Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Vet
Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats: Causes, Treatment & When to See a Vet
Diarrhea is one of the most common digestive issues seen in pets. While some cases are mild and short-lived, others can signal infection, irritation, or something more serious. Understanding what diarrhea looks like and when to get veterinary help can make a big difference in your pet’s health and comfort.
What Is Considered Diarrhea in Pets?
Diarrhea refers to stools that are loose, watery, frequent, or urgent. It can range from soft-serve consistency to completely liquid. Occasional loose stool may not be alarming, but persistent diarrhea, changes in stool colour, or diarrhea accompanied by vomiting or lethargy should always be taken seriously.
If your pet is straining, going more often than usual, having accidents at home, or if you notice mucus or blood in the stool, it’s time to monitor closely and consider a veterinary check.
Common Causes of Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats
Cats and dogs often develop diarrhea for similar reasons. Some causes are simple and temporary, while others require prompt veterinary care.
Sudden Dietary Changes
Changing food too quickly, introducing new treats, or feeding table scraps can upset the digestive system and cause diarrhea.
Food Intolerance or Sensitivity
Some pets react poorly to certain proteins, fats, or ingredients. These sensitivities may lead to chronic or recurring diarrhea unless identified and managed.
Infections (Viral, Bacterial, Parasitic)
Viruses, harmful bacteria, or parasites such as worms, tritrichomonas (for cats), Giardia or coccidia can cause diarrhea of varying severity. Puppies and kittens are especially vulnerable.
Stress or Anxiety
Boarding, grooming visits, household changes, new pets, or loud noises can disrupt the gut and trigger diarrhea.
Inflammatory Bowel Conditions
Conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to long-term digestive issues and require medical management.
Foreign Object Ingestion
Eating grass, toys, bones, fabric, or other non-food items may irritate or block the intestines, causing diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain.
Medication Side Effects
Some medications including antibiotics or anti-inflammatories can cause diarrhea as a temporary side effect.
What Diarrhea Looks Like in Dogs and When to Worry
Dog diarrhea can range from soft, shapeless stool to completely watery output. In mild cases, your dog may have diarrhea but be acting fine — still eating, drinking, and behaving normally. While this can happen with simple dietary upsets, ongoing diarrhea still indicates irritation in the gut.
Signs it may be mild
- Loose but not watery stool
- Normal appetite and energy
- No vomiting
- Symptoms lasting less than 24 hours and do not recur intermittently
When to worry
- Diarrhea lasting longer than 24–48 hours
- Blood or black, tarry stool
- Vomiting, fever or lethargy
- Signs of dehydration (sticky gums, sunken eyes)
- Your dog is very young, elderly, or has chronic conditions
- Possible toxin ingestion or swallowed foreign objects
If you are unsure whether it’s safe to monitor at home, it’s always better to check with a vet.
What Diarrhea Looks Like in Cats and When It’s a Concern
Cats often hide illness, so diarrhea is sometimes the first obvious sign of a problem. Even if your cat has diarrhea but seems fine, it can still indicate infection, dietary intolerance or other underlying conditions.
What to look out for
- Watery or soft stools
- More frequent litter box use
- Stool outside the box
- Mucus or streaks of blood
- Grooming excessively around the rear
When to see a vet
- Diarrhea lasting more than a day
- Decreased appetite or vomiting
- Weight loss or lethargy
- Diarrhea in kittens or older cats
- Sudden change after new food or treats
Persistent diarrhea can lead to dehydration and, over time, reduced appetite, which may cause a rapid decline in a cat’s overall condition if left untreated.
What to Feed When Your Pet Has Diarrhea
A temporary bland diet can help rest the digestive system in mild cases. These suggestions are supportive only, not a replacement for veterinary care.
What to Feed a Dog With Diarrhea
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Boiled skinless chicken with plain white rice (not to be fed long term as it is not nutritionally complete)
-
Plain cooked pumpkin
-
Veterinary-approved gastrointestinal diets
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Plenty of water to prevent dehydration
Avoid raw food, dairy, fatty meats, or human medication.
What to Feed a Cat With Diarrhea
- Easily digestible veterinary GI diets
- Small, frequent meals
- Wet food for hydration
Avoid milk, table scraps, and sudden diet switches. If diarrhea doesn’t improve within 24–48 hours, seek veterinary care.
When to See a Vet
Book an appointment promptly if your dog or cat has:
- Diarrhea lasting more than one day
- Blood in the stool
- Vomiting alongside diarrhea
- Loss of appetite or energy
- Signs of dehydration
- A known ingestion of toxins or foreign objects
- Diarrhea in a puppy, kitten, or senior pet
Early treatment prevents complications and keeps your pet more comfortable.
How Amber Vet Diagnoses Diarrhea in Pets
At Amber Vet, we use thorough diagnostics to identify the exact cause of diarrhea so treatment is targeted and effective. These may include:
- Stool analysis for parasites, bacteria and abnormalities
- Blood tests to assess infection, organ function or inflammation
- Diagnostic imaging (X-ray or ultrasound)
- Dietary and allergy evaluations
- Screening for chronic conditions such as IBD or pancreatitis
- Endoscopy to directly visualise the gastrointestinal tract and obtain biopsies in chronic or complex cases
This comprehensive approach allows us to pinpoint the problem quickly and accurately.
Treatment Options at Amber Vet
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and your pet’s overall health. At Amber Vet, care may include:
- Hydration and electrolyte support
- Medications to reduce inflammation, control infection or ease gut irritation
- Deworming or parasite treatment
- Specialised gastrointestinal diets
- Treatment of underlying conditions such as pancreatitis, allergies or IBD
- Follow-up monitoring to ensure recovery
Our goal is to restore your pet’s comfort safely and effectively while preventing recurrence.
Diarrhea Treatment at Amber Vet in Singapore
At Amber Vet, we’re more than a veterinary clinic — we’re a full-service pet health centre in Singapore, equipped with advanced diagnostics to accurately assess and treat diarrhea in dogs and cats. Our experienced veterinarians perform thorough examinations and targeted tests to identify the underlying cause, provide effective treatment, and support your pet’s recovery. With our compassionate care, you can trust Amber Vet to relieve your pet’s discomfort and restore healthy digestion safely and effectively.
Why Choose Amber Vet for Your Pet’s Care?
A Dedicated Area For Dogs & Cat
Our clinic offers dedicated separate areas for dogs and cats, located adjacent to each other but fully separated to ensure comfort for all animals and their owners. This setup provides a peaceful, stress-free environment where pets can receive the care they need without the presence of other animals.
Care for All Pets
We provide expert care for all pets, from cats and dogs to pocket animals. Our compassionate team is dedicated to ensuring the health and well-being of your feline, canine, or companion with specialized care tailored to their unique needs.
Modern Equipment
Our clinic is equipped with advanced technology that allows us to offer a broader range of diagnostic and treatment options, ensuring we can provide the most accurate care for your pet’s needs.
A Vet Clinic Near You - Located in the East Coast
Caring for Pets, Loved by Owners

With a leap of faith, we travelled from Tampines to the Bedok clinic, and the journey was truly worth it. Dr Alicia and the staff were very attentive and kind towards our community cat. Dr Alicia addressed our concerns professionally and patiently, and even provided a detailed follow-up report after the visit. This helped identify conditions that were previously missed.
Although our dear Princess is a stray cat, we could genuinely feel the care and attention given to her condition. We also deeply appreciate the continued follow-up via WhatsApp to check on her progress.🌿
Dr Sharon is incredibly patient and actually listens, asking questions going beyond the usual, and taking all the tests from other clinics into account that led to her suspicion that a tooth was pushing on our cat Duxtons sinus cavity.
It was a gamble without x-rays to confirm but we agreed to treatment over a few weeks which included boosting his vaccinations and having a full blood panel and x-rays the morning of his surgery.
The day of the surgery I was beside myself with worry but the exceptional team were always at the other end of WhatsApp to reassure me. He had quite a rough time at home recovering after having 3 of his canines removed, but again, they were so communicative and genuinely helpful on WhatsApp.
The improvement is clear, and all the anxiety and money was worth it.
We also take our other cat Chippy who became extremely reactive at the vet for the first time (he’s adopted so not much is known about his history) so much so I feared the nurses were going to get hurt! But they simply shrugged it off and prescribed us some medicine to help him with the anxiety when we came back for his annual vaccinations, which went smoothly 😅
We always find Amber Vet a clean, quiet and calm environment who, as best as possible, stick to your actual appointment time which is important if your cats hate waiting. They do not over crowd or cram back to back consultations.
Everyone we’ve met there is wonderful and so friendly, a special thank you to of course Dr Sharon and Naomi.
Dr Loon was my attending vet, and despite my pet's many ailments, under Dr Loon's meticulous care, he lived to a very good age of 17. Milou's final moments was also at Amber, and I would personally like to thank Dr Suria, Melissa, and the other nurses who went out of their way to make him comfortable at the end. Everything was handled with so much sensitivity and love and I would like to extend my most heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to the whole team.
I recently brought my new kitten there for vaccinations, and he was handled by Dr Sharon. She is very detailed and careful, and even for a routine procedure like kitten vax, they will send a follow up message the next day to check in on the pet's condition.
I will always recommend Amber Vet for anyone looking for a trusted and compassionate veterinary clinic.
To me, what sets Dr. Loon apart is his meticulous attention to detail. Despite Honey having seen several different vets throughout her puppyhood, it was only Dr. Loon who detected her heart murmur. His ability to catch what others missed speaks volumes about his expertise.
I truly believe Dr. Loon is one of Singapore's premier practitioners, armed with more than a decade of experience and a perfectionistic tendency - trust that your furry family member will be in good hands at Amber.
Honey says thanks for helping her live her happiest, healthiest life!
Throughout the years, Amber Vet has provided consistent, high-quality care —from routine checkups and preventive treatments to moments of urgent need. Their compassion, professionalism, and dedication have never wavered.
Over the past two years Casper was diagnosed with nasal cancer, a journey that has been emotionally and medically challenging. Throughout this time, Dr. Loon and Dr. Elise have shown exceptional medical expertise, thoughtful treatment planning, and compassion. They have walked closely with me every step of the way—patiently explaining options, adjusting care as needed.
The support staff is equally impressive —friendly, organised and always ready to lend a hand.
What stands out most about Amber Vet is not just their clinical excellence, but the genuine kindness and empathy shown by everyone on their team.
More importantly, I know that Casper receives care that is both medically sound and emotionally attuned.
I am deeply grateful for the years of care Amber Vet has provided and continue to provide. I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking outstanding veterinary support from professionals who truly care.
We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Elise for the exceptional care and expertise she has given to our cat, Tigi. Since she was 6 months old, Tigi had been suffering from recurring bacterial and yeast infections in her ears. She was constantly scratching, which led to torn skin and the need to wear a cone for extended periods. Over time, her condition worsened—she developed crusty eyes and experienced increasing discomfort. Despite seeing multiple vets over seven months and making various dietary changes, we were unable to find the root cause of her issues.
That changed when we came across Dr. Elise, a feline specialist who visits Singapore quarterly. From the start, Dr. Elise took a thorough and compassionate approach. She performed an endoscopy and was the first to diagnose Tigi with Proliferative and Necrotizing Otitis Externa (PNOE)—a rare, immune-mediated skin disease affecting the ears, linked to an overactive immune response.
For the past year and a half, Dr. Elise has overseen Tigi’s care, monitoring her progress closely. Even when she's abroad, she stays in touch through regular updates from Amber Vet. Under her guidance, Tigi has made remarkable improvement, and her medication has now been successfully tapered down to alternate days.
Dr. Elise's deep knowledge, dedication, and compassion have truly transformed Tigi’s life. We are so thankful for everything she has done. She is a truly remarkable and rare kind of veterinarian.
The keyhole spay was a total game changer — the recovery was so much quicker and she was so active and normal immediately lost-surgery. Best of all, there’s no visible scar at all once the tiny wounds healed!
We also did a dental procedure at the same time so she wouldn’t need to be under anaesthesia again later. I was really impressed that they use dental x-rays just like at a human dentist. They were able to identify a tooth that looked completely normal on the outside but was actually starting to crack under the gumline causing her discomfort — something we’d never have known without the x-ray.
Huge thanks to Dr. Loon and the team for their excellent care and expertise. Highly recommend!
I didn’t specify any doctor but was so lucky to be assigned to Dr. Sharon Choy and team — Dr Choy was incredibly gentle, patient, and unbelievably sweet with Salmon. You could just feel how much she cared.
The entire team of receptionist and vet techs were absolute angels too — kind, thoughtful, genuinely sweet, and really went beyond to make Salmon feel safe and loved. They even came out after the appointment just to say goodbye and give her cuddles! It completely melted my heart.
Everything from the diagnosis to the communication was clear and professional. They even followed up post-visit to check in on how Salmon was recovering, which I found so thoughtful and rare these days.
As for pricing, it’s hard to compare exact market rates, but I was pleasantly surprised. The charges all itemized, transparent, and fair considering the number of tests and services included. Honestly, it’s worth every cent for the level of care they provide.
I’m just really, really grateful to have stumbled upon this clinic. They turned what could be a stressful visit into something genuinely heartwarming. Everything felt thorough, yet comforting.
Would absolutely recommend Amber Vet to anyone looking for compassionate, professional Vet care.
Thank you to the whole team for making Salmon’s first vet experience such a positive and loving one. You’ve definitely gained a loyal client.
For paw-rents unsure of putting your fur babies under general anaesthetic for dental or ear work, my experience has been positive and I can highly recommend Dr Loon and Amber Vet for this!
Meng
May 2025
Dr Sharon and the team are always super friendly and the 2 pups are always excited to see them and have little concerns for the nail clippings (which has always been an issue for these sensitive souls)
It’s the only clinic where my furkid actually feels at ease. He never gets anxious here, which says a lot! The staff are incredibly friendly, kind, and meticulous. Special shoutout to Dr Sharon and her amaaazing team, especially Melissa, Naomi and Hao Yang, who are always warm, bubbly, and so passionate about what they do. They consistently go the extra mile, sending thoughtful follow-ups and detailed notes that really help put me at ease.
The team is also super responsive, proactive and easy to communicate with.
If you’ve been searching for a vet clinic that truly cares, this is the one. Can’t recommend Amber Vet enough. Thank you for the love and care you show to your patients 💕
From our first visit a couple of weeks ago, we were genuinely impressed by the thorough and comprehensive health check the team conducted. We had requested a full assessment for our senior dog, and what we received went far beyond our expectations. The level of detail and the range of investigations performed gave us peace of mind and helped us avoid potential health complications down the line — because truly, prevention is better (and more affordable) than cure.
As a family that has adopted and fostered many dogs over the years, we’ve been to numerous vets — but none have matched Amber Vet’s advanced medical setup. It’s almost like a mini hospital for pets, which means we don’t have to travel between different clinics for diagnostics or procedures. It’s all available in-house, which is incredibly convenient and reassuring.
During the initial check-up, our dog presented with a heart murmur, and we were promptly scheduled for a heart ultrasound right there at the clinic. After assessment, medication was prescribed to manage the heart condition — all explained clearly and with such care.
Today, our dog underwent teeth extraction, dental cleaning, and a lump removal under general anaesthesia. The team kept us updated throughout the day with calls and WhatsApp messages, which we truly appreciated — it helped ease our anxiety and showed how much they care.
The clinic is also immaculately clean, and we love that there’s a separate unit for cats, which helps reduce stress for both feline and canine patients. We also learned so much about preventive care and the latest in pet healthcare — insights we hadn’t come across in our visits to other clinics.
Another thoughtful touch: invoices are sent via email, along with detailed notes from the vet summarising the visit and sharing helpful tips discussed during the consultation — a fantastic way to keep track of care plans and advice.
Thank you again to Dr. Brian Loon and the entire Amber Vet team for your professionalism, kindness, and dedication. We feel lucky to have found you!
The support team are always helpful and detailed in their handling and explanation of the processes and procedures.
From the moment I made a cold call to Amber Vet, I knew I was finally in the right hands. The staff asked thoughtful, critical questions, and despite it being the very end of the day, they kindly slotted us in for a last-minute appointment. That level of care and responsiveness already set them apart.
Dr. Suria was exceptional. She listened attentively to everything I shared, clearly explained each test she was performing and the reasons behind them, and most importantly she was precise and focused in her approach. Unlike other clinics that kept recommending endless tests, she was deliberate and confident in her diagnosis. For the first time, I felt like someone truly understood what was happening with my dog, and that brought me real peace of mind.
Ms. Aarin, an outstanding nurse who was there throughout the consultation. She was so gentle with my dog, and her calm presence helped me stay grounded and fully focused on explaining everything that had been going wrong.
Amber Vet is a rare gem. Every staff member we interacted with showed not just professionalism, but genuine care. The team is an apt embodiment of duty of care towards your pet. It’s only been two days since the visit, and I’m already seeing a significant improvement in my dog’s condition.
I’m truly grateful to have found this clinic—and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone who wants real expertise and heartfelt care for their pet.
Dr. Loon and his team are truly amazing—professional, compassionate, and incredibly skilled. From the moment we walk in, Dolly is treated like family, and it’s clear that her well-being is their top priority. Dr. Loon’s expertise put us at ease, and his genuine kindness made every visit a pleasure. The entire team goes above and beyond, providing top-notch care with a personal touch that’s hard to find.
If you’re looking for a vet who combines brilliance with heart, Amber Vet is the place to go. Dolly gives them two enthusiastic paws up, and so do we!
The nursing staff are not only welcoming and caring but they are highly efficient and capable. Communicating with Naomi and Melissa and the team is easy via phone or WhatsApp. Making requests and discussing care is straightforward and conclusive. You can ask a question and get a response on the same day. The nurses all remember our dog, and I can tell he is less fearful coming here. He can pick up on the vibe that the staff are genuinely happy to see him.
We travel to go to Amber Vet, having not found satisfaction with the (multiple) vets in our more local area. Our dog has a complex, rare illness for which there is almost no expertise in Singapore, meaning we must work closely with our dog's vet here in Singapore and a vet in the USA to ensure we are doing the right thing for him.
The volume of diagnostic information, research and hospital visits that has gone into treating our dog is monumental. We found that trying to share this information with vets and get them up to speed was virtually impossible. They simply didn't have the capacity nor the willingness to invest that level of time and commitment into understanding our dog's very specific needs.
Coming to Amber Vet was the best decision. Dr Loon looked through the information, took the time to fully understand our situation, and even had a phone call with the other vet in the USA. It is a special sort of professional who proactively works with with others, rather than insisting they know everything. We are so grateful that he took the time to do this. I can tell when we go to see him that he is taking his time listening to our dog's heart and lungs and checking him over, and he has added significant clinical and advisory value to the ongoing care of our dog, making tailored and specific recommendations to keep him whole body healthy, rather than just focusing on this illness.
Amber Vet has worked with us to take samples of blood and ship them for specialised testing elsewhere, meaning they have to work with couriers and data from 3rd party laboratory services, and, despite this being unusual and outside their norms, they work with us for the good of our dog.
The exceptional level of tailored, considerate, pragmatic, patient-centred care is just what we need to help us through an emotionally traumatic time. We feel like we have a team in our corner. The result is that we trust and appreciate the care from all the team at Amber Vet and would not want to go anywhere else. We cannot recommend them highly enough.
I brought my rabbit to AmberVet due to a loss of appetite and had a great experience. Booking an appointment was smooth, and the process was very efficient. The vet was knowledgeable and thorough in her check-up, ensuring there was nothing serious. She explained that the recent weather changes might be affecting my rabbit’s appetite and provided helpful supplements. She also advised me on keeping my rabbit’s environment cool and comfortable. Overall, she was very accommodating and made sure my rabbit got the best care. Highly recommended!
Like to specially thanks Dr Loon for doing a great job for performing the operation and making sure my cat is safe during the procedure. 👍🏻
Also thanks to Safder who has been consistently following up during the pre and post surgery, appreciated that.
Thanks to the rest of the team whom I came across, for your assistant and help.
Amber Vet provides a peace in mind for me and thanks once again. 👍🏻
Do consider for a consult if you want a potential alternative to extractions.
When we first visited Amber Vet, we could see that our dogs are more comfortable with the place as compared to other clinics. That really speaks something which is why we didn't really mind travelling all the way from Bishan to Siglap for all the appointments or replenishment of medication over the years. The last few years were not easy for Boy boy & Girl girl but you guys really made it much easier for us.
Now that Boy boy & Girl girl are on the other side of the rainbow bridge, we just want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Amber Vet especially Dr Loon, Dr Emma and Melissa for your great service and attentive care all the time!
We wish you guys the best and will definitely recommend Amber Vet and Dr Loon to others. Thank you so much!
Derrick & Emily
We've had so many problems with Jenny's diet and with the new cat food food, new ideas of feeding and entertainment, we're really seeing a difference.
I can't recommend Amber Cat Vet more, especially for nervous cats! 🙂
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