French Bulldog Diarrhea: Causes, Home Care and When to Worry

Are Frenchies prone to diarrhea?

Not more than other dogs, according to the best data available. The Royal Veterinary College compared 2,781 French Bulldogs with 21,850 other dogs in UK veterinary practices. The odds of diarrhea were not significantly different between the groups.^[1]

The same study did find French Bulldogs had about 7.7 times the odds of allergic skin disorder.^[1] In dogs, food allergies can cause both skin and digestive signs, so a Frenchie with ongoing soft stools and itchy skin deserves a closer look at its diet.

Common causes

VCA Animal Hospitals lists these common causes of diarrhea in dogs:^[3]

• Changes in diet or food intolerance^[3]
• Dietary indiscretion: eating garbage or other irritating materials^[3]
• Infections with bacteria, viruses, coccidia or parasites such as worms (hookworms, roundworms, whipworms)^[3]
• Parvovirus, a viral disease that most often affects puppies and unvaccinated adult dogs and causes bloody diarrhea^[2]
• Stress, especially after travel, boarding or other changes in the environment^[3]
• Colitis (inflamed colon): Merck notes these dogs "may strain to defecate and may pass mucus-laden feces, sometimes containing blood."^[2]

VCA adds that diarrhea can also be a sign of a more serious problem, such as food allergies.^[3]

When to see a vet

• Diarrhea lasting more than a day or two
• Your dog is a puppy, a senior, or has other health problems
• Diarrhea comes with vomiting. Merck advises a detailed exam when vomiting is frequent or comes with other signs.^[4]
• Your dog is eating less, losing weight or seems tired
• Soft stools keep coming back

Bring a fresh stool sample to the appointment. It saves time and money.

Emergency signs

• Sudden bloody diarrhea with vomiting. Merck describes hemorrhagic gastroenteritis as "sudden onset of vomiting and bloody diarrhea in formerly healthy dogs," which "can lead to shock caused by dehydration."^[2]
• Black, tarry stools, which can mean bleeding higher in the gut
• Belly pain, which Merck notes can be a sign of a blockage that "requires emergency treatment"^[2]
• Weakness, collapse, pale gums
• An unvaccinated puppy with diarrhea and vomiting (possible parvovirus)

Home care for mild cases

For an adult dog that is bright, eating and drinking, with no other signs:

• Make sure fresh water is always available.
• Ask your vet whether to feed a bland diet for a day or two and how much.
• Do not give human anti-diarrhea medicines unless your vet tells you to. Some are unsafe for dogs.
• Stop treats and chews until stools are normal.
• Return to the normal diet gradually.

Preventing it

• Switch foods over about 7 days, mixing more of the new food each day.
• Keep treats under about 10% of daily calories.
• Do not feed fatty table scraps.
• Keep up with deworming and vaccines.
• Secure trash cans and keep toys that can be chewed into pieces away from your dog.
• If diarrhea keeps coming back, ask your vet about a food trial for allergies.