Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My 45-day-old puppy has diarrhea and is skinny. Is his food bad?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | 9.503 lbs

My puppy is 45 days old . Im feeding him human cerlac . His poop is light yellowish and liquid .but doesnt stink . He faced diarrhea 3 days back. He poops like water pumped out from syringe with out needle.. he is active not weak .plays very well. But became somewhat skinny ,not too much but to some extend. Is it good or bad for my SIMBA(his name

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on July 17th, 2017

Human Cerelac is not an appropriate diet for a growing puppy. He should be fed a puppy milk replacer such as Esbilac or Pet-Lac. The diarrhea may be due to the diet or intestinal parasites (worms). Simba should be examined by a veterinarian. If left untreated, the diarrhea can lead to dehydration which is dangerous in puppies. Submit a stool sample to diagnose intestinal parasites or bacterial overgrowth. Consider a veterinary probiotic to promote gut health. You could also mix in a bit of plain yogurt if a probiotic is not available.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lauren Kennedy, DVM
Veterinarian
This puppy needs to be on a puppy milk replacer, not a human one. He also probably needs to be dewormed. These are two reasons your puppy is underweight. You should be able to get puppy milk replacer at your local pet store or co-op. Also, at this age, your puppy should be old enough to start eating puppy chow. You may need to moisten it with warm water first since heat have trouble chewing. We also recommend at 6 weeks of age to bring your puppy in for his first check up and possibly vaccines. You can further discuss his diet with your vet at this appointment.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Laura Johnson VMD
Veterinarian
Published on July 17th, 2017
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I recommend you see your Vet with Simba. There are many causes for diarrhea in young puppies, they are: intestinal parasites, malabsorptive/maldigestive issues, food sensitivity, intussuception, partial intestinal foreign bodies.

Once the Vet has ruled the above they can provide medications for the diarrhea and discuss if the diet needs to be changed.

Hope this helps and good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on October 26th, 2018
OOps, I did not see that your puppy is so young. Please ignore my previous answer and do the following:
Tobi needs to be wormed with a puppy wormer. He is so small that he will need to be kept warm, ie needs a warm bed to stay in if he wants to.
As for Cerelac, it is not really a good puppy food and you should feed him a good quality complete puppy food for large dogs, 4 times daily. He will also need his first parvo vaccination. Having diarrhea such as you describe can be caused by worms, or an infection, therefore I suggest you take Tobi to a veterinarian for an exam. Do not reduce water intake, as diarrhea causes dehydration.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My puppy has a cold, diarrhea, and licks paws. What's the right diet?

He should be eating a combination of puppy food mixed with a puppy milk replacer, such as Esbilac or Pet Lac, to make a slurry or gruel. Wheat Cerelac is not an appropriate diet for a growing puppy and may be contributing to his diarrhea. As he gets older, decrease the amount of milk replacer until Marshall is eating a high quality puppy food by 8-10 weeks of age. Feed him about 3-4 times daily. Decrease feedings every few months until he is eating twice daily by 1 year of age. Consider a recheck with your vet to diagnose skin infection (bacterial fungal or parasites). An e-collar (cone) can be used to prevent him for chewing or licking excessively. A stool sample should be submitted to diagnose intestinal parasites. If necessary, your vet can administer the dewormer in the office for you but you may need to repeat it in 2-3 weeks. Consider a veterinary probiotic to promote a healthy gut and normal stool. Brands include ProStora, ProViable, Bene-Bac and FortiFlora. Find them online, at the vet clinic or in the local pet store.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My puppy isn't eating or drinking enough. What should I feed him?

It is very concerning that a puppy of Jackie's age isn't eating much food. Cerelac is not an appropriate diet for a dog, he needs a puppy formulated food. Puppies need higher amounts of calcium, calories, and protein than adult dogs, and a puppy formulated food will provide that for him. When he's 12 months old, he will need an adult dog food. I do not recommend feeding him anymore celerac, and put him straight onto a puppy food. Brands I recommend include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, and Iams. As for milk, it causes GI upset in dogs, so only give him water. You can add water to his dry dog food or feed him a canned puppy food to get more water into his diet. Finally, I'd have him seen by a vet for a health check. As I said above, it is concerning that he isn't eating much, and a check with the vet is always recommended. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My sick puppy won't eat. Is human baby food like Cerelac safe?

Please make an appointment to have Star seen by a veterinarian to help determine the cause of her symptoms. In the mean time, you can try boiling boneless skinless chicken in water, shredding the chicken, and feeding Star small amounts of the resulting chicken broth and cooked chicken with some boiled white rice once it has cooled. You can also try offering her cooked extra lean ground beef and boiled potatoes. These bland foods may help settle Star's stomach. I don't recommend the cerelac, as sometimes the flavourings added can upset a dog's stomach. Good luck, and I hope she feels better soon!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My puppy is skinny after diarrhea. How do I help him bulk up?

I wouldn't recommend adding any additional food to help Simba bulk up - you should just increase the amount of puppy food that he gets each day. You could try increasing by about 25% for two weeks and then judge his body condition using this scoring chart to see if he seems like he is an appropriate weight. If your veterinarian recommended a specific diet for his diarrhea that he is still eating you should check with your veterinarian first to make sure it is okay to increase the amount of food offered or if there is something else he should be fed. Since he is feeling better he should gain weight quickly - don't forget to cut back on food again once he seems like he is back to an ideal weight. http://www.mabcr.org/template/upload_files/PuppyBodyCondChart.pdf

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Best food for 5-month puppy with diarrhea and sensitive stomach?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Giacomo. I'm sorry to hear you are having all of these problems with him. About 75% of the time ongoing diarrhea in puppies is related to intestinal parasites or diet. So have your veterinarian ensure he does not have any parasites including giardia. If he is negative and has been properly dewormed, I should start him on a prescription low fat diet that is highly digestible. I use Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets EN as it is safe for use in growing puppies. If this diet does not resolve the diarrhea, he may require a diet for a food allergy such as a hydrolyzed formula. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My puppy is weak, won't eat, and sleeps constantly. What to do?

Simba is underweight for his age and breed. This puppy cereal and curd are not a balanced diet for a puppy, and it will not give him the nutrients he needs to grow properly. In addition, the lack of nutrients will lead him to be weak. He needs to be on a puppy formulated dry food only. Brands I recommend include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina ProPlan, and Iams. Please go out and buy him some puppy food now. I would also take him into a vet right away. I'm quite concerned about his weight, the fact that he won't eat food, and that he's sleeping all the time. He needs veterinary care right away. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

How do I transition my 45-day-old puppy from cerelac to dog food?

You can start now. Buy a high-quality dry food and mix it in the ratio of 1/4 dry food to 3/4 of the cerelac. Feed three times/day. If the dog is tolerating the mixture after a day or so, increase the dog food to 1/2 the total and decrease the cerelac to 1/2 half the total. Then you can give 3/4 dog food to 1/4 cerelac, and finally switch over to the dog food exclusively. I am concerned that the cerelac may not have been giving the dog the nutrients he needs. It is best to get him onto dog food as soon as possible. Watch for signs of excessive weight gain, as the dog food may cause him to put on more weight than the cerleac has. After a few months you can decrease the frequency to twice/day. I am available for consultation if you have questions or need additional help.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share