When your dog develops diarrhoea, it’s natural to want to get to the bottom of what’s causing it and help them feel better as quickly as possible. While digestive upsets can have many causes, one possible culprit is Salmonella, a type of bacteria that can affect both animals and people.
At Summer Hill Village Vets, we want to help your dog recover while protecting the health of everyone in your household. That’s particularly important with Salmonella because some infected dogs can carry and shed the bacteria in their poo even when they appear perfectly healthy.
The good news is that many dogs recover with appropriate veterinary care. However, diagnosis, treatment and good hygiene all play an important role in managing the infection and reducing the risk of it spreading.
What Is Salmonella in Dogs?
Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause an intestinal infection known as salmonellosis. Dogs may become infected by eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water or coming into contact with infected faeces or contaminated surfaces.
According to NSW Health’s Salmonella fact sheet, the bacteria can spread when tiny amounts of contaminated material are accidentally swallowed. This is why good hygiene is important when caring for an infected dog.
Some dogs develop noticeable gastrointestinal symptoms, while others show few or no signs of illness. Even if your dog seems to be recovering, they may continue shedding Salmonella in their faeces for some time.
This means that caring for a dog with Salmonella involves more than managing their symptoms. It’s also important to reduce the risk of exposing other pets and people to the bacteria.
Read More: Leptospirosis in Dogs: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
What Are the Signs of Salmonella in Dogs?
Salmonella can affect dogs differently depending on factors such as their age, general health and the severity of the infection. Some dogs may experience a mild digestive upset, while others can become seriously unwell.
Signs to look out for include:
- Diarrhoea: This may be watery or contain mucus or blood.
- Vomiting: Your dog may vomit once or repeatedly, increasing their risk of dehydration.
- Reduced appetite: They may lose interest in their usual food or eat less than normal.
- Lethargy: Your dog may seem unusually tired, weak or reluctant to play.
- Abdominal discomfort: They may appear restless, seem uncomfortable when handled or adopt an unusual posture.
- Dehydration: Fluid loss through vomiting and diarrhoea can leave your dog dehydrated, particularly if they’re not drinking enough.
It’s important to remember that these symptoms aren’t specific to Salmonella. Other infections, dietary problems and gastrointestinal conditions can cause similar signs, so testing may be needed to identify the underlying cause.
If your dog develops persistent diarrhoea, repeated vomiting or signs of dehydration, contact your veterinarian for advice. Puppies, older dogs and dogs with existing health problems may be particularly vulnerable to complications.
How Is Salmonella Diagnosed and Treated?
If we suspect Salmonella, our vets will consider your dog’s symptoms, medical history, diet and possible exposure to contaminated food or other sources. Laboratory testing of a faecal sample may be recommended to help confirm the diagnosis.
Once we understand what’s happening, we can develop a treatment plan tailored to your dog’s needs. There isn’t one approach that suits every patient, as the level of care required depends on the severity of the illness and your dog’s overall condition.
What treatment might your dog need?
Treatment may include:
- Fluid support: Dogs losing significant amounts of fluid through diarrhoea or vomiting may need additional hydration. More severely affected patients may require intravenous (IV) fluids in hospital.
- Dietary management: Your vet may recommend an appropriate, easily tolerated diet while your dog’s digestive system recovers.
- Supportive care: Depending on the individual case, supportive treatments may be recommended to help manage symptoms and support recovery.
- Hospitalisation: Dogs experiencing severe dehydration, significant weakness or other complications may need close monitoring and more intensive treatment.
- Antibiotics when indicated: Antibiotics aren’t necessary for every dog with Salmonella. Your vet will consider your dog’s condition and test results when deciding whether they’re appropriate.
Probiotics may also be considered as part of an individual treatment plan, depending on your dog’s needs.
At Summer Hill Village Vets, we assess each patient individually and recommend treatment based on their clinical signs and diagnostic findings. Our priority is to help your dog recover safely while providing you with practical advice for caring for them at home.
How Can You Protect Your Family From Salmonella?
One of the most important things to understand about Salmonella is that it can spread from animals to people. This is known as a zoonotic infection.
Transmission can occur when microscopic traces of infected faeces contaminate hands, food, bedding, bowls or other surfaces and are accidentally swallowed. You don’t necessarily need to see visible poo for contamination to occur.
As NSW Health explains in its guidance on infections spread by animals, animals can carry germs that may make people sick without showing signs of illness themselves.
If your dog has been diagnosed with Salmonella, follow your veterinarian’s advice and take extra care with hygiene until you’re advised otherwise.
1. Wash your hands thoroughly
Handwashing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the spread of Salmonella. Wash your hands with soap and running water after touching your dog, cleaning up faeces, handling soiled bedding or food bowls, or administering medication.
Always wash your hands before preparing food or eating, too. Pay attention to the areas between your fingers and under your fingernails, and dry your hands thoroughly afterwards.
If you have children at home, supervise their handwashing and explain why it’s particularly important while your dog is recovering. Hand sanitiser should not replace soap and water when hands may be contaminated with faeces.
2. Clean up your dog’s poo promptly
Faeces are a potential source of Salmonella contamination, so it’s important to clean up after your dog as soon as possible. Wear disposable gloves if practical, particularly when handling diarrhoea, and avoid touching your face while cleaning.
Place the waste in a securely tied bag and dispose of it in your household rubbish, following local requirements. Clean any visibly contaminated surfaces before disinfecting them with a suitable product, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
If your dog has had diarrhoea in the backyard, keep other pets away from the affected area while you clean it as thoroughly as practical. Prompt clean-up helps reduce the chance of bacteria spreading through your home or outdoor spaces.
3. Keep your dog’s belongings clean
Food bowls, water bowls, bedding and toys can become contaminated during an infection. Clean food and water bowls regularly, and wash any items soiled with faeces or vomit as soon as possible.
Wash contaminated bedding and towels separately where practical, using detergent and the warmest wash cycle suitable for the material. Clean and disinfect hard surfaces that your dog has contaminated, paying particular attention to areas where diarrhoea has occurred.
It’s also worth keeping cleaning equipment separate from items used to prepare food. Always follow product instructions and never mix cleaning chemicals, particularly bleach with other cleaning products, as this can release dangerous fumes.
4. Limit contact with other animals
While your dog is unwell, take steps to reduce the chance of spreading the bacteria to other animals. Avoid dog parks, daycare, boarding facilities, grooming salons and other shared animal spaces until your veterinarian advises it’s appropriate to return.
Where possible, prevent other pets from accessing your dog’s faeces, food bowls, bedding and toys until these have been cleaned. If you have multiple animals at home, ask your vet how best to manage their contact and shared spaces.
It’s important not to assume the risk has passed simply because your dog’s diarrhoea has stopped. Some dogs can continue shedding Salmonella after their symptoms improve, so ask your veterinarian when it’s appropriate to resume normal activities and social contact.
5. Take extra care around vulnerable people
Anyone can develop a Salmonella infection, but some people are more likely to experience serious illness. According to NSW Health, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of complications.
If someone in your household falls into one of these groups, it’s best for them to avoid cleaning up after your dog or handling contaminated belongings where possible. Another household member can take responsibility for these tasks until your vet advises that the risk has reduced.
If contact with contaminated items can’t be avoided, use appropriate protective measures and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Keep children away from areas where your dog has had diarrhoea, and make sure food preparation areas remain separate from pet-care activities.
These precautions don’t mean you need to avoid your dog altogether. With careful hygiene and sensible management, you can continue caring for your pet while reducing the risk to your household.
Read More: Canine Diseases and Vaccination
Could Your Dog’s Food Be the Source of Salmonella?
Food is one possible source of Salmonella infection in dogs. Contaminated raw meat, pet food, treats and chews may expose animals to harmful bacteria, even when the products look and smell normal.
Raw meat diets deserve particular attention because uncooked animal products can carry bacteria that may cause illness in pets and people. The risk isn’t limited to your dog eating the food, either. Handling raw pet food or allowing contaminated utensils and surfaces to come into contact with other items can also create opportunities for cross-contamination.
While your dog recovers, avoid feeding raw meat and discuss a suitable diet with your veterinarian. Choose food that meets your dog’s nutritional needs, and follow safe handling and storage instructions.
For everyday prevention, Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s advice on Salmonella recommends good hygiene and avoiding cross-contamination when handling food. These principles are useful when preparing and handling your pet’s food, too.
If your dog regularly eats a raw diet, let your vet know during the consultation. This information can help us assess possible sources of infection and provide appropriate advice for your household.
When Should You Contact Vets for Salmonella in Dogs?
Diarrhoea can have many causes, and it’s not always possible to tell how serious a problem is just by looking at your dog. If your pet has been diagnosed with Salmonella or is showing signs of a gastrointestinal illness, our team can help you determine the next steps.
Please contact Summer Hill Village Vets if your dog:
- Has persistent or worsening diarrhoea.
- Develops repeated vomiting or struggles to keep water down.
- Becomes increasingly tired, weak or reluctant to move.
- Stops eating or drinking.
- Shows signs of dehydration or abdominal discomfort.
Seek urgent veterinary attention if your dog collapses, becomes severely weak or appears seriously unwell. Don’t wait for a routine appointment if their condition is deteriorating.
If your dog has already been diagnosed with Salmonella, follow the treatment and hygiene instructions provided by your veterinarian. Contact us if symptoms worsen, your dog isn’t improving as expected or you’re unsure how to manage their care at home.
What if someone in your household develops symptoms?
People can also develop salmonellosis after exposure to contaminated food, surfaces or infected animals. Symptoms may include diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting.
If someone in your household becomes unwell after possible exposure, contact your GP and mention that your dog has Salmonella. Seek medical advice promptly, particularly if the person is a young child, an older adult or someone with a weakened immune system.
Helping Your Dog Recover While Keeping Your Family Safe
A Salmonella diagnosis can be worrying, particularly when you’re concerned about both your dog’s health and the risk to your family. However, appropriate veterinary care and consistent hygiene can make a meaningful difference.
Remember that your dog may appear to have recovered before they stop shedding the bacteria. Some dogs can continue passing Salmonella in their faeces for several weeks, although the duration varies between individuals.
Continue following your veterinarian’s advice, clean up faeces promptly and maintain good handwashing habits. If you’re unsure when it’s safe for your dog to return to their usual activities or mix with other animals, ask your vet for guidance.
At Summer Hill Village Vets, we’re here to support you through your dog’s recovery with individualised veterinary care and practical advice you can use at home.
Concerned about your dog’s diarrhoea or a possible Salmonella infection?
Contact Summer Hill Village Vets to discuss your dog’s symptoms and arrange an assessment if needed. We’re here to help you give your dog the care they need while protecting the health of your whole household.
