#AskPerro Ep 28 | How Many Times Should My Dog Poop Per Day?
Poop happens. That’s a fact. How many times a day it happens? Well, that’s up to your dog.
Whereas it’s normal for puppies to poop up to five times a day, adult dogs need to go number two less frequently. Read on for tips on how many times a day dogs poop, when they are most likely to poop and what to do if your dog is struggling to go.
How Many Times a Day Does a Dog Poop?
There are some basic rules of thumb about poop frequency. In general, a dog should move their bowels at least once a day. Many will go two or three times a day on the regular.
But if you have a dog that is pooping more than three times a day, don’t panic! As long as your dog’s stool is solid, of an even consistency, and doesn’t contain blood, that’s probably normal for them. In fact, young dogs like puppies, frequently poop more than three times a day due to a high metabolism, a large intake of food, and squeaky clean intestines.
If you find that your dog is pooping multiple times of day and their poop is runny, unformed, or contains blood, keep an eye on things. Diarrhea can not only dehydrate your pup but, chances are that if their poop is irregular, they aren’t feeling well either. Try binding things up by switching your dog to a temporary bland diet of chicken and rice or cottage cheese and rice. If your excessive pooping goes on for more than 24-48 hours, check in with your vet.
What Time Do Dogs Usually Poop?
You could set a clock by the regularity of some dog’s bowels. In general, expect that they will need to poop 8-12 hours after digesting their previous meal. For many dogs, that works out to be mornings and evenings. The truth is, though, that every dog poops a little differently. Whatever time of day they regularly go is what’s normal for them.
If your dog is slow to get down to business, try taking them for a walk. Most dogs poop more easily on a walk because exercise makes food move faster through the large intestine. You could also attempt to encourage their bowel movements by pairing them with a cue like “Go poop!”
Just like humans, it’s not unusual for your dog to occasionally have to poop at random or unexpected times. This may be stress-related or it may simply come down to how much food they got at their last meal (yeah, we saw you slip your pup a table scrap or two at dinner!) If your dog has eaten more food than normal or foods that are not part of their regular diet, expect that they’ll need an extra walk to take care of business.
What Should I Do if My Dog is Constipated?
While doggy pooping behavior often tends towards diarrhea or excessive pooping, the opposite is also common. Dogs who are constipated may need a little extra help from the hoomans to get the plumbing working again.
If your dog is constipated, try adding extra fiber to their diet either temporarily or permanently. Canned pumpkin, wheat bran or Metamucil (which is safe for pups) can be easily mixed with either dry kibble or wet food. Another way to grease the gears is increasing exercise. Physical activity gets food moving through the digestive system more quickly.
If neither of these adjustments solve the problem, there may be something more serious going on. Dogs are prone to inflammation of the ducts of the anal sacs which can make it difficult and painful for them to poop. If you’ve noticed your dog scooting on their rear, their anal sacks may need to be cleared. Both vets and groomers can “express” the anal glands to unblock them.
A vet can also provide other care – including dog-safe laxatives, enemas, suppositories or a prescription diet – to relieve either chronic or acute constipation. If your dog still hasn’t pooped after increasing fiber and exercise, check in with your vet to find out what they recommend.
