How Often Your Dog Should Poop (Puppy, Adult, Senior), and When To Be Worried?

Dogs belong to the family Canidae and scientists say they are descendants of wolves. They are among the first animals to be domesticated by humans and remain the first choice for pets even to this day. There are several dog breeds, all of which have a reputation for cuteness, protection, and loyalty which many human beings find refreshing. 

Besides these sterling qualities, dogs also poop. They do this as often as humans, although differences in frequency and size exist across different stages of maturity. In this article, we will delve in-depth into the subject of dog poop and when to be worried. Shall we?

What Does Dog Poop Look Like?

Poop from a normal healthy dog is often chocolate-brown in color, although changes in diet may cause slight variations. However, regardless of the change in diet or hydration, dog poop should generally be brown. When dog scat is any other color apart from brown, it could mean some health issues with the dog or an abnormal diet.

For instance, green dog poop most likely means the dog has been feeding on grass, while white poop could mean the dog needs to be dewormed. Black poop indicates increased bleeding in the digestive tract while red poop indicates decreased bleeding in the same area. Meanwhile, gray or yellow dog poop symptomizes issues with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas. 

How Do Dogs Poop?

A dog’s digestive system starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, which is the same for most mammals. They ingest food with the mouth and the food passes through the esophagus where it is then pushed down into the stomach. Once it reaches the stomach, proteins are released and amino acids are activated for a proper breakdown of the food.

The resulting substance then makes its way to the small intestine where the dog absorbs the nutrients and leaves the rest to pass through the long intestine and into the rectum. Once the rectum takes in enough waste, it triggers the urge and the dog defecates through the anus. They would often lower their hindquarters a bit to do this, and it usually takes less than a minute. 

Experts say food processing for dogs takes between 6-9 hours and they have the shortest processing cycle time of any mammal. 

Do Dogs Fart?

Much like humans, dogs fart from time to time and it’s a pretty normal everyday occurrence for them. Flatulence in dogs is triggered when gas builds up in their stomachs or intestines, which causes a sound, accompanied by a pungent smell. 

While farting is pretty natural for dogs, it can also be the result of a number of issues including a sudden change in diet, increased exercise/activity, fast eating, and low-quality food. Excessive farting may also be caused by food intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) and large amounts of human foods, especially beans, peas, dairy products, and spicy meals. If you notice sudden excessive flatulence in your dogs, you should see a vet as soon as possible for diagnosis, solutions, and tips. 

We must mention that brachycephalic dogs have been observed to fart more than other breeds because of their condition which causes them to take in more air while eating and drinking. 

How Long After Eating Does a Dog Poop?

On average, dogs poop about 30 minutes after eating and they may also feel the urge after waking up from sleep. This is the major reason experts often advise taking the dogs on walks during these periods. 

The frequency of dog poop may also correspond to the dog’s feeding schedule. This means if you feed your dog thrice per day, it’s pretty normal for it to defecate thrice within that same day. 

How Often Should Dogs Poop?

On average, adult dogs are expected to poop at least once every day and if the number were to go up to 5, it would still be considered normal. However, poop frequency may vary depending on the age, diet, and activity level of the dog among other reasons. 

Baby dogs, more popularly known as puppies, often poop between 4-5 times a day and this happens because they mostly eat at several intervals daily. Dogs who have reached maturity, usually have to go up to 3 times a day. On the other hand, senior dogs may actually go a day without pooping due to reduced efficiency in their digestive system and their mostly sluggish lifestyle. 

As you can tell from the foregoing analysis, the frequency of dog poop also depends on diets and level of activity. This means that a change in diet could either increase or decrease the frequency of your dog’s poop. In the same vein, active dogs who get to go on long walks are more likely to poop more often than sedentary ones. 

On the whole, pet owners should study their dog’s poop patterns and make sure the dogs are sticking to them on most days. For instance, if a dog typically poops once a day and all of a sudden, starts doing it several times a day, you might want to visit a vet. While that could have been caused by a significant change in diet or activity, it could also be a result of a health issue that requires prompt treatment. 

When Should You Be Worried About Your Dog’s Poop?

A slight change in the frequency of a dog’s poop should be no cause for concern especially if you have made some changes to their diet and exercise routines. As long as there is some consistency, there should be no cause to worry. 

However, the following issues, when noticed, should get you concerned, and on your way to a vet:

• When there is an unexplained yet significant change in the dog’s poop frequency for more than two days
• When there is excess blood or mucus in the dog’s scat
• When the dog noticeably struggles to poop

Up Next:

• The 4 Best Poop Bags For Your Dog
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• This Is Why Dogs Roll In Poop (And Other Stinky Things)

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