Diarrhea in dogs is the most common digestive issue. It is characterised by frequent, loose, or watery stool. Diarrhoea in dogs can be mild to severe, although mild diarrhoea is common and resolves on its own. But persistent and recurrent diarrhoea shows underlying disease, which needs immediate attention.
Diarrhoea accounts for 10-20 percent of vet visits in dogs. In addition, 15 percent of dogs experience diarrhoea at least once per year. Puppies and senior dogs are 30-50% more prone to diarrhoea.
1-Dietary Indiscretion (Garbage Gut)
Dietary indiscretion refers to a dog eating inappropriate things like garbage or spoilt food. It is a major cause of diarrhoea in dogs, responsible for 30-50 percent of cases of diarrhoea in dogs. Dogs with outdoor access are 2-3 times more prone to dietary indiscretion-related diarrhoea. When a dog eats something unsuitable, it causes irritation in the stomach, resulting in watery stool. Sometimes it causes inflammation in the gut, which can lead to infection.
Symptoms of dietary indiscretion include loose stool, frequent bowel movement, vomiting although occasionally, loss of appetite and lethargy I severe cases.
For mild cases of garbage gut withhold food for 12-24 hours. But in severe cases seek immediate veterinary attention.
To prevent your dog from this condition keep garbage and toxic feed out of their reach. In addition, supervise dogs when taking outside to prevent scavenging. You can also provide chew items to avoid chewing on unsuitable items.
2-Sudden Diet Changes
Dog’s stomach is sensitive to sudden changes in diet. This can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, gas formation and stomach discomfort.
Sudden dietary changes causes stomach upsets because gut microbiome is adjusted to previous diet and it can’t adopt to sudden changes. Secondly, dog might be sensitive to sudden ingredients present in new diet. Lastly, changes in nutrient composition can also overwhelm stomach resulting in diarrhea.
To cope this problem, gradual transition over 7 to 10 can prevent diarrhea.
- Days 1–2: 75% old food, 25% new food
- Days3–4: 50% old food, 50% new food
- Days 5–6: 25% old food, 75% new food
- Days 7–10: 100% new food
You can also extend transition period for stomach sensitive dogs up to 14 days.
If your dog is suffering due to sudden changes in diet then provide blend diet for 24 to 48 hours. In addition, you can also use probiotics to restore microbial balance.
But if diarrhea persistent beyond 48 hours and blood is coming immediate veterinary attention is needed.
Sudden diet changes are avoidable causes of diarrhea, and a controlled transition ensures a smooth adjustment without upsetting a dog’s digestive system.
3-Food allergies and intolerances
Food allergies and intolerances are most common causes of recurrent or chronic diarrhea. Although, they both occur due to negative food reaction but both different in underlying causes. Food allergies causes diarrhea in 10-15 percent of affected dogs.
Food allergies occur due to immune reaction against certain protein while Intolerance can be due to difficulty digesting certain ingredients like lactose, grains and fats.
Common food allergens in dogs include dairy products, proteins, grains and artificial additives.
Symptoms of food allergies include digestive issues like diarrhea, skin problems, excessive licking or rubbing and weight loss or poor coat condition.
These issues can be avoided in dogs by slowly introducing new food in dogs. Moreover, check ingredients of commercial food and avoid filler and artificial additives.
4-Bacterial and Viral Infections
Bacterial and Viral Infections are among most serious causes of diarrhea in dogs. They can results in severe dehydration, fever, vomiting along with diarrhea. Moreover, they can prove life threatening if untreated.
Most common bacterial infections that causes diarrhea in dogs include Salmonella, Escherichia Coli, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens.
Viral infections are highly contagious and can spread rapidly among dogs.
Common viral causes of diarrhea in dogs include Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Coronavirus and Rotavirus.
To prevent bacterial and viral infections in dogs ensure vaccination oand strict hygiene of your dog. In addition, limit your dog’s contact with infected animal and provide safe and disease free feed to dogs.
5-Parasites
Parasites can invade intestine and cause inflammation resulting in malabsorption and diarrhea. Some parasites can damage intestinal lining decreasing their ability to absorb water. Moreover, inflammation triggered by parasites cause intestines to release excessive fluids.
Giardia is most common parasite associated with diarrhea in dogs. It causes watery foul smelling diarrhea in dogs. Other parasites include Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, Tapeworms and Coccidia.
Dogs can become infected with parasites by eating contaminated water, contact with infected animals or eating infected feces or raw meat.
For treatment dogs should be administered deworming medications like fenbendazole, pyrantel, or praziquantel. In addition, anti protozoal drugs like Metronidazole or Fenbendazole are given for Giardia.
Regularly deworm your dog to prevent parasites. Also, provide clean living areas and avoid stagnant water.
6-Stress and Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can significantly impact a dog’s digestive system. This condition is also caused by stress colitis caused by inflammation and gut motility triggered by the stress hormone cortisol. Stress-induced diarrhoea occurs in about 20 percent of diarrhoea cases.
Stress increases gut motility, produces inflammation, and disturbs the equilibrium of gut microbes, leading to digestive upsets.
Stress in dogs could be due to stress anxiety, loud noises, vet visits and traveling. In addition, introducing new people or pet can trigger anxiety in dogs.
To manage stress induced diarrhea first step is to identify and minimize stressors. Secondly, create safe space for dogs and provide regular exercise to dogs.
7-Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
IBD is chronic condition in dogs caused by abnormal response of immune system. It causes malabsorption of nutrients leading to chronic diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss and poor appetite.
Exact cause of Inflammatory Bowel Disease is not known but it’s believed due to immune system dysfunction, genetics and dietary triggers.
Certain dog breeds like German Shepherds, Boxers and Yorkshire Terriers are predisposed to IBD.
Dog with IBD show chronic diarrhea, bloat or flatulence, weight loss, intermittent vomiting, abdominal discomfort and rough coat.
There is no cure for IBD but it can be managed by dietary changes and medications. It requires life long management but dogs can lead quality life if cared properly.
8-Pancreatic or Liver Disorders
Pancreatic or Liver Disorders can cause chronic diarrhea in dogs because they play important role in digestion of food. However, when they malfunction this can lead to poor nutrient absorption, inflammation, and digestive upset.
Common disorders of pancreas and liver that causes diarrhea are Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), Pancreatitis, Hepatitis (Liver Inflammation) and Portosystemic Shunt (PSS).
9-Toxins and Poisonous Substances
Dogs can experience acute diarrhea and digestive distress when exposed to Toxins and Poisonous Substances. They cause direct irritation to gastrointestinal tract and disturb digestion. In addition, they can cause organs damage in severe and complicated cases.
Common toxic substances include chocolate, grapes, onion & garlic, xylitol and dairy products. Furthermore, household poison are insecticide & rodenticide, household cleaners, heavy metal and antifreeze (ethylene glycol).
Some plants like lilies and aloe vera can cause diarrhea in dogs.
Conclusion
These are most common causes of diarrhea in dogs but remember diarrhea is symptom of underlying disease not a disease itself. 80-90 percent of diarrhea is mild in dogs which resolves with dietary management. While chronic diarrhea (lasting more than 3 weeks) occur in only 10 percent of cases. In that case you immediately visit your vet for proper treatment.