My dog has diarrhea — when do I need the vet?
Most dog diarrhea resolves in 24–48 hours with a bland diet. A short list of red flags tells you when to stop waiting.
Tell crittr what's happening
What to watch for
- Frank red blood or black, tarry stool
- Lethargy, refusal to drink, or sunken eyes
- Puppy under 6 months, or any lasting past 48 hours
Common questions
Is this actually an emergency?
Most of the time, no — this category is usually safe to manage at home with monitoring. That said, every critter is different. Run your specifics through the chat above for a read on your pet, not the average.
What symptoms should I watch for?
Three signs worth watching in the next 24–48 hours: Frank red blood or black, tarry stool; Lethargy, refusal to drink, or sunken eyes; Puppy under 6 months, or any lasting past 48 hours. If any of them show up or get worse, move up one tier (home → vet, vet → ER).
Do I need to pay for a vet visit just to ask?
No. Our triage chat is free — it'll tell you whether a vet visit is actually warranted before you spend anything. If you do need a licensed vet, we connect you to one via Vetster or AirVet in minutes, from your phone.
Can crittr fill a prescription for this?
If a licensed vet prescribes meds during or after triage, yes — Rx orders are routed through our licensed pharmacy partner (Chewy Pharmacy). You can also browse our OTC picks directly; we only stock items our vet advisors actually recommend.