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My pregnant dog has diarrhea days before delivery. Is it normal?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 9 months and 26 days old | 40 lbs
She only has a few days or so left in her pregnancy. For the last couple days she's tried to poo but only ends up leaving behind a small pile of diarrhea (maybe no bigger than a silver dollar size) every time. I don't think any other pregnant dog I've cared for has done this.. is it normal?
4 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on July 27th, 2018
Diarrhea is never 'normal.' In a pregnant dog it could be due to hormones, impending labor, from worms or diet change (most put pregnant dogs on puppy food). I would contact your vet for medications since she is pregnant, start a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice and add in a probiotic like Purina Fortiflora. If Lucy is not fully vaccinated I would worry about viral infections as well.
I wish you and Lucy the best!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 6th, 2019
This can be normal whether she is pregnant or not. I suggest you get her some probiotics and start her on them. If the diarrhea continues for a few more days after starting them then I suggest you get her to your veterinarian for an exam. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth.
6Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 13th, 2019
I sure hope she is not having labor. This is WAY too early. If you are worried, you should have her examined by your vet.
I think the most likely cause of her issues is stress. I suggest you get her this probiotic and start her on it. I would use it a minimum of two weeks but you can use the whole box which is 30 days.
( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Purina-Fortiflora-Canine-Nutritional-Supplement/dp/B001650NNW/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=canine+fortiflora&qid=1560422622&s=gateway&sr=8-5 )
You can also try feeding her a bland diet for a couple days like scrambled eggs, plain rice, plain rice, boiled chicken......no butter, spices or oil.1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jeffrey Milner
Veterinarian
Published on June 6th, 2019
I would not recommend giving any of those products to a pregnant dog. None of those products are labeled for animals, let alone pregnant ones. If you absolutely must, I would use whichever one of those products make the claim of being safest in pregnant human women, which may not be any of them. However, I would strongly advise you find a way to have her seen by a veterinarian instead who might get you some medication that is both safe and effective. You might try taking her to your local humane society for inexpensive vet care. In the meantime, feed a bland diet at home like boiled chicken or hamburger and rice, and picking up a probiotic product like Fortiflora or Advita. Quite honestly, there aren't too many proven safe tools to use in pregnant dogs and the veterinarian may even tell you that she needs to tough it out depending upon severity of symptoms. If severe diarrhea persists for a long time however, dehydration can result. Dehydration in pregnant animals puts the animal at greater risk of consequences than in a non-pregnant animal, and will definitely endanger the lives of the unborn puppies. Hope this makes sense.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful