Can Stress Lead to Loose Stool in Dogs?

Is your dog experiencing loose stool despite not eating anything unusual? They might just be stressed.

We break down the science behind stress and soft stools to help you help your pup live their best life.

Key Takeaways

Stress can lead to stomach upset and changes in your dog’s poops.
Many situations can cause stress, including separation, unfamiliar things, and loud noises.
Techniques to promote relaxation include crate training, calming music, and CBD Supplements or Oils.
Supplements like Colostrum can also support digestive tract health.

See More: Why Does My Dog Bark When I Leave? 8 Things to Try

Stress and Stomach Upset

Sean Zyer, founder of Earth Buddy, says:

"Stress can potentially lead to digestive discomfort in dogs. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to support a healthy gut and help your pup cope with external stressors."

Many pet owners often think of dogs as having iron stomachs. Many dogs seem like they are able, and in fact very willing, to eat just about anything.

However, that's not always the case. Stomach problems are actually very common in dogs.

In one study of almost 4,000 dogs taken to the vet over a year, almost one in five were experiencing loose stool.¹

The reality is that our dogs, like us, have digestive systems that need support. That might mean diet changes. It could mean supportive supplements that help maintain a healthy intestinal tract.

It could also mean something you might not expect.

After all, many things can lead to loose stool. Some might sound obvious, like certain foods.

Others are less obvious. Like stress.

That's right. Stress can lead to digestive upset in dogs. If not resolved, stress can contribute to long-term stomach issues.

Fortunately, there are ways you can help your furry friend cope with external stresses and maintain a normal disposition.

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All About Loose Bowel Movements for Dogs

First, it's important to understand the biology behind your dog's bowel movements.

Signs Your Dog Is Experiencing Changes in Bowel Movements

You might think loose stool or digestive upset is obvious. In many cases, that's true. Loose stool is pretty easy to spot.

But there are a few other things to look for.

One example is how often your pup is defecating. Frequent bowel movements can be a sign of digestive upset, too.

Another example is how difficult it is for them to defecate. Dogs experiencing loose stool may strain but only produce a small amount of feces.

But sometimes the stool contains blood or mucus. If that's the case, or if your dog's loose stool persists for 48 hours, consult your vet. They'll be able to help you get to the bottom of things.

What Can Lead to Loose Stool?

As we mentioned, many things can lead to loose stool.

Sometimes, it's caused by something your dog ate. Even small dietary changes can lead to loose bowel movements.

But in some cases, stress can lead to loose stool. Puppies and senior dogs are generally more susceptible to developing loose stool due to stress.

That's because of the gut-brain axis. Your dog's gut is linked to many other bodily systems, including the brain.

Changes to the gut can, therefore, affect the brain — and vice versa.²

For example, stress can sometimes speed up the movement of material through the intestines. That reduces the amount of water the colon can absorb, leading to looser stools.³

Bonus: How to Keep Your Dog Calm This 4th of July

Understanding Your Dog's Stress

If you think your dog's loose stool is linked to stress, it's important to understand that stress.

Dogs, like humans, experience stress. But that stress can be caused by different things and can manifest in different ways.

One way to check if your dog is stressed is to monitor their behavior. Stress can lead to a range of behavioral changes, such as whining, pacing, shaking, barking, yawning, licking, and even drooling.⁴

A stressed dog might also become avoidant. They might avoid interaction, try to hide, or even escape a situation.

In some cases, your dog's behavior might be caused by something triggering their fight-or-flight response. You might have experienced this yourself. When something scary or stressful happens, the body can respond instinctively and physiologically.⁵

The key thing to understand is that this response isn't a choice. We might understand, as humans, that fireworks, a car ride, or the vacuum cleaner aren't reasons to get stressed. But our furry friends might not understand that.

Identifying Your Dog's Stress Triggers

Instead of becoming frustrated, it's important to try to identify the underlying cause of your dog's stress.

Like loose stool, plenty of things can stress a dog. Ultimately, all dogs are individuals. What might stress one dog may leave another completely unbothered.

One common cause of stress is separation. Many dogs become stressed when separated from their owners.⁶

Dogs also thrive on routine. That could mean when they're fed, when they go on a walk, when they are let outside, and so on. Disrupting their routine can stress them out.

Many things in your dog's environment can also stress them out. These are called environmental triggers. Examples include loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms. They include potentially scary situations, like a vet visit or car ride.⁷

Unfamiliarity can also be stressful. New dogs, people, places, and situations can all be stressful for dogs.

Sometimes, our dog's stress happens in brief bursts. For example, they might become stressed in response to some specific event, then calm down once that event has passed.

Plenty of healthy dogs can become stressed in certain situations or in response to certain stimuli. That's entirely normal.

But in other dogs, that stress can persist. They might be stressed without any obvious trigger. Or they might be stressed by continuous stimuli that won't end, like people walking past the house outside the window.

In any case, it's important to help your dog cope with external stressors and maintain a normal disposition.

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Supporting Your Dog's Mood

Sometimes, the simplest way to support your dog is to remove whatever is stressing them out. Getting rid of or reducing the stressor should necessarily reduce the stress it was causing.

However, that's often not possible. But there are other things you can do.

One technique is crate training. With the right training, a crate can become a safe space for your dog. They can go there when they feel stressed.⁸

Another technique is calming music. Research suggests that soft, quiet music, like classical music, can help promote relaxation in dogs.⁹

It's also important to try to stick to a routine. As we mentioned, disruptions can be stressful for dogs.

CBD

Certain supplements can also help promote relaxation in dogs. One such supplement is CBD.

CBD works by interacting with your dog's endocannabinoid system. Dogs, like humans, have a complex system of receptors and signal molecules spread throughout their body. This system interacts with many other bodily systems, including those related to mood and stress.¹⁰

Multiple studies have shown that CBD can help dogs maintain a normal disposition.

For example, one 2023 study gave dogs a CBD capsule or a placebo, then exposed them to a stressful event a couple of hours later. The event was either a car ride or separation from their owner. The dogs that received CBD demonstrated "significantly lower" levels of a stress hormone, whined less, and "were in a more relaxed emotional state overall" compared with dogs given the placebo.¹¹

A similar Cornell study gave dogs CBD chews before a stressful event. 83% of the dogs demonstrated fewer stress-related behaviors.¹²

Earth Buddy's calming chews come in two flavors. Duck & Apple each contain 5mg of CBD. Beef & Pumpkin each contain 10mg.

Our Hemp Dog Treats are another great way to give your dog CBD. Blueberry Hemp Hearts combine whole plant hemp extract with antioxidant-rich organic blueberries. Pumpkin Hemp Hearts blend that whole plant hemp extract with fiber-rich pumpkin.

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Supporting Your Dog's Digestive System

If your dog's stress is leading to loose stool, promoting relaxation is a great approach. But you can also support their digestive system directly, too.

Diet Changes

Just as ingesting certain things can lead to loose stool, adding certain things to your dog's diet can support their digestive tract.

We've actually already mentioned one example. Fiber. Research shows that a fiber-rich diet can help dogs maintain a healthy intestinal tract.¹³

Plenty of foods are rich in healthy fiber. One example is pumpkin, which is partly why we blend it into our Pumpkin Hemp Hearts. Other foods rich in fiber include sweet potatoes, carrots, whole grains, and blueberries.

Certain kinds of healthy fiber are called prebiotics. That means they act as food for the billions of healthy bacteria living in your dog's gut.

These gut bacteria are collectively referred to as your dog's gut microbiome. They're extremely important. Research shows that the gut microbiome plays an important role in overall health and wellness.¹⁴

Studies also suggest that probiotics can help dogs maintain proper gut flora. Probiotics are cultures of beneficial bacteria and yeast that can help support proper digestion and bowel health.

Colostrum

Probiotics are often given to dogs alongside supplements like colostrum.¹⁵

Colostrum is the milk that mammals produce right after they give birth. It's extraordinarily rich in nutrients.¹⁶

Research suggests that colostrum can support digestive health. For example, one study found that puppies who were given bovine colostrum produced higher quality feces than those not given bovine colostrum.¹⁷

Earth Buddy's Gut Health Colostrum contains colostrum from grass-fed cows. It's blended with other supportive ingredients, like whole plant hemp extract and organic blueberry powder, to support a healthy gut.

Conclusion

Stress can lead to loose stool in dogs. There are many ways to help your dog cope with external stressors, including CBD supplements. You can also support your dog's digestive tract by giving them a diet rich in prebiotics, probiotics, and supplements like colostrum.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Stress-Induced Loose Stool Last in Dogs?

If your dog's loose stool is caused by stress, it may resolve after the stress has dissipated. But if your dog's loose stool persists, or frequently returns, it's worth checking in with a vet.

How to Get Rid of Stress-Induced Loose Stool in Dogs?

If your dog is otherwise healthy, experts often recommend withholding food for a short while to help their stomach rest. Make sure to provide them with fresh, clean water. Next, feed them a bland diet, like white rice and boiled chicken or a specialty dog food.

What Does Stress-Induced Loose Stool in Dogs Look Like?

Your dog might also strain while defecating but not produce much poo. They might also defecate far more frequently than usual.

Keep Reading: 5 Ways to Support Your Dog's Gut Health Naturally

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Earth Buddy is an environmentally conscious and family-owned company dedicated to providing natural solutions for pets. From our CBD oils to our colostrum supplements, our products are designed to promote calmness and encourage relaxation for our furry friends. To learn more and stay connected, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest.

Can Stress Lead to Loose Stool in Dogs?

Key Takeaways

Stress and Stomach Upset

All About Loose Bowel Movements for Dogs