How to Firm Up Your Dog’s Poop – 6 Simple Steps

Owning a dog can be fun, but there are a lot of responsibilities that are inevitable. From health problems to monthly expenses, caring for a dog is no easy task. One of the most difficult parts of having a dog is cleaning up after them, but it’s also important to do because your dog’s poop can tell you a lot. If your dog’s poop has been loose and watery, it can point to a few things. Here’s how to help firm up your dog’s poop and help relieve your dog’s stomach:

The 6 Steps To Firm up Your Dog’s Stool

1. Identify the Cause of Loose Stool

If your dog’s stool is loose or watery, it’s important to know the cause to prevent it from happening. Try to remember if you fed your dog any new treats or “people food,” which could easily cause indigestion and diarrhea. Stress can also cause your dog’s poop to change, so try to identify any recent stressful moments that your dog may have experienced.

2. Boiled Chicken and White Rice

If your dog doesn’t have a chicken allergy and has indigestion, swap your dog’s usual meal for boiled chicken and white rice. It’s easy to digest and will help your dog’s stomach, which can help ease diarrhea. Feed one part chicken to two parts white rice for a few days to help your dog recover from indigestion.

3. Add Fiber to your Dog’s Diet

Fiber is a crucial part of your dog’s diet, though it won’t stop diarrhea while it’s happening. Fiber helps aid in digestion, so it’s essential for your dog’s diet. Most kibble only contains around 3% fiber, which may not be nearly enough for your dog’s specific needs. Having enough fiber in your dog’s diet may help reduce loose stool. Add a fiber supplement to your dog’s food or steamed string beans to help regulate your dog’s bowel movements.

4. Feed Your Dog Canned Pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is another natural source of dietary fiber, but it can also soothe your dog’s stomach during a bout of indigestion. If your dog’s stool is loose and watery, try giving your dog plain canned pumpkin to help alleviate any stomach issues. You can also add a little canned pumpkin to your dog’s food for a natural source of fiber.

5. Avoid Feeding Your Dog Dairy Products

Many dogs are lactose intolerant and will get the runs from eating dairy. Check your dog’s treats and food for dairy if your dog is sensitive to it. Avoid feeding your dog anything with dairy to prevent a lactose reaction, which can cause severe burning and digestive pain.

6. Talk to Your Vet

While loose stool happens once in a while, it should not be happening on a daily basis. Talk to your vet if your dog’s poop is watery or loose on a somewhat consistent basis since this could be a sign of an underlying condition or food allergies. When in doubt, call your vet and bring in a stool sample to make sure your dog is healthy.

Loose dog poop is rarely an emergency situation, but it can still cause discomfort and pain. It can also be a symptom of a chronic issue, so keep track of how often your dog’s poop is loose. If the problem continues or worsens, call your vet to figure out what could be causing the problem. Otherwise, we recommend trying the methods above to help stop or prevent loose poop and ease your dog’s digestive pains.

• Related Read: White Specks in Dog Poop: Causes & Treatments

Featured Image Credit: Konstantin Zaykov, Shutterstock