Can Dog Treats Cause Diarrhea and How to Prevent It

Dog treats can be a tasty way to reward your furry friend, but they can also cause some unwanted side effects, like diarrhea. According to a study, 1 in 5 dogs experience gastrointestinal upset after consuming treats.

Some dog treats are made with ingredients that can be hard for dogs to digest, leading to diarrhea. For example, a common ingredient in many treats is xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be toxic to dogs.

Feeding your dog too many treats can also lead to diarrhea. A general rule of thumb is to limit treats to 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake.

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Diarrhea in dogs can be caused by a variety of factors, including dietary indiscretion, such as eating trash or foods meant for people. This can lead to a range of symptoms, from mild stomach upset to full-blown diarrhea.

Some common causes of diarrhea in dogs include internal parasites, bacterial and viral infections, allergies, and cancer. Infections such as parvovirus and salmonella can cause GI upset, including diarrhea.

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A change in diet can also cause diarrhea, whether it's a sudden change in food or eating too much of a new food. Stressful events, such as a veterinary visit or adopting a new pet, can also cause your dog to develop diarrhea.

Here are some potential causes of diarrhea in dogs:

Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors, ranging from simple dietary indiscretion to more serious underlying disorders.

Dietary changes can lead to diarrhea, especially if your dog switches to a new food too quickly or eats something they shouldn't.

Internal parasites, such as giardia, coccidia, hookworms, roundworms, or whipworms, can cause diarrhea in dogs.

Infections, including bacterial and viral infections like parvovirus, canine distemper, or salmonella, can lead to gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea.

Stressful events, such as a trip to the vet or adopting a new pet, can cause your dog to develop diarrhea.

Here are some common causes of diarrhea in dogs:

Some more serious potential causes of diarrhea include inflammation in the GI tract, foreign bodies, allergies, cancer, and pancreatitis.

It's essential to note that diarrhea can be a sign of a more serious underlying disorder, such as allergies, bacterial or viral infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or organ dysfunction.

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Younger dogs and puppies are more likely to experience diarrhea due to parasites, stress, or diet changes during weaning.

Greyhounds are notorious for their delicate stomachs, making even the slightest diet change or stress lead to loose stools.

Labradors and Golden Retrievers tend to sneakily indulge in not-so-healthy treats, resulting in mild stomach upset.

Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Shetland Sheepdogs are breeds predisposed to medical problems that cause diarrhea.

Chronic diarrhea in senior dogs could be a sign of a more serious issue.

These breeds come into the ER more often for "dietary indiscretion" compared to other breeds.

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Diarrhea can be a real challenge for dogs, and understanding the different types can help you and your vet get to the bottom of it. There are four main types of dog diarrhea to be aware of.

Osmotic diarrhea is caused by a high-fat meal or lactose intolerance, leading to extremely loose, watery bowel movements. Fasting can often help improve this type of diarrhea.

Secretory diarrhea, on the other hand, is caused by certain bacterial toxins and viruses, resulting in abundant amounts of watery feces. Fasting typically doesn't improve secretory diarrhea.

Exudative diarrhea occurs when the GI lining is damaged, often due to autoimmune diseases, and can be accompanied by mucus and/or blood in the feces.

Rapid intestinal transit diarrhea happens when a dog's colon squeezes more intensely than normal, causing watery feces to pass quickly through the GI tract.

Here are the four types of dog diarrhea in a nutshell:

Dog treats can sometimes cause diarrhea in dogs, and it's essential to recognize the symptoms and get a proper diagnosis to address the issue.

Diarrhea can manifest in various ways, but some common signs include frequent bowel movements that are loose or watery, anxiously needing to go outside quickly, having bowel movements in the house, straining, and stomach ache.

Your veterinarian will likely perform a physical examination to check your dog's overall health and find any abnormalities, such as fever or abdominal tenderness. They may also take a stool sample for a fecal exam to rule out internal parasites.

Here are some common symptoms of diarrhea in dogs:

A thorough examination and diagnostic tests, such as a complete blood count and biochemistry panel, will help your veterinarian narrow down the cause of your dog's diarrhea and determine if dog treats are the culprit.

If your dog is suffering from diarrhea, you'll likely notice them anxiously needing to go outside quickly. This is because their body is trying to expel the loose or watery stool as quickly as possible.

Diarrhea can also cause your dog to have bowel movements in the house, which is not only a mess but also a sign that they're not feeling well.

Straining during bowel movements is another symptom to watch out for. This can be a sign that your dog is having trouble passing stool.

A stomach ache is a common symptom of diarrhea in dogs. You may also notice that your dog is acting lethargic or has a loss of appetite.

Fever is another possible symptom of diarrhea in dogs. Dehydration is also a concern, as it can quickly become a serious issue if left untreated.

Diagnosis is a crucial step in figuring out what's causing your dog's diarrhea. Your veterinarian will take a detailed history to determine if your dog was exposed to anything that may have triggered the diarrhea.

They'll also perform a thorough physical exam to check your dog's overall health and find any abnormalities such as fever or abdominal tenderness. Blood work may be ordered to check for issues like kidney and liver disease or infection.

A fecal exam is helpful in finding intestinal parasites. If your veterinarian suspects a parvo test is necessary to rule out this potentially deadly viral disease. X-rays may be taken in some cases, like a potential foreign body blockage.

To diagnose diarrhea caused by diet, a stool sample will be collected and used in a fecal exam to look for internal parasites. Your veterinarian will also need to know your dog's medical history and a detailed list of what they eat or might have eaten.

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A urinalysis, complete blood count, and biochemistry panel may be recommended to rule out other illnesses or conditions. Your veterinarian will conduct a hands-on physical examination, including palpating your dog's abdomen, checking their vitals, and taking their temperature.

Your veterinarian will need to know how quickly the signs came on and if there were any changes in the environment.

If your furry friend is experiencing diarrhea due to dog treats, it's essential to know how to treat and recover them. Your veterinarian will likely recommend withholding food for 24 hours to allow the intestine to calm down.

Withholding food for 24 hours can be beneficial, especially if your dog is otherwise healthy. You may also need to feed them small amounts of a veterinary diet for gastrointestinal problems, which contains fiber that nourishes the good bacteria in your dog's gut.

Treatment for your dog's diarrhea depends on the underlying cause, and potential treatments include withholding food, fluid therapy, antibiotics, anti-parasitics, diet change, and monoclonal antibody treatment. Your veterinarian will discuss the best course of action with you.

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Most dogs who have mild diarrhea typically recover in two to three days, and giving a probiotic and feeding a bland diet, such as rice and boiled chicken, can help them recover more quickly. Dogs affected by severe diarrhea may take longer to recover.

If your dog has a food sensitivity, your veterinarian will recommend a good diet to help control their symptoms. A bland diet can be given after 24 hours, and if there is no more diarrhea, your dog can slowly be changed back to their regular diet.

In some cases, fluid therapy may be needed to replace lost fluid and correct electrolyte imbalances. Your veterinarian may also prescribe anti-diarrhea medication.

Here are some common medications for dog 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.