Puppy poop becomes solid 5-8 weeks after birth. It is recommended that puppies nurse for a minimum of four weeks. During the nursing phase, their poop will be runny. When puppy food is gradually introduced into their diet, their poop will change in consistency and eventually become solid.
If you own a dog, the last thing you want to think about is their poop. It’s gross, smelly, and not something you’d want to look at. However, as a dog owner, you should know what your dogs normal poop is like. A dog’s bowel movements can tell you a lot about its health!
By getting a quick peek at your puppy’s poop, it can tell you a lot about the development of your little furry friend.
Puppy poop starts soft and then becomes solid as they develop. But at what point in the developmental process does their poop become solid?
What You'll Learn
It’s All About The Food
All puppies start with soft or liquid poop. Their poop will harden with age as certain changes occur in their bodies. The food they consume has the biggest impact on the form of their poop.
Mother’s Milk
Initially, puppies are on a strict diet of milk from their mothers. They will nurse from their mother for around 5-8 weeks.
During this time, their bowel movements will be runny. Whatever consistency of food you’re giving your dog, their poop will also be that texture. So, if your puppy is strictly on its mother’s milk, it will have runny poop.
Solid Foods
When your puppy has been switched to solid food after being weaned by their mother, you will see a difference in their bowel movements. As you give them more solid food, their poop will become solid as well.
However, anytime you change a dogs’ food, it can cause diarrhea. Because of this, it may take a few days of eating solid food for their poop to become solid. It’ll be worth the wait because cleaning up after a puppy that makes solid bowel movements is so much easier!
It Comes With Age
Immediately after weaning, your puppy may have firmer stools. This comes with introducing solid food to their diets, such as kibble or home-cooked meals.
During this shift in diet, your puppy’s digestive tract has to adjust to the new diet. This may result in diarrhea for only a short time. Be aware of your dog’s bowel movements. If diarrhea persists for over three days, seek the vets’ advice.
After you have switched your puppy to solid foods, their health should balance itself out. Meaning, their general weight and activity levels will become normal.
During these crucial first stages of their diet change, you might notice worms or mucus in their poop. Animals can have parasites, and changes in food when they are young can result in bad bacteria forming in the gut.
Parasites can be an effect of this change. That is why regular vet checkups are crucial in the beginning weeks of your pup’s life.
Cause For Alarm
As stated previously, once you give your puppy solid foods, you will see a drastic change in their poop. However, if they are suddenly going from soft poop to completely watery poop, this is cause for alarm.
When dogs’ bowel movements suddenly change, something is usually wrong internally. Diarrhea is never a good sign in dogs and can eventually cause dehydration and malnourishment.
If your puppy has suddenly gone from soft or solid poop to runny, it’s time to take them to the vet for a checkup.
Puppy Poop Can Change Throughout The Day
It is also important to note that your puppy’s poop might change throughout the day. Starting out, it might be a good solid consistency, but as your dog continues to eat and drink, you will notice it becomes softer.
This is normal and is not attributed to an underlying cause. Dogs’ digestive systems are constantly filtering fluids and food throughout the day. It is normal for your puppy to have softer bowel movements as the day progresses.
How To Solidify Your Puppies Poop
Have a Gradual Weaning Process
When your puppy is in the weaning process, gradually feed them puppy food. Don’t have them go from their mother’s milk one day to a full serving of puppy food the next day. This will ensure the change in their diet does not overload and shock their system. Start in small quantities and move to higher portions when you see your puppy can handle larger amounts of solid food.
Keep Your Puppy Hydrated
Making sure your puppy is well hydrated at all times will also aid in a smooth and healthy bowel movement. Puppies must maintain a hydrated system to properly function. This includes having solid bowel movements.
Provide High Quality Food
While this is easier said than done, it is important to feed your dog high quality food. Having a dog is a privilege, and with that privilege comes the responsibility to ensure they are eating the best food they can. Whether that is a good quality kibble or a yummy home-cooked meal, your dog should eat food with the current nutrient breakdown.
Have Patience
The answer to when a puppy’s poop becomes solid can vary depending on a few factors. As we’ve discussed, it takes time and patience. Weaning a puppy from its mother’s milk isn’t a simple 24-hour process. You have to slowly get them off their mother’s milk and onto puppy food.
Once you have done this, your puppy’s digestive tract has the time to become acclimated to the diet. If you are feeding them good quality food, you should see a change in their poop a few days after being weaned.
End Results
So, when does a puppy’s poop become solid? It depends on the actions you (as the owner) take. Puppies should nurse for at least four weeks. During this time, they will have runny poop. Once you begin weaning, their poops’ consistency should slowly change.
Remember to keep an eye on your dog’s bowel movements, especially during their puppy years. If you see irregular movements or diarrhea, take your puppy to the vet for a checkup. It’s important to keep their health needs at the forefront of your mind when they are in the transitional phases of their diet.
Make sure you are feeding your puppy good quality food and that they are staying hydrated. You are the most important part of maintaining their journey to having solid poops. Even though it may seem uncomfortable and gross now, you will soon find that checking your puppy’s poops will become easier as they get older.
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