How to Treat Diarrhoea for your Puppy

Puppy Diarrhoea: When to worry and what to do at home

Having a puppy with diarrhoea can be really messy — & pretty worrying. They’re so young & don’t have many body reserves, so it’s natural to feel anxious. Today I’m going to walk you through the common causes of puppy diarrhoea &, more importantly, how you can help at home simply & cheaply, & without any fear!

When Is Puppy Diarrhoea Serious? (The Quick Triage Checklist)

It’s important to distinguish between a puppy who has diarrhoea but is otherwise bright & playful, versus one who is actually unwell. A sick puppy might be quiet, off their food, not drinking, vomiting, or lethargic.

Quick tip: If your puppy vomits but then tries to eat it again, they’re usually okay

— just keep an eye on them. If they vomit & walk away without trying to re-eat it, that’s more concerning.

• One vomit + one loose poo = amber alert (monitor closely).

• Multiple bouts of diarrhoea + vomiting = red alert (vet visit needed).

The 3 Most Common Causes of Puppy Diarrhoea (When Your Pup Is Otherwise Well)

An upset tummy needs simple-to-digest food, but it also needs soluble & insoluble fibre to stop that dreaded poonami! You’ve probably already thought “easy — just boiled chicken & rice, right?” Well, that’s very 1950s/1960s…

The Truth About Chicken and Rice

Boiled chicken & rice is an old traditional remedy, not something one vet invented. Dr. Mark Morris Sr., who founded Hill’s Pet Nutrition, created the first therapeutic kidney diet in 1939, but chicken & rice was never his idea. It became popular as a short-term bland diet for mild tummy upsets — the dog version of the human BRAT diet.

However, modern veterinary nutritionists now consider it outdated. White rice is high in carbohydrates, which puts extra strain on the pancreas — often already stressed in a dog with diarrhoea. This can actually slow recovery. Today we have much better, properly balanced options for supporting gut health.

1. Something Disagreed With Them A mild tummy upset or bug. In these cases, a simple bland diet for a few days can help settle things. Skip the expensive prescription gastro kibble — you can do much better at home.

2. Worms & Parasites Puppies are very prone to worms, & they can build up quickly. A pot belly (that isn’t painful) with otherwise good energy can be a clue. Worm every 2 weeks until 12 weeks, then monthly until 6 months, then every 3 months after that. Good worming usually rules this out.

3. Food Intolerance Some puppies just don’t agree with their current diet or a particular ingredient. After doing a short gut reset, try a slow transition to a different food. Most settle within a week or two once they find something that suits them.

When to See the Vet Straight Away: Red Alert Signs

If your puppy isn’t improving with diet changes or worming, or if they have blood or mucus in the stool, it could be something like Giardia (a water-borne parasite that’s very contagious — never let your dog drink from communal bowls). Giardia often causes long-term diarrhoea with blood/mucus & is worth a vet visit quickly.

In very young puppies (especially before full vaccination), always rule out serious viruses like parvovirus. These are emergencies — the sooner treatment starts, the better the chance of survival.

If your puppy is quiet, not eating/drinking, vomiting repeatedly, or has blood in the stool, take them to the vet immediately.

The Simple Dog Gut Reset Diet (Maximum 4 Days)

Instead of plain chicken & rice, try this gentle homemade option:

• 1 chicken breast (or turkey), no skin, chopped or minced

• 1 cup cooked pumpkin (with skin, mashed)

• 1 flat tablespoon psyllium husk

• 1 cup simple bone broth (or water)

• ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

Cook the protein in the broth, mix everything together, & refrigerate. Use within 3 days. Offer multiple small meals throughout the day. Once things improve, slowly transition back to their normal balanced food. Go slow, watch their poop, & don’t hesitate to call your vet if you’re worried. Most mild cases settle quickly with the right support.