Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why does my dog have a runny tummy? Is it serious and needs a vet?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Male | 3 months and 5 days old | 7.5 lbs

Why does my dog have a runny tummy

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 1st, 2017

It could be that Zuess ate something rotten, has a GI illness, or a foreign body causing this runny tummy. It could also be that he has intestinal worms or something very serious such as parvovirus. Parvo is a too often fatal infection of young, unvaccinated puppies. Given I don't know his vaccination status and the fact that diarrhea can be very serious in puppies, the best thing to do is have him seen by a vet now. The vet can diagnose what is causing his diarrhea, and how best to treat it. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my dog has vomiting and diarrhoea and won't eat anything is bearly moving about to the point where he is using the bathroom where he is sitting he doesn't seem to be in any kind of pain
Zues needs to see the veterinarian quickly. Weakness to the point of not caring if he is excreting on himself is a sign of serious illness. Just like people, there are many conditions that can make pets feel sick. This could range from a serious infection to intestinal blockage. Also like us, diseases are best addressed early and this may result in a better prognosis. Zeus needs appropriate medical care today. The doctor will need to learn the underlying cause in order to give appropriate treatment. Bring in a stool sample in case the doctor needs to test it. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I came home from an 8 hour work day and my husky is drinking excessive amounts of water, but will not touch his dry food. This is very out of character for him he usually scarfs down his food as soon as we put it in the bowl. The same goes with his t
Hi there! Sorry to hear that Zeus is not feeling well. The clinical signs you describe are concerning when they occur in a puppy as they can be seen with serious gastrointestinal infections such as Parvovirus. Other possibilities include intestinal worms and dietary indiscretion, among other possibilities. The sooner these conditions are treated the better the outcome tends to be. For this reason, I recommend that you have Zeus evaluated by your veterinarian to check for these possibilities and to start therapy based on findings. At the very least they can address dehydration if present and start her on anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea medications. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for your boy!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 3 month old pitbull Zeus has been vomiting all morning. I think it could be something he got ahold of or ate but I'm not sure. His stomach seems a bit caved in too. When should I seek vet help
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Zeus! Since he is so young and has been vomiting all morning I would make an appointment for today. WE do not like babies getting dehydrated and if they can't eat they can get low blood sugar. Causes of vomiting in puppies are: intestinal parasites, viral (especially parvo) and bacterial infections, ate something gross, foreign body causing a blockage, toxin ingestion, reaction to new food/treat/table food, food allergy or intolerance. I wish Zeus a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 3 month old German shepherd in the last 3 days he has not eaten he's vomiting and has diarrhea. He's not active as he used to be. The last vomit was red I believe blood. He hasn't gotten his shots yet not till Monday is our appointment. What
This is an emergency, as your puppy could be suffering from a parvo virus infection or at least a serious gastro-intestinal condition. You will need to take Zeus to a petER now as bloody vomiting is pointing to a life-threatening condition. He will need an exam, blood work, possibly an xray to rule out a foreign body obstruction or an intussuscepted intestine. If he suffers form parvo he will need iv fluids, antibiotics, and pain medicine, and hospitalization.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 2 year old pug has had diarrhea for the past 4 days he is eating and drinking fine and playing too just having diarrhea I don't know if it's because I'm late on his shots or what?
He could just have a tummy bug. Take Zeus off food for about 12 hrs, then feed bland food such as boiled rice with boiled white chicken meat in small quantities over several feeds a day. Do this for a day, then start replacing small quantities of rice with his normal food over the next two days until he is at the normal quantity of his regular food. If the diarrhea does not go away by the end of the third day, or if Zeus is lethargic and dehydrated, you will need to take him to a veterinarian for an exam.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Zeus hasn't ate all day and has hardly drank any water. His belly is also making gurgling sounds. Should I be concerned?
I'm sorry to hear Zeus isn't feeling well. Not eating for a day and not drinking does concern me, and I would have him evaluated by a veterinarian. He could be having GI upset, but with large breed dogs there is a concern for a "bloat" situation, when the stomach actually twists in the abdomen and requires emergency surgery, as it is life threatening. In order to ensure it isn't something serious, or if he needs any treatment to get him feeling better, I would have him seen. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has a sensitive tummy and spits up every day. What can i give him to help with this problem?
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Zeus! If Zeus vomits daily he likely is allergic to his food or has inflammatory bowel disease. I would try first to change his food. The most common allergic protein is chicken. I would buy a food that doesn't contain chicken. Try beef, venison, pork, salmon, duck. You have to give the diet 2-3 months before trying a different one. You can not give him any other foods or treats that aren't made from the protein in his food. We can't prescribe medications because we are unable to examine Zeus. Daily vomiting is a lot and I recommend an exam with your Vet so they can prescribe medications while you start a food trial. I hope this helps and I wish Zeus the very best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
This is the second day in a row my dog has pooped a weird liquidy substance during our walks. It's really watery and has red stuff (looks like slimy blood). He spends the day in the backyard, and I haven't found this kind of thing there, but that jus
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Zeus! Based on your picture Zeus is having diarrhea with blood. The blood indicates inflammation with in the colon. Causes of diarrhea are: intestinal parasites, viral and bacterial infections, dietary indiscretion (ate something gross), food allergy or intolerance. toxin ingestion, pancreatitis. When blood is present it is best to have the pet seen for antibiotics. If he produces a stool with feces in it (not mucous and blood) then try to collect it to have it tested for parasites. You can also change him to a bland diet of boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20 lbs per day. Feed the bland diet until 2 normal stools. I hope this helps and I wish Zeus a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
My dog had loose motions in the morning and just puked his morning food out after eating in after 15 minutes What could be the problem?
There could be a couple of things wrong with Pluto, and unfortunately without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain. He could be suffering from a severe GI illness, eating something rotten, a foreign body, or pancreatitis. It could also be parvovirus if he isn't fully vaccinated. When a dog has both vomiting and diarrhea, it's time to see a vet. I would take him into now so the vet can diagnose what is causing his symptoms so he can be treated. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Zeus our 4 month old Rottweiler has had diarrhea for basically his whole life so far on and off. He has had multiple fecal tests ran, given flagyl 3 times, changed his food slowly the vet said he may have been allergic to chicken because he was havin
Thank you for using Boop by Petco. Poor Zeus, he is a cutie. I would discuss further diagnostics with his veterinarian, such as sending out bloodwork to assess for pancreatic insufficiency, GI malabsorption and general health profile. If fecal samples have not been sent out to a diagnostic lab, that may be a good next step to look for less common parasites. In the case of food allergies, a prescription hypoallergenic food trial is needed to determine if that is causing the issue - which requires weeks of no food other than the restricted diet (no other treats, scraps, etc). Imaging such as abdominal ultrasound may also give more information about Zeus' issues. It may also be worth asking for a referral to an internal medicine specialist. I hope you get answers and a resolution to Zeus' diarrhea soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Supplies Dog Food Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Wet Dog Food Dog Medicine and Prescriptions Prescription Dewormer for Dogs Electrolytes for Dogs Dog Dewormers & Worm Medicine Pumpkin Patch Up! Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Yummers Sensitive Stomach Dog Food PetAlive Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Metoclopramide Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Under the Weather Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Viokase-V Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Tiki Dog Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Puppy Go Potty Lactulose Prescription Dog Digestive Medications Cerenia Prescription Dog Digestive Medications
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored