Why is my dog getting diarrhea after eating his canned dog food?

Question

Does canned dog food cause diarrhea?

Erin Clifford · Accepted Answer

Hello! It sounds as if you are dealing with some [diarrhea](https://www.petcoach.co/article/diarrhea-in-dogs) in your dog! The not-so-simple answer to your question is…maybe. While the dog food itself may not be a direct cause of diarrhea, if the particular food is on recall (which you can look up on the [FDA website](https://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/safetyhealth/recallswithdrawals/)), then it could be suspect. Other things, such as[ food allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies/), changes in food brand, or a sensitive stomach, are more likely to cause diarrhea in relation to a particular food. If you just started a new food, diarrhea can develop by [switching the food](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-transition-your-dog-or-cat-to-a-new-food/) too fast. Dogs are sensitive to changes in diet since they eat the same thing every day. A new food or new ingredient given suddenly can bring on bouts of diarrhea. Try mixing the old food in with the new food and slowly increasing the amount of new food you give while reducing the amount of the old food over the course of 7-9 days to help protect against bouts of diarrhea. [Food allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-allergies-vs-environmental-allergies-whats-the-difference) are a little more difficult to nail down, as it tend to occur due to a sensitivity to a particular ingredient in the food (like if your dog is allergic to chicken). If the diarrhea continues, this can be something to discuss with your vet, as it often takes a lot of diet changes and [food trials](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-trials-for-allergies-in-pets-what-to-expect) to narrow down the problematic ingredient. Aside from the food, other causes such as [intestinal parasites](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-tell-if-your-pet-has-worms), toxins, or almost any disease can cause a dog to develop diarrhea. It is always worthwhile to get a stool sample checked by your vet to see if there is something else aside from the food that might be causing your dog's issue. Mild diarrhea can sometimes be [managed at home](https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-treat-your-dogs-upset-stomach) by fasting then offering a bland diet of plain boiled chicken breast mixed with plain cooked white rice for 2-3 days or until symptoms resolve. Gradually switch back to the normal diet afterwards. If the diarrhea continues or gets worse over that period, if you see blood in the stool, or if any other signs develop (such as vomiting, lethargy or loss of appetite), then it is time to have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian. Dehydration is a real concern when pets have profuse diarrhea. Good luck, and I hope your dog starts to feel better soon!

Why is my dog getting diarrhea after eating his canned dog food?

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