Understanding Digestive Upset in Puppies and Care Tips

For a mild, short-lived upset, a highly digestible, bland diet is the gentlest option. Small, frequent meals of plain boiled chicken (no skin, no seasoning) with plain white rice can be offered for a day or two to help settle the tummy, before gradually transitioning back to their regular puppy food over 7 days. If your puppy has recurring or persistent digestive upset, speak to your vet about a specially formulated highly digestible or gastrointestinal puppy food, which is designed to be easy on the digestive system while still providing complete and balanced nutrition. Avoid offering cow's milk, fatty table scraps, or treats during a tummy upset, as these can make things worse.

Mild diarrhoea in puppies often settles within 24–48 hours, especially if it's caused by a minor dietary change, a new environment, or something they scavenged. However, if diarrhoea lasts longer than 48 hours, contains blood, is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, or a loss of appetite, or if your puppy is very young, it's important to see your vet promptly. Puppies can become dehydrated quickly, so don't wait too long. If the diarrhoea is mild and your puppy is otherwise bright and alert, offer small, frequent meals of a bland, highly digestible diet and ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water.

A sudden change in diet is one of the most common causes of diarrhoea in puppies. A puppy's digestive system needs time to adjust to new ingredients and nutrient levels, and an abrupt switch can upset the balance of bacteria in their gut. To avoid this, always transition to a new food gradually over 7 days — start by mixing a small proportion of the new food into their current diet, then slowly increase the new food and decrease the old each day until the switch is complete. This gives the gut microbiome time to adapt and helps prevent loose stools and tummy upsets.

Occasional, isolated vomiting — such as bringing up a small amount of grass or eating a little too quickly — can be relatively common in puppies and isn't always cause for alarm. However, frequent vomiting, vomiting that persists for more than 24 hours, or vomiting accompanied by diarrhoea, lethargy, a swollen belly, or blood requires a prompt vet visit. Puppies are curious and prone to chewing and swallowing things they shouldn't, so vomiting can sometimes signal that they've eaten something harmful or swallowed a foreign object. When in doubt, it's always best to check with your veterinarian.

Signs of dehydration in puppies include dry, tacky gums, sunken eyes, and skin that loses its elasticity — you can check this by gently pinching the skin at the back of your puppy's neck; if it stays tented rather than springing back immediately, your puppy may be dehydrated. Other signs include lethargy, a faster-than-usual heart rate, and a dry nose. Puppies can become dehydrated quickly, especially with vomiting or diarrhoea, so if you notice any of these signs, contact your vet straight away. Offering small amounts of water frequently can help, but severe dehydration needs veterinary treatment.