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Dog has diarrhea for 24 hours, chicken/rice failed. When to worry?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Lhasa Apso | Female | spayed | 13 years and 9 months old | 18.1 lbs

My dog has diarrhea. She developed this 24 hours ago. She was not out other than at the house area and has not eaten anything except normal diet prior to the diarrhea starting. Last night I fed her boiled chicken, rice, and kibble and she ate well and was normal for a number of hours but started the every 2 hour routine. Her nose is moist and shows no pain but has to eliminate herself every 2 hours. The elimination is small and very fluid. She has to have eaten something.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Leigh, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 13th, 2017

Poor Zoey! If you already tried chicken and rice and she is still having diarrhea then she should be examined by a vet for treatment. She may have ingested something that is causing inflammation in her intestines. Your vet can prescribe medications to help stop the diarrhea. If you can't get her to a vet then you could withhold food for 12-18 hours and then try a small amount of chicken and rice and see how she does. Offer plenty of fresh water so she doesn't get dehydrated.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 2nd, 2018

    Diarrhea and throwing up can be caused by a food sensitivity, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, an intestinal blockage, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.  Start all over again by fasting Lola for 24 hours to rest the gut. Then put her on bland food for two days, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or if your dog gets lethargic, she needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.

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    Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

    Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

    Published on November 26th, 2016

    Withholding food for 12 hours, then feeding chicken and rice for the next 2-3 days sounds like a good plan. As long as Yuuki is acting normal, eating and drinking fine, etc., I wouldn't consider this an urgent problem so it should be okay to wait and see how she does through the weekend. if there is no improvement by Monday, or if she develops any other symptoms such as vomiting, acting lethargic, or not wanting to eat, then it would be vet to have her seen by a vet to find out what's wrong. She may also need IV fluids and other supportive care to keep her from becoming dehydrated.

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    Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

    Licensed Veterinary Technician

    Published on October 7th, 2020

    Diarrhea can have many causes (dietary indiscretion, food allergies, infection, intestinal parasites, etc.). If Leo is behaving normally otherwise, you can try withholding all food for 24 hours. This will give his GI tract a much needed rest. Allow small amounts or water or unflavored PediaLyte during this time. Resume feeding a bland diet in small, frequent amounts. Start with 1 tablespoon of the bland diet mix every hour and gradually increase it. Feed bland until the stool is normal before transitioning slowly to his regular diet over the course of 7-10 days. If the diarrhea persists or worsens or if Leo should develop additional symptoms such as lethargy, vomiting, loss of appetite or abdominal pain, then he should be physically examined by your veterinarian. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth.

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