Dog Diarrhoea in Dubai: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Vet

What to do if your dog has diarrhoea

If your dog has diarrhoea, but is otherwise bright and well:

• Feed small amounts of low-fat, bland food every 2-3 hours. Good options include chicken, pumpkin, boiled rice, scrambled egg, and white fish.
• Make fresh, cool purified water readily available and encourage small, frequent drinks.
• Keep your dog cool indoors at 22-24°C to prevent additional stress.
• Give a probiotic to improve gut health if diarrhea lasts longer than 24 hours.
• Monitor closely for signs of dehydration, a major risk in hot climates.

The most common causes of diarrhoea in dogs

General causes:

• Dietary Indiscretion: Includes eating something they shouldn’t, sudden changes in diet, overfeeding, and feeding processed human food
• Food intolerances or allergies: Particularly common in French Bulldogs, Labradoodles, and Cockapoos
• Infections: Viruses (parvovirus, distemper), bacteria (salmonella, campylobacter), worms, and microscopic parasites (Giardia)
• Gut blockages: Toys, stones, construction debris (common in developing neighbourhoods)
• Poisoning: Household chemicals, certain human foods, some houseplants, toxic desert plants encountered on outdoor adventures, and adverse reactions to medication
• Other organ diseases: pancreatitis, diabetes, heart disease, Cushing’s, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), kidney disease, and cancer
• Chronic inflammatory gut problems: Inflammatory bowel disease

Concerns in Dubai

• Heat stress and heat stroke: High temperatures affect the balance of bacteria in the gut and impair digestion
• Opportunistic scavenging: More outdoor time during cooler hours gives opportunity for dietary indiscretions
• Swallowing salt water: Salt in seawater pulls water from your dog’s body into the gut, causing explosive diarrhoea. Vets call this ‘osmotic diarrhoea’
• Dehydration: Creates electrolyte (salt) imbalances in the blood, which affect gut function
• Stress: From temperature extremes and lifestyle changes

When to worry about your dog with diarrhoea

Seek emergency veterinary help if your dog:

• Has vomiting and diarrhoea and is looking unwell
• Looks bloated or has a tense, swollen abdomen
• Has significant amounts of blood in their poo
• Shows signs of pain, such as restlessness, hunched up posture, ‘praying position’ (front legs down, rear end up), and whimpering or yelping when picked up or touched
• Has rapid, shallow breathing
• Is dehydrated: signs of this include dry, tacky gums, skin that stays tented when pinched, extreme tiredness, and reduced urination (peeing)
• Has eaten or may have eaten something harmful or poisonous

In Dubai’s climate, also seek immediate care if:

• Diarrhoea occurs alongside other symptoms of heat stroke
• Your dog is a brachycephalic (short-faced) breed struggling in the heat, a puppy under 4 months old or a pregnant female
• Your dog has other health concerns: diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and rapid dehydration is likely

Tips to prevent your dog from having diarrhoea

General prevention:

• Provide a consistent, high-quality diet suited to Dubai’s climate
• Keep up-to-date with vaccinations and worming treatments
• Prevent access to unknown food sources and avoid human food
• Store food properly in cool, dry conditions. Spoilage occurs quickly in hot climates
• Provide durable chew toys like Kongs to discourage scavenging and chewing things they shouldn’t (like sticks and bones)

Dubai-specific prevention:

• Walk during cooler hours (before 10am, after 4pm) and take water bottles
• Care at the beach: Don’t continue to throw toys caked in sand, and limit swimming if your dog swallows a lot of water. Rinse coat and mouth with fresh water frequently
• Choose safe routes: Away from construction sites and stagnant water
• Keep your dog’s indoor environment cool: A consistent temperature reduces stress

What diarrhoea in dogs looks like

A healthy stool is firm and well-shaped. Any changes in texture or colour could indicate a problem.

Consistency ranges:

• Stools vary from pasty to watery
• Slightly soft: maintains shape, but has a softer texture
• Sloppy: loses form but isn’t completely liquid
• Watery: represents severe fluid loss, which is particularly concerning in Dubai’s heat

Warning signs:

• Colour changes: yellow, dark brown, red, or bloody
• Fresh blood streaks mixed with diarrhoea
• Very dark, tarry stools suggest small intestine bleeding
• Mucous and fresh blood indicate large intestinal issues

Behavioural changes:

• Urgency or accidents in the house
• Straining to pass poo
• Passing wind and gurgly tummies
• Vomiting and loss of appetite
• Signs of abdominal pain or “prayer position”

How to treat dogs with diarrhoea at home

Most cases of diarrhoea in dogs are mild and caused by dietary indiscretion. In Dubai’s climate, act quickly to prevent dehydration.

Hydration:

• Offer small, frequent sips of bottled/purified water
• Ice cubes are great for dogs who won’t drink
• A home-made, low-sodium bone broth provides fluids and essential electrolytes in an appealing taste

Cooling:

• Keep indoor temperatures at a consistent 22–24°C.

Diet

Days 1–2:

• Feed small, frequent meals of bland food (boiled chicken/rice, pumpkin, fish, or egg).
• Feed half to three-quarters of the normal daily amount. Prescription diets provide balanced nutrition as well as treating the diarrhoea; preferable to home-prepared food for puppies or vulnerable dogs and for longer durations of use.

Days 3–5:

• Continue a bland diet, gradually increasing quantity as symptoms improve.
• Use probiotics to restore gut health.

Days 6–9:

• Gradually reintroduce normal food by mixing it with the bland diet.

Dubai considerations:

• Feed your dog during cooler periods when possible
• Check for signs of dehydration more frequently than would be needed in cooler climates
• Never withhold water from your dog, even if vomiting occurs

How vets assess and treat diarrhoea in dogs

Your vet will examine your dog thoroughly and may suggest further tests to find out what’s causing the diarrhoea.

Diagnostic tests:

• Fresh stool sample analysis for parasites and bacteria
• Blood tests: Checking hydration, as well as organ function and health
• Imaging: X-rays or ultrasound to rule out a blockage or structural abnormality in the gut
• Specialised tests: Specific blood tests, biopsies, or specialist referral for complex or chronic cases

Treatment options:

• Emergency fluid therapy: Fluids given directly into your dog’s veins for rapid rehydration in severe cases
• Prescription medicines: Targeted antibiotics, anti-nausea, pain relief, anti-inflammatories, gut protectants, and worming medicines
• Prescription diets: Long-term management for sensitive stomachs
• Surgery: For example, removing a foreign body

Are some dogs more at risk of diarrhoea than others?

Certain dogs are more likely to develop diarrhoea due to their age, lifestyle, or health status. Risk factors include:

• Dogs who tend to scavenge or chew things, such as sticks and bedding
• Dogs fed raw diets or processed human food
• Dogs that are unvaccinated or overdue for vaccinations
• Lack of regular worming or parasite prevention
• Dogs taking medications that may irritate the digestive tract: non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), some antibiotics
• Young puppies, older dogs, dogs with other illnesses and weakened immune systems
• Certain breeds: Schnauzers are prone to pancreatitis, Labradoodles and French bulldogs are prone to food intolerances

Worried about your dog’s diarrhoea? Book a check-up or emergency visit today at Modern Vet Hospital in Dubai. Our skilled team can provide rapid diagnostic tests, emergency fluid support and tailored treatments to stabilise your pet.

From mild, short-lived tummy upsets to severe diarrhoea that risks dangerous dehydration, Modern Vet Hospital is your trusted partner for expert, compassionate care in the UAE’s challenging climate.