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My dog has diarrhea and won't eat for days. Should I force-feed?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund (Miniature Smooth Haired) | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 2 months old | 5 lbs

She has a diarhea for two days now. She's been taking a oral anti-diarhea medicine. Should I force-feed her because she's not eating for three days?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Massimo Orioles, DVM, Cert AVP, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on December 28th, 2019

Hi, and thanks for your question. These signs could be compatible with an inflammation infection of the gastrointestinal system and surrounding organs (like pancreas and liver). The combination between inappetence and diarrhoea is particularly concerning, and a clinical examination at your local veterinarian is immediately essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics and possibly further investigations (like abdominal imaging as ultrasound or radiographs) may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Rebecca, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 6th, 2017

    If she continues to not eat tomorrow I would recommend taking midnight to the vet. Intestinal parasites, dietary indescretion are two common causes for diarrhea. But something tends to be wrong with most labs if they don't want to eat. You can try feeding a bland boiled chicken and rice diet for a day or two if she'll eat that and see if her stools improve. If she still doesn't eat or has vomiting or acts depressed she needs to be seen.

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    Answered By David Darvishian

    Veterinarian

    Published on September 26th, 2017

    Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear that Sweets is having problems. Since the diarrhea has been going on since Sunday (about 48 hours or so) and now she won't eat, it's time to see your veterinarian. Diarrhea can cause a lot of fluid and electrolyte losses leading to dehydration, weakness, and anorexia (not eating). This cycle, once started will continue unless the cause is determined and treatment is started. Diarrhea can be caused by many things including intestinal parasites, dietary problems, dietary indiscretion (eating things dogs should not eat), bacterial overgrowth, infections (bacterial, viral, other), Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, toxin exposure, drugs, problems in other organs outside of the gastrointestinal tract, among many others. Your vet can take a detailed history and do a thorough examination. They can then advise a diagnostic plan to confirm a diagnosis. Fecal/blood/urine tests and x-rays are usually a good starting point. Once a diagnosis is confirmed or suspected, a sound treatment plan can be implemented. Dewormers, fluids, diarrhea medicines, etc can all be used to treat the problem and the associated signs. Good luck with Sweets.

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    Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

    Veterinarian

    Published on May 28th, 2019

    Poor Dayo! Just so you know, there were only two photos. One of Dayo (handsome boy) and one of diarrhea. The diarrhea could be due to many conditions including a change in diet, bacterial over growth, parasites or other even something more sinister. Since the diarrhea has continued beyond 48 hours, I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian. With continued diarrhea, there are often bacterial shifts in the gut that will make matters worse regardless of the initial cause. Make sure to bring in a sample of fresh stool. The doctor will check him for parasites and bacterial over growth and then give appropriate treatment. Many times a bland diet can help. I hope Dayo starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions!

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