Campylobacter in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Long-Term Effects
Learn about Campylobacter in dogs—causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Protect your dog’s gut health and reduce the risk of human infection.
When your dog develops sudden diarrhea, lethargy, or a lack of appetite, it’s natural to wonder what’s going on. While dietary changes and parasites are common culprits, one lesser-known cause is Campylobacter infection—a bacterial illness that can affect both dogs and humans.
As a canine nutritionist, I often see confusion around this condition, especially among owners feeding raw diets or those with young puppies. Understanding how Campylobacter works, how it spreads, and how to prevent it is crucial not just for your dog’s health, but for your family’s safety too.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore:
✅ What Campylobacter is and how it affects dogs
✅ Symptoms you need to look out for
✅ How dogs catch it (and how humans can too)
✅ Treatment options and recovery outlook
✅ Why nutrition plays a key role in prevention
✅ Practical hygiene and feeding strategies to protect your household
What is Campylobacter?
Campylobacter is a genus of bacteria that causes campylobacteriosis, a common gastrointestinal infection. The two main species that affect dogs are:
Campylobacter jejuni
Campylobacter coli
Both species attack the intestinal tract, leading to inflammation and diarrhea. While many healthy adult dogs can carry Campylobacter without showing symptoms, it can cause serious illness in:
Puppies (weaker immune systems)
Immunocompromised dogs
Elderly dogs
Humans, especially children, the elderly, or immunocompromised individuals
This makes it a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted between dogs and humans.
How Do Dogs Catch Campylobacter?
Dogs can pick up Campylobacter from several sources, many of which are surprisingly common in daily life.
1. Contaminated Food or Water
Raw or undercooked meat (especially poultry) often carries Campylobacter.
Unpasteurised milk or contaminated dairy products are also potential sources.
Dirty water sources like puddles, ponds, or shared bowls at parks can harbor the bacteria.
2. Fecal-Oral Transmission
Dogs may ingest the bacteria directly from:
Sniffing or eating contaminated feces.
Walking in kennels, shelters, or public parks with poor hygiene.
Grooming themselves after stepping in infected stool.
3. Raw Diets
This is a major risk factor. Multiple studies, including those from the CDC (2023), show that raw-fed dogs are more likely to shed Campylobacter. While raw diets are often promoted as “natural,” they can carry dangerous pathogens, including Campylobacter, Salmonella, and E. coli.
4. Contact with Infected Animals
Dogs in multi-pet households, kennels, or shelters face a higher risk. Transmission can occur through shared bedding, bowls, or direct contact.
Symptoms of Campylobacter in Dogs
Not every dog exposed to Campylobacter will show signs. Many become asymptomatic carriers, spreading the bacteria silently. But when symptoms do appear, they typically include:
Diarrhea – watery, mucus-filled, sometimes bloody
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Lethargy or reduced activity
Fever
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Incubation period: Symptoms usually develop 2–5 days after exposure and can last up to 10 days.
Severe cases may lead to dehydration, requiring veterinary intervention.
Diagnosing Campylobacteriosis in Dogs
Because diarrhea in dogs can be caused by many things (parasites, food intolerance, viral infections), diagnosis is essential.
Vets may use:
Fecal cultures – growing the bacteria from stool samples.
PCR testing – highly sensitive; detects bacterial DNA.
Microscopy – spiral-shaped bacteria can sometimes be spotted in stool samples.
Early diagnosis helps distinguish Campylobacter from other gastrointestinal illnesses like giardia, parvovirus, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Treatment for Campylobacter in Dogs
Many healthy adult dogs recover without needing antibiotics. However, for puppies, elderly dogs, or immunocompromised individuals, treatment may be required.
Supportive Care
Hydration: Oral rehydration solutions or IV fluids in severe cases.
Electrolytes: Balancing sodium, potassium, and chloride is vital.
Easily digestible diets: Bland, cooked foods that are low in fat but nutritionally balanced.
Antibiotics
If symptoms persist or worsen, vets may prescribe:
Erythromycin
Azithromycin
Fluoroquinolones (used cautiously due to resistance concerns)
Probiotics and Gut Support
Since antibiotics disrupt gut flora, probiotics can help restore balance. Evidence shows that probiotics like Enterococcus faecium can shorten diarrhea duration.
Long-Term Effects of Campylobacter Infection
Most dogs recover fully, but in some cases, long-term consequences may occur:
Persistent digestive issues: Gut microbiome imbalances leading to food sensitivities or recurring diarrhea.
Reactive arthritis: Rare autoimmune response triggered by bacterial infection.
Carrier state: Some dogs continue to shed bacteria for weeks or months, even without symptoms.
This is where ongoing diet support and gut health management become critical.
Can Humans Catch Campylobacter from Dogs?
Yes — and this is what makes the infection particularly concerning.
Humans can become infected through:
Direct contact with contaminated feces.
Handling raw-fed dogs that shed bacteria.
Touching contaminated surfaces like bedding, toys, or bowls.
Symptoms in humans include:
Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
Fever
Abdominal cramps
Vomiting
The CDC reports that Campylobacter is one of the leading causes of bacterial diarrhea in humans. In rare cases, complications like Guillain-Barré syndrome (a neurological disorder) can occur.
This is why hygiene is non-negotiable when caring for dogs with gastrointestinal illness.
Preventing Campylobacter in Dogs
Prevention is always better than treatment.
1. Provide Clean Water
Avoid stagnant or outdoor sources like puddles.
Wash bowls daily with hot soapy water.
2. Cook Meat Properly
Avoid raw diets, especially for puppies or immune-compromised households.
Ensure poultry and meats reach safe internal temperatures.
3. Maintain Hygiene
Wash bedding, toys, and bowls regularly.
Disinfect contaminated outdoor areas (boiling water can kill bacteria in soil or grass).
Wear gloves when cleaning up feces.
4. Monitor Stool Health
Keep a “poo diary” during illness (frequency, consistency, colour).
Seek veterinary advice if diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours, or if blood/mucus is present.
Nutrition, Immunity, and Campylobacter
A strong immune system is your dog’s best defence. Nutrition plays a key role in this.
Balanced diets that meet FEDIAF guidelines support immune resilience.
Probiotics and prebiotics help maintain gut microbiome stability.
Low-fat, highly digestible diets reduce strain on the GI tract during recovery.
Hydration and electrolytes are essential for dogs experiencing diarrhea.
If you’re considering home cooking, download my Home Cooking for Dogs Starter Guide to learn how to keep meals complete and balanced.
Final Thoughts
Campylobacteriosis in dogs is more common than many owners realise — especially in households feeding raw meat. While many adult dogs recover quickly, puppies and vulnerable individuals can develop severe illness.
The good news? With good hygiene, safe feeding practices, and a focus on gut health, you can dramatically reduce the risk for your dog and your family.
If your dog has ongoing digestive issues, diarrhea that won’t resolve, or if you’re considering a diet change, I can help.
👉 Book a consultation with The Canine Dietitian
👉 Explore The Canine Code – the UK’s first dog nutrition membership site, where you’ll find recipes, guides, and expert advice.
👉 Download my e-books for evidence-based nutrition tips.
Your dog’s gut health matters — not just for their wellbeing, but for your whole household.
References
Cave, N. J., & Marks, S. L. (2015). Diagnosis and management of bacterial enteritis in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 45(2), 485–503.
CDC (2023). Campylobacter Infection and Pets. Retrieved from CDC website
Weese, J. S., & Rousseau, J. (2006). Survival of Campylobacter in canine feces. Veterinary Microbiology, 114(3–4), 350–355.
Rossi, G., Pengo, G., Caldin, M., Piccionello, A. P., Steiner, J. M., Cohen, N. D., & Jergens, A. E. (2014). Comparison of microbiological, histological, and immunomodulatory parameters in dogs with chronic enteropathies. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 160(3–4), 212–221.
