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Why does my puppy get diarrhea and soft stools on dog food?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 5 months and 14 days old

My puppy was having diarrhea and soft stools. I started chicken and rice until soft stools ceased. Started bsck dog food and soft stools came back. Went back to chicken and rice and added oatmeal for 1 week after stools ceased. Switched from oatmeal to pumpkin. Started mixing dog food back in and soft/runny stools returned. This is the same dog food he's been on for 3 months. This has been going on for 2 weeks. What should I do? He's about 20 weeks and weighs approx 35 lbs

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on March 15th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! How frustrating! I think that Nova is allergic to the dog food. I would change brands or meat protein. Animals can develop GI or skin allergies to their food at anytime. Be sure that you have had a fecal tested for parasites and he has been dewormed well. Since he is young parasites are high on the list and I still deworm them even if the stool sample is negative. I hope this helps!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 16th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Aira! Sounds like she's been having a tough time. I wonder if the soft stool is part of why she was vomiting in the first place. Or it could be related to trying to get her back on her puppy food. Be sure that Aira has been dewormed and is up to date on her puppy vaccines. Intestinal parasites and viral infections, especially parvo virus are common causes of vomiting and diarrhea in puppies. Other causes are food sensitivities or allergies. I would put her back on the chicken and rice 100% and add in a probiotic like Purina Fortiflora. Once the stools are back to normal, try again mixing in the puppy food. If the vomiting or soft stool returns she may be sensitive to that particular puppy food. If the diarrhea worsens or she starts vomiting again she needs to see your vet, Good luck!

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