My dog has diarrhea after switching food too fast. What helps?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I switched my dogs food too fast. Will his diarrhea go away eventually?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 14th, 2016
Typically if you give your pet probiotics this will help with the diarrhea. I would recommend giving Culturelle over the counter to the food daily and hopefully this is enough to get things back to normal. However some pets will have severe bacteria dysbiosis (imbalance) which requires an additional antibiotic to get things to clear up completely. Typically I prescribe Metronidazole and this does great to get pets back to normal fast.
25Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on December 11th, 2018
This is not uncommon following a food change and I would recommend adding a probiotic/fiber supplement such as fortiflora to help rebalance his bowel and speed recovery. IF his current food is the one you wish to feed long term I would not change again but give him time to adapt
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
I posted a question previously about my dog having diarrhea for a little over a week. But I forgot to mention I did change her dog food. So possibly the change in dog food is the cause of her diarrhea. Should I change her back to her original dog foo
Dogs can be extremely sensitive to diet change so this is always a big red flag for me where diarrhoea is concerned. I would starve her for a period of 24 hours then gradually reintroduce her own food, starting by feeding a bland diet of chicken and rice and slowly adding more dog food. Probiotics can make a massive difference, I would recommend a probiotics and kaolin paste such as protexin.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Beau has had diarrhea for awhile now. At first we were told it would happen with his antibiotics and it was nothing to worry about. However he’s off of it, but still has diarrhea. He has been off of it for a week, if not more. He can only eat
When my patients have diarrhea after antibiotics I will usually prescribe a canine specific probiotic to help get the good bacteria loaded back up in the GI tract. My favorite is Proviable and it also comes with a paste to help firm up the stools. My second favorite is Fortiflora. I would encourage you to call your veterinarian and discuss the possibility of using one of these products. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Romeo has consipation and was put on Lactulose. He now has mild diarrhea. What should I do besides stopping Lactulose? He’s playing and eating good. Thank you
Do not discontinue the Lactulose without the advice of the prescribing veterinarian. This may lead to constipation again. The dose and/or frequency of Lactulose will likely be adjusted by the veterinarian. In the meantime, a short fast followed by a bland diet fed in small, frequent amounts may help to resolve the diarrhea. You can discuss the use of veterinary probiotics, such as ProViable, ProStora or FortiFlora, with your veterinarian. These may promote gut health and aid in resolution of mild diarrhea as well.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my 6 week old American akita came home last Thursday night his poops were normal but I had to change his food and it was done within a 2 day transition. I know it messed with his stomach as now he has diarrhea. His stools have been loose sinc
This is not uncommon following a food change and I would recommend adding a probiotic/fiber supplement such as fortiflora to help rebalance his bowel and speed recovery. IF his current food is the one you wish to feed long term I would not change again but give him time to adapt
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Bella FINALLY had a BM after 4 days! It was one formed log shape of brownish/slight orange tint color. I did not see any blood but there were some mucus strings. Stool not as firm but almost slight sticky from the mucus. Is that normal after bad diar
After a bout of diarrhea it is common to have a pet experience what we call ileus (slow moving gut) and not have normal regular bowel movements. I would suggest continuing the bland diet as recommended by your veterinarian because the gut needs to recover from whatever insult initiallt presented that caused this diarrhea episode. Then slowly transition Bella back to her normal diet over the course of a week. The metronidazole that she is on should improve the mucous in the stool. I would also suggest adding in a probiotic as well. Ask your vet for one there (Proviable or Fortiflora) or you can use over the counter Culturelle for the next 10 days. I hope this helps! Best wishes with your pet Bella and I hope her stools normalize soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
9 1/2 month old dog, loose stool for over 2 weeks. Fecal sample negative. Did 10 days of Metronidozole plus only chicken and rice. No improvement. Course of panacur, then switched for boiled beef and rice. Perfect poop for 3 days. Introduced 1/
It could be the brand of food or it could be the individual bag of food. Fast him for 24 hours then feed a bland diet in small, frequent amounts. Begin with 1 tablespoon every hour and gradually increase the amount. Feed bland until the stool is totally normal then transition slowly to the regular diet. Transition over 7-10 days. Consider a veterinary probiotic to promote a healthy gut. Brands include Bene-Bac, ProViable, ProStora or FortiFlora.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Buddy just blew gas and it came acompanied buy diarreah. Im very concerned, my daughter just told me that grandpa was giving him bits of corn muffin, and its all the scrap food he has had today, and that happened because i wasnt home from work and
This is not uncommon following new and rich foods and generally will settle down within 3-5days. A probiotic/fiber supplement such as fortiflora alongside a bland diet may help rebalance the gut and monitor closely for any persistent vomiting which may indicate the need for a vet visit and additional treatment
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is having diarrhea from taking cephalexin for a skin infection. Are there any home remedies I can try? Can I give him pro-pectalin tabs?
A veterinary probiotic, FortiFlora, ProStora or ProViable, may help. You can get any one of them from your veterinarian or in the local Petco. A teaspoon or two of plain yogurt along with a bland diet may also help.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How long after switching a new food should I expect stool improvement? My puppy has had diarrhea for 2 weeks, we went to the vet, neg fecal test, she was dewormed and given metronidazole last week. After the meds we still saw no improvements. I was f
Hello. It might take 3-5 days minimum to see if the diet will work. Often, when we suspect a problem is due to a food sensitivity, the food trial is 6-8 weeks. So, it can take time to see if the diarrhea subsides. Just make sure she is drinking plenty of water & not losing weight. Also, make sure you communicate to your vet that the diarrhea did not respond to the metronidazole. She may want to continue testing, switch to another antibiotic or medication. I would also start her on a good probiotic for dogs like Proviable or FortiFlora, both should be available at most pet retailers. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Oli is 9 months now. He's been eating Royal Canin puppy food all his life. I switched him to Pedigree puppy 2 days ago (it's cheaper). But yesterday i noticed bile in his crate, and today he has diarrhea. Is it normal to have this when switching food
Switching foods too quickly can cause digestive upset such as vomiting and diarrhea. It would be best to return to Oli's original food until his stomach settles and then start a gradual change to the new food over a period of 7-9 days, slowly adding in more of the new food over time. This can help minimize stomach upset from the new food as he adjusts.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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