Our pets can be some of our best friends, and the last thing we want to see is them suffering needlessly.

So, when our pets get sick, we want to know what caused it. Sometimes, though, the symptoms of their sickness make it a little harder to figure out what got them sick in the first place. If your dog has diarrhea, we know that they are experiencing something unusual, but pinpointing exactly what is causing their sickness is the tricky part. Below, we’ve outlined four causes of dog diarrhea, which should be able to guide you and help you determine why your pup is sick.

1. Change in diet: Just like humans, dogs have a diet to which they become accustomed. Think back to the last time you ate really spicy food, or if you travelled to a different country and ate there. Your stomach probably didn’t feel too great, right? Well, the same thing happens to your dog. If you’ve been feeding them dry food and all of a sudden give them wet food, or if you traditionally only give them dog food and then feed them from the table, of course that will upset their digestive system, causing dog diarrhea. See if your pet may have also been able to get into the trash and eat spoiled food, which is a surefire way to get dog diarrhea.
2. Ingestion of toys or other small objects: If you have a game night, you know enough to not eat the little pawns on the board. Pets sometimes aren’t so bright. Especially if you have small children, it’s important to make sure that their toys are kept in a secure location that your pet can’t get to. This way, they can’t swallow the toys and end up with dog diarrhea or worse—in the hospital.
3. Stress: If you are moving or going through a living change, this can cause stress to your animal. Stress can change your pet’s digestive cycle, which can affect their digestive tract and cause dog diarrhea. While it is still important to make sure that your dog doesn’t have any of these other symptoms, it’s also important to note that the diarrhea could be as simple as a lifestyle change.
4. Illness in your dog: Dog diarrhea can be an indication of a much larger problem. From liver disease to cancer, if diarrhea in your dog is persistent, it’s important for you to get your dog to the veterinarian to make sure that they are really safe and sound.

It can be scary when man’s best friend is going through a tough time and is sick. But, to be a good owner, it’s important for you to get down to the bottom of it and make sure that your pet is safe. By going through this list and consulting your vet, you can reduce your dog’s risk of having diarrhea.