Jun 4th 2020
Why Does My Dog Poop So Much?
Do you ever wonder how one little pet can produce so much poop? If you have noticed that your dog is pooping excessively, there are multiple factors that might contribute to this.
Cleaning a dog's mess is a painstaking process, also, you might get worried about its health. Why is your dog pooping so much? How do you get him back to normal poop schedule?
Before we talk about the reasons why dogs poop so much, it is important to understand the normal bowel movements of a dog. Let’s dig deeper!
How often should a dog poop?
Most healthy dogs poop between 1 to 3 times per day. If your canine friend is pooping more than three times in a day, it is possible that he/she is suffering from some underlying health conditions.
Although almost all conditions can be easily solved with a little tweak in the diet, medications, or an environment change, some conditions might be extremely dangerous to the overall health of the dog.
Possible Causes of Pooping Too Much
There are multiple things that can lead to an increase in a dog's pooping frequency:
1. Bacteria
Dog feces contains up to 23 million fecal coliform bacteria. It can cause cramps, diarrhea, serious kidney disorders, intestinal illness, etc. It is also a common carrier of hookworms and whipworms.
The same dog poop in the backyard that breeds the bacteria is re-transmitted to both humans and dogs. It is one of the most typical causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and diarrhea in dogs.
2. Too much food
If your furry friend is eating too much food then he/she might be bloated. This can build up the gas and cause false bowel movements, diarrhea, gas, or excessive poops.
3. Not the right kind of food
Not all kinds of food are suitable for dogs. The wrong type of food can cause multiple health issues related to skin, nutritional imbalances, diabetes, malnutrition, obesity, etc.
Food is one of the important factors of your dog’s digestive tract. So, if your dog is pooping more than usual, consider scaling back on the food or the brand you use.
4. Sudden change in diet
According to PETMD.com, changing your dog’s food should be done slowly and gradually. It takes around 5 to 7 days for a dog to entirely adjust to its new food. You should slowly mix the new dog food with the old dog food until you can entirely transfer them to the new food source.
If you suddenly change the diet, it may cause an upset stomach and your dog might start pooping more than usual.
Also, stop feeding your dog between meals and avoid giving him human food without researching it first.
5. Unfamiliar surroundings
Many times, dogs can not adjust to unfamiliar surroundings. If you have recently moved to a new place or are on a vacation, you might notice that the number of times your dog poops has increased.
There is no need to worry about it as dogs are highly receptive to their environment and if it is changed suddenly, it overdrives their nerves. Once, the dog gets adjusted to the new surroundings, he will go back to his normal poop schedule.
6. Stress or depression
Like us, dogs suffer from depression and stress. One of the initial signs of it is constipation, diarrhea, or other digestive issues. If your dog is suffering from anxiety or is under some stress, it is best to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Take your dog to a park or for walks. Let him play with other dogs and involve him in various physical activities or swimming, etc.
7. Sneaking food when you're not looking
Some dogs are naughty and they might be eating food from your leftovers in the dustbin when you are not looking. One of the main causes of excessive pooping is related to dogs sneaking food from the leftovers.
8. Loud music
Excessively loud music and cause your dog's bowel movements to get out of sync. Does your child play loud music, or you just moved in the neighbor is throwing parties and playing loud music?
This is common in some dogs and it takes time to adjust to the new environment.
9. Colitis (inflammation)
Colitis is the inflammation of the colon or large intestine. It causes loose stools and diarrhea. The main reason for this infection could be ischemic colitis, allergic reaction, Crohn’s disease, etc.
Conclusion
Each dog is different and sometimes what might look like too much poop could be the right amount for a dog. As we have mentioned above, there are various factors that affect the dog’s poop schedule.
If the problem continues, take your canine friend to the vet. The vet will perform the tests and determine the root cause and recommend medications and new diet.
With the right treatment, change in routine and better food, your dog will poop healthily again soon.