How can I firm up my puppy s poop

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

When Does Puppy Poop Become Solid?

I loved it when my dogs were puppies, but it came with a heck of a lot of poop. And not the hard poop thats easier to pick up either. Like all dogs of a young age, puppys poop is not solid. But just when does puppy poop become more solid so you have an easier task

Newborn puppy poop becomes more solid (but still soft) typically at age of 3 to 4 weeks. By 8 to 10 weeks, healthy puppy poop becomes solid and is hardened to the firm consistency you would expect from an adult dog, unless something upsets their stomach.

It is normal for puppies to have soft poop for many weeks. However, you should start to notice the difference with it beginning to harden when they start weaning, which is 3 to 4 weeks of age. As your little furry friend begins to eat solid food, you can expect their poop texture to shift from soft to a more solid consistency.

Once a puppy is ready to leave the mother at 8 weeks then this is long it takes for puppy poop to harden to the level you would expect. It happens because they are eating more solid foods, rather than relying on milk for 100% of their diet.

Theres more to it though, and if your puppys poop is not solid yet despite them being older than 8 to 10 weeks, I have some advice for you including how you can firm and harden up the stools.

When should my puppy poop become solid and harden?

There are many exciting things to say about being a puppy parent. But cleaning up your puppys runny poop isnt one of them.

And the reason is obvious the stools softness makes the whole scooping task nauseating to the core.

This explains why most puppy owners (especially new puppy parents) often want to know how long it will take for their puppys poop to harden. I would expect at ages 8 to 10 weeks.

But let me start by clarifying that its completely normal for puppies to have runny poop during their first few weeks of life. So, if youre worried your puppy isnt okay, dont be.

The soft poop has got everything to do with a puppys limited diet after birth.

Just like human babies, puppies fully rely on their mothers milk for a specific duration before quitting suckling. When a puppy is under three weeks old, they should only feed on their moms nutritious milk.

No water (heres when to start them), and nosolid food.

And if theyve been separated from their mom for different reasons, they should be on a puppy milk formula.

Because of this liquid-based diet, your puppy will have soft poop.

But I promise you, it will get easier having a puppy.

Your puppys stool will begin to harden when they start weaning. Experts say that our little canine friends need to exclusively breastfeed (or feed on formula) for at least three to four weeks after birth.

Once on solid food, puppy poop will start to harden and firm up (https://unsplash.com/photos/ngqyo2AYYnE)

So, when your puppy crosses the 3 to 4 weeks old mark, thats the right time to begin weaning. This is often considered the ideal weaning age since our small furry friends start teething at around three weeks.

Nursing a teething puppy can be quite uncomfortable for the mother.

The puppys developing milk teeth are sharp and can cause pain to the mothers teats during suckling. To avoid all this, the mother may pull away while her puppies are yet to suck to their fullest. Weaning at this point ensures the puppies dont go hungry.

When you gradually introduce your puppy to high-quality solid foods, you will notice a difference in their poop. It wont be as soft as when your puppy strictly fed on milk.

Handy Hint: Heres how long after eating a dog will poop on average.

How long do puppies have soft stools?

After a few days of solid food, a puppys poop will be firmer and you wont have the soft stools anymore. You might still get to deal with diarrhea here and then, but overall, stools will have hardened.

Youll likely realize that despite the change from extremely soft to solid, your weaning puppys poop still doesnt hold its shape when picked up.

Heres why:

Even as your puppy starts weaning, its recommended that they continue suckling (or taking formula) until theyre about 8 weeks old. That means their diet will mostly comprise more liquid and less solid food when they start to wean.
You will have to slowly introduce them to solid foods to prevent serious tummy discomforts. Since you cant begin weaning your puppy with a large amount of food, they will feed on more milk before their body gets used to digesting a good amount of food.
When getting started on weaning, puppy parents are often advised to moisten their puppys solid food with a bit of water to make it more appealing. This extra source of hydration will make their poop to still have a bit of softness to it.

So, if your puppys poop isnt fully firm a few days after introducing solid food, dont fret. Its normal because milk and water are still a huge part of their diet.

When a puppy is about 8 weeks, they no longer need breast milk or formula. They will entirely depend on solid food and water, so their poop will appear fully firm.

And if you realize your furry friend likes to poop multiple times a day, no need to panic.

Unlike adult dogs, puppies have small tummies.

This means two things. One, any food they eat digests much faster, hence the frequent pooping.

And two, their food demands are higher because their stomachs cant hold much food. Since they require more meals daily than an adult dog, they will poop more times.

Do puppies grow out of diarrhea? (When poop doesnt harden)

All puppies will grow out of diarrhea unless you continue to feed them something that disagrees with them.

But in most cases, your puppys stool shouldnt be too soft or too hard (tiny, pebble-like poop) a few weeks after weaning. Extremely loose or hard stool is a sign that something is wrong.

You should also be concerned and chat your vet if your puppys poop suddenly becomes runny after being firm for a while.

Some of the common causes of unhealthy stool texture in puppies include:

Too much or too little fiber in their diet.
Parasite of bacterial infection.
Food allergies.
Signs of dehydration
Overfeeding (dont let them graze).
Stress and anxiety.
Low-quality puppy food.

What does healthy puppy poop look like?

You should also pay attention to your puppys poop color and coating.

Healthy puppy poo should look like it a light brown or dark brown color. Anything besides that for instance, yellowish, whiteish, and black stool should worry you.

Liver problem in puppies often manifests as regular, yellow-looking poop.

If your puppys stool looks somehow white and crumbly, they might be getting too much calcium from their daily diet. Excess calcium puts puppies at risk of bone development problems.

If your puppys poop has a black color, like coffee-black, they might be having internal bleeding (probably due to worm infections). Also keep an eye out for black specks in poop, a bit like little bugs that dont move sometimes you might see small white dots too.

As for coating, your puppys poop shouldnt have any blood spots or excess mucus-like coating around it, sometimes you might think it looks like jelly in the poop.

If you notice any unusual texture, coating, or color on their stool, its advisable to speak to your vet as soon as possible.

The earlier the vet identifies the underlying problem, the better.

How can I firm up my puppys stool?

Ive never had to do this myself, but I did as a local vet on how I can harden my puppys poop so I can give you some pointers.

She told me that there are a few things you should consider if you want your puppys poop to be healthy and solid enough so that your cleaning task is less of a nightmare:

Always ensure your puppy is on an appropriate feeding schedule (once a day is cruel) to avoid poop texture problems arising from overfeeding. You can consult your vet on this.
Seek your vets advice before weaning your puppy. This will help you settle for high-quality puppy food with the right balance of nutrients, including fiber (heres the truth about pumpkin). Your vet will also guide you on the right amount of food to offer your puppy.
Make sure your weaning puppy has enough drinking water daily to prevent hard stool. Heres all you need to know about leaving water out all day or not.
Speak to your vet about deworming to ensure your furry friend is on a deworming schedule.

FAQs on solid puppy poop

How long does it take for puppy poop to harden?

As mentioned earlier, it takes a few days after starting weaning for your puppys poop to become firmer and harden.

Normally, puppies begin taking solid foods and doing solid poops when they are about 3 to 4 weeks old, then 8 to 10 weeks for full firmness.

Is it normal for puppies to have soft poop?

Yes, its normal for puppies to have soft stools when they are still feeding solely on their mothers milk or formula.

Why is my puppys poop not solid?

If your puppy is less than 3 weeks old, the reason is theyre yet to begin weaning (that is, eating solid foods). When they stop feeding on milk alone and start weaning, you will notice their poop becoming more solid.

How many times a day does a puppy poop?

Most puppies will poop about 5 times a day. This is normal for puppies of 6 months, 3 months, 8 weeks, and any age until they reach adulthood.

But there are a few factors that affect how many times a day puppy poops which Ive outlined in this guide to a puppys daily pooping habits.

Do 8 week old puppies have loose stools?

Puppies at 8 weeks of age can still have loose stools. Its very normal for them to have frequent bouts of diarrhea as they get used to certain foods, eat things they should not.

However, if the loose stools persist for longer than 24 hours, consult with a vet.

Conclusion

Raising a puppy involves handling some unglamorous tasks like poop scooping.

Happily your puppys poops will become firm.

17 Simple Tips To Firm Up Your Dogs Poop (#7 Works Always)

Admit it

Cleaning up after your Fido isnt a lovely task.

But its worse when youre dealing with runny poop.

Also, it can be a sign that your pooch isnt feeling well.

So how can you fix this problem?

To answer that, just

Keep reading to discover:

Does pumpkin or banana firm up dog stool.
How does your Fidos diet affect their poop.
17 tips to firm up your dogs poop (#7 work always).
And much, much, more

How to firm up dog poop?

You can firm up your dogs poop by finding out the reason behind it. Once you do this, you should find the proper cure and give it to your dog. Some examples are a bland diet, dog food change, and fasting. You also can ask the help of professionals to find out what caused your dogs wet stool.

17 simple tips to firm up your dogs poop

#1: Avoid too much physical activity

Moving around too much can cause Fidos feces to break down faster.

And eventually exit their body quicker.

But this can result in their digestive tract not absorbing water properly.

Hence, your doggos poop becomes runny.

So the next time you see that your pup has runny poop.

You can try cutting down their exercise time or playtime shorter. And you can also reverse this trick if your dog is constipated.

With that said, they should exercise more so theyll have softer stools.

#2: Reduce their food

Too much of everything can be bad.

And thats very true when feeding your pooch.

Their digestive system cant keep up if you give your doggo too much food.

It can cause strain in their GI tract instead.

If youre feeding your pooch three times a day, you can only reduce it to twice a day.

This way, the stomach can digest the food longer before another meal arrives.

Note: Dont use this method for puppies. Because theyre still small, puppies need to eat more often.

In addition, be sure not to give your Fido too many treats.

According to FETCH, dog treats should only be less than 10% of your doggos daily diet.

#3: Give them Probiotics

A study found that probiotics can help prevent diarrhea in cats and dogs.

This can be attributed to its ability to rebalance the microflora in your Fidos guts.

Microflora are good microorganisms that live in your guts and aids in digestion.

Which, in turn, are needed for proper digestion and metabolism that results in firm poop.

So, where can your fur baby get probiotics?

The most common probiotic source is yogurt.

It contains a lot of good bacteria for both humans and canines.

But be sure to give your Fidos plain and non-fat yogurt.

The flavored ones can upset their tummy.

There are many probiotic sources that are made specifically for your pooches.

Here are the top products I found on Amazon:

#4: Fasting

This is particularly effective for pooches with diarrhea.

Fasting your Fido for 12-24 hours can clear out their stomach.

It also allows their gastrointestinal tract to rest.

As a result, their poop goes back to normal.

Warning: Not all dogs can do this. Thats because the digestive system of puppies and small breeds cant endure fasting.

So always check your Fidos age and size before trying this method.

Remember that medium to large doggos that are over six months old can handle fasting.

Another thing is to still give your pooch water when they fast. Doing so would prevent dehydration.

And if they cant get water down, try giving them ice chips or ice cubes instead.

#5: Add fiber to your Fidos Diet

Fiber is an important component in your doggos diet.

But, did you know? Most dog food only has 3% fiber.

And your pup needs so much more.

The lack of fiber in their diet can be the reason why they have runny poop.

Because fiber soaks up fluid in your Fidos tummy, resulting in a normal bowel movement.

In fact, pooches that show acute large bowel diarrhea symptoms are advised to do a high-fiber diet.

Here are some high-fiber foods that you can feed your pup:

Kelp.
Apples.
Lettuce.
Carrots.
Pumpkin.
Beet Pulp.
Brown Rice.
Ground Flaxseed.
Fiber Supplements.
Strawberries and Blueberries.

#6: Give them a bland diet

A bland diet is a simple diet made up of a protein source and a starch source.

It might not be delicious for your pooch.

But trust me, this is a proven way to firm up your Fidos poop.

How so?

Its because it doesnt have substances that can harm your pups gut.

Hence, the bland food will be very easy to digest.

Plus, if you make it properly, your pooch is gonna love it.

Now, how are you going to achieve that?

Heres a common recipe, which is a mixture of boiled white rice and chicken meat.

Moreover, you shouldnt season those ingredients. And the chicken meat must be skinless.

This way, no unnecessary grease is added to the meal.

#7: Identify the cause

This is the most effective way of firming up your doggos stool.

By knowing what causes it, you can quickly resolve the issue.

Also, this can prevent worse things from happening.

Bear in mind that most wet stool is caused by diarrhea.

However, diarrhea is just a symptom too.

If your doggo has diarrhea for many days, it can mean something more serious.

With that, you need to call your vet immediately.

On the contrary, runny poop can also be caused by less-concerning factors.

For example, too much exercise or too much food.

These things are easy to fix.

As long as you know why your pups poop is soft or runny, then you can apply the correct treatment.

#8: Feed them canned pumpkin

Canned pumpkin is like a miracle food for your pooches.

Because its high in fiber, its good for their stomach.

Aside from that, its also rich in beta-carotene, which is good for your Fidos heart and blood sugar.

Thats why a lot of fur parents add pumpkin puree to their pups meals. And1-4 tablespoons of it per meal are enough.

Sometimes they would also add a bit of cinnamon to the pumpkin to make it more tasty.

Moreover, pre-cooked canned pumpkin is actually better for your doggos than fresh pumpkin.

Its because your pooch can absorb the beta-carotene better when its pre-cooked.

Here are some highly-rated pumpkin brands you can try:

#9: Let them try a lactose-free diet

Just like humans, your pups bowels can get runny if theyre lactose intolerant.

Being lactose intolerant means that your Fido cant consume dairy.

If this is the case, avoid giving you pooch milk, cheese, and other dairy products.

However, there are situations when you cant avoid giving your pooch some milk.

For example, you have puppies.

Puppies need to drink milk to help their growth and development.

Now, giving them milk from their mother is fine.

But if its not available and your pups intolerant of milk.

There are lactose-free alternatives you can try.

You can do the same for yogurt, which is a good source of probiotics.

You can have probiotic supplements that dont contain lactose.

Editors Pick: 21 Dog Breeds That Are Prone To Have Sensitive Stomachs

#10: Deworm your pups.

Another common cause of diarrhea in Fidos is instestinal parasites.

And if theyre not treated quickly, they can cause more damage.

Bluecross UK listed these four common types of intestinal parasites in dogs:

Tapeworms.
Whipworms.
Hookworms.
Roundworms.

Note: Your pooch must undergo some tests to identify what parasite is in them.

For GI parasites, its usually a fecal test.

So if you think that your pup has worms

Then it would be better if you bring a sample of their poop to your vet.

Only then can your vet prescribe the appropriate dewormer.

#11: Avoid stress

Your pups bowel movements can be affected by their stress levels.

Too much stress or even excitement can cause your Fidos poop to become runny.

Its because stress can make your dog release adrenaline. This is also known as the fight or flight hormone.

PetMD says that adrenaline causes an urge for your pooch to go to the bathroom.

Plus, it can also result in them losing control of their bowel movements or even diarrhea.

According to VCA Hospitals, these are signs of stress in dogs:

Panting.
Shedding.
Pacing or shaking.
Whining or barking.
Changes in body posture.
Hiding or escape behavior.
Changes in eyes and ears.
Changes in bodily functions.
Yawning, drooling, and licking.
Avoidance or displacement behavior.

So if your dogs showing any of those above, calm them down.

Moreover, remove or prevent their possible stressor.

In a few days, youll see that their stool is back to normal.

#12: Keep an eye on your Fido

The reason why your pooch keeps on having wet poop can be their daily routine.

Your pooch mightve eaten a mildly toxic plant while youre on a walk.

That can then upset their stomach and explain their wet stool.

There are a lot of plants that can be toxic to your Fido. ASPCA even made a list about it.

Another possibility is when they eat non-food items.

This, of course, is undigestible, and their digestive system will have a hard time getting it out.

So a good way to avoid it is to keep an eye on your Fido.

Make sure that they stay away from toxic and inedible things.

#13: Change your dog food

The most obvious reason why your pup is having digestive issues is their food.

You see, their stomach might not agree with their current diet.

So the simplest way to treat that is to change your doggos food.

Moreover, low-quality kibble can cause an upset tummy.

Thats why many fur parents suggest giving your Fido Nature Balances LID dog food.

However, dogs have sensitive guts.

Changing their diet abruptly can still lead to stomach problems.

Its suggested that you have a transition period when you change your pups food.

AKC says that 5-7 days is enough for a pooch to adjust. This gives them time to get used to the proteins in their new dog food.

So, introduce the new food to your pooch little by little during the transition period.

Keep doing it until they get used to their new diet.

Heres a helpful video on how to transition your Fidos food:

Note: Always consult a veterinarian before changing your dogs diet.

Reading Tip: My Dog Poop Starts Solid Then Runny: 11 Vital Tips

#14: Dont give them improper treats

Not all human food is suitable for your pooch.

So as much as possible, dont give them the food youre eating as treats.

This can just make them sick, and you guessed it

Make their poop soft and runny.

The same is true for low-quality dog treats.

Too many dog treats are generally bad for your canines.

But those which arent made correctly can cause full-blown diarrhea.

Also, ensure that youre not giving your Fido a food theyre allergic to.

Common allergens for pets are beef and dairy.

Although they can also be allergic to many other kinds of food.

So have your doggo tested for food allergies to be sure.

Lastly, dont give them fast food or any fatty food.

Grease isnt good for your doggos guts.

It can just worsen their upset stomach.

Read Next: Can Dogs Eat Chicken Nuggets? 9 Dangers + 5 Safety Tips

#15: Make them drink human medication

Your own medicine can work on your Fido too.

But always be mindful of side effects when you give them to your pooch.

Some of these effective medicines are:

Loperamide.
Pepto-Bismol.
Metronidazole.

Remember to always consult your veterinarian before giving any medications to your pooch.

In doing so, youll know the right dosage to give and if its recommended or not.

For example, Pepto Bismol isnt good for dogs with bleeding disorders.

Its also bad for pregnant or nursing pooches.

#16: Take them to the vet

If your pooch has had wet poop for several days already, take them to the vet.

This way, your Fido can be tested and treated for more serious illnesses.

Also, if your pups showing other signs like vomiting and weakness, quickly take them to the clinic.

Finally, you know your Fido more than anyone else.

So if you think that its more than just a simple tummy ache

Dont hesitate to call your vet.

#17: Properly clean their water bowls

The type of dog bowls you use can affect your Fidos health.

Its also true for the number of times you clean them.

This is because bacteria can form in your dogs water and food bowl.

A study shows that microorganisms are still present even after its washed.

As a result, it can make your doggos sick and have diarrhea.

To prevent this from happening, wash their bowls every day.

It can be tedious, but its also for your pups safety.

Heres something to give you an idea of how dirty your Fidos bowls can get.

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) finds it to be the 4th germiest house item.

Yikes!

You better keep that water clean bowl from now on.