Diarrhea is one of those frustrating symptoms for owners because it could mean that your puppy has anything from a potentially lethal virus to simple indigestion. Small intestinal malabsorption. An Upset Tummy Is No Treat Because puppy food has a higher fat and protein content than adult dog food, it's more palatable to dogs of all ages. Puppies can also get into the trash or find food scraps outside while on walks. Many senior foods also include a variety of supplements that can assist with the aging process and pets. Treatment is highly dependent on the cause and severity. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. If you have a food intolerance, eating that specific food can cause diarrhea or loose stool. To help abate your dog's diarrhea, add 1-to-4 tablespoons of pumpkin or pumpkin powder to your dog's meal. Whats Causing My Diarrhea and Loss of Appetite? Caffeine naturally occurs in chocolate, so any chocolate-flavored . It is best to contact your veterinarian before you make any diet changes or give over-the-counter medications, as puppies can be very sensitive to these. Senior food can help protect your dogs future by adding improved digestibility, softer textures to fight off dental diseases, improved supplementation for joints and mobility, and nutritional adjustments that can control weight. Changing your food can make your dog have diarrhea for a couple of days, but it should stop. If not done correctly, a dog may develop adverse food reactions that lead to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and diarrhea. Country Living: Is It Unhealthy for an Adult Dog to Eat Puppy Food? For instance. Cuteness may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. With the high levels of calories that can be found in puppy food, an adult pet is likely to enjoy the taste, but eating too much of it can lead to digestive issues. The best analogy for puppy meal versus adulthood is that puppy meal can often be like junk food. She writes about many subjects including pets, finances, crafts, food, home improvement, shopping and going green. Eating or drinking sugar alcohols, in particular, can have a laxative effect, inducing diarrhea and gas. With the high levels of calories that can be found in puppy food, an adult pet is likely to enjoy the taste, but eating too much of it can lead . See additional information. Dogs can be affected by emotional stress, just like humans, and older dogs are especially susceptible. As we mentioned before, acute dog diarrhea usually doesnt require a visit to the vet. However, cottage cheese and yogurt in small amounts are fine to occasionally include in most dogs' diets. Sometimes you can if they have matured to adults, but often they are tiny and require a microscope to diagnose. Lethargy. When diarrhea occurs, food moves through the digestive tract faster than normal. Parasitic infestations must be treated with medication prescribed by your veterinarian. Raw bones should also not be given to your dog due to the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction and contamination with harmful bacteria. Whats Causing My Liquid Bowel Movements? Its therefore very important to choose the best and appropriate diet for your dog. It is a good idea to start out with smaller quantities to avoid adding too much fiber . Many people dont know they have lactose intolerance. Other things you may notice in dehydrated puppies are dry noses, sunken eyes, or lethargy. You should also resist feeing your puppy from your own dinner plate. Its similar to irritable bowel syndrome in humans, which has been shown to have a stress-related component. These conditions are all totally treatable by either eliminating certain foods from your dogs diet, stopping certain medications, or treating conditions like parasites. petMD: What to Do When Your Dog Vomits or Has Diarrhea, U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Selecting Nutritious Pet Foods. Maybe your vet recommended a higher-quality brand of food, or your local store ran out of your puppys usual food. Spicy foods are among the most common causes of food-induced diarrhea. Avoid feeding these foods to your dog at all times. No matter how playful your puppy seems most of the time, it's good to remember that puppyhood is a stressful time of life, and stress can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea itself can lead to dehydration, but along with vomiting, it can quickly lead to potentially fatal dehydration. Can changing dog food cause diarrhea? Puppy food is very rich in fats, protein, vitamins and minerals, making it perfect for the growing bodies of young pups. Thats why its good to know whether your puppys symptoms require an emergency veterinarian visit or if you can wait to see your regular veterinarian in a few days. Reaction or allergy to a substance. Sudden change in the dogs diet causes improper digestion. According to the International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD), drinking 23 cups of coffee or tea in a day can often cause diarrhea. Eaten in excess, fructose can have a laxative effect. AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. Because puppy food has a higher fat and protein content than adult dog food, it's more palatable to dogs of all ages. The amount of water you need each day varies based on your sex, age, activity level, and build, so there are no official guidelines, but many sources suggest 8 or more 8-ounce glasses per day. If an allergy or intolerance is discovered, your vet may recommend a special diet. the clinic to treat your pet using Vet Clinics Locator. All rights reserved. The distemper vaccine helps protect against four viruses that can be fatal if left untreated, or even with aggressive therapy. All of these things can cause acute dog diarrhea and even nausea or vomiting. Your subscription could not be saved. Veterinarians often suggest that older dogs skip meals when they're experiencing bouts of diarrhea. Improving the Quality of Life for Senior Dogs. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process. Yellow diarrhea can indicate increased movement in the intestines (termed hypermotility) due to inflammation. Your pet might likely experience some type of stomach discomfort over a few days when they switch back to adult meal too. In this case, a pet poison control hotline is often recommended to obtain a full case report with recommendations on decontamination and therapeutic options. Determining A Healthy Poop Schedule For Your Dog. Components in a dogs diet such as protein and fat content should be carefully considered in choosing a diet for your dog, as these can greatly affect the dogs health in the long run. Common causes can include dairy, spicy food, and greasy food. Mild diarrhea is relatively common among pups and can be treated at home. Why Do I Get Diarrhea After Drinking Alcohol? This could be a sign of an underlying health condition, especially in older dogs who are more susceptible to diseases. How is this treated? Discover the causes of diarrhea and appetite loss, including stomach flu, celiac disease, and food poisoning. Big changes to their daily lives can cause health problems like diarrhea. You'd be hard-pressed to find a dog who doesn't like cheese or ice cream. But there are certain signs to look out for that could indicate a more serious health concern. Try cutting out alcohol and seeing if the diarrhea goes away. Most cases of puppy diarrhea are not severe. Image Credit: SolStock/iStock/GettyImages Usually, your dog seems to have an iron stomach, eagerly scarfing up table scraps within seconds. Consider adding a probiotic to their diet to help promote digestive health (Nutramax Proviable and Purina FortiFlora are good options). 3. Read more here. Pets are known for larger sizes like great Danes often have shorter life expectancies, and this can mean that they could reach the status of the senior dog around the age of five or six. Puppy food is typically produced using a set type of ingredients, and this can quickly throw off the diet of an adult dog and cause a series of flareups in health problems such as obesity. How, then, are we supposed to meet changing nutritional requirements without risking gastrointestinal issues? iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorders/diarrhea/common-causes.html, pancan.org/facing-pancreatic-cancer/living-with-pancreatic-cancer/diet-and-nutrition/diarrhea/, aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/food-allergies, aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/food-intolerance, ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/lactose-intolerance, health.nsw.gov.au/heal/factsheets/sweeteners.pdf, niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/diarrhea/treatment, Diarrhea After Eating: Why It Happens and How to Stop It. Many serious and minor puppy ailments list diarrhea as a symptom, making it hard for owners to determine what is serious and what is not. Yes, too much protein in your dog's diet can cause stomach upset, including diarrhea. Take your dog to the vet if: You know your dog better than anyone, so if diarrhea occurs, use your judgment to make the best decision. Drinking alcohol can lead to loose stool the following day. Acute Sudden Diarrhea in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment Dogs Ears Back: 9 Reasons Why Do Dogs Put Their Ears Back? Read about the benefits of dietary fiber here. Why is my Dog throwing up: Causes and Preventing (Veterinary Advice). Dogs can be affected by emotional stress, just like humans, and older dogs are especially susceptible. Salmonella infections are most commonly caused by undercooked meat. The health and optimal function of almost all organs in the body will ultimately depend on the diet your dog is eating, from puppyhood until they are adults. The Possible Cause Of Loose Stools In Older Dogs - Ask Pet Guru Also, Scott is passionate to research on pet-related topics such as dog training, puppy feeding, and cat health. This can include small toys, mulch, sand, rocks, sticks, paper, food wrappers, or really anything a puppy can get access to and is curious about. Various foods can cause diarrhea, even in people without food intolerances. Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency and/or looseness of stool. Eating large amounts of fruit can cause diarrhea because this means taking in high levels of fructose. In most cases, acute cases of dog diarrhea will pass without complications. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. Is this type of food is designed to help an animal grow, it may be hard to handle weight control if an older dog is regularly requesting puppy food. Food Intolerance in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals Sometimes puppies develop intolerance or sensitivity to certain foods or ingredients. What Causes Dog Diarrhea and How to Treat It. Despite the endless lists of horrifying diseases out there, there are six main causes of diarrhea in puppies that you need to know about: There are many reasons why you might switch up your dogs diet. Loss of appetite. A fatty meal like a portion of puppy food could trigger this condition, which causes vomiting and diarrhea due to the inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, all puppy foods that follow the feeding profiles of the Association of American Feed Control Officials contain at least 3 percent more fat than adult dog foods. Puppy Diarrhea: What Is It? What do You Need to Know? This may be because of a food intolerance, or because the food irritates the digestive tract. Poisons and toxins also cause diarrhea. Puppy Has Diarrhea But Still Playful - Dog Leash Pro Their nutritional needs change as they go through different changes in their lives. Mild diarrhea caused by stress or a dietary transition often clears up with the addition of a bland diet, although it is always a good idea to consult your veterinarian about at-home treatment options and to rule out anything more serious, especially if diarrhea continues for more than a few hours. But while diarrhea might not be pleasant, it can be a common part of a senior dogs life. Certain dogs can be fussy, and older dogs may even demand the same puppy food they have been eating in their earlier stages. This may look like diarrhea, but it could be a sign of constipation. My Dog Has a Sore Bum: What Can I Put on It? Raising puppies is nerve-wracking. The treatment of puppy diarrhea depends on the cause. If the soft stool doesnt have any blood, and your puppy is still active, eating well, and not vomiting, theres probably no need to rush them to a veterinarian. Puppy Diarrhea | PetMD They tend to be milder on the stomach. Sugar substitutes include artificial sweeteners (e.g., aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose) and sugar alcohols (e.g., mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol). Food poisoning is a frequent cause of gastrointestinal (GI) disease in dogs and may include the following: ingestion of excessive amounts of a specific nutrient like vitamin A or vitamin D. scavenging of spoiled food. The Canadian Veterinary Journal: Do High-Fat Dog Foods Predispose Dogs to Pancreatitis? Vomiting and Diarrhea in Puppies | PetMD Monitor your dogs behavior, keep track of any diet or lifestyle changes, and when in doubt, it never hurts to get professional support.