Why My Dog Has Diarrhoea at Night Only? (6 Causes, 7 Tips)

Raising a dog generally is a very playful and enjoyable feeling, but sometimes it can prove nerve-wracking.

Dogs are vulnerable to illness and infections as commonly as we humans. Before and beyond any condition, Diarrhoea is something most dogs often suffer with. It is a common canine affliction, and no one can totally prevent it.

And while Diarrhoea is enough havoc-causing condition, night Diarrhoea has troubled pet owners a little more.

Your Puppy may spend an entire day fit, fine, and healthy. However, as soon as the night hour hits the chart of the day, he may start showing Diarrhoea symptoms. And this condition keeps repeating for multiple days. But why? Is having Diarrhoea at night only a concern? What causes night Diarrhoea in dogs? Come, let’s find out.

Why my puppy has Diarrhoea at night only?

It is common for puppies to have Diarrhoea, but it isn’t pleasing (definitely not).

Your Dog may experience Diarrhoea at night only due to several reasons. This health condition may arise due to food intolerance and allergy, recent dietary changes, microbial infection, bowel inflammation, medication, illness, or disease. Or, more commonly, night Diarrhoea in dogs is a result of parasites.

Diarrhoea in dogs at times resolves spontaneously in a few days. However, if the internal infection is acute, it may take days or turn into a bigger and more serious health concern.

Night Diarrhoea can make the suffering canine experience a lot of discomfort and weakness. And besides that, it can hamper sleep quality, which can later give birth to several issues throughout the day.

6 Common Causes of Diarrhoea in Dogs + Prevention

If your dog is suffering from Diarrhoea every night, these could be the common reasons behind it. Have a look:

1) Sudden Dietary Indiscretion

Dietary Indiscretions or diet changes are the most common reason for nighttime Diarrhoea in dogs. For example, maybe you are feeding ingredients that your canine’s liver cannot tolerate. Or, in case you have introduced a new kibble to your canine, chances are he/she is unable to digest it all of a sudden.

The product (food item) may appear safest and healthiest to you, but the sudden change in diet can upset your Dog’s metabolism leading to Diarrhoea.

Since your Dog was eating one similar thing for years, his stomach and the entire digestive system became used to it. Now when something alien went inside, the new set of nutrients played with his system. Even though when those nutrients are individually their best for pets, your Dog may take time to adapt to them.

Prevention:

Dietary Indiscretion is something pet owners can easily control. According to vets, every time you think of introducing a new food item to your canine, do that slowly. Even while you are transiting from puppy food to adult food, do not make sudden changes.

While offering a new nutrient, feed the smallest amount first. Offer it during the first meal of the day so that even if it has some adverse effect, you may notice it before the nighttime.

Though if your Dog can healthily adapt to the new diet, you can gradually increase the amount of food. This is because your Dog’s digestive system will eventually accept the new dietary changes in a healthy way.

2) Microbial Infection and Intestinal Parasites

Microbial Infection and Intestinal Parasites are another reason your dog is suffering from night Diarrhoea or Diarrhoea in general.

It is very common for a dog to develop a parasite infection. For example, your pup may be drinking contaminated water, eating from trash, feeding on contaminated food, etc.

Any of these circumstances can introduce the canine to various disease-causing bacteria and viruses that further lead to infection.

Parasites and infections can create several problems in the canine’s digestive tract. Especially when your Dog drink/ eat something contaminated, he contracts parasites like hookworms, roundworms, giardia, or coccidia. These parasites make your canine’s immune system vulnerable causing nighttime Diarrhoea.

Prevention:

Majorly, keep your Dog from eating or drinking from the trash. Always feed fresh, well-cooked, and non-contaminated food/water only.

Though in case you suspect Diarrhoea due to parasitical infection, then monitor your Dog’s stool for any visible parasite. Later if you find some, make sure you reach a Vet for your pup’s stool test.

The common cure for Diarrhoea due to parasitical infection is deworming medication. It will clean your Dog’s digestive tract and provide relief in a day or two.

2) Illness or disease

If your dog is suffering from Diarrhoea at night only, the reasonable possibility is any underlying illness. For instance, colitis or Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome results in Diarrhoea in dogs. Or, if there is blood in your Dog’s stool, it might be a result of cancer or tumors in the intestinal tract.

Detecting Diarrhoea during the first few days is important and beneficial. It is when instead of being careless, pet parents must focus on the Dog’s stool and other health conditions. They may detect some signs of underlying illness and proceed to cure it before the condition gets worst.

Prevention:

If you suspect Diarrhoea lasts for an extended period, then reach a Vet immediately. Do not avoid it on common conditions but get the tests done.

There is no prevention for an already occurred underlying medical condition, but one can definitely keep it from getting worse.

3) Food Intolerance and Allergy

Like humans, dogs too are intolerant and allergic to several foods and drink items. For example, most dogs are sensitive toward gluten and dairy.

Yes, dairy might come out as a surprising claim, but many canines are lactose intolerant. And if someone feeds them milk or any dairy product, they might start experiencing Diarrhoea, indigestion, and vomiting.

Similarly, many canines are allergic to certain proteins like lamb and chicken. And thus, eating non-veg food makes them suffer from Diarrhoea more commonly.

Prevention:

If your dog is allergic or intolerant to any food product, simply stop including it in their diet. Food intolerance is a real issue, and humans often corner it.

Though instead, the idea is to understand that certain food is not meant for a certain section. Thus, keep your canine away from anything he is intolerant or allergic to.

Also, consider sticking to dog food for your canine’s best health. Dog food, as it sounds, is meant for your Dog. It is specially designed to provide good nutrition to the canine. And since there are various dog food variants available, you have endless options to choose from.

5) Stress & Phobias

More than humans, dogs are emotional. Stress, anxiety, and phobias are something that can make dogs suffer a lot. Their body responds to stress quite easily may be in the form of lethargy, illness, and even Diarrhoea at times.

Stress-related Diarrhoea is common in dogs. Such conditions upset their hormonal balance and lead to a decline in immunity.

Prevention:

Always show plenty of love and care to your Dog. Pay attention to environmental changes and learn about their early life trauma.

If you have adopted a new dog who is constantly showing signs of stress, then chances are he has suffered a lot with his old owner.

Here all you can do is comfort the canine and provide plenty of comforts. Gradually he will start feeling comfortable and loved with you.

6) Medication

Lastly, medications are something that is commonly known for upsetting the tummy. For example, specially dewormers and antibiotics can lead to nighttime Diarrhoea in dogs.

Prevention:

It is common for dogs to experience Diarrhoea due to certain medicines. The effect usually stays for a day or two and then improves on its own. However, if it stays longer, then reach a Vet immediately.

Also, every time before giving any medicine to your Dog, consult the Vet first. Do not rely on over-the-counter drugs blindly since they aren’t safe and suitable for every Dog.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does an Older Dog have Diarrhoea at night?

Senior/ Older dogs have a sensitive gastrointestinal tract. Due to age factors, their digestive system reacts poorly in many circumstances, especially food and environmental changes. That is why it is highly common for an older dog to suffer from Diarrhoea or nighttime Diarrhoea.

Though many times dog Diarrhoea resolves on its own, a few times, treatment is necessary. Besides medical attention, feed a bland diet to the suffering dog. Avoid introducing any major dietary and environmental changes into their lifestyle.

My Dog has Diarrhoea but is acting fine- Is it normal?

Yes, it is normal for a dog to suffer from Diarrhoea but still act fine. Especially when the condition is less intense, the canine will feel fine otherwise throughout the whole day.

However, it is usually during acute Diarrhoea conditions when the canine will start showing signs of weakness and lethargy.

My Dog has Diarrhoea and drinking lots of water- Is it normal?

Yes, it is completely normal for a dog to drink more and more water when suffering from Diarrhoea.

And since the canine may have lost a lot of body fluids due to Diarrhoea, drinking more water is healthy for them.

My Dog keeps getting Diarrhoea every few weeks- What to do?

If your Dog keeps getting Diarrhoea every few weeks, then it may be a sign of some underlying health condition. Instead of just focusing on his recovery, do get some major diagnosis done under a well-known Vet.

Or, if your Dog is getting Diarrhoea every few weeks, then it may happen due to frequent diet/ environmental changes. Pet parents who often travel with their dogs alone may experience a similar issue.

While adopting new food and environmental habits, your Puppy may keep upsetting his digestive system. To overcome this, limit these changes and observe whether it helps or not.

When is dog Diarrhea an emergency?

Dog Diarrhoea is an emergency if,

• If your dog is showing severe signs of weakness, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, or loss of appetite.
• If dehydration accompanies Diarrhoea.
• In case you observe here are parasites or blood in the stool.
• If stools are extremely runny and unstoppable.
• Dog is repeatedly vomiting or passing loose stool.
• If the Dog is unable to urinate but is passing stool continuously.
• If Diarrhoea reoccurs every few days or weeks.

Why does my Puppy have Diarrhoea at night in the crate?

The common reasons why your Puppy is pooping like Diarrhoea in the crate include,

• Internal Parasites.
• Food poisoning or indigestion.
• Intestinal infection.
• Diet changes.

How do I stop my Puppy from having Diarrhea?

• Ensure your Puppy is out of all stress, emotionally happy, and not suffering from any kind of trauma.
• Ensure your Puppy is eating healthy, fresh, and enough. Overeating, crash eating, and other changes in eating habits can upset the tummy quite easily.
• Before switching your Dog’s diet, introduce new food items slowly. Do not change something all of a sudden.
• Allow your Dog to eat only breed suitable food.
• Carry on regular deworming.

• How to Make a Dog Poop Quickly? 5 Effective Ways
• How Long Does It Take For Worms To Leave A Dog?

Wrapping up…

We hope the guide above has cleared all your concerns about Night Diarrhoea in dogs and Diarrhoea in general.

Diarrhoea is common in dogs, and there is nothing to panic about them unless they have blood and are lasting longer. The moment you suspect something serious, make sure you immediately take your canine to a vet.

You can find susceptible things by observing your Dog’s stool and overall health. Look at the warning signs and be cautious before it’s too late to function.