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My dog has diarrhea and is straining but not pooping. What's next?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 18 lbs

My dog has had diarrhea since yesterday, but now is having the diarrhea sensation without pooping anything put besides a tiny drop of diarrhea. I'm not sure if this is the tale end of it, or if this is a bad sign. What do I do next?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on November 27th, 2016

Poor Javi! It sounds like he is still feeling like he needs to pass feces, but doesn't have anything left to pass at the moment. His diarrhea could have been caused by a GI illness, a foreign body, or eating something rotten. You can try a home remedy first to see if that helps before having to take him into a vet. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on March 28th, 2018

    Poor Gotti. I am so sorry to hear that he is having problems with diarrhea. If he is eating and drinking normally, we will often recommend a bland easily digested diet consisting of ½ cooked white rice and ½ cooked white meat chicken (boiled without any skin or bones). If he does well with a bland diet and his diarrhea resolves, then you can slowly transition back to his normal diet over a few days. Diarrhea that continues for more than a few days, or is associated with blood in the stool, vomiting, lethargy or a poor appetite is a reason for a visit to your veterinarian. There are anti-diarrheal medications that your veterinarian can prescribe and they may also recommend a probiotic to help resolve the diarrhea. I am attaching a couple of links below that might be helpful for you. Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/most-common-causes-of-diarrhea-in-dogs/ Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.co/article/6-things-you-can-do-at-home-if-your-pet-has-diarrhea/ Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that he feels better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 7th, 2018

    Poor Mattis! When a dog has diarrhea, it's common to have a time period where they don't poop at all for a bit. It does sound like from your description that he is still having some problems with diarrhea. As long as he is eating and drinking normally, and showing no other signs, I can give you a home remedy to try to see if that helps him. Withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in his normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, he starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, he will need to see a vet right away. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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