My Dog’s Poop Starts Solid Then Goes Soft? Why is my dog poop half-hard and half-soft? Wondering about these questions? In this article, we will discuss all the reasons for inconsistency in dog feces and When you need to start worrying about it.
Dog poop is definitely gross, but nevertheless, it tells a lot about the pet’s health. As a dog parent, one has to handle a lot of gross on a day-to-day life basis. While many dogs are trained to the toilet, a lot of the owners have to pick up and clean the business afterward.
And especially when the business is done in public, picking up the Poop is a matter of courtesy.
But what if you observe something unusual about your dog’s Poop? A dog’s Poop is an alert about the canine’s health condition, soft or hard, runny or solid, or may change in color.
Here is a guide with everything explained about dogs and their Poop. Make sure you read till the end to get the most out of it.
Why does my dog’s Poop go from hard to soft?
Observing Poop of two consistency can prove confusing to dog parents. A dog’s Poop, in general, should be firm, a little moist, and with a slight odor to it. However, it often happens when you observe a dog’s Poop go from hard to soft at one time. Wondering why?
When your dog’s Poop starts solid but then goes out soft, it indicates small intestine diarrhea. The changing inconsistency usually occurs due to the poor ability to absorption of water in the intestine. This biological phenomenon is also known as malabsorption.
Malabsorption or Small Intestine Diarrhea has specific attributes. Malabsorption is rarely tenesmus and usually urges to defecate seen. The Poop at this stage would generally not contain any mucus.
Dogs suffering from small intestine diarrhea may poop 2-3 times higher than average daily. The canine may also suffer vomiting and weight loss as a by-product of this condition.
Why does my dog Poop liquid after pooping?
Dogs who release liquid after pooping must be suffering from Diarrhoea.
Diarrhea in dogs isn’t an illness but an indication of any underlying health condition. When your dog’s Poop is liquid after solid, chances are that the food isn’t being absorbed in his GI tract.
This condition might come as a result of food intolerance or allergy. For instance, lactose intolerant dogs may poop solid followed by liquid. This is because their digestive system fails to absorb the lactose present in milk.
A similar condition can also prove a result of a parasite, a bacterial infection, or inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, if you notice a dog’s unusual stool, make sure you consult with a Vet immediately.
What can I feed my dog to firm up his stool?
Soft and little runny stools are common in dogs. However, it isn’t always that your dog is suffering from any underlying disease. Instead, change in Poop usually is a result of unsuitable feeding habits.
Thus, just by being mindful of what your dog eats and drinks, you can help him with his desired stool. Here are a few tricks that will help your dog to release firm/ solid stool:
Firstly, identify the cause of loose stool in your dog. It is essential to determine why it is happening for treating any condition. For example, if you have introduced any new food, human food, or treat to your dog, it isn’t going well with his digestive system.
How do I firm up my dog’s stool?
Once you know the root cause of inconsistency in dog poop, the next step is to manage your canine’s diet. First, choose a well-balanced and pet-appropriate diet.
For instance, if you are feeding chicken and rice, ensure it is boiled. Though keep from adding any species, seasoning, or flavor in it.
Remember, dogs don’t need to eat like us humans. Thus, the food (Especially spices and herbs) we consume isn’t appropriate for canines.
For firming your dog’s stool, remove milk from their diet. The only suitable milk for any dog is their mother’s milk. Beyond that, any other form of lactose can create a digestive imbalance to them.
Further, switching a wet diet to a dry diet also helps in firming stool. Also, avoid giving fatty and fried food since it is known for causing watery stool in dogs.
8 Types of Dog Stools
Dog’s stool can help owners detect canine’s health. And if you are familiar with the type of Dog Stools, you can determine the root cause within no time.
Here are eight types of dog stools with their meaning and what leads to them. Have a look:
Normal, Soft, Runny- All about dog poop
1) Lao sai – Watery poo
Lao Sai or watery poo may prove a result of a new medication. Maybe because of a new antibiotic, your dog tends to release runny poo.
If the Poop is too watery, it may be an early sign of any intestinal infection or disease.
2) Soft, loose stools
Soft or loose stools are the ones that may lose their shape when your try to pick them up.
This type of stool may be a result of a new dog diet. When you change from brand A to brand B, your dog may develop soft stools.
However, that doesn’t mean that food changes are bad. Instead, introduce any type of food slowly and gradually.
3) Very hard stools (Constipation)
Very hard dog stools or the ones that look like pebbles. However, such type of stools isn’t noted as very healthy. One of the most common reasons behind the same is a predominantly dry kibble diet.
Constipation in dogs is also a result of less water intake or dehydration. Or some dogs may suffer from such conditions due to infection in the back passage glands.
4) Smelly Poop
Dogs who are feeding on kibbles for very long often release smelly Poop. It is because they are constantly consuming a bigger number of grains. Such food, at times, isn’t absorbed fully into the dog’s digestive tract resulting in smelly Poop.
However, that isn’t a matter of worry. A simple change in diet can result in a massive difference in the smell of Poop.
Here feeding home-cooked and plain food can help a lot. Increasing water intake is also an add-on effort dog owners can take on.
5) A voluminous amount of poop
Poop voluminous in size and large in amount, similar to human-like, is what we are talking about. Dogs whose diet majorly depends on processed kibbles Poop more.
It is because processed kibbles have high fiber and carbohydrate contents that are responsible for generating more Poop.
Here, monitoring the food and making a slight change can prove as a great help.
6) Poop with Blood
Dog pooping blood can be a sign of minor to primary internal conditions. Minor condition, for instance, when stools are too solid and hard to pass, a little blood coming out is very obvious.
Whereas the Minor condition, for instance, if your dog’s digestive tract has parasites and worms, chances are they are causing worms from inside. Or in a worst-case scenario, the presence of possible ulcers or tumors can result in Poop with blood.
It isn’t an alarming situation when blood comes out in just one or two bowls. However, if the presence of blood repeatedly remains the same, quick Vet supervision becomes a must.
7) Mucus in or around dog’s stool
Dog’s stool with Mucus inside or with a coating around it is alarming. Such stools are possibly a result of mild inflammation in the gut or inflamed colon.
Or, in some cases, it might be a result of parvovirus or parasites. Stools with Mucus generally clear after a few rounds of bowel movements. However, if they persist, then visiting a Vet is the only option you are left with.
8) Coprophagia
Coprophagia is a medical condition that means compulsive consumption of own or another’s Poop. There can lie various reasons behind such conditions.
For example, it could be a behavioral reason, where your dog is doing so just to gain your attention.
Or, in most cases, it is because your dog is suffering from a deficiency in certain nutrients. In similar cases, dogs tend to eat their own Poop, trying to replenish their nutrient needs.
Is soft dog poop normal? Is soft stool considered Diarrhoea in dogs?
Occasional soft and loose stool in dogs is perfectly normal. However, if it is often that your dog is pooping soft or any “increased softness” of stools that stays for more than three days, it is definitely a sign of dog Diarrhea.
Or, if the dog poop is soft, mushy, and hard to pick up, chances are your canine is suffering from Diarrhea.
Dog poop changes throughout the day. Why?
On days when your dog’s Poop changes throughout the day, chances are they are eating something they shouldn’t.
Or, the changes can also prove to be a result of environmental conditions, especially temperature.
For example, when your dog is too much dependent on a liquid diet, his stool may come out runny on hot summer days.
Whereas during the night, after taking a proper solid meal, his stool may come out as solid.
Why is my dog’s Poop inconsistent?
If your dog has been pooping inconsistent for a very long now, it is time to visit the Vet soon.
The changes in inconsistency in stools can be a result of any underlying medical condition.
And ignoring the same can make the canine suffer a lot in the future. Thus, address the condition immediately and consult a Vet.
- 5 Things to Know About Dog Poop management
- How to Make a Dog Poop Quickly? 5 Effective Ways
- How Long Does It Take For A Dog To Poop After Eating?
Wrapping up…
Overall, a dog’s Poop is one of the major habits/things that can tell you about your canine’s health. Eating a healthy diet and living a clean and happy environment result in healthy dog stool.
Complete and balanced nutrition is what makes stool passing easier. However, a change in diet and environment can upset the canine’s digestive tract resulting in runny and loose Poop.
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