Can too many dog treats cause diarrhea

It can be very concerning when your dog has diarrhea and we know how desperate you can be to find a quick cure. That's why our New Ulm vets are sharing the most commons causes of dog diarrhea and how you can help stop it.

Diarrhea in Dogs

A lot of dogs come to our New Ulm veterinary office with diarrhea and many pups are experiencing it for various reasons.

Mild diarrhea cases are extremely common and can develop due to mild intestinal distress such as eating an item that doesn't agree with their body ( ex. table scraps) or you have recently switched your pup to a new dog food. 

However, there is also a handful of other possible causes for your dog's diarrhea that can be more serious.

What Causes Diarrhea in Dogs?

Below we have listed some of the most common causes of diarrhea in dogs:

• Eating garbage or spoiled food
• Stress or anxiety
• Change in diet or treats
• Ingestion of foreign objects such as toys, bones, and fabric
• Ingesting toxins or poisons
• Medications such as antibiotics
• Parasites - roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Coccidia, or Giardia
• Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper, or coronavirus
• Bacterial infections - such as salmonella
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Pancreatitis
• Colitis
• Liver or kidney disease
• Intestinal cancer

But how do you know if you should be bringing your dog to the vet for diarrhea?

When To Visit Your Vet

If your dog has just had one episode of diarrhea and is otherwise behaving normally, it's usually not a cause for concern. Keep an eye on your canine companion's bowel movements and see if things clear up. If your dog has more than 2 episodes then there might be a problem, so it's a good idea to call your vet if your pup has two or more bouts of diarrhea.

If your pooch is straining to pass a stool but is only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea, they could be experiencing a painful blockage due to the ingestion of a foreign object such as a toy. This is a very serious condition that requires immediate veterinary attention, call your vet or go to the nearest emergency animal hospital for treatment. 

Recurring bouts of diarrhea over a short time period can be a sign of a very serious health issue, especially if your furry friend is very old, very young, or has a compromised immune system. Infections such as parvovirus are extremely serious, contagious, and life-threatening. Contact your vet right away if your pup is experiencing repeated episodes of diarrhea or chronic diarrhea.

If your dog is showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea they should be seen by a vet as soon as possible. If your dog has any of the following symptoms contact your vet immediately to book an appointment:

• Weakness
• Blood in stool
• Vomiting
• Unusual drooling
• Lack of Appetite
• Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)

If your canine companion is displaying any symptoms that are concerning you, contact your veterinarian. Your vet will let you know whether your pet's symptoms require an examination.

How to Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

Never give your dog human medications without consulting your veterinarian. Many over-the-counter medications that work well for people can be toxic to dogs.

If your dog has had one or two runny or soft stools, you might want to give your dog some time to recover by simply fasting for 12 - 24 hours.

A bland diet for a day or two can also help your pooch's issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) could also help your pup's tummy feel better. Once your dog is feeling better gradually reintroduce their regular food.

Other things that might help soothe your dog's upset tummy include natural yogurt, probiotics, peeled boiled potatoes, cottage cheese, egg with no oil added, specially formulated dog foods and medications prescribed by your vet.

When it comes to your best buddy's health it is always best to err on the side of caution. By taking your pooch in for an examination you give your vet the opportunity to determine the underlying cause of your pup's diarrhea and recommend the most effective treatment.

If your dog is suffering from diarrhea contact our vets in New Ulm to schedule an appointment.

What is Diarrhea Due to Diet?

There are instances when your dog will suffer from bouts of loose stools or diarrhea. Often,  diarrhea will be the result of an illness but there are also instances when diarrhea is caused by your dog’s diet. This can be from eating too much, eating spoiled food or eating out of the garbage. A food intolerance or allergy can also cause your dog to experience diarrhea.

Changing your dog’s diet can also cause your dog to develop diarrhea. When you change your dog’s food it can take a few days for your dog’s digestive system to fully adapt to the new food. It is recommended that you slowly change your dog’s food from one source to another by mixing the two together equally and then slowly decrease the amount of the first food.

When your dog eats, the food will travel down the esophagus quickly and enter the stomach in large pieces or chunks. Their salivary enzymes are not designed to break down the food but to kill bacteria. The acids within the stomach will break down the food, disperse the nutrients and rid the body of waste in the form of well-formed stool and urine.

Symptoms of Diarrhea Due to Diet in Dogs

When your dog is suffering from diarrhea they will likely have frequent bowel movements that are loose or watery. There are other signs to watch for that will indicate that your dog has diarrhea. Diarrhea can quickly become a concern because your dog can become dehydrated. Call your veterinarian for an appointment if you suspect your dog has diarrhea. Other symptoms of diarrhea to watch for include:

• Anxiously needing to go outside quickly
• Having bowel movements in the house
• Straining
• Stomach ache
• Fever
• Lethargy
• Loss of appetite
• Dehydration

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Causes of Diarrhea Due to Diet in Dogs

Diarrhea can occur for many different reasons in dogs. Commonly it is illness that causes your dog to develop diarrhea. However, diarrhea due to diet should not be ruled out. Many times your dog will get into something that they should not have eaten and that can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. 

Changing your dog’s food can cause diarrhea if not done slowly so their digestive tract can adjust to the new food. Allowing your dog to eat too much or eating garbage can also cause diarrhea. A food allergy or intolerance can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.

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Diagnosis of Diarrhea Due to Diet in Dogs

When you bring your dog to your veterinarian, a stool sample will need to be given. If you are unable to collect one, your veterinarian can do so. Your dog’s medical history will need to be given as well as a detailed list of what your dog eats or might have eaten. 

The stool sample will be used in a fecal exam to look for internal parasites. Internal parasites can cause diarrhea in dogs. A urinalysis, complete blood count and biochemistry panel may also be recommended to rule out other illnesses or conditions. A hands-on physical examination will be conducted by your veterinarian. They will palpate your dog’s abdomen, check their vitals and take their temperature.

Your veterinarian will need to know how quickly the signs came on and if there were any changes in the environment. Once all the tests have come back and the physical examination is completed, your veterinarian will be able to narrow the cause of your dog’s diarrhea to their diet; either overeating, intolerance or allergy, or change in food.

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Treatment of Diarrhea Due to Diet in Dogs

Many cases of chronic diarrhea may require fluid therapy to stop dehydration from occurring. This may require a stay in the animal hospital until the diarrhea is stopped and the threat of dehydration has passed. Anti-diarrhea medication may also be prescribed.

Food may need to be withheld for at least 24 hours. Small amounts of water will need to be given frequently to keep them hydrated if they are not already dehydrated. A bland diet can be given after 24 hours. If there is no more diarrhea your dog can slowly be changed back to their regular diet.

In the case of your dog having an allergy or intolerance to an ingredient in their food, their diet will need to be permanently altered to avoid the ingredient that is problematic. Your veterinarian can suggest a food that will not have the ingredient that is causing diarrhea in your dog.

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Recovery of Diarrhea Due to Diet in Dogs

When your dog is diagnosed with diarrhea due to their diet, your veterinarian will discuss with you what foods are best for your dog. Once the diarrhea is stopped, you should be able to give your dog their regular food. If there is an allergy or intolerance, you will need to switch their food to one that will not cause diarrhea. 

If your dog has a history of getting into the garbage, secure your trash cans away from your dog to discourage him from eating the trash, as potentially fatal toxicities can occur from this behavior. Do not feed your dog leftovers from your own dinner plate. Human food can cause gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.

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Diarrhea Due to Diet Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

pitt bull /german shepherd mix

Nine Months

9 found helpful

We've been feeding our 9month old puppy an mixture of wet and dry food. She started to have loose stools. Dont know to do. Help

Dr. Maureen M. DVM

9 Recommendations

Hi, She could be experiencing some food intolerance from some of the ingredients in the food. You could try to figure out which of the two is irritating elimination. Feed on type each week checking for stool consistency. Once noted eliminate from the diet. If nothing changes please take her to the vet for a check-up. Good luck

April 2, 2021

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Labrador Retriever

One Year

11 found helpful

We noticed that our newly adopted lab was having some diarrhea/loose stools. History: he was from a kill shelter, had a 3 day trip to the rescue, was there 3 days then we adopted. We had him fast for 12 hours and then did a bland boiled chicken & rice diet for several days, stools got firmer, but when slowly reintroducing the food he had been given at the rescue, a beef based food, he had diarrhea again. He wants to eat and has an appetite. Should we try chicken based food? He was fully vetted at the rescue before we got him (dewormed). Acts fine and has settled in well besides this.

Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS

11 Recommendations

There can be many causes of diarrhoea including parasites (some of which may require alternate wormers to the one he had), an abrupt diet change, a food intolerance, an infection, Inflammatory bowel disease etc. I would consider a vet check and stool analysis. I would also start a sensitivity or hypoallergenic diet and some probiotic anti diarrhoea paste. Hopefully we can get on top of things soon!

Jan. 8, 2021

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