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My dog has diarrhea for 24 hours after boarding, what can I feed?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Great Dane | Male | unneutered | 130 lbs

My 4 yr old great dane has had diarrhea for 24 hours. Nothing else is wrong with him. No lethargy, loss of appetite, etc. I have withheld food since he started, but he is clearly hungry. His bowel movements have been runny since he got back from being boarded at the vet for the weekend a week ago. (I thinking maybe stress and the different food, but it's never been this bad.) His brother also had diarrhea the first couple days after getting back, but it has stopped. He just can't seem to stop.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on April 24th, 2017

Poor Yoshi! Diarrhea since being boarded could absolutely be related to the stress of kenneling or diet change, but could also be related to a gastrointestinal virus or parasites. I'm glad to hear that Yoshi is eating and acting normally! You did the right thing by withholding food since the diarrhea started, but since it has been 24 hours, you can try feeding Yoshi a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice. Since he weighs 130 pounds, he should eat 13 cups of a 50:50 chicken and rice mixture per day, but divide this into 3-4 smaller meals. I realize this quantity of food always seems huge, but bear in mind that it contains a lot of water and is not as calorically dense as a dry kibble. Offer this diet for 5-7 days and provided that his diarrhea improves, you can begin gradually transitioning him back to his normal diet over another 5-7 days. If at any point, Yoshi starts vomiting, becomes lethargic, or refuses to eat, he should see his vet. Should his diarrhea continue for another 24-48 hours, he should be examined by his vet to check his hydration and determine if any other causes of his diarrhea seem present. I hope that he's feeling better soon!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I'd forgotten to mention that if you need to kennel Yoshi in the future, try to take his own food with him. Sudden diet changes do have a propensity for causing gastrointestinal upset with vomiting and diarrhea.

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