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My German Shepherd has diarrhea. Should I stop feeding wet food?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Female | spayed | 5 years and 11 months old | 80 lbs

Do you have to feed a dog both dry and wet food? I have a German Shepard that gets diarrhea frequently and I want to stop the wet food.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 3rd, 2016

No you don't have to feed both wet and dry food. If the wet food gives Mercy the runs, then simply stop giving it and stick with the dry kibble from now on.
However there is a possibility that the wet food is not to blame for the loose stool, at which point you can try giving her 1-2tsp of canned pumpkin (not the filling) to her food daily to add fiber and help form the stools.
If this still doesn't help then it's best to have her stool examined by your vet.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 22nd, 2020
Hello, sorry to hear about your pup. Make sure she has adequate access to water. You can offer a spooon full of canned raw pumpkin and walk her often today for 20 minutes (5 times or as necessary for her to pass stool). If this doesn’t work, then she may need to have laxitives or even an enema to relieve her, and thus she would need to be evaluated by her veterinarian.

If she is noted to have vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, or abdominal pain, then she should be evaluated sooner. Hope this helps and best of luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 9th, 2017
At her age it may be the food, a virus or even stress. Go back to the food you know she did well on without problems. If it continues then get her checked by your vet. Monitor for any vomiting or no appetite as this may be an indication there is something else going on.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 26th, 2017
If you mean loose, then no that isn't normal. Even with wet canned food the stool should be solid consistency. One commoner cause for loose stool in puppies is intestinal parasites. I would recommend having your vet do a fecal exam to check for these so that she is treated with the appropriate dewormer. Another common cause is dietary indiscretion which means she ate something she shouldn't have. In which case a bland diet of boiled plain chicken and rice or cottage cheese + 1-2 tsp of canned pumpkin may help it return to normal in a few days. However if it doesn't then a vet visit is best for further care. Best wishes with your puppy Daisy and take care.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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