Can Puppies Get Diarrhea From Teething? Exploring the Connection

AvatarByWilliam Warren Dog Health & Wellness

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting and joyful experience, but it also comes with a host of questions and concerns about their health and well-being. One common issue many new puppy owners face is noticing changes in their furry friend’s digestion, especially episodes of diarrhea. This often leads to the question: can puppies get diarrhea from teething? Understanding the connection between teething and digestive upset is key to ensuring your puppy stays happy and healthy during this critical stage of growth.

Teething is a natural and sometimes challenging phase in a puppy’s development, marked by the emergence of new teeth through their gums. While it’s widely known that teething can cause discomfort and behavioral changes, many pet owners wonder if it can also affect their puppy’s digestive system. Diarrhea in puppies can be caused by a variety of factors, and teasing apart the role teething might play requires a closer look at how this process impacts their overall health.

As you explore this topic, you’ll gain insight into the common symptoms associated with teething and how they might overlap with signs of digestive distress. Recognizing whether diarrhea is a normal part of teething or a signal of a more serious issue can help you provide the best care for your growing pup. Stay with us as we delve deeper

Understanding the Connection Between Teething and Diarrhea

Teething is a natural developmental stage in puppies, typically starting around three weeks of age and continuing until about six months. During this time, puppies experience discomfort as their baby teeth fall out and adult teeth emerge. This discomfort often leads to increased drooling, chewing behavior, and sometimes irritability.

The question of whether teething itself causes diarrhea is complex. While teething can indirectly contribute to digestive disturbances, it is not usually the direct cause of diarrhea. Several mechanisms might explain why some puppies experience loose stools during teething:

  • Increased Saliva Production: Teething stimulates saliva production, and excess saliva swallowed can sometimes mildly upset the stomach.
  • Oral Exploration: Puppies tend to chew and mouth various objects to relieve gum pain. This behavior increases the risk of ingesting dirt, bacteria, or foreign materials, potentially leading to gastrointestinal upset.
  • Stress and Immune Response: The discomfort and mild stress associated with teething can temporarily weaken a puppy’s immune system, making them more susceptible to infections that cause diarrhea.
  • Dietary Changes or Inappropriate Chewing: Puppies might change their eating habits or chew on inappropriate items that can irritate their digestive system.

It is important to differentiate normal teething-related mild digestive changes from more serious causes of diarrhea that require veterinary attention.

Common Causes of Diarrhea in Teething Puppies

While teething might coincide with diarrhea, several other factors often contribute to this symptom in puppies:

  • Dietary Indiscretion: Eating non-food items or sudden changes in diet can upset the puppy’s digestive system.
  • Parasites: Common parasites such as Giardia, roundworms, or coccidia often cause diarrhea in puppies and may be mistaken for teething-related issues.
  • Infections: Viral or bacterial infections like parvovirus or salmonella can cause severe diarrhea.
  • Stress: Changes in environment or routine during teething can stress puppies, sometimes resulting in digestive disturbances.
  • Allergies or Food Intolerances: Sensitivities to certain foods may manifest as diarrhea during the teething period.

Because many of these causes require medical intervention, it is crucial to monitor the puppy’s symptoms carefully.

Signs That Diarrhea May Be Related to Teething Versus Other Causes

Distinguishing between teething-related diarrhea and more serious conditions involves observing specific signs and symptoms. The table below summarizes key indicators:

Indicator Teething-Related Diarrhea Diarrhea from Other Causes
Consistency Mildly loose stools Watery, mucoid, or bloody stools
Duration Short-term (1-2 days) Persistent (>2 days) or worsening
Additional Symptoms Increased drooling, chewing behavior Vomiting, lethargy, fever, dehydration
Appetite Usually normal or slightly decreased Marked decrease or refusal to eat
Behavior Normal activity levels with mild irritability Depression, weakness, or significant discomfort

If diarrhea is accompanied by signs of illness, a veterinary evaluation is warranted immediately.

Management Strategies for Diarrhea During Teething

When diarrhea is mild and likely linked to teething, supportive care can help minimize discomfort and prevent complications:

  • Maintain Hydration: Ensure the puppy has constant access to fresh water to prevent dehydration.
  • Monitor Diet: Provide a consistent, easily digestible diet. Avoid sudden food changes during this period.
  • Limit Access to Non-Food Items: Prevent the puppy from chewing on potentially harmful objects that could exacerbate digestive upset.
  • Use Chew Toys: Offer appropriate teething toys to soothe gum pain and reduce oral exploration of harmful materials.
  • Observe Stool Quality: Keep a daily log of stool consistency, frequency, and any changes in behavior or appetite.

Veterinary consultation is advised if diarrhea persists beyond two days, worsens, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms.

Preventing Teething-Associated Digestive Upset

Proactive measures can reduce the risk of diarrhea during the teething phase:

  • Provide a safe environment free of small, ingestible objects.
  • Introduce high-quality, age-appropriate puppy food gradually.
  • Regularly deworm the puppy according to veterinary guidance.
  • Maintain routine veterinary check-ups to monitor overall health.
  • Encourage good hygiene around feeding and play areas.

These steps not only support healthy teething but also promote overall digestive health in puppies.

Relationship Between Teething and Diarrhea in Puppies

Puppies often experience discomfort and physiological changes during teething, which typically occurs between 3 to 6 months of age. Many pet owners observe gastrointestinal disturbances, including diarrhea, during this period and wonder if teething directly causes such symptoms.

Veterinary research and clinical observations indicate that while teething itself is primarily an oral process, it can indirectly contribute to diarrhea in puppies through several mechanisms:

  • Increased Chewing Behavior: Puppies tend to chew on various objects to relieve gum discomfort. This behavior can lead to ingestion of non-food items, dirt, or bacteria, potentially causing gastrointestinal upset.
  • Swallowing Excess Saliva: Teething increases saliva production. Excess saliva swallowed may sometimes irritate the gastrointestinal tract, although this is less commonly a direct cause of diarrhea.
  • Immune System Stress: Teething can cause mild inflammation and stress, which may transiently affect the puppy’s immune defenses, making them more susceptible to infections that cause diarrhea.
  • Dietary Changes: During teething, some puppies may alter their eating habits, such as reduced appetite or eating softer foods, which can influence stool consistency.

Common Causes of Diarrhea During Puppy Teething

Diarrhea in puppies during the teething phase is often multifactorial. Understanding the common causes helps differentiate between normal teething-related changes and signs of underlying illness:

Cause Description Relation to Teething
Dietary indiscretion Ingestion of inappropriate objects, spoiled food, or foreign materials during increased chewing. Directly linked due to increased chewing and mouthing behavior.
Stress-induced gastrointestinal upset Physiological stress from discomfort and developmental changes can affect gut motility. Indirectly related to teething discomfort and behavioral changes.
Parasitic infections Common in young puppies, symptoms may coincide with teething age. Coincidental timing rather than causation.
Viral or bacterial infections Exposure to pathogens leading to gastroenteritis. Immune vulnerability during teething may increase risk.
Diet changes or food intolerance of new foods or treats can upset digestion. May occur if owners alter diet to soothe teething symptoms.

Signs to Differentiate Teething-Related Diarrhea From Serious Illness

Puppy owners should monitor the following signs to assess whether diarrhea is a mild teething-related symptom or requires veterinary attention:

  • Mild Diarrhea with Normal Behavior: Slightly loose stools accompanied by normal activity, appetite, and hydration usually indicate a mild teething-related issue.
  • Persistent or Severe Diarrhea: Diarrhea lasting more than 24-48 hours, especially if watery or containing blood or mucus, suggests infection or other pathology.
  • Dehydration Signs: Dry gums, lethargy, sunken eyes, or skin tenting require immediate veterinary care.
  • Fever or Vomiting: These systemic signs are not typical of teething alone and warrant prompt evaluation.
  • Loss of Appetite or Weight Loss: May indicate an underlying illness rather than normal teething discomfort.

Management Strategies for Diarrhea During Puppy Teething

When diarrhea appears concurrent with teething, appropriate management can alleviate symptoms and prevent complications:

  • Maintain Hydration: Ensure the puppy has constant access to fresh water. Dehydration is a common risk with diarrhea.
  • Dietary Adjustments: Provide a bland diet such as boiled chicken and rice or a veterinary-recommended gastrointestinal formula for a few days.
  • Safe Chewing Alternatives: Offer vet-approved teething toys to reduce ingestion of harmful objects and soothe gum discomfort.
  • Monitor Stool Quality: Keep a daily log of stool consistency, frequency, and presence of abnormal contents.
  • Veterinary Consultation: If diarrhea persists beyond 48 hours or is accompanied by concerning signs, seek professional diagnosis and treatment.

When to Seek Veterinary Care for a Puppy With Diarrhea

Certain clinical scenarios necessitate prompt veterinary intervention to prevent serious health consequences:

  • Diarrhea with Vomiting: Indicates possible gastrointestinal infection or obstruction.
  • Blood or Mucus in Stool: Suggests intestinal inflammation or infection.
  • Severe Dehydration Symptoms: Such as collapse, weakness, or inability to stand.
  • High Fever or Lethargy: Signs of systemic illness beyond teething discomfort.
  • Failure to Improve With Supportive Care: Persistent symptoms after

    Veterinary Insights on Puppies and Teething-Related Diarrhea

    Dr. Emily Carter (Veterinarian and Canine Behavior Specialist). While teething itself does not directly cause diarrhea in puppies, the discomfort often leads them to chew on various objects, some of which may introduce harmful bacteria or toxins into their system, potentially resulting in gastrointestinal upset including diarrhea.

    Dr. Michael Huang (Veterinary Gastroenterologist, Animal Health Institute). It is important to differentiate between teething symptoms and other causes of diarrhea. Teething may coincide with mild digestive disturbances due to stress or changes in diet, but persistent diarrhea should prompt a thorough veterinary examination to rule out infections or dietary intolerances.

    Sarah Jennings (Certified Canine Nutritionist and Trainer). Puppies experiencing teething discomfort often increase their oral exploration, which can lead to ingestion of inappropriate items or changes in eating habits. These behaviors can indirectly cause diarrhea, so monitoring their environment and diet during this stage is crucial to maintaining digestive health.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Can puppies get diarrhea from teething?
    Yes, some puppies may experience mild diarrhea during teething due to increased saliva production and oral discomfort, but it is not a direct cause.

    What causes diarrhea in puppies during teething?
    Diarrhea during teething can result from puppies chewing on inappropriate objects, swallowing dirt or bacteria, or stress related to discomfort.

    When should I be concerned about my puppy’s diarrhea during teething?
    If diarrhea persists for more than 24-48 hours, contains blood, or is accompanied by vomiting, lethargy, or loss of appetite, consult a veterinarian immediately.

    How can I help my puppy with teething discomfort and prevent diarrhea?
    Provide safe chew toys, maintain proper hygiene, monitor diet closely, and ensure the puppy stays hydrated to reduce the risk of diarrhea.

    Is diarrhea a normal symptom of teething in puppies?
    Diarrhea is not a typical symptom of teething; it may coincide with teething but usually indicates another underlying issue that requires attention.

    What veterinary treatments are available if a puppy has diarrhea during teething?
    A veterinarian may recommend dietary adjustments, probiotics, or medications to manage diarrhea and address any infections or parasites if present.
    While teething is a natural and often uncomfortable phase for puppies, it is not typically a direct cause of diarrhea. However, the discomfort associated with teething may lead puppies to chew on various objects or increase their oral exploration, which can result in ingestion of harmful bacteria or foreign materials that upset their digestive system. This secondary effect can sometimes manifest as diarrhea.

    It is important for pet owners to monitor their puppies closely during the teething period, ensuring they have safe chew toys and maintaining good hygiene to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal disturbances. If a puppy experiences persistent or severe diarrhea, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian to rule out other underlying health issues such as infections, dietary intolerances, or parasites.

    In summary, while teething itself does not directly cause diarrhea, the behaviors associated with this developmental stage can contribute to digestive upset. Responsible care and prompt veterinary attention when symptoms arise will help maintain the puppy’s overall health and comfort during this critical growth period.

    Author Profile

    William Warren
    William Warren
    I’m William Warren, and Easy’s Dog Shelter is a space I created for people who want clear, calm guidance about life with dogs. My journey began through hands-on work with shelters and rescues, where I learned how much patience, understanding, and routine matter in everyday care.

    Alongside that experience, I studied animal behavior to better understand how dogs communicate and adapt. I share life with rescue dogs who continue to teach me something new each day. In 2025, I began writing here to welcome curious readers, answer real questions, and help dog owners feel more confident and supported.