You can sometimes help a dog’s mild diarrhea at home with a short-term bland diet and gut-supporting foods, but any ongoing, severe, or worrisome symptoms need a vet visit right away.

First: when to call the vet immediately

Do not home-treat — contact a vet or emergency clinic if your dog has any of the following.

  • Very young puppy, senior dog, pregnant, or has other illnesses (kidney, liver, diabetes, etc.).
  • Diarrhea plus vomiting, extreme lethargy, or your dog won’t eat or drink.
  • Blood in the stool (red or black/tarry), or gray/white stools.
  • Signs of dehydration: dry gums, sunken eyes, very sticky saliva, weakness, or not peeing much.
  • Known toxin exposure, recent trash‑raiding, or swallowed foreign object (toy, sock, bones, etc.).
  • Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours in a small dog or 36 hours in a larger dog, even if mild.

If you’re unsure, it is safer to call your vet and ask; diarrhea can become dangerous faster than people expect, especially in small dogs.

What you can give most dogs for mild diarrhea

These options are for a dog that is otherwise bright, drinking, and not showing any red‑flag symptoms. Always introduce gradually and use for a short period (usually 1–3 days) unless your vet advises otherwise.

1. Bland diet (core treatment)

A simple, low‑fat bland diet gives the gut a break and can firm up stools.

Typical options (pick one protein plus the starch):

  • Boiled skinless, boneless chicken or turkey + plain white rice (no seasoning, oil, or butter).
  • Boiled lean ground beef or lean ground turkey + plain white rice for dogs that don’t tolerate chicken.
  • Vet‑formulated “GI” diets (e.g., Hill’s i/d, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal, Purina EN) if your vet has prescribed or recommended them.

General idea for feeding (your vet can give exact amounts):

  • Feed small, frequent meals (for example, 3–4 meals per day instead of 1–2 larger ones).
  • Start with about 25–50% of the normal portion at the first meal and see how your dog responds.

If stool starts to form up over 24–48 hours, you can slowly transition back to the regular diet over a couple of days.

2. Pumpkin (plain, canned)

Plain pumpkin is a classic home remedy for both diarrhea and some constipation because of its fiber.

  • Use 100% plain canned pumpkin (or plain cooked pumpkin), not pumpkin pie filling (too much sugar and spices).
  • Small dogs: usually 1–3 teaspoons per day, split between meals.
  • Larger dogs (over ~50 lb): 1–3 tablespoons per day.

Pumpkin’s soluble fiber helps absorb excess water and support good gut bacteria.

3. Probiotics (dog‑specific)

Probiotics can help restore a healthy gut microbiome and are often recommended by vets.

  • Look for dog‑specific probiotic products such as FortiFlora, Proviable, or similar veterinary brands.
  • Some dogs can also have plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt in tiny amounts (1–2 tablespoons) as a source of probiotics, but dairy can upset some dogs, so go slowly and stop if stools worsen.

Always follow the label dose or your vet’s instructions for any probiotic.

4. Gentle fiber (if your vet okays it)

A bit of extra soluble fiber can help some dogs with diarrhea.

Common options your vet may suggest:

  • Psyllium husk (like unflavored Metamucil powder): small dogs around 1 teaspoon, large dogs up to 3 teaspoons, 1–2 times daily mixed into food.
  • High‑fiber foods like sweet potato, oatmeal, or pumpkin (plain, cooked, no seasoning), in small amounts.

Important safety note: only use unflavored psyllium, and avoid any product that has chocolate or xylitol—xylitol is extremely toxic to dogs.

5. Hydration support

Keeping your dog hydrated is as important as fixing the stool.

  • Offer small, frequent sips of fresh water so they don’t gulp and vomit.
  • Some vets allow unflavored oral electrolyte solutions (like plain Pedialyte or pet‑specific electrolyte fluids) in small amounts, but always confirm with your vet first, especially if your dog has heart or kidney issues.
  • If your dog won’t drink, or seems weak or unsteady, that’s a vet‑now situation.

What you should not give without vet approval

Many human diarrhea medicines are unsafe or even deadly for dogs.

Avoid:

  • Human anti‑diarrheal drugs (loperamide/Imodium, bismuth subsalicylate/Pepto‑Bismol, Kaopectate) without explicit vet instruction; some breeds and some health conditions make these dangerous.
  • Any flavored fiber supplements that may contain xylitol, chocolate, or other sweeteners.
  • Fatty, greasy foods (butter, oil, burger scraps, skin, gravy) “to tempt appetite” — these can trigger or worsen pancreatitis and diarrhea.
  • Sudden diet changes, rich treats, or new chews while the gut is sensitive.

When a vet is involved, they may prescribe anti‑nausea meds, gut protectants, dewormers, or special diets tailored to the cause.

Simple example 24‑hour plan for a mild case

This is a generic illustration only; your vet’s advice should always come first.

  • Hour 0–4:
    • Monitor your dog, remove access to rich treats or table scraps, make sure fresh water is available.
  • Hour 4–8:
    • If your dog is bright and hungry, start small amounts of a bland diet (chicken + rice) in 3–4 tiny meals.
* Optionally add a teaspoon of pumpkin for small dogs or a tablespoon for large dogs, if tolerated.
  • Hour 12–24:
    • Continue bland diet and, if your vet has approved it, a dog‑specific probiotic.
* If diarrhea worsens, your dog seems “off,” or there is blood, call a vet.

If stools improve over the next day, you can slowly mix in more of your dog’s regular food over 2–3 days until they’re fully back on their normal diet.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.