One day your dog is energetic, and the next, they're rushing outside. So, what triggers this sudden change? And how do you know when it's serious?

Dealing with dog diarrhoea is stressful, but it's a common issue many dog parents face.

Gastritis, diarrhoea, and vomiting are in the top ten most reasons to visit a vet in 2023 (PetSure).

With the help of our experts, let’s explore the ways nutrition plays a role in long-term gut health: providing tips on choosing the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

How to tell if your dog has diarrhoea

If your dog has runny or sloppy poo, your dog has diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea occurs when your pup’s food moves too fast through their digestive system — their intestines don’t have enough time to absorb fluids. This results in “soft serve”, watery poo.

A one-off change in consistency is not usually cause for concern, as your dog may have needed to pass something out of their system.

If your dog’s poo looks unusual, speak to your veterinarian. This could be a sign of a larger gut issue.

🐶 Read more: Dog poo decoded: colour, consistency and smell (with charts!)

🐶 Read more: Resolving chronic gut issues in dogs

Why does my dog have diarrhoea?

Diarrhoea can be stressful and confusing for dog parents — addressing your dog’s discomfort is one thing, but deciphering the cause can be a whole different matter. Some of the common causes include:

• Dietary indiscretions like eating spoiled food, foreign bodies, unsafe foods for dogs, or plants that are toxic to dogs.

• Highly processed diets, including those high in fat or carbohydrates, can lead to sloppy tools.

• Stress-induced diarrhoea can result from separation anxiety, or changes to environment or routine.

• Infections (either bacterial or viral) are frequent causes of diarrhoea in dogs.

• Parasites like roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, giardia, and coccidia.

• Sudden changes in diet like transitioning your dog to a new food too quickly.

Food allergies or intolerances can cause diarrhoea, as some dogs are sensitive to certain ingredients. Consider hypoallergenic dog food if your pup has a known food allergy, or ask your veterinarian about elimination diets to pinpoint the ingredient in question.

The difference between acute and chronic diarrhoea in dogs

Speak to your veterinarian if your dog has been experiencing symptoms for more than three weeks, or if you’re concerned for any reason about your dog’s symptoms. 

🐶 Read more: Nourishing your sick dog naturally (it’s not chicken and rice!)

When do diarrhoea symptoms signal underlying health issues?

Signs of something more serious include diarrhoea alongside food refusal, lethargy, lameness, or vomiting. Speak to your veterinarian if you notice these symptoms in your pup. They can help screen for chronic conditions such as:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), as this can lead to inflammation in the digestive tract resulting in frequent episodes of diarrhoea.

• Organ disease affecting the liver, kidneys, or pancreas (pancreatitis). This can disrupt digestion and cause diarrhoea.

• Canine Chronic Enteropathy (CCE), a broad diagnosis for dogs with long-term symptoms of gut issues, with no other known cause.

Why preventative health is key to long-term gut wellness in dogs

Your dog’s microbiome is the key to good gut health. When you give your pup nutritious vegetables and protein, you can support their long-term digestive health — this solves the most common root cause of diarrhoea in dogs.

Real food can support your dog’s health, even if they’ve had gut issues in the past. Look for foods with ingredients like:

• 🌿 Kelp is packed with iodine for metabolism and fibre to promote microbiome health, supporting bowel movements and a healthy metabolism for your dog.

• 🐟 Fish oil is found in all Lyka classic meals, as it’s an anti-inflammatory to reduce inflammation whilst boosting immune support. It’s less likely to cause an allergic reaction, compared to fish proteins.

• 🧡 Turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It supports your dog’s immune system—it’s found in Lyka’s Turkey Bowl.

• 🍠 Purple sweet potato is packed with fibre as a low-GI carbohydrate. It can help in building a healthy bacteria balance in your dog’s gut.

Lyka meals are made with fresh, high-quality ingredients that are easily digested, resulting in smaller, firmer poos. To support your dog in forming scoopable stools, we include dietary fibre, such as psyllium seed husk, in most meals. Our real food meals are more easily absorbed by the body, leaving less waste compared to processed diets.

🐶 Read more: Life changing benefits of real food for dogs