Your Guide to Dog with Diarrhea Remedy Strategies

Introduction

The holidays bring excitement, family gatherings, and—let’s be honest—lots of tempting food for our pets. Unfortunately, this season is also when veterinarians see a significant increase in gastrointestinal issues. Dogs are notorious for sneaking table scraps, begging from guests, raiding the trash, or finding something “interesting” on a walk.

While most mild cases of diarrhea in dogs improve with simple home care, others can be serious and require veterinary attention. In this guide, you’ll learn the best dog diarrhea remedies, what not to do, and when it’s time to call the vet.

Quick Guide: What to Do When Your Dog Has Diarrhea

1. Prioritize Hydration

Offer fresh water frequently.
If vomiting repeatedly, stop water and contact your veterinarian first.
Unsalted bone broth can help support hydration and the gastrointestinal tract.

2. Start With a Bland Diet

Once vomiting stops, offer small portions of boiled chicken + white rice.
Congee (rice porridge) is another gentle, hydrating option.
Avoid fatty foods, treats, and flavored diets until stool consistency returns to normal.

3. Monitor for Warning Signs
Seek veterinary care if you notice:

Diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours
Red blood or mucus in stool
Black, tarry stool (possible melena)
Lethargy, fever, collapse, or dehydration
Repeated vomiting or refusal to drink
Small amounts of watery diarrhea over and over
A puppy, senior dog, or chronically ill pet showing symptoms

4. Avoid Unsafe OTC or old prescriptions without checking with your veterinarian.

Do not use Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, or leftover medications like metronidazole without medical guidance. Metronidazole is no longer recommended in acute diarrhea as it does not improve the outcome, contributes to resistance, and can cause dysbiosis/alterations good
Avoid table scraps, pumpkin pie filling, dairy-heavy foods, or anything seasoned.

5. Support the Gut Naturally

Slippery elm, plain pumpkin, or small portions of natural yogurt may help mild cases.
Reintroduce regular food gradually once stools firm up.

6. Call the Veterinarian If:

You suspect, or there is a known foreign object ingestion
Toxin exposure (make sure visitors secure medications, and your drugs, chocolate, sugar-free candy, and edibles are secured)
Abdominal pain, painful when picking them up
Existing health issues (kidney disease, IBD, etc.)

Common Causes of Dog Diarrhea

Before you can find a cure for dog diarrhea, it helps to know the potential triggers. Some causes of dog diarrhea include:

Dietary indiscretion: eating trash, greasy table scraps, or spoiled food.
Diet change or trying a new food brand too quickly.
Stress: this can be seen around holidays when there are visitors or a change in routine
Food intolerance or sensitivity to certain ingredients.
Viral infections such as canine coronavirus and parvovirus.
Parasites (Giardia, parasitic worms, coccidia).
Foreign object ingestion can irritate or lead to a painful blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.
Chronic health issues like inflammatory bowel disease or kidney disease.
Medication: NSAIDs (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs)
Poisoning: while not common one should always have guests and family members secure medications and potential toxins

Because the cause of your dog’s diarrhea can range from harmless to serious concern, monitoring is key.

First Aid: Remedies for Dogs With Diarrhea at Home

Rest the Digestive System

When you first notice sudden diarrhea or loose dog stool:

Back off on regular feedings (contact your veterinarian if the diarrhea is profuse and not subsiding after 2-3 hours).
Always offer fresh water to prevent dehydration.
If your dog isn’t vomiting, you can add small amounts of unsalted bone broth to help with hydration.

Bland Diet: A Time-Tested Dog Diarrhea Remedy

A bland diet is one of the most trusted home remedies for diarrhea in dogs. It allows the dog’s gut to heal without added stress. Good options include:

Boiled chicken or ground turkey with white rice. Remove the skin and any fat.
Congee (rice porridge) with lean protein.
Small amounts of cottage cheese or yogurt.
Plain canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling): A small amount of plain pumpkin can help regulate bowel movements due to its soluble fiber. Start with 1–2 teaspoons for small dogs and 1–2 tablespoons for medium to large dogs. Too much pumpkin can worsen diarrhea or cause excessive stool bulk, so keep the portion modest.

How to Get Rid of Dog Diarrhea Naturally

Slippery Elm

A soothing herb that coats the gastrointestinal tract, slippery elm can be given as soothing liquid tea for acute diarrhea. You can find it at most health food stores that sell supplements. I always have some on hand. Learn how to use slippery elm for dogs here and cats here.

Plain Pumpkin

Rich in fiber, plain canned pumpkin is a good idea for mild bouts of diarrhea—but only if your dog is not vomiting. Soluble fiber absorbs excess water in the gastrointestinal tract, helping some mild cases of loose stool firm up more quickly. However, more is not better. Large amounts of pumpkin can overwhelm the gut, increase stool volume, and may even worsen diarrhea in sensitive dogs. Always use plain canned pumpkin, never pumpkin pie filling, which contains sugar and spices that can irritate the dog’s stomach. Start with a small portion, observe your dog’s response, and avoid pumpkin entirely if your dog is vomiting or refusing food.

Homeopathic Support

Homeopathy can be a gentle way to support dogs experiencing acute diarrhea, especially when symptoms come on suddenly, and you are monitoring your dog at home. These remedies are used for short-term support only and are not a substitute for appropriate veterinary care if symptoms worsen or persist.

How to Dose Homeopathic Remedies

Use 6C or 30C potency (the most common and widely available).
Give 2–3 pellets at a time.
Place pellets between the cheek and gum, or dissolve in 1–2 tsp of water and syringe gently into the cheek pouch.
Give apart from food (10–15 minutes before or after).
Repeat every 2–4 hours, up to 3 doses total while monitoring symptoms.
Stop dosing as soon as improvement begins.
If no response after 2–3 doses, discontinue and reassess.

Arsenicum album: think food poisoning

Arsenicum album is most helpful for sudden, profuse diarrhea that resembles what we might describe as “food poisoning” in people. Dogs who benefit from this remedy often develop symptoms after eating spoiled or questionable food—such as trash, rich leftovers, or anything they scavenged outdoors. They may seem restless, anxious, or unusually clingy, and will often drink in small, frequent sips. Diarrhea may be watery, foul-smelling, or accompanied by vomiting. These dogs usually have a marked lack of appetite and a desire to be near their caregiver for reassurance.

Dosing example while monitoring at home:

Give Arsenicum album 30C, one dose every 3 hours, up to 3 doses.
If the dog settles, stops pacing, and the diarrhea begins to firm up, stop dosing.
If vomiting persists, diarrhea worsens, or dehydration begins → seek veterinary care.

Nux vomica: think overindulged

Nux vomica is best suited for dogs whose diarrhea follows overindulgence—a pattern very similar to the way people feel after overdoing it at a rich holiday meal. These dogs often develop stomach upset after eating too much, eating too quickly, or getting into foods that are fatty, spicy, or simply too rich for their system.

Their behavior tends to be irritable or cranky, and they may act uncomfortable or sensitive to noise or touch. Instead of profuse watery diarrhea, they often have frequent small bowel movements, sometimes straining or repeatedly trying to pass stool with only small amounts coming out. Nux vomica dogs may vomit or show a lack of appetite, but they often still want to eat, even when their stomach can’t tolerate it.

Important Safety Notes

Remedies should never delay veterinary evaluation in puppies, senior dogs, chronically ill pets (e.g., kidney disease, IBD), or dogs showing blood in stool, black tarry stool, repeated vomiting, collapse, or dehydration.
If your dog’s diarrhea persists beyond 24 hours or if symptoms worsen at any time, seek advice from your veterinarian or visit the nearest emergency animal hospital.

What Not to Use for a Dog’s Stomach Upset

Metronidazole: Once a common prescription, it is no longer recommended for acute diarrhea. It may not shorten recovery and can disrupt the dog’s gut microbiome.
Imodium, Lomotil, or Pepto Bismol: These may sound like a quick fix, but without medical advice, they can cause harm. Certain breeds cannot metabolize these drugs safely.
Human remedies: Always seek an accurate diagnosis of your pet before giving medication.

Understanding Dog Stools: Colors, Consistency, and What They Reveal About Health

One of the best ways to monitor your dog’s health is by paying attention to their bowel movements. The frequency, amount, consistency, color, and even the presence of mucus or blood in a dog’s stool can give important clues about what’s going on in the gastrointestinal tract.

Normal Dog Stool

Healthy dog poop should be medium brown in color, formed but not hard, and easy to pick up. Changes in consistency or color can signal dietary changes, food intolerance, or more serious health issues.

Dog Stool Colors and Their Meanings

Light brown to tan: May suggest a diet change, malabsorption, or sometimes liver or gallbladder concerns.
Yellow or gray: Can indicate issues with digestion or the pancreas.
Green: May be from eating grass or could signal gallbladder problems.
Orange: Sometimes linked to food coloring, but persistent orange stools may need further evaluation.
Red blood (fresh): Streaks of bright red blood in dog’s diarrhea usually come from the lower intestine or rectum. This can occur with irritation, parasites, or inflammation.
Black, tarry stool (melena): This is digested blood from higher in the digestive tract and can signal a serious concern such as ulcers, bleeding disorders, or ingestion of a foreign object. This always requires immediate veterinary attention.

Mucus in Stool

Small amounts of mucus can be normal, especially during episodes of diarrhea. However, large amounts of mucus or recurrent slimy stools can suggest colitis, parasitic infections, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Blood in Stool

Fresh blood is indicative of colitis or lower bowel inflammation. Dark or black stools are indicative of digested blood when bleeding occurs higher in the digestive tract, such as the stomach.

Consistency

Loose or watery stools: Common in acute diarrhea from dietary indiscretion (like raiding the trash or eating rich holiday leftovers).
Small amounts of watery diarrhea over and over may suggest straining or irritation, not true diarrhea—sometimes linked to colitis or even a blockage.
Chronic diarrhea or alternating soft and formed stools should always be discussed with your veterinarian, as they may indicate chronic health issues.

When Veterinary Care Is Needed

Most cases of dog diarrhea improve with home care, but immediate veterinary attention is necessary if you see:

Red blood or black, tarry stools in the dog’s stool.
Ongoing vomiting or refusal to drink.
Small amounts of watery diarrhea persisting for more than 24 hours.
Severe lethargy or fever.
Repeated episodes of diarrhea in puppies, seniors, or dogs with chronic diarrhea.
Signs of toxin ingestion.

In these situations, call your vet—or head to the nearest emergency animal hospital—for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

Supporting the Gut With Probiotics

When a dog experiences diarrhea, one of the most effective ways to support recovery is by helping restore balance to the gut microbiome — the community of “good bacteria” that plays a key role in digestion, immune function, and overall gastrointestinal health. Probiotics can be a gentle, evidence-supported addition to your home care plan for mild cases of diarrhea.

Why Probiotics Help

During acute diarrhea, the normal bacterial balance of the gastrointestinal tract becomes disrupted. Probiotics help by:

Reintroducing beneficial microbes
Supporting the gut barrier
Reducing inflammation
Helping firm stool
Shortening the duration of diarrhea in many mild cases

They are particularly helpful when diarrhea follows dietary indiscretion, stress, travel, a recent diet change, or a short course of medication that may have disturbed the gut flora.

Veterinary-Recommended Probiotics

When choosing a probiotic for your dog, it is best to use a product that has been formulated specifically for pets and has been shown to survive the digestive process. Veterinary-grade options include:

Proviable® (Nutramax): A multi-strain probiotic with added prebiotics, available in capsules and paste. Frequently recommended for acute diarrhea, diet transitions, or antibiotic-associated loose stool.
FortiFlora® (Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements): A widely used probiotic with a palatable flavor, easy to sprinkle over food, especially helpful in dogs with decreased appetite.
Fast Balance-G.I.®: A combination of probiotics, prebiotics, and targeted digestive enzymes designed for short-term gastrointestinal disturbances.

Over-the-Counter Options

There are also OTC probiotics formulated for dogs that may be useful when veterinary products are not immediately available. Look for:

Guaranteed CFU (colony-forming units) on the label
Multi-strain formulas
Products stored properly (cool, dry environment)
Dog-specific supplements rather than human blends

Avoid relying on yogurt alone — while natural yogurt may offer live cultures, most contain too little beneficial bacteria to be therapeutic, and some dogs do not tolerate dairy well.

How to Use Probiotics During Diarrhea

Start probiotics after vomiting has resolved and your dog is tolerating small amounts of food.
Continue daily for 5–7 days, or as directed by your veterinarian.
Pair probiotics with a bland diet, hydration, and careful monitoring.
If symptoms worsen, if there is red blood, black stool, repeated vomiting, or the diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours, discontinue home care and seek veterinary attention.

A Word of Caution

Probiotics are supportive — not a treatment or replacement for veterinary care. Truthfully, this is more of a proactive step for your dog, to be implemented to prevent diarrhea, not as a treatment for it.

If your dog is a pup you should take extra precautions, as their immune system is not developed and you should reach out to your veterinarian to be on the safe side. It's also essential that if your dog is elderly or has chronic health issues, you check in with your veterinarian. This guide is intended to support your dog while you are waiting to hear the next steps from your veterinarian.

Sensitive-Stomach Dog Foods for Long-Term Issues

Most cases of dog diarrhea improve with time, bland meals, and dog diarrhea home remedies. But for dogs with ongoing sensitive stomach issues, prevention is key.

That’s why at Holistic Vet Blend®, we created the Canine Limited Ingredient Blend—a fresh, balanced supplement for dog owners who want to nourish their pets naturally. Unlike ultraprocessed diets that can upset the dog’s gut, our blend supports sensitive digestion and keeps your dog thriving.

This holiday season, help your dog recover naturally. Try Holistic Vet Blend Canine Limited Ingredient Blend and make mealtime gentle on their stomach.