All dogs react to dog food in different ways, and stinky or runny dog poos can often signal poor nutrition. Some dogs are also sensitive to certain ingredients and would benefit from a special diet.
Note that the occasional soft or loose stool can be perfectly normal. However, any time a dog is having multiple soft or loose stools, any time a dog is having watery stools, or any “increased softness” of stools that persists for more than a couple of days definitely warrants veterinary evaluation.
Dogs' poo should have a mildly noticeable odour, but nothing too foul smelling. Poor diet can cause stools to be more pungent, as can a raw food diet – because it takes longer and more effort for your dog to digest.
A stool that starts off firm but is followed by soft or very loose second half of the bowel movement, can indicate a variety of causes including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, maldigestion, malabsorption, food intolerances, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, dysbiosis (an imbalance in the types of gut bacteria) ...
Plain rice is one of the best foods you can feed a dog with diarrhoea. Why? Mainly, because it's so easy for dogs to digest. Containing a large amount of fibre that absorbs water, rice can help stabilise your dog's stools, making it an ideal choice for post-diarrhoea feeding.
A bland diet for 24 to 48 hours may help to resolve your pup's issue. Plain-cooked white rice with a little chicken and some canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) may help to make your pup's tummy feel better. Once your pooch feels better, gradually reintroduce their regular food.
Shades that may be problematic include orange/yellow (possibly caused by biliary or liver problem), green (possibly caused by a gall bladder issue or eating grass), or gray or greasy (possibly caused by a pancreas or biliary problem).
A bacterial, parasitic, or viral infection in the gastrointestinal tract can create gas bubbles, making stool appear foamy. A common source of infection is the Giardia parasite. Consuming contaminated water or food may result in infection.
Some find that there is a distinct metallic smell to feces infected with parvovirus. If left untreated, parvo cases can escalate quickly and dehydrate the dog to the point of no return.
Diarrhea in dogs can occur suddenly and last as long as a day or two up to a few weeks or months. If your dog's diarrhea persists for more than a day, dehydration can be a concern. Diarrhea that lasts longer can be an indication that your dog has an underlying health issue.
If you have checked the feeding amount is correct, cut out treats and spaced the meals and your dog is still producing soft poo the addition of just a couple of tablespoons of cooked carrot, sweet potato or squash to their meal can work wonders in firming up their poo. It should be a pretty quick change too.
To firm up your dog's stool, try switching to a high-quality, low-fat dog food that lists meat as the main ingredient. Also, if your dog currently eats wet food, gradually replace the wet food with dry food until your dog is only eating dry food, which can help make its stools firmer.
1) Overfeeding – Many owners are unaware that overfeeding can cause loose stools. This is due to an 'overload' of the digestive system, meaning it is unable to absorb what it needs and instead expelling it. This is more common in young puppies with sensitive stomachs but can happen at any age.
Symptoms. Dogs with IBS most commonly experience diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. The diarrhea usually has a gooey consistency and contains mucus. You may sometimes notice the dog straining to defecate, but also a sudden urge to have a bowel movement.
Greasy/fatty dog poop
If you can visibly see grease and fat in your dog's poop, it's a sign your pooch may have issues in its pancreas, gall bladder or intestines, or an overall problem with fat digestion and absorption.
Symptoms of Giardia infection in both people and pets can include diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. It is possible to be infected and have no signs or symptoms of illness.
Symptoms of Stress Colitis in Dogs
Soft and loose stool. A change in stool color. Stool with bright specks of blood. Increased pooping.
If your dog has a single bout of diarrhea and is otherwise acting normally, there is no need to be concerned. Keep an eye on your dog's bowel movements to see if things improve. More than two episodes of diarrhea may indicate a problem, so contact your veterinarian if your dog has two or more bouts of diarrhea.
Many veterinarians recommend a white rice diet as part of treating diarrhea in dogs. Rice can help firm up your dog's stool because it has less fiber than other grains and binds water in the bowel instead of drawing it out like oatmeal or whole-grain cereals.
Bananas have high fiber content, which can help with gastrointestinal issues in dogs. However, this is somewhat offset by their sugar content. Too much sugar (or fiber) can cause your dog to have diarrhea. Typically, the fiber in the banana should help your dog have healthier bowel movements.
Probiotics. Probiotics may be helpful when dealing with diarrhea. Since the digestive tract makes up about 60 to 80% of your pet's immune system, keeping it healthy is important. Probiotics help support a healthy immune system by keeping the intestinal bacteria in good balance and aiding in digestion.
Bad-smelling stool can be caused by diet, a medication, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, or an infection. Monitor what you eat and treat the underlying conditions.
Key points about giardiasis
Giardiasis is an infection caused by a parasite called Giardia. It causes diarrhea. Symptoms include explosive, watery, greasy, foul-smelling stools, bloating, nausea, pain, gas, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Several medicines are available that cure the infection.