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My dog has diarrhea for days but seems normal. What can I give her?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | unspayed | 9 lbs

My dog has been having diarrhea for 2 or 3 days. Yesterday I feed her ground beef and rice and she ate it today she is just laying down and drinking and seems to be her normal self and follows me downstairs but she just has the diarrhea

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 16th, 2019

I suggest you get her a probiotic from the pet store. Any one made for dogs is fine. Give it every day for at least 2 weeks.

Also, don't give ground beef, use boiled chicken or turkey instead. Ground beef (even lean) is too fatty. You an also use scrambled eggs and plain pasta. Do not use any butter, oil or spices on the food.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on September 13th, 2017
Hi, thanks for using Petcoach!

You can try a bland diet of either boiled chicken or hamburger with rice. Feed 1 cup per 20lbs per day until 2 days of normal stool. You can also try a probiotic. I like Purina Fortiflora.

Since it has been 5 days it is not wrong to see a Vet, if it doesn't improve with a bland diet I would have her seen no later than Friday. Sometimes dogs need a course of antibiotics to help the diarrhea resolve. Also bring a stool sample with you.

Causes of diarrhea are viral or bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion or food sensitivities.

I hope this helps and good luck!

https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-veterinary-diets/dp/50029
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on February 27th, 2019
Poor Pooch! She could be having a little constipation. You can try to give her 1 teaspoon of canned pumpkin twice a day to see if this helps. If she starts having diarrhea or doesn't have a bowel movement in 24 hours, I would have your vet take another look at her. They will be able to give her something stronger to help her poop. I hope this helps!
4Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Debi Matlack
Veterinary Technician
Published on July 17th, 2015
The antibiotic she has been given may not be as effective as another one might be, she could be recontaminating herself from contact with her own feces or the source of the original infection, or with contact with another animal in her environment that is also infected. I recommend getting her rechecked with your vet and possibly getting a culture and sensitivity done on her feces, to identify the organism responsible for her diarrhea and what antibiotic is most effective.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Sarah Derksen, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 10th, 2018
Hi. It may be some recurring colitis, bacterial overgrowth, or a parasite. If they haven't had a fecal test done, I recommend getting checked for parasites. If that is normal, a fecal culture for the less common parasites, or resistant bacterial infections. The next step would be looking in to food sensitivities, although it would be a bit odd for both pets to develop that simultaneously. Give your veterinarian a call tomorrow to schedule a follow up, and look in to further fecal testing. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Why does my dog have diarrhea on and off for days? What should I do?

These signs could be compatible with a colitis, which is an inflammation of the last part of the intestine, the colon, usually related to dietary indiscretion. As a first approach, I would suggest to start feeding with a bland diet based on boiled chicken and rice in small portion every 6 hours for the following 48hours. Then gradually reintroduce the normal diet over 5 days. A probiotic like pro-kolin can be added to the diet. I would definitely recommend a veterinary check up if the signs persist or you notice vomiting, lethargy or inappetence. 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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Yes, I would keep her on that diet and I would also add in a probiotic like FortiFlora. It must be a probiotic made for dogs even if you can’t get the specific one. I think it is the best. One packet on the food daily and I would do it for at least two weeks no matter when the diarrhea stops.

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Hello. I would recommend starting Finn on a good probiotic, as this is very important for returning the gut bacteria back to normal. FortiFlora is an excellent one & is available at PetCo. I would also start him on some Metamucil, 1/2 tablespoon twice a day. If diarrhea continues, please see your veterinarian as Finn may need either a stronger anti-diarrheal or he may need antibiotics at this point. Continue the chicken & rice ( should be 75% rice & 25% chicken ) for another couple of days. The diluted Pedialyte is an excellent idea. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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If Kiki has mild diarrhea but is acting normal and has a good appetite, she may have ingested something she shouldn't have - puppies explore the world with their mouth, and sometimes they eat things that can upset their GI tracts! You can give her some bland food (white rice and lowfat cooked chicken) and see if it improves in the next day or two. Many mild cases of diarrhea are self-limiting and will resolve with bland food. If, however, the diarrhea is severe, or is accompanied by a decreased appetite or vomiting, or continues more than a couple days, Kiki should be seen by a vet. Diarrhea can be caused by many things including stress, diet changes, and infections, and your vet will be able to help differentiate what's going on and start her on medication if needed. Hope this helps!

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