In conclusion, there are many potential causes of loose stools in dogs. As a dog owner, it's important to be aware of these factors and to monitor your dog's diet, environment, and health closely. If your dog has persistent or severe loose stools, it is essential to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment.
The Culprits Behind Dogs' Loose Stools
Jan 09,2025 | puaintapets
Loose stools in dogs, also commonly referred to as diarrhea, are a common concern among pet owners. While occasional bouts of digestive upset are normal, frequent or persistent diarrhea can signal an underlying health issue. Understanding the potential causes and knowing when to seek treatment can help keep your dog healthy and comfortable.
Understanding Loose Stools and Diarrhea in Dogs
Loose Stools vs. Diarrhea
Loose stools refer to stool that is softer or more watery than normal but not necessarily liquid. Diarrhea, on the other hand, is often characterized by very watery stools, frequent defecation, and may sometimes include a loss of control. It’s important to differentiate between the two, as the causes and treatment methods can vary.
- Loose Stools: Typically less severe and may be a result of diet changes, stress, or mild infections.
- Diarrhea: Often more serious, especially if persistent, and may indicate an infection, food intolerance, or a medical condition.
Symptoms to Watch For
- Frequency of bowel movements: More than 2-3 times per day can indicate a problem.
- Change in stool appearance: Watery or loose stools, possibly accompanied by mucus or blood.
- Vomiting or lethargy: Accompanying symptoms that could suggest a more serious condition.
- Loss of appetite: If your dog isn’t eating, it’s a sign that something might be wrong.
What Causes Loose Stools In Dogs?
I. Dietary factors
- Food allergies or intolerances
Dogs may be allergic to certain food components such as beef, chicken, grains (e.g. wheat, corn), dairy products, etc. After ingesting these allergic foods, the body's immune system reacts, causing intestinal inflammation and resulting in diarrhea.
For example, some dogs experience diarrhea after eating a dog food that contains a lot of grains because they may be intolerant to the gluten in the grains.
- Sudden change of food
Dogs have limited gastrointestinal adaptability. Suddenly changing the brand or type of dog food can upset the balance of microorganisms in the intestines, preventing the intestines from digesting the food properly, which can cause diarrhea.
For example, if you suddenly change from a low protein dog food to a high protein dog food, your dog's intestines may have difficulty adapting for a while, and will be prone to diarrhea.
- Overfeeding
When a dog eats too much food, the intestines and stomach are overburdened and digestion is incomplete. Too much food can't be absorbed properly by the intestines, which will lead to thinning stools.
For example, the owner does not control the feeding amount reasonably according to the dog's age and weight, and overfeeding is prone to this situation.
- Food spoilage or pollution
If the dog eats spoiled or moldy food, or if the food is contaminated by bacteria or viruses, these harmful substances will destroy the normal function of the intestines after entering the intestines and cause diarrhea.
For example, if the dog eats food scraps that have been left outside for too long and have spoiled, it may cause diarrhea.
II. Parasite Infection
- Intestinal worms
Intestinal worms like roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms and other intestinal worms, parasitized in the intestinal tract of the dog, will suck the dog's nutrients, and at the same time stimulate the intestinal mucosa, causing intestinal inflammation and digestive disorders, resulting in diarrhea.
Dogs infected with worms, in addition to diarrhea, may also experience symptoms such as weight loss, loss of appetite, and sometimes worms or eggs can be seen in the feces.
- Protozoa Infection
For example, protozoan infections such as Giardia and Coccidia will destroy intestinal cells and affect the normal absorption and secretion function of the intestines, thus causing diarrhea.
Dogs infected with Giardia may have particularly smelly and greasy loose stools, which may be accompanied by depression and loss of appetite.
III. Disease Infection
- Bacterial infection
Bacterial infections such as Salmonella and E. coli infect the intestines. These bacteria may enter the dog's body through contaminated food and water, multiply and produce toxins in the intestinal tract, leading to intestinal inflammation and causing diarrhea.
For example, if a dog drinks contaminated water, it may become infected with bacteria and develop symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
- Viral infections
Viral infections such as Canine parvovirus and Canine coronavirus can also cause diarrhea in dogs. Canine parvovirus infection is more serious in puppies, in addition to diarrhea, vomiting, blood in the stool, extreme depression and other symptoms may occur.
IV. Environment and Stress
- Environmental changes
Dogs suddenly to a new environment, such as moving, foster care, etc., will produce a stress reaction. This stress will affect the dog's endocrine and nervous system, which in turn affects the gastrointestinal function, resulting in loose stools.
For example, a dog's first few days in a new owner's home may be characterized by diarrhea due to a lack of adjustment to the new environment.
- Noise or other stressors
Loud noises such as thunder, firecrackers, or new pets or family members at home may cause stress to the dog, thus affecting the normal function of the intestinal tract and causing diarrhea.
V. Other factors
- Drug side effects
Certain medications may have side effects that lead to diarrhea, such as antibiotics in killing harmful bacteria at the same time, may also destroy the balance of beneficial flora in the intestinal tract, thus causing diarrhea.
When your dog develops diarrhea after taking a new medication, you may need to consider whether it is a side effect of the medication.
- Misuse of foreign objects
Dogs are curious and may accidentally eat things that cannot be digested, such as plastic and small toys. These foreign objects cannot be digested in the intestines and may cause intestinal blockage or irritation, leading to diarrhea.
What To Do When Dogs Have Loose Stools?
I. Initial observation and judgment
- Observe the symptoms
If the dog has only mild diarrhea, good mental state and normal appetite, it may be caused by improper diet or mild stress. However, if the dog is depressed, vomiting, blood in the stool, fever and other symptoms, it may be caused by a serious disease (such as microvirus infection, serious parasitic infection, etc.), and this situation requires medical attention as soon as possible.
Check for recent dietary and environmental changes
Recall if your dog has had any recent dietary changes, such as a change in food, a new snack or if he has been exposed to a new environment or other animals. This will help determine the cause of diarrhea.
II. Dietary Adjustments
- Fasting and small amount of water
For dogs with mild diarrhea, you can start by fasting for 12 - 24 hours. Provide a small amount of clean water during the fasting period to prevent the dog from becoming dehydrated. You can use a special pet drinking bowl to give your dog a little water every once in a while.
For example, if your dog finds diarrhea in the morning, then you can start fasting in the morning and observe the situation in the evening.
- Feed easily digestible food
After fasting, if your dog's symptoms have subsided, you can start feeding some easily digestible food. For example, cooked chicken (skin removed) and rice, the ratio is about 1:2. Cook the chicken and rice into a porridge and feed it to your dog in small amounts.
The amount of food to be fed should be based on the size of the dog and the usual amount of food, usually small dogs can be fed 1 - 2 tablespoons, medium-sized dogs 2 - 3 tablespoons, large dogs 3 - 4 tablespoons, observe the dog's reaction, if there is no diarrhea continues, you can gradually increase the amount of food to be fed.
III. Probiotics Supplementation
- Choose the right probiotics
You can buy probiotic products specially designed for pets. Mix the probiotics into your dog's food or drinking water according to the dosage on the product manual. For example, there are common pet probiotics in powder and cream form, the powder can be sprinkled directly on the food, and the cream can be squeezed in the dog's mouth or mixed into the food.
- Regulates intestinal flora
Probiotics help restore the balance of beneficial flora in your dog's intestinal tract. When your dog has diarrhea, the intestinal flora may be out of balance and probiotics can promote the restoration of normal intestinal function. Usually use it continuously for 2 - 3 days and observe whether the dog's bowel movement improves.
IV. Preventing Dehydration
- Homemade rehydration salts
If your dog has severe diarrhea, you can make your own rehydration salts to prevent dehydration. Dissolve 1 spoon of salt and 8 spoons of sugar in 1 liter of warm boiled water.
Give it to your dog in multiple doses of 50 - 100 milliliters per kilogram of body weight per day, depending on your dog's weight.
- Use pet-specific rehydration products
You can also buy pet-specific rehydration products and use them according to the instructions. These products are usually already formulated with the right ratio of ingredients and are more convenient to use.
V. Seek medical attention
- Symptoms of prompt medical attention
If your dog's diarrhea persists for more than 24 - 48 hours without improvement, or if serious symptoms appear, such as severe vomiting (frequent vomiting, inability to eat or drink), blood in the stool, dehydration (loss of elasticity of the skin, sunken eyes, extreme depression), fever (body temperature over 39.5°C), etc., you need to take your dog to the veterinary hospital immediately.
The doctor will conduct a detailed examination, which may include fecal examination, blood test, etc., to determine the cause of the disease, and then carry out targeted treatment, such as using antibiotics to treat bacterial infection and deworming to treat parasitic infection.
Preventing Loose Stools in Dogs
Gradual Diet Transitions
To avoid digestive upset when changing your dog’s food, transition slowly over the course of 7-10 days. Mix a small amount of the new food with their current food, gradually increasing the proportion of new food.
Regular Vet Check-Ups
Routine veterinary visits are essential for maintaining your dog’s overall health, including their digestive health. Regular check-ups can help catch any potential issues early before they develop into more serious problems.
When to See a Veterinarian
If your dog’s loose stools persist for more than 48 hours, or if you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s time to consult your vet:
- Blood in the stool or vomit
- Severe lethargy or weakness
- Loss of appetite or significant weight loss
- Fever or abdominal pain
A veterinarian will be able to perform diagnostic tests and recommend the appropriate treatment for your dog’s condition.
FAQs
Can Stress Cause Loose Stools In Dogs?
Stress can cause diarrhea in dogs. When dogs are exposed to stressors such as sudden changes in the environment (moving, boarding, etc.), noise (thunder, firecrackers), or changes in the family structure (new pets, changes in family members), their bodies can develop a stress response. This stress response affects the dog's endocrine system and nervous system, which in turn interferes with gastrointestinal function. For example, under stress, a dog's peristalsis may be accelerated or disturbed, and the secretion of digestive juices may be imbalanced, resulting in thinner stools.
Physiologically, stress prompts the body to release hormones such as cortisol. Elevated levels of cortisol may affect the intestinal blood supply, mucosal integrity and the balance of intestinal flora, making the intestinal digestion and absorption of food decreased, ultimately leading to diarrhea now!
How Long Can a Dog Have Loose Stools Before I Should Be Concerned?
If your dog has a small number of diarrhea in a day, e.g. 1 - 2 times, and is not accompanied by other serious symptoms (e.g. vomiting, depression, blood in stool, etc.), you can observe the dog for a period of time, e.g. 24 - 48 hours. During this time, try to adjust the dog's diet (e.g. give light and easy-to-digest food after 12 - 24 hours of fasting) to see if the diarrhea improves. However, if your dog has diarrhea more frequently, every hour or every hour or two, this is a more dangerous sign and requires attention and consideration of medical attention as soon as possible.
Is There a Special Diet For Dogs With Diarrhea?
Dogs with diarrhea need a special diet. This is because when a dog has diarrhea, its intestines and stomach are in a state of dysfunction and normal digestion and absorption are reduced. A special diet helps to reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines, giving them a chance to resume normal function. For example, ordinary dog food may contain more indigestible ingredients, and continuing to feed during diarrhea may aggravate the digestive pressure on the stomach and intestines, while a special diet can be adjusted for the gastrointestinal condition during diarrhea.
Diarrhea can lead to loss of water, electrolytes and nutrients from the dog's body. Special diets can reduce the burden on the stomach and intestines while replenishing the nutrients your dog needs and preventing other health problems due to nutritional deficiencies. For example, diarrhea may cause loss of potassium ions, and a special diet can supplement potassium in moderation.
Can Food Allergies Cause Loose Stools?
Yes, food allergies can cause diarrhea in dogs. Symptoms of food allergies in dogs usually include itchy skin, redness, hair loss, diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite. When a dog ingests food ingredients that cause allergies, its immune system recognizes these ingredients as foreign and harmful substances and initiates an immune response. This immune response may affect the dog's digestive system, leading to gastrointestinal distress, which in turn causes diarrhea.
Conclusion