Most people might find talking about poop uncomfortable, sometimes even disgusting, but this is a very vital topic that might save your dog’s life.
One can tell a whole lot from how their pet’s fecal looks. But the question here is, how often should a dog poop?
Consistent bowel movements are essential to the overall maintenance of the health of both humans and animals, including dogs.
When your dog isn’t pooping regularly, it means something is not right, and this needs to be addressed as soon as possible before health complications arise.
This article is focused on how often should a dog poop, how much poop is too much, what might be the cause, why it’s happening, and what can be done about it.
This might seem like too much, but the health of your fur baby is essential, and one way to tackle these health complications is by focusing on how often a dog should poop.
How often is it required for your dog to poop?
Even though several factors may affect the frequency of your dog’s bowel movements, it is reasonable for dogs to do “number two” between one to five times a day.
What might affect the frequency of your dog’s poop in a day?
- The age of your dog; Puppies tend to poo more than adult and elderly dogs often.
- How often do they eat? They will poop more if they eat more.
- How much fiber do they consume?
- Is your dog on any medications? (i.e., opioids)
Other factors solely depend on your specific lifestyle and the behavioral habits of your dog.
The only time a dog might be pooping too much is when it’s suffering from diarrhea. This could be a result of the following:
- Overfeeding: When your dog is overfed, it could cause its stomach to be upset. Ensure that your pet isn’t free-feeding. Sometimes, pet owners aren’t aware that other people are feeding their dogs, and they still feed them some more. Animals, especially dogs, don’t have the self-control that humans do when it comes to food.
- Eating unhealthy food: When your dog overeats junk or eats something harmful, it causes the body to purge it out. This would naturally come in the form of vomit or diarrhea.
- Illnesses and some severe infections: When your dog suffers from severe complications like infections, food poisoning, distemper, parvovirus, cancer, or liver disease, it may suffer from constant diarrhea.
- Worms: Hookworms and roundworms are usually the leading cause of diarrhea in your dog.
- Stress and emotional upset: Humans often experience this as well. It appears that when humans and animals are exposed to stress, it causes the muscles in the abdomen cramp and twist. This naturally causes the body to purge out the distasteful feeling.
How much poop is too little?
It is usual for dogs to experience constipation from time to time, but it becomes life-threatening when it is prolonged.
If you notice your dog go for days without pooping, then you should consider doing something about it as soon as possible.
These are some of the reasons why your dog may be experiencing constipation:
- Little or no exercise: Becoming inactive would often cause your pet’s bowel movement to function very slowly, even for active dogs.
- Age: Elderly dogs find it difficult to poop compared to younger dogs. Nonetheless, you must consult with your veterinarian to know how often should a dog poop.
- Tumors: Digestive tract tumors remain one of the most severe cases of constipation in dogs and may likely require surgery to resolve.
- Diet: Your dog may become constipated if its diet lacks fiber-rich foods. Living beings need fiber to remain active. It’s the same case with humans lacking fiber, as well.
What happens when your dog becomes constipated for too long?
The most straightforward answer is that it exposes your dog to countless dangers. Try to imagine your dog suffering from exposure to sepsis infections.
This occurs when toxic matters are introduced into the body tissues or the bloodstream. When this happens, your dog can experience multiple organ failures, shock, or even death.
What can you do to tackle these problems?
No one wants to see their dogs suffer, so what steps should you take to combat irregular pooping in your dog?
One of the most critical steps to take is to visit your vet. You must do this before matters get out of control.
Your vet should be able to run all the necessary tests to know the main problem. It is best to get prepared, as this visit might be expensive. It’s your dog’s life we are talking about here, right?
So we must do all it takes to help them get better. Multiple doctor’s visits may be needed to ensure your dog is in the right shape.
The earlier you begin to handle this the proper way, the better.
Diarrhea
- You need not worry: this has nothing to do with starving your pet. You may have to be careful with how you feed your dog and the kind of food you feed it with. You may also have to provide your dog with only water for about 12 hours. This would allow its digestive tract to settle down enough to clear what’s causing the stomach upset.
- Some of the following foods may also help your dog get better: Cottage cheese, yogurt, skinned chicken, canned pumpkin, and formulated dog foods that your veterinarian recommends.
Constipation
- If you notice your dog is having a hard time pooping, then it would be advisable to give the following food: canned dog food, pumpkin, olive oil, and fiber supplements. You could also give it some food that your vet recommended. These foods are fiber-rich or lubricating because they contain plenty of moisture. This is just what your dog needs to improve bowel movement.
- Provide your dog with plenty of water to help with natural bowel movements: Your vet may also recommend electrolytes substances that would greatly help your dog get better. Your dog must remain hydrated.
- Ensure that your dog gets enough exercise: Remember, an idle lifestyle diminishes the pace of the digestive tract. Maintain a steady, healthy life for your dog. Take it for a walk, let it run; you could play fetch. You could also train it to perform tricks if you can. This would improve blood flow and keep your dog physically and mentally active.
I’m sure you now know how often should a dog poop. Now you can ensure your dog’s digestive health is in check.
Have you had any issues with your dog’s health? How did you deal with diarrhea and constipation in your dog? Share with us in the comments.
