German Shepherd diarrhea can strike at any time.
Vomiting, stomach distress, and noxious gas are just a few of the issues you’ll run into.
And If you’re not careful, figuring out what to feed a German Shepherd with diarrhea can turn into a difficult and unpleasant situation.
But don’t worry!
By the time you finish reading this article, you’ll discover:
- How to safely treat and stop runny poop using home remedies
- Comforting home care for diarrhea in a German Shepherd
- What foods to feed a German Shepherd with diarrhea to get things under control
Let’s get started right away!
What causes diarrhea in German Shepherds?
The most common causes of diarrhea in German Shepherds are parasites, bacterial infections, drug interactions, stress or anxiety, and dietary problems. German Shepherds, unfortunately, tend to have more issues with diarrhea compared to other breeds. They have sensitive stomachs, longer gut digestion times, and a variety of food intolerances, which contribute to their diarrhea problems.
It’s another problem that seems to affect German Shepherds (along with constipation, stomach sensitivity, and stomach aches).
And getting rid of your German Shepherd’s diarrhea takes a safe, healthy action plan.
Symptoms of Diarrhea in German Shepherds
Abnormal stools in German Shepherds are one of the most common symptoms of diarrhea.
It’s a good indication that your dog is experiencing diarrhea if they typically have firm stools but suddenly starts having softer, runnier, and incredibly foul-smelling feces.
You may observe these diarrhea symptoms in addition to unusual stools:
- Reluctance to eat
- Episodes of vomiting
- Abdominal discomfort
- Watery stools
- Acting depressed or down
All of these red flags should prompt you to act and pay close attention to your German Shepherd.
Common Causes of Diarrhea in German Shepherds
Diarrhea in German Shepherds is a common problem that can be caused by a number of things:
- Dietary issues
- Stress and anxiety
- Medications
- Bacterial infections
- Parasites
Pay attention to the causes because eliminating some of them can save you a lot of time and shorten your dog’s diarrhea problem.
1. Dietary Issues
Dietary issues are a common cause of diarrhea in German Shepherds.
German Shepherds frequently develop diet-related diarrhea for the following reasons:
- Sudden diet change
- Poisonous or moldy food
- A food allergy or, more commonly, a food intolerance
- Overeating or eating too quickly
- Eating something they shouldn’t
Your German Shepherd’s stomach may become upset if you introduce a new food to them suddenly rather than gradually.
Some dogs enjoy rummaging through the trash, which increases their risk of consuming contaminated or moldy food.
This includes old food they might find on their daily walks.
German Shepherds also frequently have a wide range of common food allergies or intolerances to particular ingredients in their diets.
Did you know you can get an at-home pet food intolerance test?
You only need a few strands of your dog’s hair and can send the kit off for testing. (Bonus for my readers: Enter “lovemydog” for a discount at checkout!) 👈🏻
With their gobbler personalities, overeating results in runny poop in addition to gas. Runny poop can be a sign of digestive issues, such as eating too much food or treats too quickly.
Eating something they shouldn’t
German Shepherd puppies frequently wind up with diarrhea when they eat things they shouldn’t.
Typically, this could be:
- the stuffing from a favorite toy
- pieces of plastic from a rubber chew
- anything they put in their mouths!
German Shepherd puppies, particularly prone to eating inedible objects, are the best example of this.
This is why it’s important to constantly watch your puppy or have them in a safe, secure area that’s puppy-proofed (as described in this article).
2. Stress and Anxiety
Despite their intimidating exteriors, German Shepherds are susceptible to the effects of stress, which can show up in a number of ways, including diarrhea.
Moving to a new home, altering the household’s daily schedule, or getting a new pet are all examples of environmental changes that can be stressful and result in diarrhea.
Typical German Shepherd stress indicators include
- Excessive panting and pacing
- Restlessness
- Changes to their appetite (overeating or undereating)
- Changes in their behavior (including increased reactivity or more shyness than usual)
- Physical signs, such as excessive shedding, licking, and biting at their skin
Keep in mind both your routine and your dog’s typical behavior.
You might be surprised to find their bowel patterns react to changes in your lifestyle!
3. Medications
A German Shepherd may experience diarrhea and episodes of runny poop from certain medications that irritate their stomach and intestines.
Some examples of drugs that may result in diarrhea as a side effect
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics can disrupt the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, leading to stomach upset and diarrhea.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These drugs are generally given to relieve pain, such as in the case of arthritis, but can cause stomach irritation.
- Chemotherapy drugs: Chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat cancer are not well-tolerated in some dogs and have side effects, such as diarrhea.
- Antidepressants: Some dogs on antidepressants to help with anxiety and stress issues may experience bouts of runny poop while on the medication.
- Parasiticides: These are medications used to treat worms and other parasites, but they also have side effects on some dogs’ stomachs.
If your German Shepherd exhibits any unusual symptoms while taking medication, call your veterinarian right away.
They may suggest switching to a different drug or adjusting the dosage.
4. Bacterial and Viral Infections
German Shepherds can develop diarrhea from two common infections:
- parvovirus
- salmonella
If your dog consumes contaminated food or drinks dirty water, she could become ill with salmonella. Salmonella levels are higher in stagnant bodies of water, such as ponds and lakes.
These are the same places that many German Shepherds enjoy sipping from and swimming in!
In addition to being extremely contagious in dogs, another virus called parvovirus can be fatal if not treated quickly. For German Shepherd puppies, it poses a particular risk.
Parvovirus is passed from one dog to another through:
- Infected feces
- Contaminated food or water
- Contact with another infected dog
In some circ*mstances, your dog could experience more severe issues from viral and bacterial infections if they don’t get veterinary treatment as quickly as possible.
5. Parasites
Parasites disrupt the normal balance of your dog’s gut microbiome.
These parasites can affect the digestive system and harm the gut lining, resulting in diarrhea, stomach aches, and inflammation.
Some common parasites in German Shepherds are:
- Intestinal worms
- Giardia
Roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms, among other intestinal worms, can cause diarrhea by consuming the dog’s nutrients, leading to undernutrition and irritating the gut lining.
They might also obstruct the intestines, which might result in episodes of runny poop.
Giardia, on the other hand, is a protozoan parasite that attaches to the gut lining and causes irritation and inflammation, which can result in diarrhea.
Your German Shepherd’s diet can get worse from parasites due to:
- The poor absorption of nutrients
- Bad gut bacteria overgrow
Your German Shepherd’s normal diet may need to be changed, and antibiotics or dewormers may be given to help the dog’s gut flora get back into balance.
How to Treat German Shepherd Diarrhea at Home
Treating a German Shepherd’s diarrhea at home can give you both relief and comfort.
As long as your dog is eating and drinking and otherwise seems like their normal self, then treating them at home is generally safe (source).
While there’s tons of health information on the internet to choose from, there are a few common vet-recommended solutions.
Here are the best ways to help care for your German Shepherd with diarrhea and runny poop using home treatments:
- Withhold food for a short time
- Switch to a bland diet and sensitive stomach dog food
- Add probiotics to their diet
- Reduce their stress and anxiety
- Let them rest and recover
Let’s take a closer look at each diarrhea treatment and how to safely use it.
Then I’ll cover how you can help prevent diarrhea in your German Shepherd, as well.
1. Temporarily withhold food.
Withholding food for a short period of time is one of the most recommended treatments for German Shepherd diarrhea.
This allows the digestive system to rest and lets the stomach recover from irritation.
Many dogs will naturally be reluctant to eat when their stomachs are upset, but some will continue to eat almost anything you put in front of them.
Here’s how fasting a German Shepherd works:
- Simply remove all food bowls
- Skip their next usual meal time
- Don’t withhold food for longer than 12 to 24 hours
Never keep a young German Shepherd, an elderly German Shepherd, or a dog with any other illness from eating for more than 12 hours.
These groups of dogs are at a higher risk of complications from withholding food, so it’s best to contact your vet for feeding advice for them.
Hydration is Essential
Don’t withhold water!
Your German Shepherd needs access to clean, fresh water to avoid dehydration while experiencing diarrhea.
To prevent dehydration, provide plenty of water bowls and keep an eye on how much they’re drinking.
2. Give them small, bland meals.
Give them a bland diet to start with after they’ve skipped their regular food for one meal.
This allows their stomachs to gradually adjust to processing food once more.
German Shepherds with diarrhea can be fed simple-to-digest foods like:
- Boiled unseasoned chicken (with all the fat and skin removed)
- Cooked ground turkey (drained of the fat)
- White rice (not long grain or brown rice)
- Peeled, boiled, and unseasoned white potatoes (if white rice isn’t available)
- Canned unseasoned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling!)
Your German Shepherd can be fed a bland diet for up to 3 days.
After 3 days, start gradually weaning them back to their regular food.
What’s a bland diet for a German Shepherd?
A bland diet is an easy-to-digest homemade food that helps German Shepherds with diarrhea by promoting stomach healing and easing the signs of an upset stomach. There are generally two main ingredients: boiled, skinless, boneless chicken and cooked unseasoned white rice. The main objective of feeding your German Shepherd a bland diet is to give them easily absorbed protein and carbohydrates while keeping them away from any ingredients that will worsen their diarrhea.
However, you shouldn’t keep your dog on a homemade, bland diet for longer than necessary without first consulting your veterinarian.
After your German Shepherd starts passing solid feces, you can gradually reintroduce their regular food over the course of a few days by blending small amounts of their regular food with the bland diet food.
You might also need to switch to a different brand of food if any of the ingredients in your dog’s current diet cause an allergy or sensitivity in her.
I’ve had great success using sensitive dog foods for German Shepherds to reduce stomach issues.
3. Add daily probiotics to their diet.
A probiotic supplement may be beneficial for some German Shepherds because it contains healthy bacteria that can balance the gut microbiota and support digestive health.
A good probiotic supplement for dogs should contain a variety of beneficial bacterial strains to aid in your dog’s digestion.
Probiotics for German Shepherds
PetHonesty makes this delicious probiotic for German Shepherds available as chewable, simple-to-take tablets that contain various probiotic strains.My German Shepherd loves them so much she thinks they’re a treat!
There’s also plenty of top-rated products found here: The Best Probiotics for German Shepherds (with special gut health guide)
Benefits of using probiotics for German Shepherd’s diarrhea
Probiotics for German Shepherds with diarrhea benefit from a variety of factors, including an immune system boost and decreased gut inflammation.
Giving probiotic supplements to your German shepherd may also have the following benefits:
- Improved digestion
- Decreased risk of infection
- Reduced allergies
- Increased nutrient absorption
- More balanced gut flora
Probiotics can increase the efficiency of digestion and reduce the risk of an upset stomach in German Shepherds with slow digestion.
Besides probiotics, there are lots of vet-recommended supplements for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs.
4. Reduce their anxiety and stress.
Stress, anxiety, or unsettling changes to a German Shepherd’s routine can also result in diarrhea.
German Shepherds are prone to stomach aches and poop changes when things are tough.
There are a variety of situations that could cause this stress and anxiety:
- Moving and changing residences
- A new addition to the family (pet or child)
- A different or unusual daily routine
Your dog might think negatively about the incident even if you don’t find it upsetting.
It’s important to spot stress symptoms in your German Shepherd and take proactive measures to deal with them.
Consistency is key
It’s best to keep your German Shepherd on a regular schedule to avoid stress-related diarrhea.
Some ways to help reduce stress for your German Shepherd are to:
- Give your dog a safe, cozy environment with a comfortable dog bed
- Enjoying mental stimulation on a regular basis
- Training them at home for bonding and fun
- Play engaging puzzle toys with them to boost their mental health
- Engaging them in daily games to play together
Limit environmental changes.
Keep their anxiety levels low.
Make sure they have lots of opportunities to engage in enjoyable activities with you.
5. Allow them time to rest and heal.
Your German Shepherd should be permitted to rest when having diarrhea.
Refrain from subjecting them to any demanding activities that might wear them out too quickly while they are ill.
Instead:
- Stick to short walks, instead of jogging, running, or biking
- Enjoy indoor activities that stimulate the mind to avoid becoming bored
Let your dog rest
Don’t disturb them if they are sleeping; just let them be.
The family should refrain from loud activities that might wake your dog up and give them time to recover.
To help them get the rest they need to feel better:
- Lower the lights in the room where they are sleeping
- Use a fan or white noise machine
- Leave a calming diffuser plugged in near their sleeping zone
In order to monitor their recovery, you must, above all, keep an eye out for any changes and track them!
Daily Care Plan for German Shepherds With Diarrhea
You should start a daily care schedule as soon as your German Shepherd’s poop isn’t up to par.
This will help you keep an eye on their health.
Morning
- Check your German Shepherd’s stools first thing in the morning for any changes, then take them for a short stroll.
- To help them avoid dehydration, provide them with access to clean water.
- If they’ve fasted, serve a small amount of the bland diet for German Shepherds.
Noon
- To help soothe her digestive system, take your German Shepherd for another leisurely walk.
- Refill the water while providing a small serving of the bland diet.
- Continue keeping track of how many times they go to the bathroom and the consistency of their stool.
Afternoon
- Recheck your German Shepherd’s stool to see if anything has changed.
- Feed another small portion of the bland diet.
- Enjoy a brain puzzle with them to keep them from boredom, if they’re up to it.
- Keep an eye out for any additional symptoms of illness in your German Shepherd, such as lethargy or vomiting.
Evening
- A final, small meal from the bland diet should be given to your German Shepherd.
- Groom them gently after another leisurely stroll to help them relieve stress and use gentle dog shampoo to remove any feces in their fur.
- Before going to bed, make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh water.
- Overnight, keep an eye on your German shepherd and continue to check for any changes in their behavior and bowel movements.
Feel free to adjust the schedule to fit your lifestyle.
When they’re feeling better and you’re reading to wean them back onto regular dog food, take a look at these dog foods for German Shepherd with diarrhea.
Now, let’s look at some of the most popular questions you might have about taking care of your German Shepherd when they have diarrhea.
How long does diarrhea last in German Shepherds?
In German Shepherds, diarrhea lasts for about 24 to 48 hours. However, if untreated or if it persists for more than 48 hours, diarrhea can become a serious medical problem. This is especially true for German Shepherd puppies, senior German Shepherds, or sick or unwell dogs. Diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours in very young or very old dogs can quickly become life-threatening.
Consult your vet for advice on how to handle the problem if diarrhea lasts longer than 2 days, gets worse, or if they start showing other symptoms of illness.
What can I feed a German Shepherd with diarrhea?
Feed a bland diet to a German Shepherd with diarrhea.
This kind of diet not only offers essential nutrients to aid in your dog’s recovery but is also simple to digest and can help firm up loose stools.
When your German Shepherd has diarrhea, feed them a bland diet that includes:
- Boiled, skinless, boneless chicken or ground turkey drained of fat: These proteins are easily digestible and provide essential proteins to help your dog recover.
- White rice (not brown or long grain): Helping to firm up loose stools, your dog may also find rice appealing when they’ve lost their appetite.
- Cooked, peeled, white potatoes: If you don’t have white riche then white potatoes not only give your dog an energy source, but they are easy to digest and provide some vitamins and minerals.
- Canned, unseasoned pumpkin: Pumpkin is a great source of fiber and is usually available year-round in cans. Be sure not to give your dog pumpkin pie filling, as this can make their diarrhea worse.
- Limited Ingredient Diet (LID) or Sensitive Dog Food: Specially formulated dogs foods for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs have fewer allergens to upset your dog’s digestion.
Since you know what to feed your German Shepherd with diarrhea, let’s look at what NOT to give your dog when they’re ill.
When your German Shepherd has diarrhea, don’t feed them:
- Greasy foods
- Raw foods
- Undercooked meat
- Any high-fat or spicy foods.
Furthermore, steer clear of any treats you haven’t previously given to your German Shepherd. New treats or foods might cause diarrhea to last longer or upset their stomach.
Once they feel better only feed healthy treats to your German Shepherd.
A Bland Food Diet for German Shepherds
| Bland Foods | Stomach Benefits |
|---|---|
| Boiled chicken or ground turkey | Proteins that provide essential nutrients |
| Cooked white rice | Easy-to-digest carbohydrate that can help firm up loose stools |
| Cooked, peeled white potatoes | A tasty carbohydrate that provides some important vitamins and minerals if you don’t have white rice |
| Limited Ingredient Diet (LID) or Sensitive Dog Food | Specially formulated ingredients for dogs with sensitive stomachs that are prone to digestive upset |
Bland Diet for German Shepherds With Diarrhea and Runny Stools
You can use this bland diet as a natural home remedy and diarrhea treatment for your German Shepherd.
Always wean your dog back to her regular food to prevent feeding her an unbalanced diet.
Rice bland diet recipe
1 part white rice to 1 part boiled meat (chicken or turkey)
The rice should be white long grain, not minute, brown, or converted rice. The protein needs to have the skin and bones removed.
Add a bit of extra water and cook a little longer to make it soupy, which enhances its absorption in the stomach.
Bland diet feeding instructions
The bland diet should initially be about half the size of your dog’s regular meal.
Then, you can increase the bland diet amounts to the normal amount per meal over a few meals.
The calories and nutrients will differ from their usual diet.
This is a short-term diet that is tasty, simple to digest, and effective at firming stools.
It’s not a complete diet and lacks the proper nutritional ratios for long-term use.
Wean your German Shepherd off the bland diet and back onto her regular diet over the course of three to four days as the symptoms of diarrhea get better.
How much bland diet to feed a German Shepherd
Use these measurements as a guide to feed your GSD a bland diet.
Adjust these amounts based on your dogs’ particular health needs:
- 11 – 20 lbs 3/4 cup every 6 to 8 hours
- 21 – 40 lbs 1 cup every 6 to 8 hours
- 41 – 60 lbs 1 1/2 cups every 6 to 8 hours
- 61 – 80 lbs 2 cups every 6 to 8 hours
- 81 – 100 lbs 2 1/2 cups every 6 to 8 hours
What’s the best dog food for a German Shepherd with diarrhea?
The best dog foods for a German Shepherd with diarrhea are those that are easy to digest, have few ingredients, and don’t aggravate their digestive problems.
Look for dog foods that are low in allergens, made with few ingredients, and high in nutrients.
Here are top choices that are vet-recommended:
- Purina ProPlan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Formula Dog Food
- Hill’s Science Diet Sensitive Stomach and Skin Dog Food
An upset stomach or diarrhea can result from a German Shepherd’s diet having too much fat, dairy, or fiber.
More importantly, the best foods for a German Shepherd’s diarrhea helps to keep them regular, firm their stools, and improve their gut health.
What are the best supplements for my German Shepherd with diarrhea?
The best supplements for a German Shepherd with diarrhea are probiotics and digestive enzymes. Even though diarrhea is one of the most prevalent canine health issues, probiotics might be able to help restore the gut’s bacterial balance.
These products have beneficial bacteria in them that can treat diarrhea and vomiting.
Digestive enzymes are yet another dietary supplement for the health of a German Shepherd’s stomach. These enzymes break down the food in order to encourage healthy digestion and soothe sensitive stomachs.
Take a look at the following stomach supplements for German Shepherds having diarrhea:
- Probiotic: PetHonesty Probiotic
- Digestive enzyme: NaturVet Digestive Enzymes
Some supplements take at least two months to show any noticeable results, so supplements will help with stomach problems right away.
What over-the-counter human medications can I give my German Shepherd for diarrhea?
German Shepherds should only be fed a bland diet during episodes of diarrhea, given lots of water and rest, and closely monitored.
Your German Shepherd should not take over-the-counter drugs designed for humans!
Some medications made for people may exacerbate any stomach problems they may be experiencing, like Pepto-Bismol and Imodium, and other antacids.
Give your dog pet-safe medications only!
German Shepherd Diarrhea Medications: Antidiarrheals
Pet-specific medicines for dog diarrhea can be purchased online.
When your German Shepherd has runny poop, you can safely give him these medications.
This anti-diarrhea product is especially made for dogs
These are the best anti-diaherra medications for German Shepherds that are safe for home use. Follow the directions on the products. Giving more won’t make them get well sooner.
When Should I Contact My Vet?
If your German Shepherd’s diarrhea lasts longer than 24 to 48 hours or gets worse, call your veterinarian right away.Even Cornell University says most cases of diarrhea in dogs are generally mild (source).
Some serious symptoms to watch for:
- Swollen and painful abdomen
- Weakness or lethargy
- Blood in stool or vomit
- Refusal to eat any food
- Signs of dehydration (Sunken dry-looking eyes, dry nose, or dry, sticky gums)
Your German Shepherd may have a painful blockage as a result of ingesting a foreign object, such as a piece of a broken toy if they struggle to pass stools but are only passing small amounts of watery diarrhea. This is a serious condition that requires immediate treatment.
In particular, if your German Shepherd is very young, very old, or has a compromised immune system, diarrhea that occurs multiple times over a brief period, usually in less than 12 hours, could be a sign of an underlying medical problem.
It’s best to seek vet care as soon as possible for German Shepherds in these age groups.
In Summary: Getting Your German Shepherd’s Diarrhea Under Control
It’s not the most enjoyable thing to think about your German Shepherd’s poop and gut.
In fact, it can cause you to feel sick to your stomach too.
But monitoring your dog’s bowels is crucial to their health.
By sticking to a care schedule, you can keep an eye on your sick dog’s symptoms and the condition of their stools. Plus, there are many at-home treatments and preventions for stomach issues.
To recap, here are some home remedies for a German Shepherd’s diarrhea:
- Temporarily withholding their food
- Providing them with a bland diet
- Providing them with a probiotic
- Decreasing their level of stress
- Allowing them space and time to recover
I know poop isn’t a pleasant topic, but when your German Shepherd has diarrhea, the situation feels dire.
Don’t immediately panic!
There are some home remedies to treat and prevent diarrhea in your German Shepherd that you can start right away.
And your vet is always just a phone call away.
Want more help with your German Shepherd’s runny poop problem?
Check out my free bowel tracker and guide below.
Free Diarrhea Tracker and Gut Guide for German Shepherds
Since I know how stressful having a dog with runny poop is I made this for free diarrhea tracker for you and your German Shepherd.
All you have to do is:
- download it
- print it
- start tracking your dog’s bowel health
It’s that easy! 😁
Plus, it’s a great reference to track your dog’s health, stress-related poo problems, and food reactions.
Just download your free German Shepherd potty tracker and gut guide here and work on getting your German Shepherd’s diarrhea under control!
