What to Do When Older Dogs Have Diarrhea

Written and verified by the vet Eugenio Fernández Suárez

Last update: 27 December, 2022

It’s common for older animals to have problems when going to the bathroom and especially diarrhea. The causes behind diarrhea in older animals are usually somewhat different than those in younger dogs.

This article is only intended to help you deal with mild diarrhea, but you must take your pet to the veterinarian if the diarrhea is accompanied by more serious symptoms, such as vomiting, bloody diarrhea or weight loss.

Diarrhea in older dogs: Why do they get diarrhea?

When it comes to diarrhea in older dogs, it can be acute or chronic. Acute diarrhea, which is sometimes the result of a poor diet, lasts just a few days; on the other hand, chronic diarrhea lasts several weeks and is a chronic process.

When it comes to diarrhea in older dogs, you must bear in mind that these geriatric animals have different nutritional needs than those of younger animals. Many times, changing to quality food that is adapted according to your dog’s age can solve the problem.

On other occasions, having changed your dog’s food can be the cause of their diarrhea, so you should consider how to change your dog’s food to prevent them from getting diarrhea.

As far as diarrhea in older dogs, it’s rarely caused by viral infections. However, parasitic infections — even though they’re less common than they are in puppies — may occur. Therefore, you should get your pet dewormed to prevent this from happening.

Older dogs are’nt usually as anxious as puppies are. However, it’s not uncommon for a dog to eat and drink anything they find during a walk. One way to prevent your dog from getting diarrhea is to keep them from drinking puddles or sniffing trash or other dogs’ feces.

When should you take your dog to the vet?

It may be interesting to use home remedies that are safe for pets, but most diseases are not solved by articles you can find on the internet, but by going to the veterinarian.

If the diarrhea is bloody or very runny, you should go to the veterinary clinic as soon as possible.

Also, the diarrhea may be accompanied by vomiting. In the case that your pet has vomited, it’s important that you take them to the vet. Also, you must take your dog to the vet if they stops eating or seems to have stomach pains.

Home remedies for diarrhea in older dogs

If the diarrhea is mild, your dog should have plenty of water to recover the fluids they have lost. In addition, it may be a good idea to do a one-day fast so that their stomach can recover; however, only do this if you know that they have been eating normally.

There are several things that a dog with diarrhea should eat. Also, you can use the probiotics that they sell in the clinic, or try foods such as natural yogurt or kefir, which naturally contain probiotics, although you must only give them to your dog in limited amounts.

If your dog does not recover within a few days, it may be something more serious than simple indigestion or mild intoxication. Therefore, you must take your dog to the veterinarian imediately.

It’s important that you remember that indigestion or digestive problems can cause diarrhea; however, diarrhea in older dogs can also be the symptom of more serious diseases, like some viruses, bacterial problems or even tumors. For this reason, it’s best not to take diarrhea lightly, and keep an eye on your friend.