Last Updated: 08/09/2026
Best Foods for Dogs with Diarrhoea
Dealing with dog diarrhoea? Our vet-written guide explains the common causes and details the best foods for recovery. Learn about specific diets for sensitive stomachs, pancreatitis, IBD, and food allergies to help your dog feel better, faster.
Author: Dr Michelle Wong BVSc
Reading Time: 4 minutes - short read
My dog has got runny poo, what should I do? In many cases, this could be from a new food introduction and gastrointestinal signs are mild, tending to resolve quickly on its own. If your dog is also vomiting, flat and depressed, or not eating, then it is time to bring them in to see your vet. Ongoing or severe diarrhoea can lead to dehydration which will require fluid therapy. Check that your dog has been up to date with vaccinations and on regular parasitic prevention. Let your vet know if there have been any lapses. While your dog is recovering from gastrointestinal illness, a bland diet is often the best remedy. See also our full guide to nutrition for dogs with health conditions.
What are the symptoms of diarrhoea in dogs?
Signs range from soft stool to loose, watery stool with no shape. Pets can become dehydrated as diarrhoea continues and may also show vomiting or abdominal discomfort, dogs with pancreatitis often hunch due to a painful belly and should be seen at a vet as soon as possible. Milder diarrhoea may be more subtle, with stools still retaining some shape, especially if your dog is still bright and active. Check our poo chart to see if your dog's stools are healthy.
See your vet if you notice:
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Young puppy, or elderly and immunocompromised
- Blood in stools
- Symptoms lasting over 2 days
- Not eating
- Painful abdomen
- Flat and depressed behaviour
What's the best diet for diarrhoea in dogs?
The ideal diet for your dog depends on the cause of their diarrhoea, one diet might suit dietary indiscretion better, another might suit allergies. Each cause is covered below.
New food introduction or dietary indiscretion
Gradual introduction of new food is always recommended and is best for avoiding tummy upsets. Mild, transient upsets may still occur but these should resolve within a few days. Some dogs, the "garbage guts" of the family, will always find a way to sneak something off the BBQ plate or kitchen table. As these pets recover from acute gastrointestinal illness, a bland, highly digestible food provides readily absorbed nutrients with minimal irritation.
Read our article on How to introduce a new food to your pet.
Pancreatitis
Exposure to fatty foods is a common factor in pancreatitis. A low-fat food is often recommended and effective at preventing recurrence. prescription diets formulated for pancreatitis contain around 7% fat with a clear "Low Fat" label, compared to around 17% fat in regular everyday dog food.
For more, see our full guide to low-fat diets for dogs with pancreatitis.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
IBD is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal issues, occurring when there's a hypersensitivity reaction to gut irritation, parasites, bacteria or food sensitivities. Most food allergies develop over months or years of exposure to a particular food. An inflamed gut lining disrupts nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss, diarrhoea and vomiting, so dietary management is often an important part of treatment.
Hypoallergenic diets like Hills Z/D can help avoid allergic reactions and are typically used in food trials to diagnose allergies, these use a hydrolysed protein source, broken into pieces too small to bind allergy receptors. Alternatively, a novel protein diet using a protein your pet hasn't been exposed to (like goat, duck or venison) can be used. Always check with your vet before starting a prescription diet, these should be fed exclusively under veterinary direction.
In clinic, IBD can be very challenging to diagnose as the symptoms can look identical to food sensitivities so patience and persistence with the diagnostic process is very important.
Food allergies and intolerance
Food allergies can be managed with hypoallergenic diets like hydrolysed diets, or a novel protein diet. Novel proteins can be useful since your pet hasn't had the chance to develop a hypersensitivity reaction, many natural and grain-free diets use less common ingredients like venison, kangaroo, duck or goat for this reason. Always check the ingredient list to ensure there's only one single protein source.
For more, see our guide to food allergies in dogs and how to run an elimination diet properly.
Parasites or infectious causes
Regular vaccinations and intestinal worming prevention help prevent infections - make sure your worming covers hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms (Drontal, Paragard and Milbemax. all treat and protect against these). If an infectious cause is suspected, your vet may collect a faecal sample for diagnostic testing; bacterial or viral infections can also be picked up this way, with treatment depending on the specific cause. A nutrient-dense, highly digestible gastrointestinal diet supports recovery.
Other medical conditions
Other causes include reactions to antibiotics or medications, other medical illnesses, and cancer. These typically need different management strategies, and a gastrointestinal diet alone may not resolve the problem.
What about commercial diets?
Commercial or non-prescription foods can help manage mild sensitive stomachs — formulated to be easy on the gut and support healthy gut bacteria, they're a good option for generally healthy dogs prone to tummy upsets.
Think your dog might have a sensitive gut? Learn more in our guide to sensitive stomachs in dogs.
Ultimately, the best food for a dog with diarrhoea is one that targets the underlying cause. While many commercial digestive care diets can soothe a mild upset, chronic conditions like pancreatitis, IBD or food allergies require a specific veterinary diet for effective management. If your dog's symptoms are severe or last more than a couple of days, a trip to the vet is essential, they can provide an accurate diagnosis and ensure your pet gets the precise nutritional support needed to restore a happy, healthy gut.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Mon Sep 7 2026
Edited by Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)Dr Michelle Wong BVSc
Veterinarian
Dr Michelle graduated from the University of Queensland in 2011 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and has worked in small animal practices around South East Queensland. As an owner of three cats, it is not surprising that Dr Michelle holds special interests in feline behaviour and medicine, as well as dermatology and preventative health care. Her favourite part of being a vet is witnessing the special bond between pets and their owners and helping pets live a happy and healthy life.
