Dog pooping is not a good sight. But if you are a dog owner like me, you would feel good that your dog is healthy and cleaning up his body with regular bowel movements.
Though at times, we all get worried if a dog, specifically a puppy, is pooping more than usual.
How many times a puppy should poop a day that can be considered normal?
It is normal for dog puppies to poop two to five times a day. As long as they poop consistently with almost the same frequency each day.
So if they are pooping two times daily and suddenly change to five times a day, you should be concerned as this could mean digestion problem and might need a visit to the Vet.
Now that you are aware of what can be considered normal, there are some other aspects that you should consider.
Times of day puppy poops as he grow older
Frequency of poop is dependent on the age and his dietary pattern.
I remember mine used to poop 3 – 4 times a day when he was 6 weeks old and the frequency came down from 4 times to 2 times as he had grown from 6 weeks to 6 months.
Often Puppies poop more than an adult dog. As they grow, they will poop less frequently. For puppies, pooping 3 – 5 times a day is normal. If they poop only once a day, this may mean they are constipated.
A Puppy eating a high fiber diet is likely to have more poops in a day. Further, puppies are fed multiple times in day compared to adults and this also determines how times of day they poop.
Puppy’s poop – What is normal?
Consider the below factors to understand if your puppy is normal and healthy by just having a look at his poop.
Shape and Consistency
A healthy puppy’s poop should be firm and hold its shape like a log. You can figure out with its shape if he has
- Diarrhea – It is easier to check as the poop would be watery and runny
- Constipation – It could be a little tricky but if the stool is hard and your puppy is stressed while pooping, it is likely they are constipated
Color
Dark brown to chocolate color is considered normal for a puppy poop. Some green in them could be due to the presence of grass he has found somewhere.
Size
The larger the puppy is, the more would be his poop. So a 4 months old pug would poop less than say a 4 months old Newfoundland puppy.
As long as he is doing almost the same, you are ok. In case you notice a significant change, you should observe your puppy and see if he requires a visit to the Vet.
Smell
Obviously, the smell of poop would not be good. But if you see any sudden change like it being too sweet or too foul, observe your pooch for any illness.
Sometimes poor diet or change in diet can also cause the stool to be smelly. A raw diet instead of kibble can also make a foul smell as it takes harder for the puppy to digest.
When Should I Be Concerned About My Pet’s Poop?
Dog’s poop can tell a lot about his health. Let us quickly look at the signs when you should be concerned.
Color
A healthy puppy would usually have brown poop. But sometimes the color changes to below
- Green – This could be due to eating grass or gall bladder issue
- Black – Indicates bleeding in the upper GI tract
- Grey – Indicates a problem with the pancreas
- Red – Indicates internal bleeding in the lower GI tract
- Yellow – This could indicate a liver problem
- White spots – They indicate the puppy has worms. Read more here
Content
If you notice any of these in your puppy’s poop, you should be concerned.
Worms – Presence of worms (can be as small as a rice grain) is a matter of concern and you should see a vet.
Foreign materials – Any non food item in your dog’s poop is a cause of concern. As some times they would not be able to digest and the same can be left behind. You do need to see a vet.
Shape and consistency
If the poop is liquid and running, it indicates diarrhea. And if the poop is quite hard making your pooch stressed, it indicates constipation.
Coating
If the dog poop is covered in some kind of mucous, it can be a sign of disease.
What can cause a change in the frequency of your puppy’s poop?
Your puppy’s poop pattern can change due to many reasons. Most will be normal and you should not be concerned. Read on below to be better prepared.
Change in Diet
Diet may change by any of the below
- You introduced something new to his food.
- You changed his food from dry kibble to wet food
- Your puppy ate less or more than his usual.
Any of the above can cause a change in frequency or the texture of the poop. We would recommend to go slowly if you want to introduce a change in his diet.
Stress
Puppies can poop more or less if they feel stressed. It is important that they live in a stress free home. This would aid in their overall health and growth as well.
Disease
If the puppy become sick, his poop may show the sign. You would need to consult a vet based on his overall health.
We would recommend checking by the Vet if change in poop continues beyond 24 hours.
Blockage
This could reflect in multiple ways as below.
- He is trying but nothing is coming out.
- Vomiting with no poop for some time
- Abdominal pain
In all these case, the reason could be a blockage that is causing the constipation.
Blockages can happen when he eats some nonfood items like small toys, small stones, or other household items.
How do you know if your puppy wants to poop?
You should look for the below signs
- Abrupt changes in activity, behavior, or play
- Circling
- Whining
- Scratching the door
- Sniffing or licking the groin or rear area
What Helps My dog to Have Healthy Poop?
Your puppy’s poop indicates how healthy he is. You should look at the below factors so that he remains fit.
Healthy & High Quality Diet
It is paramount to give your puppy the best dog food. We would recommend Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy. It has ingredients that support healthy growth for the puppy.
Keep him free of disease
Any disease would impact the puppy’s health and in turn his poop. You need to be observant have regular Vet checkups to ensure he is not suffering from any disease.
Regular Exercise
Exercise is important for keeping your pooch healthy. Check out for the exercise levels required based on his breed.
Stress free environment
It is not just physical health but mental health that is also quite important. Keep your pooch in a stress-free environment.