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My 5-week-old puppy has diarrhea and strains. Should I be worried?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Male | unneutered
Hi, I have a 40 day old beagle pup. He's been having loose stools since 3 days and poops 2-4 times a day. He strains while pooping, I have been feeding him Lactol 3-4 times a day. I gave him 2 spoons of yogurt which i think didn't suit him and started watery stools. Should i be worried?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on August 17th, 2018
He is a young guy and I don't like young puppy's to be sick for that many days. I recommend you have him seen by your Vet today before we get deep in to the weekend. I would stop the yogurt since that seemed to have either worsen things or triggered the diarrhea. Most dogs and cats are actually lactose intolerant and dairy products can commonly trigger diarrhea. I would also consider getting him off the lactol. At 5 weeks he should be weaned and on puppy food. I would start mixing the lactol in to canned puppy food and see if that stars to improve his stool. When you take him to the Vet bring a stool sample to check for intestinal parasites.
Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
Published on December 28th, 2016
At 7 weeks old, your puppy doesn't need milk anymore at all - he should be eating a large-breed puppy chow at this point, ideally from a good quality brand like Iams, Purina, or Royal Canin.
If he has runny stool, I would definitely recommend a vet visit to find out why, since puppies this age can get dehydrated very quickly from diarrhea. He may have intestinal parasites, an infection of some kind, or an upset stomach due to all the milk he's been getting. Your vet can do a fecal exam to check for any abnormalities and get him started on medication to treat the diarrhea.1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Dayna, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on December 31st, 2017
Puppies commonly have intestinal parasites that can cause diarrhea. Many of these are microscopic and not visible in the poop. I would encourage you to have her evaluated by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Please take a fresh poop sample with you to your appointment. At this time they will probably start vaccinations as well. Best of luck and I hope she improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Emily, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on November 12th, 2017
At eight weeks of age your puppy should do fine without any puppy milk. In fact sometimes milk, even that meant for puppies, can cause diarrhea. I recommend keeping him on his normal puppy food with access to fresh water at all times. If the diarrhea continues, he has any vomiting, diarrhea has any blood or he continues to get weak he needs to be seen by your veterinarian. Puppies of that age and size can develop low blood sugar if they become dehydrated or stop eating for more than a day. Therefore I recommend keeping a bottle of Karo syrup or corn syrup at home and applying a small amount to his gums if he becomes weak/non responsive and then contacting your veterinarian right away.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful