Why Is My Dog’s Poop Soft?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If the stool is soft, mushy, and hard to pick up,

this is considered diarrhea

. The colon is the organ that absorbs the water from the intestine, so if the stool is abnormally loose, the colon is not functioning properly. Some dogs want to “mark” with their excrement.

How do I firm up my dog's stool?

  1. High-Quality, High-Protein Diet. To have normal bowel movements, dogs need a balanced diet that contains a sufficient amount of digestible protein. …
  2. Get Rid of Dairy. …
  3. Feed Your Dog Less. …
  4. Avoid Fatty Foods. …
  5. Probiotics. …
  6. Drink More Water. …
  7. Add More Fiber.

How do you get rid of mushy dog poop?


Canned pumpkin

. Pumpkin is used in dogs in both diarrhea and . The fiber in the pumpkin can help regulate their bowel movements, as well as absorb extra water in loose stool. Absorbing extra water in the stool can help to firm your pup's bowel movements.

What to feed dogs with soft stools?

  • Rice water (boil high-quality rice in a lot of water, remove the grains, and offer the dog the creamy white soup that's left)
  • White rice.
  • Boiled plain pumpkin.
  • Yogurt or cottage cheese which has beneficial bacteria, for lactose tolerant dogs.
  • Probiotics (these are also found in yogurt)

When should I worry about loose stools in dogs?

Contact your vet right away if your pup is experiencing

repeated episodes of diarrhea or

. If your dog is showing other symptoms as well as diarrhea they should be seen by a vet as soon as possible.

Does overfeeding a dog cause loose stools?

1) Overfeeding – Many owners are unaware that

overfeeding can cause loose stools

. This is due to an ‘overload' of the digestive system, meaning it is unable to absorb what it needs and instead expelling it. This is more common in young puppies with sensitive stomachs but can happen at any age.

Does wet dog food cause soft stool?


The most common cause for soft stools or diarrhea is overfeeding

—regardless whether you feed dry or wet food. Start with smaller amounts and increase slowly.

How can I firm up my dog's stool naturally?

To firm up a dog's stool,

feed them a high-quality diet that contains enough meat and fiber, and avoid fatty foods or a high-fat diet

. You can also increase a dog's fiber intake through homemade meals, addition of veggies or fruit, or giving them a fiber supplement.

Why does my dog have diarrhea but acts fine?


A blockage can happen if your dog eats something that gets lodged in her intestinal tract and causes diarrhea

. Chronic illness, such as issues with the kidneys or liver, stomach or intestinal ulcers, colitis or hormonal imbalance. Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Drug side effects from some canine …

What consistency should dog poop be?

Healthy dog poop should also be

a little firm in consistency, like play dough

. Ideally, it should be in log shapes with little cleaves in it that if you were to roll it, it would break into smaller pieces.

How do I know if Im overfeeding my dog?

A very common symptom of overfeeding is when

a dog's bowel movement is normal in the morning but soft at night

. While some breeds appear to be more prone to gas, experiencing frequent gas that is out of the ordinary in terms of smell usually suggests something isn't quite right in their system.

Should you add water to your dog's dry food?


Adding water to your dog's food bowl when feeding a dry kibble will improve the rate of digestion

. Hydrating a dog's stomach contents is a major assist in digestion by starting the breakdown of food particles.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.