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Why is my puppy dull with diarrhea after a sudden food change?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I've been giving chicken and rice to my puppy.... As her growth was slow,i changed her food suddenly to purina pro plan! I have 150 grams at night and 150 grams in morning... She's having diarrhea, she's dull... Will she get back to normal?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on December 19th, 2018

Hi there! Sorry to hear that she is not feeling well. The clinical signs you describe are concerning when they occur in a puppy as they can be seen with serious gastrointestinal infections such as Parvovirus. Other possibilities include intestinal worms and dietary indiscretion, among other possibilities. The sooner these conditions are treated the better the outcome tends to be. For this reason, I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian to check for these possibilities and to start therapy based on findings. At the very least they can address dehydration if present and start her on anti-diarrhea medications. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for your girl!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on April 21st, 2017
Given that you changed her food, this could be a likely cause of Dutchess diarrhea. I can give you a home remedy to try to see if that helps. Withhold food for 8-12 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 starts vomiting food, stops drinking water, starts vomiting water, or becomes very lethargic, she will need to see a vet right away.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 4th, 2019
Just hold her off food for about 4-6 hours and then try to feed her again but just the old food. NO cat food. Orijen is very high in protein and is very rich which is not really recommended. It is an expensive fad diet in my opinion. You are better off putting her on a good small to medium breed puppy food like Royal Canin if you want to change diets. You can mix in some of their canned puppy food if you wish in place of the cat food.

( http://www.royalcanin.ca/products/dog-nutrition/growing-puppy )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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