{"id":1568,"date":"2020-06-16T17:19:11","date_gmt":"2020-06-16T17:19:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/?p=1568"},"modified":"2023-08-22T10:29:14","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T10:29:14","slug":"dog-diarrhea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/dog-diarrhea\/","title":{"rendered":"Dog Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments &#038; Home Remedies"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-14101bc2\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Dog-Diarrhea-Symptoms-Causes-Treatments-Home-Remedies-featured-image.jpg\" alt=\"Labrador dog laying dog looking sick\" class=\"wp-image-1718\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Dog-Diarrhea-Symptoms-Causes-Treatments-Home-Remedies-featured-image.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Dog-Diarrhea-Symptoms-Causes-Treatments-Home-Remedies-featured-image-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Dog-Diarrhea-Symptoms-Causes-Treatments-Home-Remedies-featured-image-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/Dog-Diarrhea-Symptoms-Causes-Treatments-Home-Remedies-featured-image-705x397.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading post_title_h1\" id=\"sc-post-title\">Dog Diarrhea: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments &#038; Home Remedies<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post_info\"><strong><a   class=\"post-author-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/author\/alex\/\">Alex Vicente<\/a><\/strong> \u2022 Updated on August 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"disclaimers\">\n<li><span class=\"av-icon-char\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-av_icon=\"\ue822\" data-av_iconfont=\"entypo-fontello\"><\/span> This review contains affiliate links. Read more <a href=\"\/affiliate-disclosure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1218\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"av-icon-char\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-av_icon=\"\uf0fa\" data-av_iconfont=\"fontello\"><\/span> Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Seasoned dog owners know all too well that when it comes to doggy diarrhea, it\u2019s a matter of when, not if their dog will succumb. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not the most pleasant topic, but it is vital to understand if you want to ensure you have a happy, healthy dog for many years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ve dealt with this issue in my dogs, which is unpleasant, but there are several ways to limit the severity and length.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li ><a href=\"#what-is-dog-diarrhea\">What is Dog Diarrhea?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs\">Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#calling-the-vet-versus-treating-at-home\">Calling the Vet Versus Treating at Home<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#the-many-colors-of-poop-what-is-your-dogs-feces-telling-you\">The Many Colors of Poop: What is Your Dog\u2019s Feces Telling You?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#how-to-safely-clean-up-doggy-diarrhea\">How to Safely Clean Up Doggy Diarrhea<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#in-summary\">In Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-dog-diarrhea\">What is Dog Diarrhea?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog diarrhea, also called gastrointestinal distress or doggy runs, is not an illness in itself, but rather one sign of another type of disease ranging from food poisoning to cancer. We characterize dog diarrhea as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vetmed.wsu.edu\/outreach\/Pet-Health-Topics\/categories\/common-problems\/diarrhea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1219\">loose, watery stools<\/a>. You may notice that your dog has accidents inside the house or needs to go out more frequently and urgently during a bout of diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s essential to note that you will probably not be able to stop diarrhea in your dog completely. Dogs are walking garbage disposals, and although their digestive systems can handle a lot, there will likely come a time when your dog eats something that bothers the digestive tract a bit too much, and diarrhea will ensue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If diarrhea is the only symptom you see in your dog, then it\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019re dealing with a severe problem. In that case, you can act quickly to take care of the dog\u2019s needs without necessitating medical treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-chewing-something.jpg\" alt=\"A dog chewing something\" class=\"wp-image-1729\" title=\"Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-chewing-something.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-chewing-something-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-chewing-something-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-chewing-something-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs\">Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As a dog owner, I know that when I think of diarrhea in my dogs, I think of all of the nonsense they eat when I turn my back. We live in a rural area, and we will go for walks through fields or pastures with the dogs. More often than not, I\u2019ll catch a dog nose deep in a pile of something else\u2019s poop or the rotting carcass of a small animal before I can react.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/health\/doggie-diarrhea\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1220\">dog digestive systems<\/a>&nbsp;are on point, but they can\u2019t process all of the bad stuff all of the time, causing diarrhea. A dog\u2019s digestive system starts in the mouth where the saliva kills bacteria that could harm the dog. Then, in the stomach, acids that are three times more powerful than human stomach acid do most of the digesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a dog eats something that has too much bacteria for the saliva to handle or is too difficult to process in the stomach, then it can lead to diarrhea. The technical term for eating in this way is dietary indiscretion. It means that your dog doesn\u2019t care what\u2019s in front of him if he\u2019s hungry or something smells good, he\u2019s going to eat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-laying-down-with-a-lot-of-food-arround-him.jpg\" alt=\"a dog laying down with a lot of food arround him\" class=\"wp-image-1724\" title=\"Changes in Diet\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-laying-down-with-a-lot-of-food-arround-him.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-laying-down-with-a-lot-of-food-arround-him-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-laying-down-with-a-lot-of-food-arround-him-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-laying-down-with-a-lot-of-food-arround-him-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Changes in Diet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you change your\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/dog-food\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"16960\">dog\u2019s food<\/a>, even if you\u2019re changing to a better or less processed food source,\u00a0<a data-lasso-id=\"1222\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hillspet.co.id\/dog-care\/nutrition-feeding\/how-to-transition-my-dogs-food\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">you need to do it slowly<\/a>\u00a0so that your dog\u2019s system can have a chance to adjust. If you transition them too quickly, then you are asking for tummy troubles that can lead to diarrhea or vomiting. It\u2019s well worth the week or two of transitioning correctly to avoid the gross side effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Food Intolerance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve probably seen lists of human foods that you shouldn\u2019t allow your dog to eat. One well-known example is chocolate. Dogs can handle a lot, but certain foods can shut down their systems and make them very sick. Avoiding foods like chocolate, onions, grapes, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspca.org\/pet-care\/animal-poison-control\/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets?ms=MP_PMK_GGPoisonControl&amp;initialms=MP_PMK_GGPoisonControl&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_j1BRDkARIsAJcfmTExrtx7uDfQszEm8u3JSzAjufwtneyT9C-yeliI0XU-PvC6Fz8C2OwaAgOYEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1223\">others<\/a>&nbsp;that they don\u2019t tolerate well will help prevent some rounds of diarrhea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-laying-down-on-looking-with-sick-eyes.jpg\" alt=\"A dog laying down on looking with sick eyes\" class=\"wp-image-1723\" title=\"Other Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-laying-down-on-looking-with-sick-eyes.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-laying-down-on-looking-with-sick-eyes-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-laying-down-on-looking-with-sick-eyes-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/A-dog-laying-down-on-looking-with-sick-eyes-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Parasites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most common causes of canine diarrhea is a parasite. You\u2019re more likely to see severe issues if your dog has a weakened immune system or is a puppy, but all dogs can experience minor irritation and acute diarrhea if they have a parasite. The most common parasites are worms, Coccidia, and Giardia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Causes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some other things that might cause your dog to have diarrhea are bacterial infections, eating a large foreign object like a toy or socks, stress, major illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, or cancer, and viruses like distemper and parvo. Some of these causes are simple to avoid by watching your dog and keeping them healthy, but others are relatively unavoidable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"calling-the-vet-versus-treating-at-home\">Calling the Vet Versus Treating at Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because the causes of dog diarrhea are vast, it\u2019s vital to know when to treat your dog at home and when you need to involve your veterinarian. We\u2019ve listed some of the reasons you would want to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/emergency\/common-emergencies\/e_dg_diarrhea\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1224\">call your veterinarian<\/a>&nbsp;below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>You have a puppy or a very old dog<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your dog has other symptoms like vomiting, lethargy, or general pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your dog has a pre-existing health condition<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diarrhea looks dark and tarry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There is blood in diarrhea (more than a single, small streak)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The condition lasts for more than a day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The stool is almost completely liquid<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-went-to-a-vet.jpg\" alt=\"a dog went to a vet\" class=\"wp-image-1725\" title=\"a dog went to a vet\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-went-to-a-vet.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-went-to-a-vet-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-went-to-a-vet-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-dog-went-to-a-vet-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At-Home Treatments for Dog Diarrhea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are several simple steps you can take at home to stop your dog\u2019s diarrhea if you have a primarily healthy animal. My sister\u2019s dog has lots of underlying issues, so every time she gets diarrhea, they feel like they need to take her in, but my dog is an overall healthy creature, so she doesn\u2019t go to the vet for diarrhea unless other symptoms come up. It\u2019s your call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step in fixing the diarrhea problem is to avoid giving your dog food for 12 hours. That doesn\u2019t mean you take away the water dish, and you\u2019d probably want to start the 12 hours in the evening if possible so that your dog isn\u2019t as likely to notice that there\u2019s no bowl ready for them. Once the 12 hours are up, you\u2019ll feed them only a bland, fat-free diet until the stools are normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Using the method we described above, you\u2019ll usually see a return to normal in&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthypets.mercola.com\/sites\/healthypets\/archive\/2012\/03\/26\/dealing-with-dog-diarrhea.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1225\">about 72 hours<\/a>. Although some vets will tell you that rice and beef are a good option for the bland diet, you may want to consider ground turkey or chicken because of the much lower fat content. You should also consider sweet potato or pumpkin versus rice as they tend to digest better overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also offer your dog a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com\/stop-dog-diarrhea\/#6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1226\">light soup<\/a>&nbsp;instead if their diarrhea was more severe or if they had other symptoms along with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Add Balance Back Into the Gut<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Once your dog\u2019s stools are healthy again, you\u2019ll want to get their gut bacteria back in check. The best way to do this is by using prebiotics and probiotics. Just like humans need the right balance of gut bacteria for optimal health, dogs do as well. There are plenty of dog-specific probiotics on the market, and you can also feed your dog foods that act as prebiotics or have them built-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scientists are still in the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/nutrition\/probiotics-for-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1227\">first stages of studying<\/a>&nbsp;probiotic use in animals, but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence that these supplements work well. There is even a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pubmed\/20960415\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1228\">study out of Ireland<\/a>&nbsp;that suggests that probiotic use shortens the duration of diarrhea when it occurs and reduces the risk of dogs needing antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should know that antibiotics and steroids that vets give to dogs to stop diarrhea aren\u2019t solving the problem, but instead covering up the symptoms. They are also huge culprits of&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6511407\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1229\">killing good gut bacteria<\/a>&nbsp;and causing additional issues down the road with both diarrhea and lowered immunity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019d recommend avoiding antibiotics and steroids for diarrhea unless a bacterial infection is the definite cause of your dog\u2019s problems. Of course, you should always seek veterinarian advice before making a final decision. It\u2019s a good idea to talk to more than one vet, if possible, before making your ultimate decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-person-giving-water-to-a-sick-dog.jpg\" alt=\"a person giving water to a sick dog\" class=\"wp-image-1726\" title=\"Add Balance Back Into the Gut\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-person-giving-water-to-a-sick-dog.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-person-giving-water-to-a-sick-dog-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-person-giving-water-to-a-sick-dog-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/a-person-giving-water-to-a-sick-dog-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Slippery Elm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Herbs are an excellent option for helping your dog to feel better, but you should only use them if you\u2019re aware of how to dose and how they work in your animal. Slippery elm is safe for all dogs, including puppies and geriatric dogs. You should use a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/healthypets.mercola.com\/sites\/healthypets\/archive\/2012\/03\/26\/dealing-with-dog-diarrhea.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1230\">half teaspoon<\/a>&nbsp;for every 10 pounds of your dog\u2019s body weight. For a 50 pound dog, that\u2019s 25 teaspoons or just over half a cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can use slippery elm along with the bland diet you\u2019re feeding your dog during their recovery period. You should not give your dog dosages after three days, but instead, call your vet for an appointment if their diarrhea hasn\u2019t cleared up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-many-colors-of-poop-what-is-your-dogs-feces-telling-you\">The Many Colors of Poop: What is Your Dog\u2019s Feces Telling You?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s be honest here, no one wants to go out and take a hard look at their dog\u2019s poop, but sometimes it\u2019s a good idea to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/health\/dogs-poop-says-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1231\">ensure that your dog is healthy<\/a>. Medical professionals have used stool samples as a method for diagnosing illnesses in all species for a century or more, and that\u2019s because&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/bellevueanimalhospital.com\/why-does-my-veterinarian-want-a-stool-sample\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1232\">it works well<\/a>. So sometimes we need to get down and dirty for our dog\u2019s health.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-6a368547\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-89477449\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-89477449\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Brown-Stool-180x180.png\" alt=\"Brown Stool poop\" class=\"wp-image-1704\" title=\"Brown Stool poop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Brown-Stool-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Brown-Stool-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Brown-Stool-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Brown-Stool-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Brown-Stool.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brown Stool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A healthy dog of any age will produce a dark brown, hard stool. It should look like chocolate all over without spots or streaks.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-ae4b2d71\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-ae4b2d71\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Green-Stool-180x180.png\" alt=\"Green Stool poop\" class=\"wp-image-1705\" title=\"Green Stool poop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Green-Stool-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Green-Stool-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Green-Stool-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Green-Stool-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Green-Stool.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Green Stool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If your dog is eating a lot of grass, then they might end up with green stool. Generally speaking, when a dog wants to eat a ton of grass, they are having digestive issues. Look at what you\u2019re feeding them, their stress level, and their toys to ensure nothing visible is causing the upset.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-0908ea05\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-9522e0a9\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-9522e0a9\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Black-or-Tarry-Stool-180x180.png\" alt=\"Black or Tarry Stool poop\" class=\"wp-image-1703\" title=\"Black or Tarry Stool poop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Black-or-Tarry-Stool-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Black-or-Tarry-Stool-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Black-or-Tarry-Stool-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Black-or-Tarry-Stool-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Black-or-Tarry-Stool.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black or Tarry Stool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A black or maroon stool can be bad news for your dog. We often associate these stools with bleeding in the stomach or small intestines. You\u2019ll want to seek medical advice immediately if you see this type of stool.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-b658cd3f\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-b658cd3f\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Red-Streaks-180x180.png\" alt=\"Red Streaks poop\" class=\"wp-image-1706\" title=\"Red Streaks poop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Red-Streaks-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Red-Streaks-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Red-Streaks-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Red-Streaks-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Red-Streaks.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Red Streaks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you see bright red streaks, there could be bleeding in your dog\u2019s lower GI tract. Bleeding could indicate a serious issue, so if you see more than just a single streak, you\u2019ll want to contact your vet immediately.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-d1be0e1b\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-2520879d\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-2520879d\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Yellow-Stool-180x180.png\" alt=\"Yellow Stool poop\" class=\"wp-image-1700\" title=\"Yellow Stool poop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Yellow-Stool-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Yellow-Stool-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Yellow-Stool-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Yellow-Stool-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_Yellow-Stool.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Yellow Stool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Problems with the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas can cause your dog\u2019s stool to appear yellow. If you see a couple of stools in a row with a yellow tone, then you should call your vet to make an appointment to have testing done.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-2e1963ac\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-2e1963ac\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_White-Spots-180x180.png\" alt=\"White Spots poop\" class=\"wp-image-1701\" title=\"White Spots poop\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_White-Spots-180x180.png 180w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_White-Spots-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_White-Spots-80x80.png 80w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_White-Spots-36x36.png 36w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/poop_White-Spots.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 180px) 100vw, 180px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">White Spots<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ah, the dreaded white spots. These spots often indicate that your dog has some type of worms. You\u2019ll want to get him into the vet as soon as possible so you can take care of those worms before they cause major health issues.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Scale of Stools<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Vets often use a scale of one to seven to rate dog poop. One indicates hard, small pellets, and seven shows a formless puddle. If your dog\u2019s diarrhea is a number seven on the scale, you\u2019ll want to get him into the vet as soon as possible. The ideal number on the scale is a two (ironic, we know!), which indicates that the stool isn\u2019t too hard and is the ideal shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/The-Scale-of-Stools.jpg\" data-lasso-id=\"1233\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/The-Scale-of-Stools.jpg\" alt=\"The Scale of Stools\" class=\"wp-image-1712\" title=\"The Scale of Stools\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/The-Scale-of-Stools.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/The-Scale-of-Stools-300x60.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/The-Scale-of-Stools-768x154.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/The-Scale-of-Stools-705x141.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-safely-clean-up-doggy-diarrhea\">How to Safely Clean Up Doggy Diarrhea<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know all about how diarrhea affects your dog and what to do about it let\u2019s talk about the part that affects you: the cleanup. It\u2019s no fun to clean up a pet\u2019s accident, especially if you have a carpet or a rug. Cleaning up thoroughly and safely is vital to your health and the health of your pet(s) and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/cleanning-poop.jpg\" alt=\"cleaning poop\" class=\"wp-image-1727\" title=\"How to Safely Clean Up Doggy Diarrhea\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/cleanning-poop.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/cleanning-poop-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/cleanning-poop-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/cleanning-poop-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gather Your Supplies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a dog, it\u2019s a good idea to keep a doggy accident cleanup kit around just in case. Accidents happen, and as we discussed earlier, diarrhea will occasionally occur, no matter how hard you try to prevent it. Your cleanup kit should include the following supplies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"rescue_details\">\n<li><strong>Gloves<\/strong><br>Preferably disposable latex or nitrile varieties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cleaning solution<\/strong><br>You can opt for a store-bought enzyme cleaner or&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.akc.org\/expert-advice\/home-living\/how-to-get-rid-smell-dog-urine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"1234\">make your own<\/a>&nbsp;with vinegar and baking soda<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Paper towels or baby wipes<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Paper plates<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Plastic bags<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vacuum or steam cleaner<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Cleanup Process<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As soon as you see the mess, you should take your dog outside to ensure any additional messes go in the grass, and help your dog to feel better with fresh air. Once that\u2019s handled, you can start to clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the mess is still wet\u2013 which is ideal\u2013 you\u2019ll want to scoop as much of the mess up and into the plastic bag as possible. This step is where the paper plate comes in. If you use a plate or two like a broom and dustpan, you\u2019ll be less likely to push the mess around and get it on more of your precious flooring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Scrape as much of the mess up as you can without pushing it further down into carpet fibers or between cracks in the floor. Next, you\u2019ll want to blot up any additional wetness with a paper towel. Always avoid rubbing the spot, as they could lead to diarrhea getting trapped in your carpet fibers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve gotten up as much of the mess as you can, spray your cleaning solution and blot some more. This point is also the time when you can break out your wet vacuum or steam cleaner if you have one handy to pull up residual feces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once it looks like the mess is gone, let the spot completely dry. You may find that you have to repeat the process a few times to get it totally out if you don\u2019t have a steam cleaner, but it\u2019s worth the work to ensure a healthy household. Block off the area so that your dog doesn\u2019t track through it, and no children have access until you\u2019re sure the mess is completely gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"in-summary\">In Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dogs-running-on-a-wheat-field.jpg\" alt=\"dogs running on a wheat field\" class=\"wp-image-1728\" title=\"Dogs Running on a Wheat Field\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dogs-running-on-a-wheat-field.jpg 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dogs-running-on-a-wheat-field-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dogs-running-on-a-wheat-field-768x473.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/dogs-running-on-a-wheat-field-705x434.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Diarrhea is an unfortunate part of owning a dog, but it\u2019s a reality that all dog owners have to live with at one time or another. Luckily there are plenty of ways to keep the frequency of doggy GI issues down, like feeding your dog a healthy and raw diet, giving them probiotics and prebiotics regularly, following directions when switching your dog\u2019s food, and avoiding bones as toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know what to look for when your dog develops diarrhea as a sign that he needs to see a veterinarian versus treating him at home, you\u2019re well equipped to handle the situation. Remember that mild diarrhea in a healthy dog will usually only require a short spell of fasting and a few days of a bland diet. You should see symptoms clear up in about 72 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you keep an eye on your dog\u2019s stool regularly, you\u2019ll have an even better chance of catching severe issues before diarrhea hits. Make sure it\u2019s chocolate brown and a solid, but not hard, consistency to ensure your animal\u2019s health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, when you find yourself with a mess on your hands, especially on a carpeted floor, make sure you have supplies ready to clean up the mess as soon as possible. Put your dog outside to eat grass or get fresh air, and go right in to clean up with either an enzyme cleaner or a DIY mixture of white vinegar and baking soda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dog diarrhea isn\u2019t a fun topic, but it\u2019s an essential one for dog owners to understand. The health and happiness of your pup depend on your ability to respond correctly to their GI needs and beyond and understand a little more about diarrhea, and its causes will undoubtedly help get you to that end.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seasoned dog owners know all too well that when it comes to doggy diarrhea, it\u2019s a matter of when, not if their dog will succumb. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1718,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1568"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1568"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1568\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17908,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1568\/revisions\/17908"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1718"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}