Colitis in dogs – signs and what to do
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Colitis is when the large intestine becomes inflamed.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is
Colitis is when the large intestine becomes inflamed.[1] It can cause diarrhoea that often contains blood and mucus.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How vets treat it
- Anti-inflammatories
- Diet change
- Antiparasitic treatment
What the experts say
“Stress ; Eating something unusual that causes gut irritation ; A gut infection, worms or other parasites ; Food allergies ; Immune-mediated disease (your dog’s defenses attacking its own colon) ; An ongoing gut infection, usually bacteria or parasites”
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
What is colitis in dogs?
Colitis is when the large intestine becomes inflamed.[1]
What signs can colitis cause in dogs?
Signs can include diarrhoea containing blood or mucus, straining to poo, vomiting and a painful abdomen.[1]
What may cause colitis in dogs?
Possible causes include stress, eating something unusual that causes gut irritation, gut infection, worms or other parasites, food allergies, immune-mediated disease and an ongoing gut infection.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Diabetes mellitus
Dry eye
Ear infections