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My dog has loose stools after new food. What home remedies help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Dachshund miniature | Female | spayed | 16 years and 1 month old | 10 lbs

I have a 16 year old mini dachshund who I tried a different food on yesterday. A few hours after she ate it she had loose stools/mild diarrhea and then was fine. This afternoon she had a firm stool followed immediately afterward by dark soft stool.

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on June 18th, 2020

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sadie. A new food can lead to diarrhea and loose stool. I can give you a home remedy for her to see if that helps. Withhold food for 12 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 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. I hope this helps!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on February 13th, 2017
I would give 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 to clear up the loose stools. Then slowly start adding in the new food. That should help her stools return to normal :-)
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on August 14th, 2017
She might have eaten something spoiled that is causing this. withhold food for 12 hours then offer Darby boiled boneless chicken and rice every 6 hours in small portions. if she is eating and not vomiting, continue with this diet for 2 days. After 2 days, you can put her back gradually on her normal food.

If the liquid stools do not resolve, take her to the vet to get treatment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Maria DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 28th, 2017
Ideally I would recommend a prescription bland diet to help with stools. Your veterinarian can either dispense it or write a prescription. If you did not want to do the prescription diet you can try boiled chicken and white rice. After a few days make sure you gradually transition Harper back to her normal food over the course of a few days.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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