How to Help a Puppy Having Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be dangerous for a puppy.

Diarrhea occurs fairly commonly in puppies. Numerous things can cause diarrhea in puppies, including parasites, bacterial or viral infections, eating something puppies shouldn't eat and intestinal obstructions. Sometimes diarrhea resolves quickly without treatment, but sometimes it's a symptom of a serious problem and requires medical attention. Puppies experiencing diarrhea sometimes may be treated at home without a visit to the veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

• Lean cooked meat
• White rice or oatmeal
• Plain yogurt

Instructions

1. Reduce the amount of food you give your puppy. Veterinarian David McCluggage recommends feeding your puppy half the amount you normally give it. Make sure your puppy has plenty of fresh water at all times.

2. Feed your puppy a bland diet as long as it has diarrhea and for a day or two after the diarrhea clears up. McCluggage suggests giving your puppy one part cooked lean meat or chicken and two parts bland grains, such as white rice or oatmeal. Add two or three tablespoons of plain yogurt to the food.

3. Take your puppy to the vet if it acts very lethargic, seems to have abdominal pain, vomits repeatedly or has blood in its stool. If the diarrhea persists for more than two of days, call your veterinarian.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to take your puppy to the vet due to diarrhea, take a stool sample with you. The vet may need to test it for parasites or do other tests with it.

• Puppies can dehydrate quickly, especially very young or very small puppies. Dehydration can be dangerous and your puppy may need subcutaneous fluids to get rehydrated. If your puppy's gums feel dry or tacky, that may be a sign of dehydration. If diarrhea persists or you think your puppy might be getting dehydrated, call your vet.

• Do not give your puppy any medication for diarrhea unless advised to do so by your vet. Sometimes vets recommend medications like Pepto Bismol for diarrhea in dogs and puppies but these medications are not always appropriate, so check with your vet before giving your puppy anything.

References

• Well Vet: Treating Acute Diarrhea and Chronic Diarrhea in Dogs
• Dog Breed Info Center: Diarrhea in Dogs and Puppies
• Pet Place: Acute Diarrhea in Dogs