My dog has diarrhea but is acting fine: what to do about the yard

What counts as diarrhea

VCA defines diarrhea as unformed or loose stools that come in larger amounts or more often than usual. Outdoors it is easy to miss, because there is no mess on the floor to tell you. VCA suggests checking the fur around the back end for staining, especially on long-haired dogs.

The same page adds that some variation in stool consistency is normal in healthy dogs. One soft stool is not the same as a pattern.

Dog pooping water

Watery stool is on the far end of loose. If your dog is passing liquid or semi-liquid stool again and again, treat it the way VCA does: note how often it happens, and watch for the signs in the next section.

This page cannot tell you why it is happening. That is a vet's job, and the cause can differ from dog to dog.

When to call the vet

The advice from VCA is to consult your veterinarian if frequent liquid or semi-liquid stools last more than two days. It says to seek care as soon as possible for severe, bloody diarrhea, or when the dog seems generally ill.

The illness signs VCA lists are weakness, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, loss of appetite and weight loss. VCA also notes that diarrhea is one of the first signs of parvovirus, which can be life-threatening in susceptible dogs, and that a dog with diarrhea can dehydrate quickly. Keep fresh water out.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. A vet should look at a sick dog, and if you are unsure whether to call, call.

Please do not give your dog any medicine or home remedy on the strength of this page. Ask the vet first. We cannot advise on treatment, and what suits one dog can be wrong for another.

Cleaning diarrhea off grass

Liquid waste is harder than solid waste because you cannot lift it. Pick up whatever solid material is there with a bag over your hand or a scoop. Then dilute the spot with water from a hose so it soaks in and does not sit on the surface.

Avoid scrubbing it into the grass. On a lawn, a rinse and a second rinse later in the day usually do more than any product. That is general yard practice, not a veterinary claim.

Keep your dog off the spot until it is rinsed, and keep other pets and kids away too. Dogs sniff and lick, and CDC says to keep children away from areas with dog or cat poop. If the lawn browns afterward, that is a separate issue, covered in our guide on whether dog poop is bad for grass.

If the spot stains or smells, our yard deodorizing and sanitizing page explains that service. A one-time cleanup is $89, with the first cleanup free for new customers.

Cleaning it off turf and concrete

Hard surfaces and artificial turf give you a quicker job. Scoop up solids, then hose the area down so the water flows toward bare soil or grass, not toward a storm drain or the neighbor's side.

Wear gloves and bag everything. Seal the bag before it goes in the trash. A can with a lid is better than one without.

Protect yourself and the family

CDC says dog and cat poop can contain parasites and germs that can be harmful to people. Its advice: remove dog waste from your yard and public places, bag it, and keep children away from areas with dog or cat poop to lower their risk of roundworms and hookworms.

CDC lists cleaning up after pets as a reason to wash your hands. Soap and running water are best. Hand sanitizer works until you can get to a sink. CDC also notes that pets can carry harmful germs even when they look healthy.

Our guide on whether you can get sick from dog poop explains more of this.

What to tell your vet

Write down when it started, how many times it has happened, and what the stool looked like. If you scoop, you see more than anyone. Your vet may ask about food, water and anything the dog could have eaten, so think back over the last day or two.

Take notes on what your dog ate in the past day or two, any new treats or table scraps, and whether the dog got into the trash. Short, plain notes help the vet more than a long story.

If you are away at the vet or busy with a sick dog, piles still add up. A weekly visit from $89 a month keeps the yard from falling behind while you deal with the dog.

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