When your dog has diarrhea, is your initial reaction to call the nearest veterinary clinic? You're not alone. Diarrhea and intestinal upset rank within the top five most common conditions that bring dogs to clinics. The reality is that these situations happen to even the most experienced pet owners.

We've put together this guide on home remedies for dog diarrhea from the years we've spent helping pet owners feed their dogs digestion-friendly dog food. When digestive issues arise, proper nutrition plays a big role in both treatment and prevention.

When Home Remedies for Dog Diarrhea Work (And When They Don't)

Most of the causes of dog diarrhea can be pretty straightforward. For instance, your dog may have eaten something hazardous, you changed their food too quickly, or they're anxious about a new thing in the house. But if any of the following sound like your dog's situation, you should seek a vet immediately:

• Your dog's stool has blood in it.
• Your dog has vomited multiple times.
• Your dog won't eat or drink anything.
• Your dog is in pain or really lethargic.
• Your dog has had diarrhea for more than two days.

Bloody diarrhea always requires immediate veterinary attention, as it could indicate serious issues like foreign object ingestion, internal injuries, or severe infections that need professional treatment.

Understanding Dog Poop Colors and What's Normal

We know it sounds gross, but you need to pay close attention to your dog's poops to know what's normal for your dog. Look for the following signs of a healthy poop:

• Your dog's poop should be brown (chocolate-colored).
• Your dog's poop should be log-shaped and easy to pick up.
• Your dog's poop should not be too firm but not too soft.
• Your dog's poop should be free from blood or other unusual substances.

The color of dog poop can tell you different things about your dog's health. This chart by Chewy explains what each poop color means. Green can mean your dog ate an excessive amount of grass, yellow can mean digestive issues or liver problems, and black (the most serious color) can mean intestinal bleeding or parasites.

Understanding the meanings of these different poop colors when your dog has diarrhea can help you determine if you can try home remedies for dog diarrhea or need immediate vet care and dog diarrhea medicine.

Common Causes of Dog Diarrhea

From the numerous conversations we've had with our customers, we've determined that these causes of dog diarrhea are the most common:

• The dog is experiencing “garbage gut” because they raided a trash can, ate some table scraps, or scarfed something gross they found on their walk.
• The dog had their food brand switched too quickly, which caused digestive issues. We always recommend transitioning slowly for 7–10 days.
• The dog is experiencing stress, whether it be a new baby in the house, moving, construction noises, or fireworks. Some dogs just have sensitive stomachs.
• The dog has food sensitivities, meaning that certain proteins or ingredients may not be suitable for them. That's where sensitive-stomach dog foods become really helpful.

Dog Diarrhea Home Remedies That Actually Work

Skip a Meal or Two

It may sound mean to withhold food for 12–24 hours, but it can give their stomach a much-needed break. Always keep clean and fresh water available. Never do this with puppies or senior dogs.

Chicken and Rice

Serving a bland meal can help most dogs. Boil chicken breast and shred it up while cooking plain white rice. Mix two parts chicken to one part rice. Start with 1-2 tablespoons for big dogs and 1 teaspoon for small dogs every few hours. If they are able to keep the meal down, you can increase the serving size.

Plain Pumpkin

Pure plain canned pumpkin can help firm things up. You can add between one and three tablespoons depending on your dog's size. You should, however, make sure it's 100% pumpkin, not pie filling with sugar.

Pro tip: Buy the small cans. Big cans go bad before you use them up.

Probiotic Dog Food and Supplements

Just like humans, good bacteria help restore gut balance. When your dog is feeling up to it, try switching to a probiotic dog food with live cultures.

Dog gut health affects way more than just digestion. We've seen dogs with better coats and energy levels after improving their gut bacteria.

Bone Broth

Plain bone broth (no onions, garlic, salt, etc.) is easy on upset stomachs and can provide needed minerals. That being said, store-bought versions usually have too much sodium. Check the label carefully. And head to a pet store if you can’t find pet-friendly bone broth at the grocery store.

Plain Yogurt

While not all dogs tolerate dairy well, Greek yogurt with live cultures can help some dogs. Start small—1 teaspoon for little dogs, 1 tablespoon for big ones.

Sensitive-Stomach Dog Foods for Long-Term Issues

If your dog has diarrhea regularly, it may just have sensitive digestion. In that case, sensitive-stomach dog foods might be the answer.

Supreme Source dog food doesn't contain corn, wheat, or soy—common triggers for digestive upset. We also include organic seaweed for extra nutrition.

Many of our customers had their dog's recurring stomach issues subside after switching to our recipes. It usually takes about 2–3 weeks to see improvements.

What NOT to Give

You should never give human medicine like Pepto-Bismol or Imodium to your dog without asking your vet first. Some medicines are actually toxic to dogs. If you think dog diarrhea medicine is needed, see your veterinarian, who can prescribe safe, effective treatments.

If you've tried home remedies for dog diarrhea for a couple of days with no improvement, you should seek help from your local veterinarian.

Reminder: You should immediately call the vet if your pet is experiencing any of these diarrhea symptoms:

• Your dog has had diarrhea for more than 48 hours.
• Your dog is vomiting blood.
• Your dog has signs of dehydration.
• Your dog won't eat or drink anything.

Dog Diarrhea Prevention

Making sure your dog has excellent nutrition prevents most digestive problems. We've heard from many Supreme Source customers whose dogs improved after switching to our super-premium, nutritious food.

You should keep your dog's schedule consistent during stressful times, avoid sudden diet changes, and don't let them eat garbage or table scraps.

Most mild diarrhea clears up in 1-2 days with basic home remedies for dog diarrhea. But trust your instincts—if something seems wrong, call your vet.