Colitis in Dogs

Colitis, which can be either chronic or acute, is a common illness in dogs. Signs of colitis include diarrhea, cramps, flatulence, and an increased urgency to defecate.

Published: July 31, 2026

Colitis in dogs can have a number of causes which will need to be ruled out, — Colitis is common in dogs and can be caused by anything from eating something they shouldn’t or internal parasites to inflammatory bowel disease or cancer. Credit: NataKor | Getty Images

Colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon (also known as the large intestine) that causes diarrhea. It is a common illness that will likely affect every dog at least once in their lifetime. As an emergency veterinarian, I see about half a dozen cases of colitis in dogs every twelve-hour shift!