Nobody wants to talk about it, but every dog parent knows it: the dreaded d-word. Yup, diarrhea. It’s messy, stinky, and never fun—for humans or hounds. And according to a new study, some breeds are just more prone to it than others. So, if your fur baby has you reaching for paper towels a little too often, science may now explain why.
A team of researchers led by Dan O’Neill from the Royal Veterinary College in the U.K. just published a stinky scoop in PLOS One. After analyzing vet health records from over 2.25 million dogs in 2019, they found that a whopping one in 12 dogs were diagnosed with acute diarrhea—making it one of the most common canine complaints in the country. That’s about 8.18% of all the pups in the data set.
The Top 6 Tummy-Trouble Breeds
While all dogs can have bathroom blunders, some breeds are repeat offenders when it comes to the runs. According to the study, the breeds with the highest risk of acute diarrhea were:
- Maltese
- Miniature Poodle
- Cavapoo
- German Shepherd
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Cockapoo
Compared to mixed breeds, these six were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with diarrhea. Meanwhile, breeds like Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas seemed to keep their digestive drama to a minimum. Good job, tiny terriers.
Why the Digestive Drama?
So, what gives? Well, it’s complicated. The researchers pointed out that a dog’s diet, exercise habits, and even how often their human takes them to the vet could all influence whether a case of the diarrhea gets diagnosed.
Age also plays a major role. Pups under three and dogs older than nine were both at higher risk. Why? Curious young dogs are prone to gobbling up anything and everything (hello, mystery sidewalk snacks), while seniors might experience digestive issues related to meds or age-related health problems.
The study also noted that diarrhea often came with other symptoms:
- 44% of cases included vomiting
- 28% involved reduced appetite
- 24% of dogs were lethargic
- 29% of all cases were hemorrhagic, aka bloody diarrhea—not something to ignore.
Some dogs can simply experience an upset stomach if their food moves too quickly through the gastrointestinal track, and it can last anywhere from a day to weeks.
Treatment Trends and a Cautionary Tail
Thankfully, most cases were treated successfully. About 80% of dogs didn’t need a second vet visit. Common treatments included:
- Probiotics (59%)
- Special diets (43%)
- Antibiotics (38%)
- Maropitant (an anti-nausea med, 24%)
But the authors raised concerns about the high rate of antibiotic use. Overusing antibiotics can mess with your dog’s gut bacteria and even lead to antibiotic resistance, just as it does in humans. So while it might seem like a quick fix, it’s not always the best call.
Bottom Line
Diarrhea might be a dirty word, but it’s a real part of dog parenting—especially if you own one of the six top-prone breeds. The best way to stay ahead of the mess? Know your dog’s poop patterns, feed them a gut-friendly diet, and always talk to your vet if something seems off.
Because when your pup’s tummy talks, it’s usually best to listen—before it speaks again on your rug.
