Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

Why is my dog having diarrhea after new food and swallowed a screw?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Golden Retriever | Female | unspayed | 45 lbs

We have two 6 month old golden retrievers. We have been feeding them Purina smart blend for large breed puppies for the past month with generally good results. Due to supply shortage, we suddenly switched them to purina pro-plan two days ago. They both have had terrible diarrhea since, but one probably much worse, (hard to tell them apart). That wouldn't be so bad except I am quite sure Sasha swollowed a 1 inch sheet rock screw last night. She is happy and lively. When should we panic?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 1st, 2022

When there is a sudden switch in diet, that can cause the terrible diarrhea you are seeing. Feed them 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 their normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, they refuses to eat the bland diet, they starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, they will need to see a vet right away. As for the screw, keep an eye on Sasha a bit more closely over the next few days. If you see blood in her poop, she becomes lethargic, has a loss of appetite, starts vomiting, or has any other concerning signs, have her see a vet immediately. I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, my dog Sasha got into the garbage while we were out and got cooked chicken bones, 2 days ago. We are assuming she ate them, since we can't find them. She has diarrhea, and now it looks a little yellow with mucus. She still has her energy. No p
Diarrhea and throwing up can have many causes. It is basically a problem with the stomach and intestines caused by a food over sensitivity, eating something that does not agree with the dog, intestinal parasites, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc.  I would fast Sasha for 24 hours and 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 her regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or if she gets lethargic, she needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
This morning i noticed my 8 month old puppy had very watery diarrhea it was a yellowish orange. He has no other synptoms, besides that hes normal no sickness or throwing up. We did just change his food without weaning. Could it be just from switching
It is very likely that his diarrhea was caused by the sudden food change. The best thing to do now is the following: Fast Blue for 12 hrs to calm down the gut. Then put Blue on bland food for a day or two, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition to his new food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if he gets lethargic, he needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My German shepherd suddenly started with squirting stools the color yellow roughly 2 and a half weeks ago. We started making chicken and rice and on the third day she got firmed poop that was majority brown but some yellow color. We tried to mix back
It sounds as though you have already tried most home remedies for Sasha's diarrhea. It is encouraging that her stool firms up with a bland chicken and rice diet. If she is eating, drinking, and acting normally, you could try adding a probiotic (such as Fortiflora) into her new diet. I'm glad that you've looked into limited ingredient foods, but if a food allergy is causing her diarrhea, it can take at least 6-8 weeks to see any improvement related to the diet change. If the mudpies persist despite the probiotics and all of your bland diet attempts, a vet visit is in order. Sasha may have a virus, stomach upset from eating unusual food or foreign material, parasites, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), among other conditions. I hope that she's on the mend soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 11-week old puppy had diarrhea last night (5 episodes between about 9 pm last night and 10 am this morning). We tried a half can of a new food two nights ago (still keeping with the same kibble during the breakfast and lunch times) and it seemed t
Poor Lola. I suspect the new food has caused the diarrhea. Feed her 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 her normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, she refuses to eat the bland diet, she starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My 3 month old golden retriever puppy was given a deworming med for tape worms on 12/29. Today he had diarrhea. We also started mixing new dog food with his old food 3 days ago. (3 parts old food and 1 part new food) Could the diarrhea be from the w
Great question! It could be from both honestly. You can see diarrhea after giving a deworming medication, it means the dead worms are moving through the GI tract and it's working. You are doing the right thing by mixing the new dog food with the old, but it could be his body doesn't like the new food. I would try feeding him a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts a couple of times a day for a few days to see if that helps with the diarrhea. Should the diarrhea clear up, then go back to mixing the old food with the new food. If it does not clear up, have him seen by a vet. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hachi have been having diarrhea for a few days but otherwise he is completely normal. He's eating and active. I also changed his dog food to Royal Canin a few days ago. Could this be related? Should I be worried?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Diarrhea can be observed with conditions such as colitis, gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, intestinal parasites, among many other possibilities. This could also be due to the change in food. You may try starting him on a bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice for a few days. If this continues, I recommend that you have Hachi evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They may choose to check for parasites and to start medications for diarrhea depending on the results. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My new mini Australia Shepard, she is 9 weeks. She has had diarrhea the past 3 days. She only threw up 2 times in the past 3 days. Her nose is dry. Sometimes it’s cold and moist. She is eating normally and drinking water. When we first got her she ha
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.  I would fast Daisy for 24 hours and 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.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Food & Nutrition
I just got this new dog its a golden retriever and a pitbull mixed. I have been feeding him pedigree but his poop is loose and water. I am unsure if its the food or if its something else. I want to know what is the best type of dog food to feed him a
If you suddenly switched his food without a gradual changeover, it can definitely cause digestive upset. I would pick up all food and then offer a bland meal of boiled chicken and rice to see if it helps settle his stomach, then try to feed his original diet until you decide on a new food. Products such as Science Diet, Purina, Royal Canin, etc all offer very high-quality foods and focus on a variety of issues such as sensitive stomachs, large breed, etc. When you do switch food, you'll want to switch over a period of 7-9 days, gradually adding in more of the new food each time, to help reduce the chances of digestive upset. if reverting to the old food doesn't help, or the GI upset worsens, a vet check and stool sample are best to rule out common issues such as parasites, allergies, etc that could be causing your pup's distress.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My German Shepherd Sasha seems to be throwing up some kind of white bile and has diarrhea, what seems to be the problem...... Please and thank you
Diarrhea and throwing up can have many causes. It is basically a problem with the stomach and intestines caused by a food over sensitivity, eating something that does not agree with the dog, intestinal parasites, bacterial infection, viral infection, the weather, food change, stress, etc. I would put Sasha on bland food for a day or two, such as boiled white rice and boiled white boneless chicken meat, fed in small quantities over several feeds and then transition back to her regular food slowly over a few days. If this does not clear up the diarrhea or if the vomiting increases, or if she gets lethargic, she needs to see a veterinarian for an exam as there may be something more serious such as an infection going on.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I’m wondering what is wrong with my puppy. She’s 13 weeks and we switched her from grain food to barley and natural food. Her stool is loose, not smelly, and she’s been sleeping. She’s keeping up water intake but her last stool had a mucus membrane i
Rubik's diarrhea could be due to the food switch, especially if you didn't make the switch slowly. Dogs are very sensitive to dietary changes, and if they aren't done slowly, then it can cause GI upset. She could also have intestinal parasites, may have eaten something rotten, or could have a GI illness. Make sure she is up to date on her deworming treatments, and I can give you a home remedy to try to see if that helps. Withhold food for 6 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 her normal diet. If the diarrhea continues on the bland diet, she starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Food Dog Food With Grain Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Dog Health & Wellness Premium Dog Food Wet Dog Food Dry Dog Food Veterinary Diet Dog Food Dog Stool Eating Deterrent Grain Free Dog Food PetAlive Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Solid Gold Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Nutri-Vet Sensitive Stomach Dog Food JustFoodForDogs Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Science Diet Sensitive Stomach Dog Food MedalSeries Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Under the Weather Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Advanced Health Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Rachael Ray Nutrish Sensitive Stomach Dog Food Solid Gold Dog Stool Eating Deterrent
image
Have A Vet Question?

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

Book Now

Sponsored