How to Help a Puppy Having Diarrhea

Diarrhea occurs fairly commonly in puppies. Numerous things can cause diarrhea in puppies, including parasites, bacterial or viral infections, eating something puppies shouldn't eat and intestinal obstructions. Sometimes diarrhea resolves quickly without treatment, but sometimes it's a symptom of a serious problem and requires medical attention. Puppies experiencing diarrhea sometimes may be treated at home without a visit to the veterinarian.

Things You'll Need

  • Lean cooked meat
  • White rice or oatmeal
  • Plain yogurt
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Instructions

    • 1

      Reduce the amount of food you give your puppy. Veterinarian David McCluggage recommends feeding your puppy half the amount you normally give it. Make sure your puppy has plenty of fresh water at all times.

    • 2

      Feed your puppy a bland diet as long as it has diarrhea and for a day or two after the diarrhea clears up. McCluggage suggests giving your puppy one part cooked lean meat or chicken and two parts bland grains, such as white rice or oatmeal. Add two or three tablespoons of plain yogurt to the food.

    • 3

      Take your puppy to the vet if it acts very lethargic, seems to have abdominal pain, vomits repeatedly or has blood in its stool. If the diarrhea persists for more than two of days, call your veterinarian.