As a pet parent, you may be worried about why your golden retriever puppy has diarrhea at night. This article will help you better understand the potential causes of diarrhea in your golden retriever puppy and how to manage it effectively.
Diarrhea in golden retriever puppies at night can be caused due to recent dietary changes, stress, food intolerance and allergies, medication, parasites, or an underlying medical condition. You must take them to a vet if diarrhea is accompanied by other symptoms or is recurrent.
Diarrhea in puppies can potentially be fatal if left untreated. This article will explore possible causes of diarrhea in golden retriever puppies at night, how to prevent and treat it, and more.
Table of Contents
What is Diarrhea in Golden Retrievers?
Diarrhea in golden retrievers is a condition characterized by loose or watery stools.
Various factors, including infections, dietary changes, food intolerances or allergies, parasites, stress, and other underlying health conditions, can cause it.
Diarrhea can be acute, meaning it comes on suddenly and lasts for a short period, or chronic, meaning it persists for a longer period.
If your golden retriever is experiencing diarrhea, it is important to monitor their condition closely and seek veterinary care if diarrhea persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or dehydration.
Your veterinarian may recommend a change in diet, medication, or other golden retriever diarrhea treatment options depending on the underlying cause of diarrhea.
Summary: Diarrhea in golden retrievers, characterized by loose or watery stools, can result from infections, dietary changes, allergies, parasites, stress, or other health issues. It can be acute or chronic, and veterinary care is advised if symptoms like vomiting or lethargy accompany it.
What Causes Diarrhea in Golden Retriever Puppies at Night?
If your golden retriever pup has diarrhea, you may wonder, “Are golden retrievers prone to diarrhea?” Diarrhea isn’t specific to any breed. However, the first two weeks of a puppy’s life make them prone to many health risks, which can also include stomach issues, due to poor immunity.
What’s important is to identify the underlying cause of diarrhea and determine the best course of treatment by consulting your vet to prevent the issue from occurring.
Let’s learn about the reasons your golden retriever may have diarrhea at night.
Dietary Changes
One of the common causes of diarrhea in golden retriever puppies is dietary changes.
Sudden changes in a puppy’s diet can disrupt the digestive system and cause diarrhea.
For instance, the pet store ran out of a certain brand dog food that your pup normally eats, and you had to buy and feed them an alternative.
Furthermore, if you abruptly switch your puppy to adult food, it can also cause diarrhea as you didn’t give your pup’s digestive system enough time to adjust to adult food.
Stress
If you find yourself constantly looking up, my dog has diarrhea at night only, one of the reasons could be stress and anxiety.
Adjusting to a new household routine, experiencing separation anxiety, sleeping in a new environment, meeting new people, and exploring new environments can all contribute to stress.
Stress can weaken their immune system and affect their digestive system, leading to diarrhea.
Illness or Disease
Underlying health conditions can also cause diarrhea in puppies. These may include inflammatory bowel disease, viral or bacterial infections, colitis, or cancer or tumor in the intestinal tract.
Medication
Medications like antibiotics or dewormers can cause diarrhea as a side effect. Some antibiotics can cause diarrhea as they cannot differentiate between good and harmful gut bacteria and kill all of them, resulting in weakened immune systems and poor gut health, leading to diarrhea at night.
This may last only a few days, and your vet may already warn you about your pup having diarrhea before you start the medication.
Food Intolerance and Allergies
Some puppies may have food intolerances, sensitivities, or allergies that can cause diarrhea, and this may only become known to you when you introduce new food or brand to them.
However, your golden retriever may also develop food intolerance or allergies to specific ingredients and food over time.
RELATED: What Fruits Can Golden Retrievers Not Eat?
Some dogs may be unable to break down the lactose present in dairy items, which can cause upset stomachs and loose stools. In addition, foods high in grease or saturated fats can also lead to diarrhea.
Sit down and think about any new food or ingredient you introduced to your pup’s diet a few days before diarrhea. This can help you indicate what’s triggering this issue.
Non-Intestinal-Related Issues
Diarrhea may not always be linked with an underlying digestive issue. In some cases, it may be a symptom of non-intestinal-related illnesses or diseases.
The inflammation of the pancreas can also affect your puppy’s digestive system and cause diarrhea. The exact cause of pancreatitis isn’t known but it can be caused after having a fatty meal.
Diarrhea can also occur due to kidney disease as the body may try to get rid of the accumulated toxins through stool. Moreover, diarrhea is one of the symptoms of liver disease in dogs, which may impact their digestion.
Ingestion of Foreign Objects
Golden retriever puppies are curious little creatures that love to explore the world and put everything in their mouths that they shouldn’t.
If left unattended, they often ingest toys, fabric, garbage, plants, and insects. Ingestion of foreign objects can cause digestive problems leading to diarrhea.
RELATED: Why Does My Golden Retriever Eat Grass?
They may also eat spoiled or contaminated food, consume table scraps or human food that is too fatty, pick unsuitable food items from garbage cans, or simply overeat.
When the digestive system is overwhelmed with food or food that is difficult to digest, it can result in diarrhea.
Parasites
Young puppies are more vulnerable to parasites due to their weakened immune system. Contaminated water, soil, feces, or vegetables may cause your puppy to contract intestinal parasites.
Several parasites can affect dogs, including hookworms, roundworms, and coccidia.
Hookworms: Hookworms are small, thin worms that attach themselves to the dog’s intestines. They feed on blood and can cause anemia, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss.
Roundworms: Roundworms are parasites that live inside the intestines of dogs and feed on partly digested food. They can cause diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, and other digestive issues.
Coccidia: Coccidia are tiny-celled parasites that can infect the wall of the intestines of puppies. Among other health problems like weight loss and dehydration, they can also cause diarrhea.
Summary: Diarrhea in golden retriever puppies at night can result from dietary changes, stress, illness, medication side effects, food intolerances, non-intestinal illnesses (like pancreatitis or kidney disease), ingestion of foreign objects, and parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and coccidia.
Is It Normal for Puppies To Have Diarrhea?
It is common for puppies to have occasional bouts of mild diarrhea, especially during the first few months of life, as they adjust to new foods and their immune systems are still developing.
However, if diarrhea persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as vomiting, fever, lethargy, bloody stool, or loss of appetite, it is essential to seek veterinary care immediately.
As for the question, “Why does my dog have diarrhea at night but not during the day?” there can be several reasons for this.
One possibility is that the dog’s diet may be causing digestive issues that are more pronounced at night as they have a final meal before bedtime that they may be allergic to or sensitive to.
They may also have diarrhea during the daytime, but you may not be able to notice it due to daytime busyness or because you don’t see any accidents since they aren’t in the crate during the day.
Additionally, dogs may be more prone to stress and anxiety at night, leading to digestive issues like diarrhea.
Summary: Occasional mild diarrhea is common in puppies due to dietary adjustments and developing immune systems. Persistent diarrhea, especially with symptoms like vomiting or lethargy, requires veterinary attention. Nighttime diarrhea may result from dietary sensitivities or stress, sometimes unnoticed during daytime activities.
My Puppy Has Diarrhea But Is Acting Fine – What Could Be The Reason?
There are many reasons why your puppy could have diarrhea, even if they are still acting fine.
Mild Diarrhea
If your puppy has mild diarrhea, they may still have an average energy level and appetite and appear satisfactory.
This is common when a minor issue, such as dietary changes and intolerance or stress, cause diarrhea.
Early Stage of Illness
In some cases, a puppy may show no symptoms or only mild symptoms in the early stages of a disease or infection.
The symptoms may worsen with time if left undiagnosed and untreated.
Resilience in Puppies
Pups are generally very resilient and may not show obvious signs of illness even when they feel unwell.
However, it’s essential to keep a close eye on your puppy and contact a veterinarian if you have any concerns about their health.
Summary: A puppy with diarrhea but acting fine could be experiencing mild issues like dietary intolerance or stress, or they might be in the early stages of an illness. Puppies are resilient and may not immediately show signs of feeling unwell.
How to Prevent Your Golden Retriever Puppy from Having Diarrhea at Night?
Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, you can take several steps mentioned below to prevent your golden retriever puppy from having diarrhea in the first place.
1. Keep Your Pup Stress-Free
Stress can cause digestive problems in dogs, including diarrhea.
Therefore, creating a calm and comfortable environment for your puppy is vital to prevent stress-related diarrhea.
Consider using a white noise machine or calming music to help soothe them and muffle any noise distractions at night.
If they are sleeping in a new environment, try to make it as familiar and comfortable as possible.
Talking to your vet will also be a great help for your little golden retriever as they will help determine the root cause of stress and share professional tips with you.
2. Get Your Pup Dewormed
Since parasites and worms also cause gastrointestinal issues, getting your pup dewormed regularly can help keep them healthy.
You should consult your vet and ask them to make a schedule to deworm your puppy.
Your vet should thoroughly examine them for parasites at least 2 to 4 times yearly.
You may have to get a blood or stool test to diagnose if there are any parasites or worms in your puppy, which will be advised by your vet.
Keep your house free of pests that carry worms, such as mosquitoes and fleas, by keeping it clean.
The same goes for your puppy. You can talk to your vet about flea control treatments.
3. Offer Smaller, More Frequent Meals
Instead of feeding your puppy large meals, consider offering them smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.
This can help to ease the workload on their digestive system and prevent diarrhea.
4. Make Gradual Changes to Their Diet
Sudden changes in a puppy’s diet can lead to digestive issues, including diarrhea. It is essential to gradually make dietary changes as they transition to adult food and ensure your puppy eats a balanced diet.
We recommend reading this article for practical tips – When Should My Golden Retriever Puppy Switch To Adult Food?
5. Supervise Them at All Times
Puppies are curious and may eat things they shouldn’t, such as plants or other objects that can cause digestive issues.
RELATED: Why Do Golden Retrievers Love Socks?
Supervising your pup at all times can prevent them from eating something that could lead to diarrhea. Whenever you take your puppy out, keep a close eye on them.
Moreover, remove things from their reach that they could chew on and ingest, which can cause health problems.
6. Give Them Probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that keep the gut healthy and even boost the immune system.
According to a 2015 study, probiotic supplementations have been successful in treating IBD, preventing and treating acute gastroenteritis, and preventing allergies.
Although yogurt and kefir contain probiotics, keep in mind that some puppies may be lactose intolerant, so these products may not help with diarrhea.
Recommended Reading: Can Golden Retrievers Drink Milk?
You can easily find dog-specific probiotic supplements on the market to give probiotics to your puppy without giving them dairy.
Make sure you discuss with your veterinarian the appropriate probiotic supplement for your puppy.
7. Discuss Parasite Prevention with Your Vet
Parasites such as fleas and ticks can cause digestive problems in puppies as they can carry worms or bacteria and infect your puppy by getting in their bloodstream.
Discussing parasite prevention with your veterinarian can help prevent these issues from occurring.
Your vet should come up with a plan for regular visits to thoroughly examine your pup for parasites.
You should also avoid feeding raw food to your puppy to keep the risk of parasites at bay.
Wearing a flea and tick collar and even topical medicine may also help.
8. Get Your Pup Vaccinated at the Right Time
Vaccinations can protect your puppy from infectious diseases and prevent them from spreading them to other dogs.
They will need to get the vaccination when they are younger and a booster dose as they grow a bit older.
You need to discuss their vaccination with your vet and follow the recommended vaccination schedule for your puppy.
9. Keep the Garbage Cans Closed
Keep the garbage cans closed as golden retriever puppies also get diarrhea when they pick something from the garbage that is not suitable for their stomach.
Ensure everyone at home follows the same rule and closes the garbage can after each use.
10. Monitor Their Bowel Movement
Monitoring your puppy’s bowel movements can help you detect any digestive issues early on.
Also, check if there’s a sudden change in their bowel movements.
For example, your puppy has suddenly started taking more potty breaks.
In addition, you should watch out for mucus or blood in their stool. If you notice any, collect their stool, get it tested, and consult your vet.
All this can allow you to address the problem before it becomes more severe.
11. Get Medication that Doesn’t Affect the Gastrointestinal Tract
Some medications like antibiotics or oral and topical flea and tick medications can cause diarrhea in puppies.
If your puppy requires medication, discuss options less likely to cause gastrointestinal issues with your veterinarian.
Your vet should also be able to provide some tips to prevent any gastrointestinal upsets in your golden retriever puppy when taking medicine.
Summary: To prevent nighttime diarrhea in golden retriever puppies, maintain a stress-free environment, deworm regularly, offer smaller frequent meals, make gradual diet changes, supervise them, provide probiotics, discuss parasite prevention and vaccinations with a vet, keep garbage cans closed, and monitor bowel movements.
How to Treat Diarrhea in Puppies?
Diarrhea in puppies should be treated promptly.
Otherwise, it can cause dehydration, malnutrition, and other serious health issues.
Rather than trying to treat your puppy at home, you must consult your vet if the diarrhea persists for more than a few hours or if the diarrhea is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like vomiting and lethargy.
They will help you rule out any serious health conditions that can cause diarrhea in your puppy.
Your vet may recommend a bland diet for some time before gradually starting a normal diet to help them recover and relieve some symptoms while they get the necessary nutrition.
AKC shares a bland diet rich in nutrition, such as chicken and rice, shredded chicken, pumpkin, and bone broth.
While your puppy is sick with diarrhea, give them access to clean and fresh water to avoid dehydration. Let them rest in a quiet and comfortable area to recover quickly.
If your golden retriever puppy is diagnosed with a viral or bacterial infection, they may need to be hospitalized.
They may be given IV fluids and antibiotics while they recover.
If they have a parasite, your vet will recommend a treatment plan based on the type of parasite and the severity of the parasitic infection.
Generally, parasites are killed with medications.
However, a more detailed treatment plan may be required in some cases.
Summary: For puppy diarrhea, consult a vet promptly, especially if it’s persistent or accompanied by vomiting or lethargy. Treatment may include a bland diet (like chicken and rice), ensuring hydration, rest, and, if necessary, hospitalization for IV fluids, antibiotics, or specific treatments for parasitic infections.
When Should You Consult Your Vet?
Caring for a pet requires significant time, effort, and responsibility.
Pet parents must ensure that their pets are adequately fed, hydrated, exercised, and cared for physically and mentally.
One of the most common symptoms pet owners should watch out for is diarrhea.
While mild diarrhea may not be a significant cause for concern, persistent or severe diarrhea can indicate a serious underlying medical condition.
For instance, if your dog’s having diarrhea every 2 hours at night, it could be a sign of a severe medical condition that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Your vet may need to run some tests and prescribe medication to help your pet recover.
On the other hand, if you notice your puppy has a soft or watery stool with other symptoms like pain, fever, lethargy, or vomiting, you must take them to your vet quickly.
In the case of a litter of puppies with diarrhea, it is crucial to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Diarrhea can be especially dangerous for young puppies as it can quickly lead to dehydration and death if left unchecked.
Your veterinarian will be able to provide the necessary treatment and advice to help your puppies get diagnosed and recover.
Summary: Consult a vet immediately for persistent, severe, or frequent diarrhea in pets, especially if accompanied by pain, fever, lethargy, or vomiting. For a litter of puppies with diarrhea, immediate veterinary attention is crucial due to the high risk of dehydration and serious health consequences.
What Will a Vet Do for Diarrhea in Puppies?
If your puppy is experiencing diarrhea, the first step is to take them to a veterinarian for an evaluation.
The vet will likely perform a physical exam and may also recommend diagnostic tests such as fecal analysis or blood work to help identify the cause of diarrhea.
The treatment for diarrhea in puppies will depend on the underlying cause.
If diarrhea is due to a bacterial or viral infection, the vet may prescribe medication to address the infection.
In some cases, changes to the puppy’s diet or the addition of probiotics may also be recommended.
Many individuals say my dog has diarrhea but is acting fine.
It’s still essential to take them to the vet. Even if your dog is not showing any discomfort or illness, diarrhea can lead to dehydration and other health issues if left untreated.
Summary: A vet will conduct a physical exam and possibly diagnostic tests like fecal analysis or blood work to determine the cause of diarrhea in puppies. Treatment may include medication for infections, dietary changes, or probiotics.
Conclusion
Diarrhea in golden retriever puppies at nighttime is usually caused by dietary changes, along with stress, medication, parasites, or a serious underlying health condition.
If the diarrhea in your puppy persists, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms like lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, or vomit, you must seek veterinary attention promptly for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Skin parasites can also cause excessive shedding in puppies. You should read this article next for the dos and don’ts – Do Golden Retriever Puppies Shed?