Will fiber firm up dog poop

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated September 16, 2024

Contributions sourced from

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.