If your dog has had loose stools or diarrhoea, the first thing to know is that it’s one of the most common digestive issues dogs experience. In many cases, it settles within a day or two with the right care at home. While it’s completely understandable to feel worried when your dog has an upset stomach, there are a few simple steps you can take in the first 24-48 hours to help keep them comfortable and support recovery.
This guide covers what to do in the first 24-48 hours, when to call a vet, common causes of dog diarrhoea, and whether probiotics for dogs can help recovery. You’ll also learn how ongoing dog gut health support may help reduce further digestive problems.
Key Takeaways
- What to do in the first 24-48 hours of dog diarrhoea
- How to keep your dog hydrated and comfortable
- Signs it’s time to call the vet
- Common causes of dog digestive upset
- Whether probiotics can help recovery and ongoing gut health
What to Do in the First 24–48 Hours
If your dog has mild diarrhoea but is otherwise acting normally, you can often manage symptoms at home with a few simple steps.
1. Withhold food for 12-24 hours if symptoms are mild
Give your dog’s digestive system time to rest by pausing food for 12-24 hours. However, puppies, elderly dogs, and dogs with existing health conditions should not be fasted, as they are more vulnerable to low blood sugar and dehydration.
2. Ensure constant access to fresh water
Always provide fresh, clean water to help prevent dehydration, especially if your dog is having frequent loose stools.
3. Reintroduce food gradually with a bland diet
Once symptoms begin to settle, offer small, frequent meals as part of a bland diet for dogs, such as plain chicken and rice.
4. Monitor your dog closely
Keep an eye on your dog’s energy levels, appetite, hydration, and stool quality over the next 24-48 hours.
5. Avoid rich treats or sudden food changes during recovery
Fatty foods, treats, and abrupt diet changes can worsen digestive upset and delay recovery. If symptoms are more severe or don't improve within 48 hours, these are the signs to look out for.
When to Call the Vet
While mild diarrhoea often improves with home care, some symptoms can signal a more serious issue and should not be ignored.
When to call the vet
- Blood in your dog’s stool or vomit
- Diarrhoea lasting more than 48 hours despite home care
- Signs of dehydration, including dry or tacky gums, sunken eyes, or lethargy
- Puppies, elderly dogs or dogs with existing health conditions showing any diarrhoea
- More than 3-4 episodes of diarrhoea within 24 hours
If in doubt, it is always better to call, as most vets are happy to give quick phone guidance before booking an appointment.
What Usually Causes Diarrhoea in Dogs
Understanding why dogs get digestive problems can help owners reduce future episodes.
One of the most common causes of diarrhoea in dogs is dietary indiscretion, which simply means eating something they should not. This could include rubbish, rich foods, table scraps, or something picked up while out on a walk, all of which can irritate the digestive system and cause loose stools.
Sudden food changes can also upset your dog’s stomach. Introducing a new food too quickly may disrupt digestion, which is why vets often recommend transitioning gradually over 7-10 days.
Stress and anxiety can play a surprisingly big role in dog digestive problems and may sometimes trigger an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Changes such as travel, moving house, or disruptions to routine can sometimes trigger an upset stomach or diarrhoea.
Bacterial or viral infections are another possible cause, particularly if symptoms are severe. Infections such as parvovirus can lead to intense diarrhoea, vomiting, lethargy and dehydration, especially in unvaccinated puppies.
Diarrhoea can also happen when dog gut health and the gut microbiome become disrupted. When the balance of beneficial and harmful bacteria is altered, it can affect stool quality, digestion and nutrient absorption.
Recurring digestive upset can sometimes be one of the signs your dog’s gut health is off, particularly if symptoms happen regularly. You may also find our dog sensitive stomach guide helpful for understanding triggers and ways to help their digestion.
Do Probiotics Help Dogs with Diarrhoea?
Yes - probiotics can help dogs with diarrhoea both during recovery and over time. During an episode, probiotics may help restore beneficial gut bacteria that can become disrupted by diarrhoea, stress, diet changes, or infection.
Over time, consistent probiotic support may help strengthen the gut microbiome, making the digestive system more resilient and potentially reducing the frequency of future digestive upset.
There is also growing clinical evidence supporting the use of probiotics for dog diarrhoea specifically. Research has shown that certain probiotic strains support healthier stool quality by improving microbial balance within the gut
As veterinary nutritionist Dr Sarah Bennett explains:
“During and after diarrhoea, the balance of bacteria within the gut can become disrupted. Probiotics help support the restoration of that balance, which may improve stool quality, support digestion, and help reduce the likelihood of recurring digestive upset over time.”
Science-backed ingredients such as EpiCor® and Calsporin®, found in Zesty Paws Probiotic Chews, are designed to support digestive and immune health by helping maintain a balanced gut environment. Probiotics are most useful as a daily habit that reduces the likelihood of episodes, and can support recovery after one. To learn more about how probiotics work in dogs, it helps to understand the role of the gut microbiome in digestion and immune health.
Most cases of dog diarrhoea resolve quickly with the right home care. Building healthy gut habits that support dog gut health can help reduce how often digestive upset happens in the future.
If you'd like to support your dog's gut health between episodes, our Zesty Paws Probiotic Chews are a good daily option. You can also explore the full Digestive Care for Dogs collection to find what works best for your dog’s routine.
