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A veterinarian’s advice on dealing with diarrhea in puppies and dogs

Diarrhea is the most common illness we see in dogs of all ages. It can be serious or mild and self-limiting. If it lasts longer than a day or gets worse or accompanied by other symptoms, your dog should be taken to the vet.

Dehydration is the most concerning consequence of diarrhea, especially in puppies. Diet-changes or indiscretions are among the most common causes of diarrhea so always be mindful of what your dog has access to or is being fed.

A simple first step in treating mild diarrhea is to feed a bland diet (boiled chicken and rice and/or pureed plain pumpkin) in small frequent meals with water added. If that doesn’t solve the problem, it’s best to seek veterinary care and not let the diarrhea get worse.