’s also common. Now that you know what causes it and how to respond, you’ll be prepared the next time your dog has tummy trouble.
