Dog Diarrhea: A Helpful Guide for Doodles

Dog diarrhea is a fairly common, but a rather uncomfortable occurrence. There can be many reasons why your Doodle has diarrhea. In this article we’ll go over the most common causes of dog diarrhea, remedies, and what to look out for. 

What Causes a Dog to Get Diarrhea?

Dogs may experience diarrhea for a variety of reasons. It can be from diet changes, eating something bad like garbage or poisonous plants, allergies, parasites, stress, travel, or illness. Also medications, parvovirus, infections, metabolic issues with liver or thyroid, a sensitive digestive tract, and food intolerances can all cause diarrhea in dogs. 

But what is the most common cause of diarrhea in dogs? Fortunately, most of the time, dog diarrhea is a result of changes in food, if your dog eats something they’re not supposed to, or if they have intestinal worms.

Can Too Much Food Give Dog Diarrhea?

Dogs can become allergic to certain foods over a period of time. Even if you’ve fed your Doodle the same food for ages, they might develop an allergy to some of the ingredients. The most common food allergy triggers are foods with a high protein content, notably chicken or wheat. If your Doodle eats too much of the food they’re allergic to, they can possibly experience diarrhea. 

When Should I Be Concerned About My Dog’s Diarrhea?

Always, always, always keep an eye on your Doodle’s bowel movements and their behavior. Pet owners can almost always notice if something’s wrong or different with their pet – you just need to pay a little bit of attention. 

Is diarrhea in dogs bad, though? If your Doodle has diarrhea for more than 48 hours, they’ve lost their appetite, vomit, experience bloating, tummy pain, and lethargy, or have very watery or discolored stools (black or noticeable red blood), you should pay a visit to your vet immediately. 

Moreover, if you have a puppy, an older dog, or a Doodle with preexisting health conditions, always take your dog to the vet. 

Dog Has Diarrhea But Acts Fine?

If your Doodle acts all happy while experiencing diarrhea, it shouldn’t be a big concern. This might indicate that they’ve eaten something a bit too fatty or munched on some trash. But if the diarrhea lasts for more than 48 hours, you should visit your vet.

How Long Does Dog Diarrhea Last?

Dog diarrhea usually lasts for a few days. In mild cases, diarrhea can last for about 24 hours. In more serious cases, it can last for up to a week or more.

As soon as you notice that your Doodle’s bowel movements are different, we recommend you call your vet to discuss the next steps. It’s always best to take appropriate steps as soon as possible to avoid any further complications. 

My Dog Keeps Getting Diarrhea Every Few Weeks

Intermittent diarrhea can be caused by parasites, worms, and bacterial infections. Or if your Doodle has been eating something they’re allergic to. Be mindful of the table scraps you’re giving him!

Try tracking their food intake and see if the diarrhea usually happens after eating a specific type of food. You can read more about food allergies and food intolerance in dogs in the articles below. 

Dog Diarrhea & Blood

A tiny bit of red blood in diarrhea stool is not the worst thing. However, when your dog’s poop is black or has red blood in it more than once, it’s time to visit your vet. Also, poop containing blood might indicate that your Doodle has caught parvovirus. 

Parvo in dogs is very easily spread and can cause severe complications. Untreated parvovirus leads to death in 90% of the cases. 

What Does Parvo Poop Look Like?

Parvo poop may contain blood, so it appears red, very dark brown, or even black. Puppies with parvo may experience yellow colored poop. Usually, parvo poop is very liquid-y and has a very strong, foul smell. 

Here’s our in-depth article about parvo in dogs that you should read.

Should I Starve My Dog if He Has Diarrhea?

If your dog’s diarrhea does not need urgent veterinary care, keeping them away from food for 12-24 hours might be reasonable. This gives your Doodle’s digestive system a little break and helps restore gut balance. 

But always discuss this with your vet and follow their exact guidelines. You should also provide your Doodle fresh drinking water at all times.

What Home Remedy Can I Give My Dog for Diarrhea?

If your dog is overall feeling fine besides the diarrhea, you probably don’t have to rush to the vet just yet. So what helps a dog with diarrhea fast? For healthy adult dogs, fasting for 12-24 hours can be helpful so your Doodle’s digestive system can get back to normal.

During the fast, you can prepare your dog rice water, which helps with stool consistency. Boil high-quality white rice in water for about 30 minutes, remove the rice grains and have your dog sip on the white liquid that’s left. 

But what can I give my dog to harden his stool? A bland diet of plain boiled white rice and chicken breast (without skin and bones) is usually recommended, especially after the fast. But do not add any seasonings or fats (fatty foods can worsen diarrhea)! Also, plain cooked eggs or boiled potatoes without skin or seasonings can be helpful. 

At first it may be necessary to give your dog only small portions at a time. Bland food helps soothe an upset stomach and firm up the stool. After a day or two you can gradually introduce regular dog food back into their diet. 

Plain yogurt and cottage cheese can also help, but only if your Doodle does not suffer from dairy/lactose intolerance.

If your dog’s diarrhea is caused by a food allergy, an elimination diet might be necessary. The dog elimination diet includes only one type of protein and one type of carbohydrate over the span of 8 to 12 weeks. But this should only be done if your vet recommends so. 

How Much Rice Do You Give a Dog With Diarrhea?

Based on your Doodle’s daily caloric needs, you can calculate the amount of rice they can have daily. Have a look at our How Much Should I Feed My Dog article for guidelines.

Likewise, it’s better to feed your dog multiple small meals a day, as this is easier for their digestion. Divide the daily amount into smaller portions that you can feed your dog throughout the day.

Dog Diarrhea – Pumpkin Remedy

The American Kennel Club recommends 1 to 4 tablespoons of pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin to bulk up the stool and to balance the PH level of the large intestines (source). Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, so it’s helpful for both diarrhea and constipation. 

Again, the pumpkin should be as clean as possible, so: no additives, sweeteners, or canned pumpkin pie fillings. As always, discuss this with your vet first. Smaller dogs should not eat as much pumpkin as larger dogs. 

Is Scrambled Egg Good for Dogs With Diarrhea?

Plain eggs are a great bland food that your Doodle could benefit from. But make sure you’ve boiled or scrambled the eggs without any fats or seasonings.

Can I Give My Dog Banana for Diarrhea?

Banana is another plain food that you could feed to your Doodle as a diarrhea remedy. You can try mashing up a few small pieces of peeled banana without any seasonings.

Is Bread Good for Dogs With Diarrhea?

In mild cases of diarrhea, a piece of plain bread could help. However, since wheat has a higher protein content, it may cause allergic reactions and, in turn, more diarrhea. Also, regular bread has a relatively low nutrient content. Rather, opt for a bland diet of rice and chicken.

What Do Vets Give Dogs for Diarrhea?

In cases of simple diarrhea, vets usually recommend the 12-24 hour fast and the bland diet. If your Doodle suffers from an allergy, the elimination diet or special dog food may be required.

In other cases, your veterinary professional may prescribe probiotics or other medications that treat diarrhea and/or parasites and worms. These can include Imodium, metronidazole, tylosin, Panacur, Drontal and Dolpac. 

Imodium for Dogs

For severe cases of diarrhea, your vet might recommend Imodium to help combat dehydration caused by diarrhea. However, never give your Doodle Imodium unless your vet has instructed you to do so. It can cause severe constipation, bloating, and even pancreatitis. 

Furthermore, some breeds have a hard time breaking down certain drugs. For example, Aussiedoodles may carry the Multidrug Sensitivity gene.

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In conclusion, dog diarrhea is not a pleasant experience either for you or your Doodle. However, most of the time it is harmless. As long as you keep an eye on their behavior, know what symptoms to look out for, treat them with a bland food diet, and keep in touch with your veterinarian, your Doodle should get better in no time.