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Trust me: new puppy parents soon get used to dealing with poop! In fact, a puppy’s bowel movements actually tell us a lot about their overall health.
But you may have a few questions to begin with, like how often do puppies poop, and is there such a thing as normal?
In this article, we’re going to take a close look at puppy poop, as well as covering some other frequently asked questions.
Oh, and to answer the main question quickly: while there is some individual variation depending on age, size, and diet, most healthy puppies poop between four and six times a day. That's a lot of cleaning up to do!
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How much should a puppy poop?
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It largely depends on their size. A giant-breed dog will produce much larger poops than a small-breed dog, which is what you would expect!
The shape and consistency of your pup’s poop will provide additional useful information:
A normal poop should have a log-like shape and be easy to pick up.
Small, hard, nugget-like poops could indicate constipation.
Large volumes of soft or liquid stools mean diarrhoea.
We’re sorry to say this, but you'll need to get used to checking out your pup’s poop!
How often should a puppy poop (by age)
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In general, the younger a pup is, the more they will poop!
But here’s a rough guideline by age on how much your puppy should poop. Do note that some pups will poop a bit more or less than this:
| Puppy age | Expected poops per day |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 5 - 6 |
| 10-12 weeks | 4 - 5 |
| 3-6 months | 3 - 4 |
| 6+ months | 2 – 3 |
By the time a puppy is six months of age or more, their bowel habits will be much the same as an adult dog.
What does a healthy puppy poop look like?
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What colour is normal?
Healthy poop should be a uniform chocolate-brown colour. It can sometimes be a bit darker or lighter, and diet can play a role in how it looks. But chocolate-brown is the aim.
The following changes in colour are considered abnormal, and you should speak to a vet for advice:
Black: Could be due to digested blood, an issue known as melaena, which causes dark, tar-like faeces.
Green, orange or yellow: May indicate an underlying health issue like liver disease.
Grey or white: Excessive amounts of mucus can be the reason your puppy’s stools look paler than usual.
Red: Could indicate blood in your pup’s stools.
What consistency is normal?
Your puppy’s poop should be moist but reasonably firm. A normal motion will be easy to pick up, without leaving too much residue behind.
Stools that are too dry will be hard and may be cracked in appearance. They may also be smaller than usual, being passed in small nuggets.
Overly soft or runny stools are also considered abnormal. If your pup’s poop is either hard and small, or sloppy and tricky to pick up, then speak to your vet for advice.
So, what should puppy poop look like?
Normal puppy poop should be chocolate-brown in colour. It will appear moist and log-like, holding its shape without being too hard or dry.
Basically, you should be able to pick it up without leaving too much residue behind.
What affects how often a puppy poops?
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Your puppy's pooping frequency will depend on several factors, including:
Activity levels: More active pups often poop more
Age: Younger pups tend to poop more often due to a faster gut-transit time
Breed size: Smaller breeds tend to poop more frequently than larger dogs, due to their faster metabolisms
Diet type: High levels of fat and protein, common in puppy diets, can make pooping more frequent.
Feeding schedule: More frequent feeds may mean more frequent poops, which is typical for younger pups.
Help - my puppy isn’t pooping!
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A commonly asked question is ‘how long can a puppy go without pooping’?
Well, most go several times a day, so if it’s gone more than 24 hours and your puppy hasn’t passed stools, give your vet a call for advice.
If your pup hasn’t pooped in a little while, then try not to panic. A lot will depend on how your pet’s acting.
If your pup seems to be their usual self, playful with a keen appetite, then it may be fine to wait a little while and see what happens.
During this time, encourage water intake and feed your puppy as normal. But if your puppy is straining excessively, lethargic, or off their food, then you must get them examined by a vet.
How long after a puppy eats should they poop?
Young pups may pass stools soon after eating, often within five to 30 minutes.
When new food enters the stomach, it stimulates the colon to empty. As your puppy’s digestive system matures, this urgency may decrease, although many adult dogs still toilet soon after consuming a meal.
It’s completely normal if your pup wants to poop straight after eating, as long as they seem well and they are passing healthy stools.
How to recognise problems and red flags
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We’ve looked at normal, but what about abnormal? Here are some red flags to look out for:
Blood in the stools: Blood indicates severe gastrointestinal inflammation, which can occur in several conditions.
Changes in stool colour: Stool colour can be affected by diet, but may also be seen due to health concerns
Diarrhoea: Soft or liquid stools are abnormal and could be caused by many underlying issues. Some may be more serious than others.
Other signs of ill health: Vomiting, lethargy and reduced appetite, alongside changes in stool consistency or colour are a red flag.
Parasites: Visible parasites in your pup’s stools are a problem and need treating.
Sudden increased frequency: This could indicate issues affecting your pup’s gut transit time, including infections, eating too many table scraps, or other recent changes in diet.
If your pup is showing any of these signs, then it’s important to contact your vet for advice.
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FAQs
Is it normal for a puppy to poop after every meal?
Yes, it is perfectly normal for puppies to poop after every meal. Their digestive system is still developing, and their small stomachs and fast metabolisms mean that many young puppies poop a short while after eating.
Do puppies poop during the night?
Many puppies poop at night, especially when they are very young. As well as learning bowel and bladder control, puppies usually need to toilet more frequently than adult dogs. They may not be able to hold things in for a whole night until their system develops.
Can changing puppy food affect how often they poop?
Diet can influence pooping frequency in puppies. Sometimes changing to a higher quality food or one that contains more easily digestible ingredients can reduce pooping frequency. Prebiotics and probiotics can also support gut health and may influence how often your pup poops.
When should I call a vet about my puppy's poop?
You should call your vet if your puppy’s poop is consistently hard or nugget-like, or it is very soft or liquid. An urgent trip to the vet is needed if your pet is passing blood in their stools, excess amounts of mucus, or if they seem unwell.
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