Checking my dog’s poop is a habit I didn’t know I’d develop when I first became a pet parent.

Is it chocolate brown? Does it feel like Play-Doh? Is it log-shaped? Are there signs of bleeding? I’d go through each characteristic of a healthy dog stool like a checklist to ensure his overall health.

One thing I wish I had known about dog poop earlier is that what's considered normal for other dogs can be abnormal for him. For example, some dogs poop a lot and more frequently throughout the day, while my dog poops in small amounts and only does it once a day.

So, take the time to observe your dog's poop quality and habits before comparing it to what's considered standard because, like humans, all dogs are different.

What affects your dog's poop 

A lot of different factors affect your dog’s poop quality. This includes how much they eat and how often, their fiber intake, environment, and health issues. Let’s segmentize them into three categories for easier reference. 

Dog food 

Your dog’s food is one of the most common causes of poop problems. You may have suddenly switched them to a new diet and weren’t able to make a proper transition. Proper transition requires you to mix increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old food within 5 to 7 days.  

Another factor in your dog’s diet that can affect their poop is their fiber intake. Make sure they have just enough fiber levels – between 2.5% and 4.5% – in their diet.  

Too much fiber in their diet can lead to diarrhea and malabsorption of necessary minerals, while fiber deficiency can lead to constipation. 

Your dog ingesting a foreign object can also cause diarrhea. Bring your dog to the vet immediately if they show the following signs: 

• vomiting 
• abdominal pain 
• decreased appetite  
• producing small amounts of feces 
• lethargy 

Environment 

Needless to say, our dogs feel joy, fear, and anger. They can get diarrhea whenever they are in stressful situations like being separated from their parents, hearing loud noises, and being in a new place. So, try your best to ensure that they always feel safe and secure.  

Health issues 

Parvovirus and intestinal parasites are just some of the health problems that can affect your dog’s poop. Parvovirus can be avoided through good hygiene and vaccination. To avoid contracting parasites, make sure that their food and water are clean to keep them free from parasite eggs. 

The role of nutrition in your dog's poop   

Good nutrition is vital in keeping your furbabies' stool healthy.  

Give your pets a more satisfying pooping experience by giving them an all-natural and highly digestible formula, like Wishbone. 

Made 100% free from grains and gluten, each bag of Wishbone is made with easy-to-digest premium proteins from New Zealand and blended with fresh herbs and fruits, making each meal more appetizing each time.  

Wishbone’s recipes are designed to help dogs and cats absorb more nutrients and produce less waste for a more satisfying pooping experience, allowing for less stool to clean up for you!  

Browse through Wishbone’s all-natural and highly digestible gourmet recipes. 

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